1808, Feb. 23.  Congress (Senate):  Proposition to Amend Constitution.

“Agreeably to instructions from the legislature of the state of Pennsylvania to their Senators in Congress, Mr. Maclay submitted the following resolution, which was read for consideration:—­

“Resolved ..., That the Constitution of the United States be so altered and amended, as to prevent the Congress of the United States, and the legislatures of any state in the Union, from authorizing the importation of slaves.”  No further mention. Senate Journal (repr. 1821), 10 Cong. 1 sess.  IV. 235; Annals of Cong., 10 Cong. 1 sess. p. 134.  For the full text of the instructions, see Amer.  State Papers, Miscellaneous, I. 716.

1810, Dec. 5.  President Madison’s Message.

“Among the commercial abuses still committed under the American flag, ... it appears that American citizens are instrumental in carrying on a traffic in enslaved Africans, equally in violation of the laws of humanity, and in defiance of those of their own country.  The same just and benevolent motives which produced the interdiction in force against this criminal conduct, will doubtless be felt by Congress, in devising further means of suppressing the evil.” House Journal (repr. 1826), 11 Cong. 3 sess.  VII. 435.

1811, Jan. 15.  United States Statute:  Secret Act and Joint Resolution against Amelia Island Smugglers.

Statutes at Large, III. 471 ff.

1815, March 29. [France:  Abolition of Slave-Trade.

Napoleon on his return from Elba decrees the abolition of the slave-trade.  Decree re-enacted in 1818 by the Bourbon dynasty. British and Foreign State Papers, 1815-16, p. 196, note; 1817-18, p. 1025.]

1815, Feb. 18.  Great Britain:  Treaty of Ghent.

“Treaty of peace and amity.  Concluded December 24, 1814; Ratifications exchanged at Washington February 17, 1815; Proclaimed February 18, 1815.”

Art.  X.  “Whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of humanity and justice, and whereas both His Majesty and the United States are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition, it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object.” U.S.  Treaties and Conventions (ed. 1889), p. 405.

1815, Dec. 8.  Alabama and Mississippi Territory:  Act to Dispose of Illegally Imported Slaves.

“An Act concerning Slaves brought into this Territory, contrary to the Laws of the United States.”  Slaves to be sold at auction, and the proceeds to be divided between the territorial treasury and the collector or informer.  Toulmin, Digest of the Laws of Alabama, p. 637; Statutes of Mississippi digested, etc. (ed. 1816), p. 389.

1816, Nov. 18.  North Carolina:  Act to Dispose of Illegally Imported Slaves.