Sec. 2.  The introduction of Negroes from the United States of America, except of those legally held as slaves there, shall be piracy. Ibid., I. 197.  Cf. House Doc., 27 Cong. 1 sess.  No. 34, p. 42.

1837, March 3.  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., $11,413.57. Statutes at Large, V. 155, 157.

1838, March 19.  Congress (Senate):  Slave-Trade with Texas, etc.

“Mr. Morris submitted the following motion for consideration: 

“Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire whether the present laws of the United States, on the subject of the slave trade, will prohibit that trade being carried on between citizens of the United States and citizens of the Republic of Texas, either by land or by sea; and whether it would be lawful in vessels owned by citizens of that Republic, and not lawful in vessels owned by citizens of this, or lawful in both, and by citizens of both countries; and also whether a slave carried from the United States into a foreign country, and brought back, on returning into the United States, is considered a free person, or is liable to be sent back, if demanded, as a slave, into that country from which he or she last came; and also whether any additional legislation by Congress is necessary on any of these subjects.”  March 20, the motion of Mr. Walker that this resolution “lie on the table,” was determined in the affirmative, 32 to 9. Senate Journal, 25 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 297-8, 300.

1839, Feb. 5.  Congress (Senate):  Bill to Amend Slave-Trade Acts.

“Mr. Strange, on leave, and in pursuance of notice given, introduced a bill to amend an act entitled an act to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port in the jurisdiction of the United States; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.”  March 1, the Committee was discharged from further consideration of the bill. Congressional Globe, 25 Cong. 3 sess. p. 172; Senate Journal, 25 Cong. 3 sess. pp. 200, 313.

1839, Dec. 24.  President Van Buren’s Message.

“It will be seen by the report of the Secretary of the navy respecting the disposition of our ships of war, that it has been deemed necessary to station a competent force on the coast of Africa, to prevent a fraudulent use of our flag by foreigners.

“Recent experience has shown that the provisions in our existing laws which relate to the sale and transfer of American vessels while abroad, are extremely defective.  Advantage has been taken of these defects to give to vessels wholly belonging to foreigners, and navigating the ocean, an apparent American ownership.  This character has been so well simulated as to afford them comparative security in prosecuting the slave trade, a traffic emphatically denounced in our statutes, regarded with abhorrence by our citizens, and of which the effectual suppression is nowhere more sincerely desired than in the United States.  These circumstances make it proper to recommend to your early attention a careful revision of these laws, so that ... the integrity and honor of our flag may be carefully preserved.” House Journal, 26 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 117-8.