1852, Feb. 5.  Alabama:  Illegal Importations.

By code approved on this date:—­

Sec.Sec. 2058-2062.  If slaves have been imported contrary to law, they are to be sold, and one fourth paid to the agent or informer and the residue to the treasury.  An agent is to be appointed to take charge of such slaves, who is to give bond.  Pending controversy, he may hire the slaves out.  Ormond, Code of Alabama, pp. 392-3.

1853, March 3.  Congress (Senate):  Appropriation Proposed.

A bill making appropriations for the naval service for the year ending June 30, 1854.  Mr. Underwood offered the following amendment:—­

“For executing the provisions of the act approved 3d of March, 1819, entitled ‘An act in addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade,’ $20,000.”  Amendment agreed to, and bill passed.  It appears, however, to have been subsequently amended in the House, and the appropriation does not stand in the final act. Congressional Globe, 32 Cong. 2 sess. p. 1072; Statutes at Large, X. 214.

1854, May 22.  Congress (Senate):  West India Slave-Trade.

Mr. Clayton presented the following resolution, which was unanimously agreed to:—­

“Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Relations be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for such restrictions on the power of American consuls residing in the Spanish West India islands to issue sea letters on the transfer of American vessels in those islands, as will prevent the abuse of the American flag in protecting persons engaged in the African slave trade.”  June 26, 1854, this committee reported “a bill (Senate, No. 416) for the more effectual suppression of the slave-trade in American built vessels.”  Passed Senate, postponed in House. Senate Journal, 33 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 404, 457-8, 472-3, 476; House Journal, 33 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 1093, 1332-3; Congressional Globe, 33 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 1257-61, 1511-3, 1591-3, 2139.

1854, May 29.  Congress (Senate):  Treaty of Washington.

Resolved, “that, in the opinion of the Senate, it is expedient, and in conformity with the interests and sound policy of the United States, that the eighth article of the treaty between this government and Great Britain, of the 9th of August, 1842, should be abrogated.”  Introduced by Slidell, and favorably reported from Committee on Foreign Relations in Executive Session, June 13, 1854. Senate Journal, 34 Cong. 1-2 sess. pp. 396, 695-8; Senate Reports, 34 Cong. 1 sess.  I. No. 195.

1854, June 21.  Congress (Senate):  Bill Regulating Navigation.

“Mr. Seward asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (Senate, No. 407) to regulate navigation to the coast of Africa in vessels owned by citizens of the United States, in certain cases; which was read and passed to a second reading.”  June 22, ordered to be printed. Senate Journal, 33 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 448, 451; Congressional Globe, 33 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 1456, 1461, 1472.