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.

A “bill to prohibit the importation of certain persons therein described into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after” Jan. 1, 1808, was read twice and postponed. Senate Journal (repr. 1821), 9 Cong. 1 sess.  IV. 10-11; Annals of Cong., 9 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 20-1.

1806, Jan. 20.  Congress (House):  Vermont Proposed Amendment.

“Mr. Olin, one of the Representatives from the State of Vermont, presented to the House certain resolutions of the General Assembly of the said State, proposing an article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, to prevent the further importation of slaves, or people of color, from any of the West India Islands, from the coast of Africa, or elsewhere, into the United States, or any part thereof; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.”  No further mention found. House Journal (repr. 1826), 9 Cong. 1 sess.  V 238; Annals of Cong., 9 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 343-4.

1806, Jan. 25.  Virginia:  Imported Slaves to be Sold.

“An Act to amend the several laws concerning slaves.”

Sec. 5.  If the jury before whom the importer is brought “shall find that the said slave or slaves were brought into this commonwealth, and have remained therein, contrary to the provisions of this act, the court shall make an order, directing him, her or them to be delivered to the overseers of the poor, to be by them sold for cash and applied as herein directed.”

Sec. 8.  Penalty for bringing slaves, $400 per slave; the same for buying or hiring, knowingly, such a slave.

Sec. 16.  This act to take effect May 1, 1806. Statutes at Large of Virginia, New Series, III. 251.

1806, Jan. 27.  Congress (House):  Bill to Tax Slaves Imported.

“A Bill laying a duty on slaves imported into any of the United States.”  Finally dropped. House Journal (repr. 1826), 8 Cong. 2 sess.  V. 129; Ibid., 9 Cong. 1 sess.  V. 195, 223, 240, 242, 243-4, 248, 260, 262, 264, 276-7, 287, 294, 305, 309, 338; Annals of Cong., 9 Cong. 1 sess. pp. 273, 274, 346, 358, 372, 434, 442-4, 533.