“In execution of the laws for the suppression of the slave trade, a vessel has been occasionally sent from that squadron to the coast of Africa, with orders to return thence by the usual track of the slave ships, and to seize any of our vessels which might be engaged in that trade.  None have been found, and, it is believed, that none are thus employed.  It is well known, however, that the trade still exists under other flags.” House Journal, 18 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 11, 12, 19, 27, 241; House Reports, 18 Cong. 2 sess.  I. No. 70; Gales and Seaton, Register of Debates, I. 625-8, and Appendix, p. 2 ff.

1825, Feb. 21.  United States of Colombia:  Proposed Treaty.

The President sends to the Senate a treaty with the United States of Colombia drawn, as United States Minister Anderson said, similar to that signed at London, with the alterations made by the Senate.  March 9, 1825, the Senate rejects this treaty. Amer.  State Papers, Foreign, V. 729-35.

1825, Feb. 28.  Congress (House):  Proposed Resolution on Slave-Trade.

Mr. Mercer laid on the table the following resolution:—­

“Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to enter upon, and prosecute from time to time, such negotiations with the several maritime powers of Europe and America, as he may deem expedient for the effectual abolition of the slave trade, and its ultimate denunciation, as piracy, under the law of nations, by the consent of the civilized world.”  The House refused to consider the resolution. House Journal, 18 Cong. 2 sess. p. 280; Gales and Seaton, Register of Debates, I. 697, 736.

1825, March 3.  Congress (House):  Proposed Resolution against Right of Search.

“Mr. Forsyth submitted the following resolution: 

“Resolved, That while this House anxiously desires that the Slave Trade should be, universally, denounced as Piracy, and, as such, should be detected and punished under the law of nations, it considers that it would be highly inexpedient to enter into engagements with any foreign power, by which all the merchant vessels of the United States would be exposed to the inconveniences of any regulation of search, from which any merchant vessels of that foreign power would be exempted.”  Resolution laid on the table. House Journal, 18 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 308-9; Gales and Seaton, Register of Debates, I. 739.

1825, Dec. 6.  President Adams’s Message.

“The objects of the West India Squadron have been, to carry into execution the laws for the suppression of the African Slave Trade:  for the protection of our commerce against vessels of piratical character....  These objects, during the present year, have been accomplished more effectually than at any former period.  The African Slave Trade has long been excluded from the use of our flag; and if some few citizens of our country have continued to set the laws of the Union, as well as those of nature and humanity, at defiance, by persevering in that abominable traffic, it has been only by sheltering themselves under the banners of other nations, less earnest for the total extinction of the trade than ours.” House Journal, 19 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 20, 96, 296-7, 305, 323, 329, 394-5, 399, 410, 414, 421, 451, 640.