Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-05-05
A LOCOFOCO DEFAULTER.

a IsOGOEOOO DEF hUL LIN
Some time ago it was limited that Jesse Hoyt,
Van Buren's collector in New York, was a de-
fauIter for large amount. Jesse denied the
charge mud talked turkey by way ofclaiming that
the government owed him. A trial has now been
had, and tho verdict Of the jury is that Hoyt owes
The government $2229l7 So! Luckily the bail
of this sub treasurer are supposed to be good for
100000, thus nearly covering the amount OF
tloyts Indebtedness. Another thing is worthy
of note as 1t shows the monsrous extravaganza
which was wnked at, if not allowed, when Van
Buren, was in power. Ii is this; lloyt charged
the government $780, 900 for commission, at per
cent. upon all money received and dsburscd by
him as collecor--and this while his salary and
other emoluments exceeded $4,000 yeor The
Wings, it will be remembered, restricted the saa-
rieS and cnolunents Of such officers aud we
are glad 10 add that in this case the Court very
properly rejected lloyt's grasping claim.
The Rights of Free STATES as 10 .Sidreyy
day we commence short series OF articles, by
"An Old Man" Inc is truly so, aud Il worthy nan)
ELECTED by the able papers of Pacfcus.' The
main design is to urge Vermont TO tuke the stand
already assumed by Nlassachusetts-as "a sovereign
State, completely exempt from all connection with
slavery. We heartily pray Cod speed in this de-
sign, Although until The late action 10y Massu-
chuseus, Vermont stood highest, MS in point Of
time she ranks first, in acting upon this subject, we
are persuaded she did not go far enough BECAUSE
not SO far as she 60. She WW go farther, and
we hesitate aot to say that the first Legislature
which assemblies will see 10 it that the rights OF
Vermont as State are unequivocully decarcd.-'
Heretofore there has been no lack OF Willingness
OH the part OF the Stale Government 10 act up 10
the line OF duty, wherever that has been shown To
be. The jury law passed, with the resolutions
from time to Iime adopted, are evidences Of the
readiness OF our State authorities to Interpose their
power; and now, VIXEN by solemn decision Of
the Supreme Court of the United States it is vir-
tuay ruled that the Federal Government only has
jurisdiction over fugitive slaves, we doubt not Yer
mont will at least accord to that Government all
responsibility, and clear her skirts by fUrbiddiug
her own magistrates, shcrtfs, or allors, from any
meddDg in the business of slave catching. But
we would not give up the jury law, however, I'M
less compelled by decision Of the highest author
zens, whom the State is bound to protect As APP
plicabe TO persons alIedgcd lie fugitive sla, es,
it GOES only TO the settlement of question OF fact,
whether The person is or is not fugitive slave. Ii
he is not, maintain that the State has no RICH,
TO Withdraw lis protection from him free Cit.
! zen, and the Federal Government has no just claim
to the jurisdiction OF the case i he is, the State,
| for aught we can see, according to the decision OF
the U. S. Supreme Court, is legally bound only 10
| let him alone, leaving the Federal Government 10
catch him il they can. We would retain, then,
al! laws TO protect our own citizens against kid
nappers and when the Federal Courts within
Vermont are called upon 10 arrest an aledged iu-
gilive slave, we hold that The State Courts should
| have the power by writ Of habeas corpus TO take
possession of the person, and to protect him. too,
unless proved TO be fugitive slave to the sasfac
ton OF II jury. Thus far we speak Of legal or con-
slItutionul rights. tits argued however, that
of the restrictions imposed by the U. 5. Constilu
ton not morally right, and therefore not bind
ing. With this point We do not now NEEDLE, ex-
cept to suggest thar when Slate as a political
body, acts on that ground, it must come in direct
collision with the Federal observation-disclosures nut
lify or secede from the Union. That this may be
the ultimate resort, if the South will not yield 10
the free States their rights, is not impossible; but
the people of the North have other means to a.
dept first. Every Individual, who believes the
Constitution TO be morally wrong should seek TO
change it and correct the evil in constitutional
way.