The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-20
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsuINGToS Noyember JSh

WAsHISGTos, November 9, 1850.
To ROBERT Collins, Esq, Macon, Georgia.
SR am instructed by the President to inform
you that your letter of the ID instant addressed to
him, enclosing several slips from newspapers in
reference 10 the proceedings Of portion of the
community in Boston, on the subject of the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, received by him yesterday,
and that he has given to the letter, and its enclo
sures, a careful porusai.
You state, in substance, that you are the owner
of Craft, one of the fugitive slaves for which war
rants of arrest were issued in Boston, and call the
Presidents attention to the enclosed slips, taken
mostly from Northern papers, by which he will
perceive the manner in which your agents were
received and treated, for merely asking that the
slaves be returned according to the laws of the
| United States. That they have been arrested un.
der various warrants, as kidnappers, and on other
| frivolous pretences, and unreasonable bail de-
manded; and that your friends have become their
sureties for more than $4,000.
| You also say that the manner in which the Off
GERS have performed their duty will appear by the
slips, and that the warrants now lie dead in the
marsha's office. You then speak of the pernicious
effect of such proceedings, and of their tendency to
disturb the harmony OF the Union, and ofthe great
importance of having the law faithfully executed
and, finally inquire whether it is not in the pow
Is OF tue OF the
United States to cause that law to be faithfully and
! properly enforced,' To this the President directs
me to reply, that you cannot be more deeply i'm
pressed than he is with the importance of having
every law faithfully executed. Every statute in
this country, passed in accordance with the prov-
sons OF the Constitution, must be presumed TO en-
body the will of majority of the people of the
Union and, such. is entitled to the respect and
obedience Of every true American citizen and the
Constitution, which the President has sworn 10
/ support, has made it his especial duty "to take
! care that the laws be faithfully executed" He has
no thought Of shrinking from his duty, in this or
any other Gaze; but will, to the utmost Of his aD-
| ~, firmly and faithfully perform it.
But how is he to cause the laws TO be executed
First, by appointing proper officers to fill the va
rous offices, and discharge their various function.
with diligence and fidelity, and, if any shall be
found incompetent unfaithful, by removing
them, where he has the power Of removal, and ap-
pointing more competent and faithful officers in
their places; and, secondly, in extreme cases,
whenever the laws Of the United States shall be
opposed, the execution thereof INSTRUCTED in any
State by combinations too powerful be suppressed
by the ordinary course Of judicial proceedings" or
by the powers vested in the civil officers with the
posse which the law authorizes and requires them 10
call TO their aid it would be his duty 20 call forth
the militia, and the army and navy for the pur-
pose Of overcoming such forcible combinations
against the laws. But in either prudence and
justice require that there should be more satisac-
tory tUidrlce Of official delinquency forcible re.
sistapcc than mere rumor Newspaper statements,
and yet these are all which have been furnished In
this case.
! II any marshal neglect to perform his duty the
law gives a right Of action to the nggrioved party
for the injury which be may sustain; and IL he re.
iuses to perform II, the statute has imposed upon
him severe penalty. But, II he refuse, or wilfully
neglect 10 perform it, when this shall be satisfac To-
rily made TO appear to the President, then, in adj
diton 70 his liability to the aggrieved party, i,
would doubtless be the duty Of the Executive 10 re
move him from Office and appoint another in hi,
| place. But your letter contains no proof OF this
kind, and therefore seems 10 require no action IL
u equally clear that is presented ustifying
call upon the militia, or the Of the army, 10
| execute the laws; and the President has ~ much
! confidence in the patriotism and devotion to The
laws, which have always characterized a large ma
jorty Of the people Of Boston, that be cannot for
moment believe that IL will ever be necessary 10 call
in any extraordinary aid to execute the laws in
that community.
Individuals may become eK citod, and may in tho
heat OF the moment offer resistance 10 the wa but
ne mas no doubt That IN such event much 10 be
regretted, the good scnse Of the community would
soon rally to the support Of the civil authortics
that those who sustain the law would triumpb: but
be directs inc to you that IT, unfortunately
he shall find himself mistaken in this and the pain
ful necessity should arise, he is resolved 10 perform
his duty by employing all the means which the
Constitution and Congress have placed at his dis
| poeal to enforce the law
As to the complaint that your agents were un.
Justly prosecuted, and held TO bail in unreasonab
amounts, for pretended offences, the President di.
reefs me TO say, that, however he may regret any
such injustice and incivilty, he Is not aware that
he has The power 10 remedy the evil. II the com
plants against your agents be unfounded, the dc.
PENDANTS will doubtless be acquitted, and If mali.
eto'e, they have the remedy in action for ma.
iicious prosecution. Bot all these judicial ques
tons, which the Executive can exercise No
control, and tie evil complained Of results from tbs
acknowledged right Of every individual to prose.
cute any one for an alleged offence or violation Of
right.
The President feels the importance Of avoiding
as far ~ practicable all causes Of irritation between