PRESIDENT SIGNS ACT PROHIBITING IMPORTATION OF SLAVES
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 2, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed into law the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves."
The act, proposed by Senator James Turner* (DR-NC), passed the US Senate 16-11 & the US House of Representatives 113-5. The act prohibited the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States. It would take effect on January 1, 1808.
President Jefferson had called for passage of the legislation in his State of the Union address in 1806.
The act had no impact on the domestic slave trade which actually increased after its passage. In addition, slaves continued to be imported illegally after 1808 as enforcement by the US Navy was largely ineffective.
As many as 50,000 slaves were imported (illegally) after 1808. According to the Constitution Center, while Congress was not granted the power to restrict the slave trade, Article One's foreign and interstate commerce powers were applied.
*James Turner (1766-1824) was born in Southampton, Virginia Col0ny, & served in the NC volunteer militia during the American Revolutionary War. JT was governor of Virginia 1802-1805 & US Senator (NC) 1805-1816.
SOURCES
"The Slave Trade," National Archives, www.archives.gov/
"The Slave Trade Clause," National Constitution Center, www.constitutioncenter.org/
