1831, Feb. 16.  Congress (House):  Proposed Resolution on Slave-Trade.

“Mr. Mercer moved to suspend the rule of the House in regard to motions, for the purpose of enabling himself to submit a resolution requesting the Executive to enter into negotiations with the maritime Powers of Europe, to induce them to enact laws declaring the African slave trade piracy, and punishing it as such.”  The motion was lost.  Gales and Seaton, Register of Debates, VII. 726.

1831, March 2.  United States Statute:  Appropriation.

“An Act making appropriations for the naval service,” etc.

“For carrying into effect the acts for the suppression of the slave trade,” etc., $16,000. Statutes at Large, IV. 460, 462.

1831, March 3.  Congress (House):  Resolution as to Treaties.

“Mr. Mercer moved to suspend the rule to enable him to submit the following resolution: 

“Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to renew, and to 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 African slave trade, and its ultimate denunciation as piracy, under the laws of nations, by the consent of the civilized world.”  The rule was suspended by a vote of 108 to 36, and the resolution passed, 118 to 32. House Journal, 21 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 426-8.

1833, Feb. 20.  United States Statute:  Appropriation.

“An Act making appropriations for the naval service,” etc.

" ... for carrying into effect the acts for the suppression of the slave trade,” etc., $5,000. Statutes at Large, IV. 614, 615.

1833, August.  Great Britain and France:  Proposed Treaty with the United States.

British and French ministers simultaneously invited the United States to accede to the Convention just concluded between them for the suppression of the slave-trade.  The Secretary of State, Mr. M’Lane, deferred answer until the meeting of Congress, and then postponed negotiations on account of the irritable state of the country on the slave question.  Great Britain had proposed that “A reciprocal right of search ... be conceded by the United States, limited as to place, and subject to specified restrictions.  It is to be employed only in repressing the Slave Trade, and to be exercised under a written and specific authority, conferred on the Commander of the visiting ship.”  In the act of accession, “it will be necessary that the right of search should be extended to the coasts of the United States,” and Great Britain will in turn extend it to the British West Indies.  This proposal was finally refused, March 24, 1834, chiefly, as stated, because of the extension of the Right of Search to the coasts of the United States.  This part was waived by Great Britain, July 7, 1834.  On Sept. 12 the French Minister joined in urging accession.  On Oct. 4, 1834, Forsyth states that the determination has “been definitely formed, not to make the United States a party to any Convention on the subject of the Slave Trade.” Parliamentary Papers, 1835, Vol.  LI., Slave Trade, Class B., pp. 84-92.