“Resolved, That the Executive should be sustained and commended for any proper efforts whenever and wherever made to enforce said laws, and to bring to speedy punishment the wicked violators thereof, and all their aiders and abettors.”

Failed of the two-thirds vote necessary to suspend the rules—­the vote being 115 to 84—­and was dropped. House Journal, 35 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 298-9.

1859, March 3.  United States Statute:  Appropriation.

To carry out the Act of March 3, 1819, and subsequent acts, and to pay expenses already incurred, $75,000. Statutes at Large, XI. 404.

1859, Dec. 19.  President Buchanan’s Message.

“All lawful means at my command have been employed, and shall continue to be employed, to execute the laws against the African slave trade.  After a most careful and rigorous examination of our coasts, and a thorough investigation of the subject, we have not been able to discover that any slaves have been imported into the United States except the cargo by the Wanderer, numbering between three and four hundred.  Those engaged in this unlawful enterprise have been rigorously prosecuted, but not with as much success as their crimes have deserved.  A number of them are still under prosecution. [Here follows a history of our slave-trade legislation.]

“These acts of Congress, it is believed, have, with very rare and insignificant exceptions, accomplished their purpose.  For a period of more than half a century there has been no perceptible addition to the number of our domestic slaves....  Reopen the trade, and it would be difficult to determine whether the effect would be more deleterious on the interests of the master, or on those of the native born slave, ...” Senate Exec.  Doc., 36 Cong. 1 sess.  I. No. 2, pp. 5-8.

1860, March 20.  Congress (Senate):  Proposed Resolution.

“Mr. Wilson submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to:—­

“Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the laws of the United States in relation to the suppression of the African slave trade as to provide a penalty of imprisonment for life for a participation in such trade, instead of the penalty of forfeiture of life, as now provided; and also an amendment of such laws as will include in the punishment for said offense all persons who fit out or are in any way connected with or interested in fitting out expeditions or vessels for the purpose of engaging in such slave trade.” Senate Journal, 36 Cong. 1 sess. p. 274.

1860, March 20.  Congress (Senate):  Right of Search.

“Mr. Wilson asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to bring in a joint resolution (Senate, No. 20) to secure the right of search on the coast of Africa, for the more effectual suppression of the African slave trade.”  Read twice, and referred to Committee on Foreign Relations. Ibid.