The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-02
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
FUGITIVE SLAVES,


The committee appointed by the two
houses to confer with the delegates from the
legislature of MARYLAND met in the hall Of
the house OF represent 4tives. Each OF the
MARYLAND gentlemen addressed the COM
mite, and endeavored to explain and en-
force the object of their mission. This they
performed in an able and masterly manner
On the 4th inst Mr.. Roberts, of the House
of Representatives from Montgomery Coun-
ty, read a bill to give effect 20 the proSis-
ions of the constitution of the United States,
relative to fugitives from labor, for the pro-
lection of the free people of colour, and to
prevent Kidnapping, made the order Tor the
9TH instant
The first section provides that if any per
son shall carry away, or seduce, any negro
or mulatto, from any p4rt of this common
wealth, for the purpose at dlsposing OF, o.
OBTAINING such as slaves; upon conviction,
! he shall be deemed guilty of felony; pay d
| fine not less than FIVE hundred, nor more
than two thousand dollars, one half of which
shall be paid to the the prosecutor, the other
| half to the commonwealth, and shall un-
dergo a term OF seryitude, iii the pententia-
| ry, not less than seven, nor exceeding twenty
one wears. The same punishment is eX-
tended to aiders and abettors.
! The second section extends similar pun
| ishment to any person who shall knowingly
transfer or assign. or shall knowingly pur
chase, take a transfer or assignment of any
negro or multtto, for the purpose of traudu-
| lenly removing him out of this state with
the design of making him slave or servant
tor life, or for any term whatsoever.
| The third, fourth, and fifth sections pro-
vide for the apprehension of run tway slaves
who shall escape into this commonwealth.
The sixth section makes it misdemean-
or for my person who shall obstruct tn
apprehension of any such. fugitive, or rescue
| him when arrested, iii the mode prescribed
in the preceding sections--0n conviction II
the quarter sessions, he shall be fined in any
| sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, and
may be sentenced to undergo an imprisnn.
ment not exceeding six months, and 1T the
discretion of the court, be compelled to girt
security to keep the pelce and be Of goo,
behaviour for period not exceeding on
i year, and shall moreover be liable to ~ ae
tion at the suit of the owner of said fngtiy,
| for damages.
The seventh section provides for the de
trntion Of the fugitive in the com non jal, i,
case the trial should be DELAYED for want q
material testimony that can BE o,tainel ~ !
peara.cc of the fugitive be given, satisfacto
ry to the judge.
The eighth section relates to tho fees to y,
allowed to the officers employed in the ex
) ecution Of the duties of this act The ninth
prohibits aldermen and justices of the peace
under a penalty, not less than FIVE hundred
nor exceeding one thousand dollars, one hal
to go to the party prosecuting for the same
and the ether halfto the use of this common
wealth, from taking cognizance of the cas-
of any fugitive, under an act Of congress
passed the l2th of February, l795, entitled
"an act respecting fugitiyes from Justice, an
:. persons escaping from the service Of thei
masters" nor shall he issue any warrant q
removal of any such fugitive, under an ac
of congress of the United States, except il
the manner and to the effect providing il
the third section Of this act.
The tenth section enjoins that recor
shall be kept of the age, sex and genera
description of the fugtives. The eleventh
repeals the act of March 27, 1920. also tn
7th section 81 the act of March 90, 1875
Ehe act Of March 1st 1880, remains in fu
torce and virtue.
The Abolition Society Of Pennsylvania
= sent in a spirited remonstrance against tn
! passage Of this bill. They say-"I,y til
e.t Vi AfoC, uNuer WHlCn we were lbCOrDC
rated, it is made the duty of this Societ
s to promote among other things, the relief {
!. tree negroes unlawfuliy held in bondag,
: We respectfully submit that we are uncol
u sclous Of having done any act under tn
Charter, which would justify the Legislator
IN rendering Us unsafe in the perforlnanc
C OF acts, which, by the bill before you migf
!, make the benevolent individuals the CON
= panions Of convicts, fclcns of deep and OF
t, noxous character, and the ignominious ter
y ants of prisons. We cannot conceive ou,
: selves unworthy of the privileges hitheri
enjoyed, nor that there is greater degree
II ebliquity and degeneracy among US than b,
: longed to our ancestors. We are not d
0 posed to appear before you at the presel
e juncture, only as the advocates of degrac
! ed and deeply injured portion Of the huma
IS family, but we respectfully represent til
It bill as deep infringement upon those Coz
stitutional rights and legal privileges in Il
s exercise of which our fellow citizens ha,
frequently receivetl!the legislative sanction
! This bill has passed the legislature al
r. become law.
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