I have the honor to inclose copies of a communication made to me by the Senat⟨ors⟩ from Massachusetts1 and of an order of the House of Representatives of the United States whence it appears that the authorities of the Island of Guadaloupe have, in two instances, forced obnoxious people of colour on board of our vessels, to be transported hither.2 A Bill is now depending before Congress, relative to the landing of this description of persons: but imperfect as are the means of the General Legislature to counteract this dangerous evil, and which are supposed to consist in barely reinforcing the State laws, where any such exist, their injunctions as well as the State laws themselves must operate an injury exclusively upon the owners and masters of vessels who may be made the involuntary instruments of such transportation. The murder of the passengers as suggested at Basseterre could have occurred only to minds void of humanity, and is punishable by law: and as their importation is equally provided against by other countries, it is difficult to conceive how they are to be got rid of after being once on board.

The President, viewing it as a subject of great concern to the public safety, as well as an indignity offered to the United States, directs you to remonstrate to the French Government, against this unjustifiable conduct of their officers, in such decided but friendly terms as may induce them to prevent a repetition of it by dispatching proper orders to their several Islands in the West Indies. It is not improbable that the law contemplated by Congress may have the effect of greatly diminishing the number of our vessels which go to their West India ports, where this aggression may be practised: and we should be justified by necessity in prohibiting any from going thither as long as there should be an apprehension of its being continued. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, your obt. Sert.