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in Africa, the cost per head was much greater than that which I agreed to pay the Colonization Society.

But it will not be sufficient for Congress to limit the amount appropriated to the case of the Wildfire. It is probable, judging from the increased activity of the slave trade and the vigilance of our cruisers, that several similar captures may be made before the end of the year. An appropriation ought, therefore, to be granted large enough to cover such contingencies.

The period has arrived when it is indispensable to provide some specific legislation for the guidance of the Executive on this subject. With this view, I would suggest that Congress might authorize the President to enter into a general agreement with the Colonization Society, binding them to receive, on the coast of Africa from our agent there, all the captured Africans which may be delivered to him, and to maintain them for a limited period upon such terms and conditions as may combine humanity towards these unfortunates with a just economy. This would obviate the necessity of making a new bargain with every new capture, and would prevent delay and avoid expense in the disposition of the captured. The law might then provide that in all cases where this may be practicable the captor should carry the negroes directly to Africa and deliver them to the American agent there, afterwards bringing the captured vessel to the United States for adjudication.

The capturing officer, in case he should bring his prize directly to the United States, ought to be required to land the negroes in some one or more ports, to be designated by Congress, where the prevailing health throughout the year is good. At these ports cheap but permanent accommodations might be provided for the negroes until they could be sent away without incurring the expense of erecting such accommodations at every port where the capturing officer may think proper to enter. On the present occasion these negroes have been brought to Key West; and, according to the estimate presented by the marshal of the southern district of Florida to the Secretary of the Interior, the cost of providing temporary quarters for them will be $2,500, and the aggregate expenses for the single month of May will amount to $12,000. But this is far from being the worst evil. Within a few weeks the yellow fever will most probably prevail at Key West; and hence, the marshal urges their removal from their present quarters at an early day, which must be done in any event as soon as practicable. For these reasons, I earnestly commend this subject to the immediate attention of Congress. I transmit, herewith, a copy of the letter and estimate of Fernando J. Moreno, marshal of the southern district of Florida, to the Secretary of the Interior, dated 10th May, 1860, together with a copy of the letter of the Secretary of the Interior to myself, dated 16th May.

It is truly lamentable that Great Britain and the United States should be obliged to expend such a vast amount of blood and treasure for the suppression of the African slave trade, and this when the only portions of the civilized world where it is tolerated and encouraged are the Spanish islands of Cuba and Porto Rico.

WASHINGTON, May 19, 1860.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

U. S. MARSHAL'S OFFICE, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Key West, May 10, 1860. SIR: I have the honor to inform the department of the arrival in this port, on the 30th ultimo, of the United States steamer Mohawk, Lieutenant Commanding T. Augustus Craven, United States navy, having in tow the supposed American bark Wildfire, of New York, Stanhope, master, with a cargo of over 500 Africans on board. The Wildfire was captured on the 26th ultimo, on the coast of Cuba, near the port of Neuvitas.

Immediately upon the arrival of the Mohawk here, Captain Craven informed me of the nature of her cargo, and desired that I should take possession of the captured Africans as early as possible. Having no means at that time at my command to secure them, I determined at once to erect temporary quarters on the lands of the United States, adjacent to Fort Taylor. I commenced work on the 1st instant, with all the available force that could be obtained on the island, and I am pleased to say that by the 4th instant, in the morning, almost three acres of land had been inclosed with a fence six feet high, and a building 140 feet long, and a kitchen erected, and were in readiness to receive them.

The landing of the Africans commenced about 12 o'clock, noon, on the 4th instant, and by 4 o'clock p. m. of that day 458 occupied the quarters hastily put up for them.

There had been landed previously, on the 1st instant, forty-nine sick, for whom I had obtained the use of the carpenter's shop near Fort Taylor, as a temporary hospital.

The total number, including men, women, and children, received by me, and for which I have given a receipt to Lieutenant Commanding Craven, is 507. I regret to say that of this number fifteen have died since they were landed. There are at present under treatment in the hospital, about thirty-five sick, principally cases of diarrhoea. I have employed two of the most experienced physicians on the island to attend on the sick, and have also secured the services of competent nurses to wait upon them.

It is a matter of great surprise to me, that out of such a large number of human beings closely confined on board of a vessel, there should be so few sick. Those landed in good health are improving daily. I have furnished clothing to all of them, as they were in a nude state on board of the vessel. In addition to the quarters already built, I am having a building seventy-five feet long erected, for a hospital, and will be detached from the other. It will also be necessary to put up a small house for quarters for the guard employed within the inclosure, as it is hazardous for them to quarter in the same building with the Africans, owing to the prevalence of cutaneous diseases among the latter.

I am pleased to inform the department that I am under great obligations to Mr. James C. Clapp, civil engineer, and the agent in charge of Fort Taylor, for the valuable assistance rendered me by his advice in the erection of quarters, and for the use of materials and workmen furnished me from the fort for that purpose, all of which were promptly

granted to me upon application, and without which much delay would have been occasioned in providing shelter for the Africans.

I am also under obligations to Captain John M. Brannan, United States army, commanding the post at this place, for the military guard and small field pieces which he has kindly furnished me upon my application. This guard consists of six men and a sergeant. The men are relieved every twenty-four hours, and have their quarters outside of the inclosure.

Captain Brannan has also tendered me the use of his whole command in case of emergency.

Within the inclosure I have a guard of eleven civilians, who perform duty day and night, and are absolutely necessary to direct and keep the Africans in good discipline. I have also in service a Spaniard, who was on board the bark Wildfire, and claims to have been a passenger on board that vessel. His services are invaluable to me in controlling these people. I have found no difficulty in providing food for the Africans, and trust to have none during the time they may remain here. The supply of water at present on the island is larger than usual at this season of the year, and I hope to experience no difficulty in supplying them with all they may require.

In making arrangements for the safe-keeping of these Africans, I will use all the economy within my power, and trust that the course which I have pursued thus far will meet with the approval of the President.

I am pleased to inform the department that the health of the island is good at present; but as the time is approaching when the yellow fever may be expected to make its appearance in our midst, I trust that the removal of the Africans from here will take place at an early day.

Inclosed I have the honor to hand you an estimate of the probable amount required to defray the necessary expenses of the captured Africans for the month of May.

The department will be pleased to direct all communications for me to be sent to Charleston, to come in the steamer Isabel on the 4th and and 19th of each month, instead of the Fernandina route, which at this time is very irregular.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FERNANDO J. MORENO,

United States Marshal, Southern District of Florida.

Hon. J. THOMPSON,

Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C.

(Direct letters to the care of Mordecai & Co., Charleston, S. C.)

U. S. MARSHAL'S OFFICE, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Key West, May 10, 1860.

SIR: There will be required to defray the expenses of Africans (captured by the United States steamer Mohawk) for the month of May, 1860, the following amounts, viz:

For expenses of temporary quarters, mechanics, &c........ $2,500 00

For food and clothing....

For guards........

For nurses in hospital

For medical attendance, medicines, &c........

7,000 00 700 00

250 00

1,550 00

12,000 00

You will be pleased to cause a warrant to be issued in my favor for the above amounts, (with which I am to be charged on the books of the Treasury Department,) and direct that a draft on the assistant treasurer, New York, for the amount be remitted to me at Key West. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. J. MORENO, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida. Hon. J. THOMPSON,

Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

May 16, 1860.

SIR: I have the honor to submit, for your information, a copy of a communication this day received from F. J. Moreno, United States marshal for the southern district of Florida, dated the 10th instant, officially reporting the landing of over five hundred Africans from the slaver Wildfire, recently captured by the steamer Mohawk on the coast of Cuba, and stating that he now has them in his custody. He also reports the arrangements he has made for their support, clothing, medical attendance, &c., and urges their speedy removal from the country, as the season is rapidly approaching when the yellow fever may be expected to make its appearance at Key West. The marshal asks an immediate remittance of the sum of $12,000, to meet the estimated expenses he is under the necessity of incurring on this account during the current month; and I respectfully recommend that you direct this to be done out of the appropriation made by the act of 3d March, 1859, to enable the President to carry into effect the act of 3d March, 1819, for the suppression of the slave trade, (vol. 11, of Statutes at Large, page 404,) to be accounted for by the marshal in the usual

manner.

Prior to the 9th May, 1859, advances were made from the judiciary fund to the extent of $6,947, which, since that date, have been increased to $11,348 10 for expenses properly payable from the appropriation for the suppression of the African slave trade; and I have also to recommend that that amount be now transferred from the latter appropriation to the judiciary fund.

Very respectfully,

J. THOMPSON,

The PRESIDENT.

Secretary.

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