Mary's, and such too, recently captured by our
vessels of war, and ordered to Savannah, were illegally bartered
by hundreds in that city, _for_ this bartering or bonding (as
_it is called_, but in reality _selling_,) actually took place
before any decision had [been] passed by the court respecting
them. I cannot but again express to you, sir, that these
irregularities and mocking of the laws, by men who understand
them, and who, it was presumed, would have respected them, are
such, that it requires the immediate interposition of Congress
to effect a suppression of this traffic; for, as things are,
should a faithful officer of the government apprehend such
negroes, to avoid the penalties imposed by the laws, the
proprietors disclaim them, and some agent of the executive
demands a delivery of the same to him, who may employ them as he
pleases, or effect a sale by way of a bond, for the restoration
of the negroes when legally called on so to do; which bond, it
is _understood_, is to be _forfeited_, as the amount of the bond
is so much less than the value of the property.... There are
many negroes ... recently introduced into this state and the
Alabama territory, and which can be apprehended. The undertaking
would be great; but to be sensible that we shall possess your
approbation, and that we are carrying the views and wishes of
the government into execution, is all we wish, and it shall be
done, independent of every personal consideration.
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