Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-09-05
(From the Cincinnati Enquirer.l
The Fugitive Slave Bill.

The Union of Sunday last contains copy of this Bill
as passed the Senate As much interest is felt to know
its provisions have made synopsis of them, which
present below. We should Judge that the bill has
been drawn with much care and Is designed by Its
thor give every possible facility for the recapure of
fugitive slaves Should this BILL its present shape
become law and fail to the objects of the South,
apprehend effort noed again be made to get
law passed the subject that will. We copy the 9th
section entire, it is, in opinion, the most mpor
tant in the bill One great difficulty now, In the
way of slave recovering his fugitive slaves in
this State, is, the difficulty of getting officer to make
the capture. 1t will be that this 9th
ton provides most effectually for that want.
SEC. l, declares U S. Commissioners, with the pow
of Justice of the Peace in respect offenders for
any crime offence against the United States, by
ting imprisoning balng the same by virtue OF the
of Congress of September "a, $780, required
exercise and discharge all the powers and duties confer
red by this act.
SEC g. authorizes the Supreme Court of each organ
lied Territory appoint these Commissioners like the
Circuit Courts of the United States.
SEC 3, requires the Circuit Courts and Superior
Courts of each organized Territory enlarge from time
to time, the number OF Commissioners with view to
afford reasonable facilities reclaim fugitives from Ia
| Dor.
SEC a. confers on these Commissioners concurrent
jurisdiction with the Judges of the Circuit and District
Courts; and the power to issue certificates TO slave
claimants upon satisfactory proof being made with au
hority to take and such slaves to the State
| where they belong.
SEC s. And be Il further enacted That it shall be the
duty of all marshas and deputy marshals to obey and
visions of this act when to them drected and should
any marshal deputy Marshal refuse to receive such
warrant other process, when rendered, or to use all
proper diligently TO execute the same, he shall
conviction thereof be fined in the of thousand
dollars the of such claimant by the circuit dis
ric court for the district OF such marshal and after
rest of such fugitive by such marshal his deputy
whilst any in his custody under the provisions of
this act should such fugitive escape, whether with
without the of such marshal deputy such
shall shall be liable his official bond be prosecuted
oft
in the State, Territory, district whence he escaped
and the better to enable the said commissioners,
when thus appointed their duties faithfully
and efficiently in conformity with the requirements
the constitution OF the United States and Of this act,
they hereby authorized and empowered within their
counties respectively appoint, in writing under their
hands, any suitable persons from time to
time, execute all such warrants and other process
may be issued by them in the lawful performance OF
their respective dutes with authority to such commits
sioners the persons be appointed by them
cute process aforesaid, to summon and call to their
aid the bystanders cOnatus of the proper
ty when necessary insure faithful observance of the
clause of the constitution referred to, in conformity with
the provisions of this and all good citizens here
by commanded to aid and assist in the prompt and eff
cen execution of this law, whenever their services may
be required Aforesaid, Tor that purpose and said
shall and be executed by said officers
where in the State within which they issued.
SEC. g. provides for the pursuit and reclamation OF
fugitive slaves, either under warrant from Judge o
circuit district court a commissioner, by seiz-
ing and arrestng s1ch ugtves without process and for
taking them before such court commissioner, whose
duty shall be hear and determine the case and up
satisfactory proof to make out and deliver the
claimant his her agent attorney, certificate set
ting forth the substantial facts the service due and
of the escapes with authority to the claimant his her
agent or attorney, to take and such ugitives
from labor the State from which they escaped The
testimony of the fugitive shall not be admitted in evil
dence and the certificate shall Le conclusive of the right
of the claimant to such fugitive, and shall
also prevent all moestation OF the claimant by any
process issued by any court, judge, magistrate other
person whomsoever.
SEC T. imposes a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment
exceeding six MONTHS any person persons who
shall obstruct, hinder prevent such claimant, his
her attorney from arresting fugitive from labor
vice; who shall rescue aid in rescung such fug
tive; who shall, directly indirectly aid abet
such fugitive in escaping from such claimants who
shall harbor conceal such fugitive knowingly. Such
offenders also liable to damages in a civil suit.
SEC g. regulates the fees Of Marshals and their dep
uties, Clerks of Courts, and Commissioners They
are fixed as to induce the officers favorably "a
{ the clamant.-ED. ENQ.]
SEC g. requires the officer in certain to
the slave and deliver him her to the his
agent, in tbo State where he she escaped FROM To
do which the officer is authorized to employ many
persons he may suppose necessary to prevent res
cue.
SEC 10, provides for the reclamation OF slaves es
Gaping from the District Of Columbia.