Sec. 2. Slaves born and resident in the United States, and not criminals, may be imported. Sec. 3. No slave born or resident outside the United States shall be brought in, under penalty of $1,000 per slave. Travellers are excepted. _Revised Code of the Laws of Mississippi_ (Natchez, 1824), p. 369. ~1822, Dec. 3. President Monroe's Message.~ "A cruise has also been maintained on the coast of Africa, when the season would permit, for the suppression of the slave-trade; and orders have been given to the commanders of all our public ships to seize our own vessels, should they find any engaged in that trade, and to bring them in for adjudication." _House Journal_, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 12, 21. ~1823, Jan. 1. Alabama: Act to Dispose of Illegally Imported Slaves.~ "An Act to carry into effect the laws of the United States prohibiting the slave trade." Sec. 1. "_Be it enacted_, ... That the Governor of this state be ... authorized and required to appoint some suitable person, as the agent of the state, to receive all and every slave or slaves or persons of colour, who may have been brought into this state in violation of the laws of the United States, prohibiting the slave trade: _Provided_, that the authority of the said agent is not to extend to slaves who have been condemned and sold." Sec. 2. The agent must give bonds. Sec. 3. "_And be it further enacted_, That the said slaves, when so placed in the possession of the state, as aforesaid, shall be employed on such public work or works, as shall be deemed by the Governor of most value and utility to the public interest." Sec. 4. A part may be hired out to support those employed in public work. Sec. 5. "_And be it further enacted_, That in all cases in which a decree of any court having competent authority, shall be in favor of any or claimant or claimants, the said slaves shall be truly and faithfully, by said agent, delivered to such claimant or claimants: but in case of their condemnation, they shall be sold by such agent for cash to the highest bidder, by giving sixty days notice," etc. _Acts of the Assembly of Alabama, 1822_ (Cahawba, 1823), p. 62. ~1823, Jan. 30. United States Statute: Piracy Act made Perpetual.~ "An Act in addition to 'An act to continue in force "An act to protect the commerce of the United States, and punish the crime of piracy,"'" etc. _Statutes at Large_, III. 510-14, 721, 789. For proceedings in Congress, see _Senate Journal_, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 61, 64, 70, 83, 98, 101, 106, 110, 111, 122, 137; _House Journal_, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 73, 76, 156, 183, 189. ~1823, Feb. 10. Congress (House): Resolution on Slave-Trade.~ Mr. Mercer offered the following resolution:--