e trade."

Sec. 1. "_Be it enacted_, ... That the Governor of this state be ...
authorized and required to appoint some suitable person, as the agent of
the state, to receive all and every slave or slaves or persons of
colour, who may have been brought into this state in violation of the
laws of the United States, prohibiting the slave trade: _Provided_, that
the authority of the said agent is not to extend to slaves who have been
condemned and sold."

Sec. 2. The agent must give bonds.

Sec. 3. "_And be it further enacted_, That the said slaves, when so placed
in the possession of the state, as aforesaid, shall be employed on such
public work or works, as shall be deemed by the Governor of most value
and utility to the public interest."

Sec. 4. A part may be hired out to support those employed in public work.

Sec. 5. "_And be it further enacted_, That in all cases in which a decree
of any court having competent authority, shall be in favor of any or
claimant or claimants, the said slaves shall be truly and faithfully, by
said agent, delivered to such claimant or claimants: but in case of
their condemnation, they shall be sold by such agent for cash to the
highest bidder, by giving sixty days notice," etc. _Acts of the Assembly
of Alabama, 1822_ (Cahawba, 1823), p. 62.

~1823, Jan. 30. United States Statute: Piracy Act made Perpetual.~

"An Act in addition to 'An act to continue in force "An act to protect
the commerce of the United States, and punish the crime of piracy,"'"
etc. _Statutes at Large_, III. 510-14, 721, 789. For proceedings in
Congress, see _Senate Journal_, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 61, 64, 70, 83, 98,
101, 106, 110, 111, 122, 137; _House Journal_, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 73,
76, 156, 183, 189.

~1823, Feb. 10. Congress (House): Resolution on Slave-Trade.~

Mr. Mercer offered the following resolution:--

"Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to enter
upon, and to prosecute, from time to time, such negotiations with the
several maritime powers of Europe and America, as he may deem expedient,
for the effectual abolition of the African slave trade, and its ultimate
denunciation as piracy, under the law of nations, by the consent of the
civilized world." Agreed to Feb. 28; passed Senate. _House Journal_, 17
Cong. 2 sess. pp. 212, 280-82; _Annals of Cong._, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp.
928, 1147-55.

~1823, March 3. United States Statute: Appropriation.~

"An Act making appropr