"Resolve requesting the Governor to transmit to the Senators and Representatives in Congress, and the Executives of the several States this Resolution, as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, respecting Slaves." June 8, 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."
§ 1. A territorial government erected similar to Mississippi, with same rights and privileges.
§ 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.