"It has been made known to the world by my predecessors that the United States have, on several occasions, endeavored to acquire Cuba from Spain by honorable negotiation. If this were accomplished, the last relic of the African slave trade would instantly disappear. We would not, if we could, acquire Cuba in any other manner. This is due to our national character.... This course we shall ever pursue, unless circumstances should occur, which we do not now anticipate, rendering a departure from it clearly justifiable, under the imperative and overruling law of self-preservation." _House Exec. Doc._, 35 Cong. 2 sess. II. No. 2, pp. 14-5. See also _Ibid._, pp. 31-3. ~1858, Dec. 23. Congress (House): Resolution on Slave-Trade.~ On motion of Mr. Farnsworth, "_Resolved_, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be requested to inquire and report to this House if any, and what, further legislation is necessary on the part of the United States to fully carry out and perform the stipulations contained in the eighth article of the treaty with Great Britain (known as the 'Ashburton treaty') for the suppression of the slave trade." _House Journal_, 35 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 115-6. ~1859, Jan. 5. Congress (Senate): Resolution on Slave-Trade.~ On motion of Mr. Seward, Dec. 21, 1858, "_Resolved_, That the Committee on the Judiciary inquire whether any amendments to existing laws ought to be made for the suppression of the African slave trade." _Senate Journal_, 35 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 80, 108, 115. ~1859, Jan. 13. Congress (Senate): Bill on Slave-Trade.~ Mr. Seward introduced "a bill (Senate, No. 510) in addition to the acts which prohibit the slave trade." Referred to committee, reported, and dropped. _Ibid._, pp. 134, 321. ~1859, Jan. 31. Congress (House): Reopening of Slave-Trade.~ "Mr. Kilgore moved that the rules be suspended, so as to enable him to submit the following preamble and resolutions, viz: "Whereas the laws prohibiting the African slave trade have become a topic of discussion with newspaper writers and political agitators, many of them boldly denouncing these laws as unwise in policy and disgraceful in their provisions, and insisting on the justice and propriety of their repeal, and the revival of the odious traffic in African slaves; and whereas recent demonstrations afford strong reasons to apprehend that said laws are to be set at defiance, and their violation openly countenanced and encouraged by a portion of the citizens of some of the States of this Union; and whereas it is proper in view of said facts that the sentiments of the people's representatives in Congress should be made public in relation thereto: Therefore--