U.S. Government contracts with American Colonization Society to transport rescued African slaves to Liberia

U.S. Navy seizures of slave ships in the Caribbean had swelled the number of Africans in holding areas, mostly in Key West, Florida.  President Buchanan had asked for a bill to authorize and pay for a contract with the American Colonization Society to transport these men, women, and children to Liberia as soon as possible.  The bill was passed and the contract immediately negotiated.  (By John Osborne)