“The execution of the laws for the suppression of the African slave trade has been confided to the Department of the Interior.  It is a subject of gratulation that the efforts which have been made for the suppression of this inhuman traffic have been recently attended with unusual success.  Five vessels being fitted out for the slave trade have been seized and condemned.  Two mates of vessels engaged in the trade, and one person in equipping a vessel as a slaver, have been convicted and subjected to the penalty of fine and imprisonment, and one captain, taken with a cargo of Africans on board his vessel, has been convicted of the highest grade of offence under our laws, the punishment of which is death.” Senate Exec.  Doc., 37 Cong. 2 sess.  I. No. 1, p. 13.

1862, Jan. 27.  Congress (Senate):  Bill on Slave-Trade.

“Agreeably to notice Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (Senate, No. 173), for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade.”  Read twice, and referred to Committee on the Judiciary; Feb. 11, 1863, reported adversely, and postponed indefinitely. Senate Journal, 37 Cong. 2 sess. p. 143; 37 Cong. 3 sess. pp. 231-2.

1862, March 14.  United States Statute:  Appropriation.

For compensation to United States marshals, district attorneys, etc., for services in the suppression of the slave-trade, so much of the appropriation of March 2, 1861, as may be expedient and proper, not exceeding in all $10,000. Statutes at Large, XII. 368-9.

1862, March 25.  United States Statute:  Prize Law.

“An Act to facilitate Judicial Proceedings in Adjudications upon Captured Property, and for the better Administration of the Law of Prize.”  Applied to captures under the slave-trade law. Ibid., XII. 374-5; Congressional Globe, 37 Cong. 2 sess., Appendix, pp. 346-7.

1862, June 7.  Great Britain:  Treaty of 1862.

“Treaty for the suppression of the African slave trade.  Concluded at Washington April 7, 1862; ratifications exchanged at London May 20, 1862; proclaimed June 7, 1862.”  Ratified unanimously by the Senate. U.S.  Treaties and Conventions (1889), pp. 454-66.  See also Senate Exec.  Journal, XII. pp. 230, 231, 240, 254, 391, 400, 403.

1862, July 11.  United States Statute:  Treaty of 1862 Carried into Effect.

“An Act to carry into Effect the Treaty between the United States and her Britannic Majesty for the Suppression of the African Slave-Trade.” Statutes at Large, XII. 531; Senate Journal and House Journal, 37 Cong. 2 sess., Senate Bill No. 352.

1862, July 17.  United States Statute:  Former Acts Amended.

“An Act to amend an Act entitled ’An Act to amend an Act entitled “An Act in Addition to the Acts prohibiting the Slave Trade."’” Statutes at Large, XII. 592-3; Senate Journal and House Journal, 37 Cong. 2 sess., Senate Bill No. 385.