it was not
the intention of the law to preclude their appointment. It was
obvious that the longer these persons should be detained in the
United States in the hands of the marshals, the greater would be
the expense, and that for the same term would the main purpose of
the law be suspended. It seemed, therefore, to be incumbent on me
to make the necessary arrangements for carrying this act into
effect in Africa, in time to meet the delivery of any persons who
might be taken by the public vessels, and landed there under it.

"On this view of the policy and sanctions of the law, it has been
decided to send a public ship to the coast of Africa with two
such agents, who will take with them tools and other implements
necessary for the purposes above mentioned. To each of these
agents a small salary has been allowed--fifteen hundred dollars
to the principal, and twelve hundred to the other. All our public
agents on the coast of Africa receive salaries for their
services, and it was understood that none of our citizens
possessing the requisite qualifications would accept these
trusts, by which they would be confined to parts the least
frequented and civilized, without a reasonable compensation. Such
allowance, therefore, seemed to be indispensable to the execution
of the act. It is intended, also, to subject a portion of the sum
appropriated, to the order of the principal agent, for the
special objects above stated, amounting in the whole, including
the salaries of the agents for one year, to rather less than one
third of the appropriation. Special instructions will be given to
these agents, defining, in precise terms, their duties in regard
to the persons thus delivered to them; the disbursement of the
money by the principal agent; and his accountability for the
same. They will also have power to select the most suitable place
on the coast of Africa, at which all persons who may be taken
under this act shall be delivered to them, with an express
injunction to exercise no power founded on the principle of
colonization, or other power than that of performing the
benevolent offices above recited, by the permission and sanction
of the existing government under which they may establish
themselves. Orders will be given to the commander of the public