ent American ownership. This character has been so well
simulated as to afford them comparative security in prosecuting the
slave trade, a traffic emphatically denounced in our statutes, regarded
with abhorrence by our citizens, and of which the effectual suppression
is nowhere more sincerely desired than in the United States. These
circumstances make it proper to recommend to your early attention a
careful revision of these laws, so that ... the integrity and honor of
our flag may be carefully preserved." _House Journal_, 26 Cong. 1 sess.
pp. 117-8.

~1840, Jan. 3. Congress (Senate): Bill to Amend Act of 1807.~

"Agreeably to notice, Mr. Strange asked and obtained leave to bring in a
bill (Senate, No. 123) to amend an act entitled 'An act to prohibit the
importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of
the United States from and after the 1st day of January, in the year
1808,' approved the 2d day of March, 1807; which was read the first and
second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary." Jan. 8, it was reported without amendment; May 11, it was
considered, and, on motion by Mr. King, "_Ordered_, That it lie on the
table." _Senate Journal_, 26 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 73, 87, 363.

~1840, May 4. Congress (Senate): Bill on Slave-Trade.~

"Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Commerce, reported a bill (Senate, No.
335) making further provision to prevent the abuse of the flag of the
United States, and the use of unauthorized papers in the foreign
slavetrade, and for other purposes." This passed the Senate, but was
dropped in the House. _Ibid._, pp. 356, 359, 440, 442; _House Journal_,
26 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 1138, 1228, 1257.

~1841, June 1. Congress (House): President Tyler's Message.~

"I shall also, at the proper season, invite your attention to the
statutory enactments for the suppression of the slave trade, which may
require to be rendered more efficient in their provisions. There is
reason to believe that the traffic is on the increase. Whether such
increase is to be ascribed to the abolition of slave labor in the
British possessions in our vicinity, and an attendant diminution in the
supply of those articles which enter into the general consumption of the
world, thereby augmenting the demand from other quarters, ... it were
needless to inquire. The highest considerations of public honor, as well
as the strongest promptings of humanity, require a resort to the