Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-01-21
From the ". Free Press.
IRG1NIA AND NEW YORK.

The Baltimore American of FRIDAY las,
presents some very forcible and cogent re-
marks IN relation TO the question at issue be-
tween these two States, involving, as our rea-
oc'2 are aware, an important principle. Gov.
GiLMrR has brought the sobject directly be-
tore the Legislature, with certain recommen.
dations as TO the course which he deems most
proper to be pursued.
/; appears that the charge Of abduc,inp
slave from Virginia is not denied by Govern
or SEWARD. lie refuses to give up the Of
tending parties because the offence charged
against them is not recognised as a crime by
the laws Of New York. This position (says
the American) we regard as wholly untenabie.
1t is law of Virginia that has been broken.
Where the crime was committed there the
penalty attached-and the responsibility Of
The deed Will cling to the offender let him po
whittier he will. Any man who enters from
another state upon the soil Of Virginia does
by such act make himself amcnable TO the
laws OF that commonwealth, whether they are
similar to the laws of the State from which
&C came or not.
Hutperhaps this Virginia law which has
Of Is e% ok would D, Be
thorised to conclude 80. But il, not uncon-
! stitutona and every body knows it is not.
With regard to the apprehension and deli
very of fugitives from justice, the language of
| the Constitution runs thus
a person charged in any State with trea-
| son, felony, or other crime, who shall flee
from justice, and be found in another State,
| shall, on demand of the executive authority
| oi the State from which he fed, he delivered
up and removed to the State having jurisdic-
| ton Of the crime"
The same constitution which makes this
nrDVlQIpn
slaves; and the abduction of a slave is as
much felony as any other epecies of theft
would be.
Gov. GLMeR in his communication to the
Legislature on this subject recommends as
follows:
81 would recommend the appointment Of
one OF more special commissioners on bahalf
OF tins State for the purpose Of bringing this
question directly before the Legislature of
New York, and ascertaining whether that
body concurs In the views of their Governor.
as to rights which the las. Legislature Of vir-
GINA declare we cannot and will not under
any circumstances, surrender or abandon
hon remember the uniform, correct de-
cisions OF t!ie Judiciary Of New York, on this
and similar questions, and the respect which
has been manifested by the people and off,
GERS OF that State for the constitution, am
Ieluctsn.so regard the indirect action ftbcir
ias' Legislature as evidence Of concurrence.
eitheT In the views of the Governor. or those
o! The committee IS whom the proceedings of
me asst Virginia Legislature were referred.
IL Is due to the relations of perfect amity
which have so long subsisted between Wiz.
gina and New York, besides the obligations
which are due from each to the constitution.
that we Should leave nothing to be inferred
against ourselves. and nothing to he presumed
as to the course Of that State have no
doubt OF the cordial concurrence of the slave.
holding States in the views which VIRGINIA
mas taken OF her rights, and of their readiness
TO cooperate with us in maintaing them. In
deed, cannot believe that the non-slayebold.
ing States will hesitate To appreciate and I'D.
mt our conclusions. There have been seye
raj precedents, in our own history and in tha.
OF other States for the course which I have
suggested; and am at a loss 10 conceive any
other which is perfectly consistent with our
own seit-iespect and our respect for the State
OF New York. and which at the same time
Affords asfayorable an opportunity for delibe-
rate reflection on the rights and duties inyol |
we'd in this question:
The language of Governor CILarR th-ouph |
out Is temperate though decided. The con- |
troVersy has been carried on withou; excite |
inent, and, III that respect, 10 The credi; of
both parties. Wo cannot bui hope that the |
whole will result speedily in an amicablo Ter |
Dination.