The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-03-25

ing fugitiyes from justice and persons escap-
ing from the service Of their masters y nor
shall any such judge, alderman, or justice of
the peace Of this commonwealth, issue or
grant any certificate or warrant of removal, Of
aay such fugitive from labor under said act Of
! Congress, or under any other law, authority
or act Of the Congress Of the United States ::
and if any alderman or justice Of the peace Of
this commonwealth, shall take cognizance or
jurisdiction of the case of any such fugitive,
or shall grant Or issue any certificate or war
rant of removal as aforesaid, he shall be deem
ed guilty Of misdemeanor in office, and
shall on conviction thereof be sentenced to
pay at the discretion Of the court, any sum
not less than $500 nor exceeding 81 900, one
half to the party prosecuting and the other to
the use of the State.
Section 4. That if any person or persons
claiming any negro or muatto as a fugitive
from servitude or labor, shall under any pre-
tencc Of authority whatsoever, violently and
tumultuously seize upon and carry away to
any place, or attempt to seze and carry away
in riotous, violent, tumultuous and unreason-
able manner, and so as to disturb or cndanger
the public peace any negro or mulatto with
in this commonwealth, either with or without
tIlC Vi ldhIllH SUCH VI liNLt'ltO
before any district or circuit judge, the per-
son or persons so offending, shall be deemed
guilty of miSdcmeanor, and on conviction
shall be sentenced to pay fine of not less
than $500 nor more than S 900, with costs of
prosecution, AMI be confined in the county
Jail for any period at the discretion Of the
court not exceeding three months.
Section 5. That nothing in this Act shall
clarcd to be invested in the Judges of this
commonwealth, the right, power and authori-
ty all times, on application made, to issue the
writ Of habeas corpus, and to inquire into the
causes and legality of the arrest or imprison !
ment of any human being within this COM
monwealth.
Section 6. It shall not be lawful to use any
Jail or prison of this commonwealth for the de- !
tention of any person claimed as fugitive
from servitude or labor, exceptin cases where |
jurisdiction may lawfully be taken by any
judge under the provisions of this act and
any jailor, or keeper Of any prison, or other |
person who shall offend against the provisions !
of this section, shall on conviction pay a fine
OF $500, onc-half for the use of the common
wealth, and the other half to the person who
prosecutes; and shall moreover henceforth be
removed from office, and be incapable of hold
ing such office Of jailor or keeper of a prison !
at any time during his natural life
Section Z. That so much of the act Of the |
General Assembly, entitled An act for the
gradual abolition ofslayery," passed March 1st
1880, as authorizes the masters or owners of
slaves to bring and retain such slaves within
this commonwealth for the period of six
months, in involuntary servitude Or for any
period of time whatsoever, and so much of !,
said act as prevents a slave from giving testi-
mony against any person whatsoever, be and
the same is hereby repealed
Section s. So much of all laws Of this
as are hereby altered, be and
The same is hereby repealed