“Resolved, That this House receive with painful sensibility information that one of the Southern States, by a repeal of certain prohibitory laws, have permitted a traffic unjust in its nature, and highly impolitic in free Governments.”  Ruled out of order by the chairman of the Committee of the Whole. Annals of Cong., 8 Cong. 1 sess. p. 1004.

1804, Feb. 15.  Congress (House):  Proposed Duty.

“Resolved, That a tax of ten dollars be imposed on every slave imported into any part of the United States.”

“Ordered, That a bill, or bills, be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution,” etc.  Feb. 16 “a bill laying a duty on slaves imported into the United States” was read, but was never considered. House Journal (repr. 1826), 8 Cong. 1 sess.  IV 523, 578, 580, 581-2, 585; Annals of Cong., 8 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 820, 876, 991, 1012, 1020, 1024-36.

1804, March 26.  United States Statute:  Slave-Trade Limited.

“An Act erecting Louisiana into two territories,” etc.  Acts of 1794 and 1803 extended to Louisiana. Statutes at Large, II. 283.  For proceedings in Congress, see Annals of Cong., 8 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 106, 211, 223, 231, 233-4, 238, 255, 1038, 1054-68, 1069-79, 1128-30, 1185-9.

1805, Feb. 15.  Massachusetts:  Proposed Amendment.

“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.”

Sec. 1.  A territorial government erected similar to Mississippi, with same rights and privileges.

Sec. 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.