The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-09-12
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL

The following is the substance of he
Bill relating 10 fugitive slaves, whicl,
has passed tue Senate and awaits the
action Of the House Of Representatives:
Section |, makes it the duty of the
judges of the several district courts Of
the United States, and Of the judges ut
the superior courts ot the organic ed
territories to appoint from among he
several persons who may, for the lime
being, hold office under the Govern
meut Of the United States, any number
OF commissioners, not exceeding three.
in each county within their respective
districts, authorizing and requiring such
commissioners To administ .r all neccs-
sary oa.hs, T. examine Z witnesses, and to
hear and determine all causes relating
10 The return OF fugitive slaves, concur
rent will, the jurisdiction hereby con-
ferred upon the judges OF the circui,
and district courts OF the United States,
and to grant certificates ~ such claim
ants, upon satisfactory proof being
made, with authority to take and re-
move such iuyltives from service or Ia
Dor, sc.
The I'd section makes it the duty Of
all Marsllals and Deputy Maj, ,lals TO
execute all warrants issued under the
provisions Uf the act, directed to them,
aud the commissioners are authorized
to appoint in writing one or more per-
sons ~ execute such warrant, or pro-
cess AS may he necessary in the per-
fOrinancc vi their duties.
Section I'D provides that when "any
person held the service" &C., has here
totore escaped or shall hereafter escape
the master Or his agent may pursn. and
reclaim him, either by procuring war
rant from one OF the Judges Or commits
sioners, and by securing him when j,
can be done without process, taking
him forthwith before q ] .igc or com
missioner ot the proper district, who
upon satisfactorily proof being made, that
the person So arrested owes service IL
the claimant, shall make out II certifi-
cate setting forth the substantial parts
of the case, with authority TO the claim
ant or his agent ~ convey him back to
the state or lerri,ory whence hc cscap-
ed.
Section 4tli provides that any person
willingly obsiruciing or hii,derlng the
recovery oi persona 20 escaped, Or res
cuing OF attempting 10 rescue, or har-
boring Or conccaiing them 80 II. 10 pre-
vent their arrest, after knowledge that
they ARE fnsi,iyes from service, shall bc
suLJecl ~ Il lind not exceeding $1,000,
or 10 Imprisonment not exceeding six
months, and also liable to damage, in a
civil suit lu be brought by the person
injured, To the amount Of $1,000.
Section . provides iJr The payment
Of fee-.
Section 6 provides that no certificate
Of the apprehension Of u rescue d .ucl,
fugitive from the custody Of the officer
10 WHOM hc lie lntrusted by force, such
officer j. authorized 10 employ as many
person, as lie may deem u.ce ,sary to
overcome ,uclI force, AMI securely 10
convey the fugitive 10 the place ml,rnce
he fled, who ehall receive therefor such
compensation as is noa allowed by law
for transportation oi criminals, 10 be
certified by the Judge Of the District,
and paid out Of the Treasury Of the L.
sialc,--lhe claimant in such case 10
give security to ia. Officer Tor the pay.
,n.nl Vi iI'e ssii expenses, aud ia case
no actual force is opposed, such pay
men, 10 be made by the claimant or his
agent
Section provides tia, in case Of any