American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-01-31


lIeopardize their own freedom and property at the
mandate OF a sister republic.
1t is important to consider on what emergency
and at whose instigati0n the law respecting lug-
tves from labor, was passed. Were the owners
OF slaves in the State of Delaware DESTROYS of fur
Their protection Were there any great and obvi-
Gus abuses to which our own citizens subject
ell, requiring the interference of the Legislature
Were there any memorials presented to the House,
by their constituents. requesting further provision
for preventing the escape of those bound to SER
vice within our own commonwealth? None of
these circumstances appear to have had any a9en-
cy in the production of this legislative anomalys
A Delegation from the Legislature of an adjon-
ing State, which unhappily for her own citizens.
is deeply involved in the evil of slavery. attended
at Dover, with the view of obtaining some enact
ments to facilitate the recovery of fugitive slaves
A bill was Immediately produced. and hurried
with unusual rapidly, through the House. A bill.
IN all probability granting more than the attending
delegates tyes expected to procure. A bill which
;'rostrat. tst raht. OF nur own citizens white as
we'll q. black, aud encrnaches as we conceive. In
several important points. on the constitutions of
the United states and Of the State of Delaware
1t prosiates the rights Of citizens. by render
ing them liable to runous prosecutions for acts4
which involve no moral turpitude and which cannot
be certainly avoided without changing the course
OF their usual avocatons. 1t creates crime. with
out the indispensable accompanments, a vicious
intention and consequent act. 1t breaks down one
OF the barriers which civilization has raised against
the Entertainments of passion. by constituting an
lrritated prosecutor, Judge in his own cause. 1t
subjects the people of color residing within the
State, to ruinous fines orignominious punishments.
without evidence of an intentional violation of the |
law, and where the party concerned may reasona.
oily be presumed unconscious of offence. 1t en-
dangers their freedom by authorizing their seizure
IN any part OF the State, by virtue OF precept
which may be obtained BY perjury. and removal to |
distant county to have the question of their sla-
very declded by single magistrate on the testmo
ny OF those who are most deeply interested in the
decision, and in the absence of counter testimony
which the provisions of the law are emineny cal
cuated to exclude. 1t violates the constitution of
the United States, by denying to colored pei sons.
though they may be citizens of other States, thu
privileges and immunites allowed and secured to
the free inhabitants of the United States, without
distinction of color By comforting on the courts |
of this State jurisdiction which belongs excluss
y to those of the United STATES, any person. t.
whatever State he may belong. carving BY water
out of this State either willingly or ignnrantly.
fugitive from labor, being liable to prosecution ON
citizen Of any other state or Territory Of the
United States, who NAV claim the labor of such
fugitive 1t violates the constitution Of Delaware
by the imposition 1T excessive fines and punish |
ments disproportoned to the offence, and BY found
ing on the color Of the skin privation of those
privileges which are guaranteed TO all persons pro-
Tossing the Christian religion Therefore
Resolved, That discam all improper interference in
the execution of the existing laws for he recovery
gtie slaves servants, and that those laws hitherto in
force in this State sufficiently penal aud and
nave been found by experience, 10 protect the rights of
claimants rom other States in the ecovery Of their fgi
tive slaves, far is compa b!e with the constitutional
rights of rur own citizens
Resofued, therefore, that the additional law the sub
iec If p tves from labor passed the present session
Of The Legislature of this State unsoc ted and unaske
for BY peoples merely at the instgaton OF
Delegation from Mary la d. unnecessary, audi for fol-
low unjust, oppressive, and unconstutio al:
Because it authorizes persons 10 be arrested on mere
suspicion and to be carried away from their neighbohood
stcs, to distant part of the County. or State, where,
unknown and frendless, the question at 'er right to
freedom, is be examined and finally determined by the
decision of single individual
2. Because it makes discrimination between the I'M
conscious oiender and the guilty, who vo-
lates the law by design and preconceited purpose.
5. Because it imposes heavy penalty where no overt
act is committed and where the only offence is supposed
inaon interfere in opposing the execution Of the law
4. Because its penalties excessive and unusual dis
proporlioned to the offence committed, and greatly be-
yond what necessary for the at anment of public justice
or the security of private rights.
Because it exposes citizens to vexatious prosecu
TONS on the Amsy pretences and to the loss
ly of their property but to confinement in jails and
especially the and useful class who navigate
waters: and it opens, moreover wide door the cruel
and odous practice of kidnapping, and thus eopardzes
the liberty Of $4,000 of the free coloed population of the
State.
Resolued therefore, that law containing many ODE
ectionahe ures, and wholly uncalled fer from the peo
Pile of this Sate manes,s degree of subserviency,
the part of the Legislature, 10 the wishes and interests of
another republic, altogether Incompatible with the dignity
and independence of State, with the rights of her
cizens and with the duty which the Legislature owed to
their constituents.
Resolved further that the inhabitants of other parts of
the State be- and they hereby invited to operate
with u.s. in the of all constitutional MEANS rescue
our common rights and property from the jeopardy into
which they are thus thrown by imhecie of legsa
ton and redeem the character of the State from that
degradation which such proceedings fail fix upon