The Secretary of State, Mr. M'Lane, deferred answer
until the meeting of Congress, and then postponed negotiations on
account of the irritable state of the country on the slave question.
Great Britain had proposed that "A reciprocal right of search ... be
conceded by the United States, limited as to place, and subject to
specified restrictions. It is to be employed only in repressing the
Slave Trade, and to be exercised under a written and specific authority,
conferred on the Commander of the visiting ship." In the act of
accession, "it will be necessary that the right of search should be
extended to the coasts of the United States," and Great Britain will in
turn extend it to the British West Indies. This proposal was finally
refused, March 24, 1834, chiefly, as stated, because of the extension of
the Right of Search to the coasts of the United States. This part was
waived by Great Britain, July 7, 1834. On Sept. 12 the French Minister
joined in urging accession. On Oct. 4, 1834, Forsyth states that the
determination has "been definitely formed, not to make the United States
a party to any Convention on the subject of the Slave Trade."
_Parliamentary Papers_, 1835, Vol. LI., _Slave Trade_, Class B., pp.
84-92.
~1833, Dec. 23. Georgia: Slave-Trade Acts Amended.~
"An Act to reform, amend, and consolidate the penal laws of the State of
Georgia.
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