1840, Jan. 3.  Congress (Senate):  Bill to Amend Act of 1807.

“Agreeably to notice, Mr. Strange asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (Senate, No. 123) to amend an act entitled ’An act to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States from and after the 1st day of January, in the year 1808,’ approved the 2d day of March, 1807; which was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”  Jan. 8, it was reported without amendment; May 11, it was considered, and, on motion by Mr. King, “Ordered, That it lie on the table.” Senate Journal, 26 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 73, 87, 363.

1840, May 4.  Congress (Senate):  Bill on Slave-Trade.

“Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Commerce, reported a bill (Senate, No. 335) making further provision to prevent the abuse of the flag of the United States, and the use of unauthorized papers in the foreign slavetrade, and for other purposes.”  This passed the Senate, but was dropped in the House. Ibid., pp. 356, 359, 440, 442; House Journal, 26 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 1138, 1228, 1257.

1841, June 1.  Congress (House):  President Tyler’s Message.

“I shall also, at the proper season, invite your attention to the statutory enactments for the suppression of the slave trade, which may require to be rendered more efficient in their provisions.  There is reason to believe that the traffic is on the increase.  Whether such increase is to be ascribed to the abolition of slave labor in the British possessions in our vicinity, and an attendant diminution in the supply of those articles which enter into the general consumption of the world, thereby augmenting the demand from other quarters, ... it were needless to inquire.  The highest considerations of public honor, as well as the strongest promptings of humanity, require a resort to the most vigorous efforts to suppress the trade.” House Journal, 27 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 31, 184.

1841, Dec. 7.  President Tyler’s Message.

Though the United States is desirous to suppress the slave-trade, she will not submit to interpolations into the maritime code at will by other nations.  This government has expressed its repugnance to the trade by several laws.  It is a matter for deliberation whether we will enter upon treaties containing mutual stipulations upon the subject with other governments.  The United States will demand indemnity for all depredations by Great Britain.

“I invite your attention to existing laws for the suppression of the African slave trade, and recommend all such alterations as may give to them greater force and efficacy.  That the American flag is grossly abused by the abandoned and profligate of other nations is but too probable.  Congress has, not long since, had this subject under its consideration, and its importance well justifies renewed and anxious attention.” House Journal, 27 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 14-5, 86, 113.