1856, Dec. 15.  Congress (House):  Reopening of Slave-Trade.

“Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal the laws prohibiting the African slave trade.”  Offered by Mr. Orr; not voted upon. Congressional Globe, 34 Cong. 3 sess. p. 123.

1856, Dec. 15.  Congress (House):  Reopening of Slave-Trade.

“Resolved, That it is inexpedient, unwise, and contrary to the settled policy of the United States, to repeal the laws prohibiting the African slave trade.”  Offered by Mr. Orr; agreed to, 183 to 8. House Journal, 34 Cong. 3 sess. pp. 111-3; Congressional Globe, 34 Cong. 3 sess. pp. 125-6.

1856, Dec. 15.  Congress (House):  Reopening of Slave-Trade.

“Resolved, That the House of Representatives, expressing, as they believe, public opinion both North and South, are utterly opposed to the reopening of the slave trade.”  Offered by Mr. Boyce; not voted upon. Congressional Globe, 34 Cong. 3 sess. p. 125.

1857.  South Carolina:  Report of Legislative Committee.

Special committee of seven on the slave-trade clause in the Governor’s message report:  majority report of six members, favoring the reopening of the African slave-trade; minority report of Pettigrew, opposing it. Report of the Special Committee, etc., published in 1857.

1857, March 3.  United States Statute:  Appropriation.

To carry out the Act of March 3, 1819, and subsequent acts, $8,000. Statutes at Large, XI. 227; House Journal, 34 Cong. 3 sess. p. 397.  Cf. House Exec.  Doc., 34 Cong. 3 sess.  IX.  No. 70.

1858, March (?).  Louisiana:  Bill to Import Africans.

Passed House; lost in Senate by two votes.  Cf. Congressional Globe, 35
Cong. 1 sess. p. 1362.

1858, Dec. 6.  President Buchanan’s Message.

“The truth is, that Cuba in its existing colonial condition, is a constant source of injury and annoyance to the American people.  It is the only spot in the civilized world where the African slave trade is tolerated; and we are bound by treaty with Great Britain to maintain a naval force on the coast of Africa, at much expense both of life and treasure, solely for the purpose of arresting slavers bound to that island.  The late serious difficulties between the United States and Great Britain respecting the right of search, now so happily terminated, could never have arisen if Cuba had not afforded a market for slaves.  As long as this market shall remain open, there can be no hope for the civilization of benighted Africa....

“It has been made known to the world by my predecessors that the United States have, on several occasions, endeavored to acquire Cuba from Spain by honorable negotiation.  If this were accomplished, the last relic of the African slave trade would instantly disappear.  We would not, if we could, acquire Cuba in any other manner.  This is due to our national character....  This course we shall ever pursue, unless circumstances should occur, which we do not now anticipate, rendering a departure from it clearly justifiable, under the imperative and overruling law of self-preservation.” House Exec.  Doc., 35 Cong. 2 sess.  II.  No. 2, pp. 14-5.  See also Ibid., pp. 31-3.