Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-09-03
The Fugitive Slave Bill.

| The Fugitive Slave Bill.
The Bill providing for the more eifer-
tual recapture of fugitive slaves, which
was ordered to lis engrossment on Friday,
in the Senate, will, it is generally under
stood, pass that body by large majority.
| 1t is so volumnous in its details that we
cannot insert it entire--but in lieu of il.
we Law before cur readers the following
synopsis, which will give them a very
comprehensive idea Of lis general pro
visions:
Section lst makes it the duty of the
Judges of the District Courts of the Uni
ted States, and of the Judges of the Supe-
rior Courts of the organized territories.
to appoint three commissioners for the
time being, holding Office under the Uni
ted States Government, whose duty II
shall be 10 examine witnesses, administer
the necessary oaths, and in short, to su-
rerintend the process Of retaining tugl-
tive slaves in said SAFES or Territories.
Section Cd makes it the duty Of mar
shas and their deputies to obey all war
rants issued under the provisions of this
act; they are also empowered to appoint
deputies to assist them in executing civil
processes, and TO summon TO their aid the
bvstamders, when necessary, to enforce
the clause referred to in the Constitution,
in conformity with the provisions of this
| act
Section Sd enacts that slave escaping
| h N
agent may pursue and reclaim him by
procuring a warrant from some one OF the
courts having jurisdiction. The slave
shall be taken before the Judge, who shall
hear and determine the case of the cIal-
mant; if it appear that service is due the
claimant from the person escaping. 1t shall
be the duty of said Judge to remove such
person back to the State or Territory
whence he or she has escaped. In no
trial or hearing, under this act, is the tes-
limonv of The fugitive admissible.
Section 4rh prescrihes a penalty not ex-
ceeding 81 900, and Imprisonment not eX-
ceeding six months, to all persons who
willingly hinder, ohstruct, or prevent the
claimant, his agent or attorney, or any
person or persons lawfully assisting HIM,
her, or them, from arresting such fngl-
tive from service or labor, either with or
without process as aforesaid; or shah
rescue, or attempt to rescue. such Ingluve
from service or labor. By way OF civil
damages to the party injured by such IL
legal conduct, this section, moreover,
prescribes that ST 900 additional shall be
paid, to be secured by action Of debt IN
any Of tie courts within whose district
the offence may be committed.
Section 5'h provides payment for the
services of tie L. S. officers, (whose
business tits made tocap>ure the fugi.ives)
in fees the same as those paid for similar
services in Other cases. In cases where
the fugitive is discharged from custody
for want Of sufficient proof, these fees are
10 be paid by the claimant. This section
also specifies the amount Of fees which
shall be paid to the commissioners and
other officers aforesaid.
Section 9Th provides that, in case the
claimant has reason 10 aPprehend forced
rescue of the slave, it shall be the duty Of
the officer making the arrest 10 retain HIM
or her in his custody and TO deliver him
to said claimant, his agent or attorney.
In order 10 enable him 10 DO this, the Off
Ger is empowered to employ as many per-
sons as he chooses, all Of whom are TO re-
ceive The same compensation and to be
allowed the same expenses as are now al
! lowed bv law for transportation Of crimi-
mails, to be certified by the Judge Of the
district within which the arrest is made,
and paid out OF the treasury of tie United
States.
Section 7lh makes it the day Of the
claimant to apply to Court Of Record in
the State. Territory or District from which
the slave escapes, and there give satisfac-
tory proof to such court of the escape
aforesaid, and that the person escaping
owed service or labor to such parry. FThe
court then shall cause record 10 be made
of the matters so proved, and also gen.
eral description of the person so escaping.
A copy of this record Or writ must be pre-
scented TO the judg &c or commissioner to
whom application is made for surrender
Of the fugitive. Ii will then be the duly
of ,aid Judge or commissioner 10 grant 10
such claimant a certificate Of his right to
take away such person identified and
proved to be owing service or labor as
aforesaid, which certificate shall authorize
such claimant to seize or arrest and trans
port such person to The Stale or Territory
/ from which he escaped.
! Section slh repeats all acts coming with
in the provisions of this act aud ordains
that this law shall be in force from the
day of lis passage,