Governor's message; Connecticut
answers that it is inexpedient; Maryland opposes the proposition.
_Massachusetts Resolves_, February, 1805, p. 55; June, 1805, p. 18. See
below, March 3, 1805.

~1805, March 2. United States Statute: Slave-Trade to Orleans Territory
Permitted.~

"An Act further providing for the government of the territory of
Orleans."

Sec. 1. A territorial government erected similar to Mississippi, with same
rights and privileges.

Sec. 5. 6th Article of Ordinance of 1787, on slaves, not to extend to this
territory.

_Statutes at Large_, II. 322. For proceedings in Congress, see _Annals
of Cong._, 8 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 28, 30, 45-6, 47, 48, 54, 59-61, 69,
727-8, 871-2, 957, 1016-9, 1020-1, 1201, 1209-10, 1211. Cf. _Statutes at
Large_, II. 331; _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong. 2 sess., pp. 50, 51, 52, 57,
68, 69, 1213, 1215. In _Journals_, see Index, Senate Bills Nos. 8, 11.

~1805, March 3. Congress (House): Massachusetts Proposition to Amend
Constitution.~

Mr. Varnum of Massachusetts presented the resolution of the Legislature
of Massachusetts, "instructing the Senators, and requesting the
Representatives in Congress, from the said State, to take all legal and
necessary steps, to use their utmost exertions, as soon as the same is
practicable, to obtain an amendment to the Federal Constitution, so as
to authorize and empower the Congress of the United States to pass a
law, whenever they may deem it expedient, to prevent the further
importation of slaves from any of the West India Islands, from the coast
of Africa, or elsewhere, into the United States, or any part thereof." A
motion was made that Congress have power to prevent further
importation; it was read and ordered to lie on the table. _House
Journal_ (repr. 1826), 8 Cong. 2 sess. V 171; _Annals of Cong._, 8 Cong.
2 sess. pp. 1221-2. For the original resolution, see _Massachusetts
Resolves_, May, 1802, to March, 1806, Vol. II. A. (State House ed., p.
239.)

~1805, Dec. 17. Congress (Senate): Proposition to Prohibit Importation.~

A "bill to prohibit the importation of certain persons therein described
into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States,
from and after" Jan. 1, 1808, was read twice and postponed. _Senate
Journal_ (repr. 1821), 9 Cong. 1 sess. IV. 10-11; _Annals of Cong._, 9
Cong. 1 sess. pp. 20-1.

~1806, Jan. 20. Congress (House): Vermont Proposed Amendment.~

"Mr. Olin, one of the Representatives f