The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-09

Dor is recaptured would be virtual denial Of ius-
tce 10 the claimant OF such fugitive, and would be
antamount TO positive refusal to execute the pro-
visions Of the Constitution, the same objections do
not apply 10 such trial in the State from which he
fled. In the sayeholding States, full justice is ad
ministered, with entire fairness and impartiality,
| in cases OF all actions for freedom. The person
claiming his freedom is allowed TO sue in forma
pauperis; counsel is assigned him. time 10 allowed
him TO collect his witnesses and to attend the SEES
sons of the courts and his claimant is placed under
bond and security, or is Invested of the possession
during the progress of the trial. insure the enjoy
ment Of these privileges; and if there be any lean
ing the part of courts and juries, it is always
the side of the claimant for freedom
In Difference to the feelings and prejudices which
prevail in the non slaveholding States, the COM
mittee propose such trial in the State from which
the fugitive fled in all cases where he declares to
the officer giving the certificate for his return that
he has right to his freedom. Accordingly, the
committee have prepared, and report herewith,
(marked CD two sections, which they recommend
should be incorporated in the fugitive bill pending
in the Senate. According to these sections, the
claimant is placed under bond, and required to re-
turn the fugitive to that county in the State from
which he fled, and there to take him before COM
petent tribunal, and allow him to assert and estab-
lish his freedom il he can, aording to him for that
purpose all needful facilities.
The committee indulge the hope that if the fugi-
tive bill, with the proposed amendments, shall be
passed by Congress, il will be effectual to secure
the recovery of all fugitves from service or labor
and that it will remove all causes of complaint
which have hitherto been experienced on that irri
tating subject. But fin its practical operation it
shall be found insufficient and if no adequate
edy can be devised for the restoration to their own
ers OF fugitive slaves, those owners will have Just
title to indemnity out of the Treasury of the United
States.
1t remains to report upon the resolutions in rea-
ton to slavery and the slave trade in the District of
Columbia. Without discussing the power of Con-
gross to abolish slavery within the District, in
gard to which diversity of opinion exists, the
abolished. could not be done without indispen-
sable conditions, which not likely to be agreed to-
ltcould not be done without exciting eatapprehen
sion and alarm in tho slave States. If the power
were exercised within this District, they would APP
prehend that, under some pretext another, it
might be hereafter attempted to be exercised with
in the aveholding States 1t is true that at pres
ent all such power within those States is almost
unanimously disavowed and disclaimed in the free
States But experience in public affairs has too
often shown that where there is desire to do par
ticular thing, the power to accomplish it, sooner
later, will be found or assumed.
Nor does the number Of slaves within the Dis
trict make the abolition of slavery object of any
such consequence appears to be attached to it in
some parts Of the Union Since the retrocession Of
Alexandria county to Virginia, the south side
OF the Potomac, the District consists only OF
Washington county, on the north side of that
river; and the returns of the decennary enumera-
ton OF the people Of the United States show
pdly progressive decrease in the number of slaves
in Washington county. According to the census
of 1880, the number was 1906; and in 1910 it was
reduced TO 1920: showing reduction in ten years
of nearly one third. If it should continue in the
same ratio, the number, according to the census
now about to be taken, will be only a little up
wards of two thousand.
But majority of the committee think different
y in regard TO the slave trade within the District
BY that trade ID meant the introduction of slaves
from adjacent States into the District, for sale,
to be placed in depot for the purpose of subsequent
sale or transportation to other and distant markets
That trade, a majority OF the committee are of
opinion, ought TO be abolished. Complaints have
always existed against it, no less on the part
OF members of Congress from the South than on
the part of members from the North. 1t is trade
| sometimes exhibiting revolving spectacles, and
one in which the people of the District have no
interest," but, on the contrary, are believed TO be
desirous that it should be discontinued. Most if
not all, Of the slaveholding States have either in
their constitutions or by penal enactments, prohb-
tied trade in slaves as merchandise within their
respective Jurisdictions. Congress, standing in
regard to the people of this District this subject
in relation similar to that of the State Legisa
lures to the people Of the States may safely follow
the examples of the States. The committee have
prepared and herewith report, bill for the aboli
ton Of that trade, (marked d. the passage of
which they recommend to the Senate. This bill
has been framed after the model Of what the law of
Maryland was when the General Government was
removed TO Washington.
The views and recommendations contained in
this report may be recapitulated in few words:
formed out of Texas TO be postponed until they shall
hereafter present themselves to be received into the
Union. when it will be the duty of Congress fairly
and faithfully TO execute the compact with Texas
by admitting such new State or States.
g The admission forthwith of California into the
Union. with the boundaries which she has proposed.
3. The establishment of territorial governments,
without the Wilmot proviso, for New Mexico and
Utah, embracing all the territory recently acquired
by the United States from Mexico not contained in
the boundaries Of California.
4. The combination of these two last mentioned
measures in the same bill.
g. The establishment Of the western and north
ern boundary Of Texas, and the exclusion from her
jurisdiction Of all New Mexico, with the grant TO
Texas of pecuniary equivalent And the section
Tor that purpose 10 be incorporated in the bill adj
hitting California and establishing territorial gov
ernments for Utah and New Mexico.
6. More cffectual enactments of law to secure
the prompt delivery Of persons bound TO service
labor IN one State, under the laws thereof, who
cape into another State.
And Z. Abstaining from abolishing slavery; but,
under a heavy penalty, prohibiting the slave trade
in the District Of Columbia.
II such Of these several measures as require leg
isation should be carried out by suitable acts OF
Congress, all controversies TO which our late terri
torial acquisitions have given rise, and all existing
questions connected with the institution of slavery
whether resulting from those acquisitions from
its existence in the States and the District Of Co
lumbia, will be amicably settled and adjusted In a
manner, IL is confidently believed, 10 give general
satisfaction 10 an overwhelming majority Of the
people Of the United States. Congress will have
fulfilled its whole duty in regard 10 the vast coun-
try which, having been ceded by Mexico 10 the
United States, has fallen under their dominion II
will have extended TO IL protection provided for it's
several parts the inestmable blessing of free and
regular government adapted 10 their various wants
and placed the whole under the banner and the flag
ofthe United States Meeting couragcously its olesr
and entire duty, Congress will escape the unmerited
reproach Of having, from considerations Of doubt
full policy, abandoned 10 an undeserved fate terri
tories Of boundless extent, with sparse, ncongru-
Gus, and alien, If not unfriendy population,
speaking different languages, and accustomed to
different laws, whilst that population is making ir-
resistible appeals 10 the new sovereignty 10 which
they have been transferred for protection for gov
eminent, for law, and for order.
The committee have endeavored 10 present 10 the
Senate a comprehensive plan OF adjustment, which,
removing all causes Of existing excitement and ag-
tation, leaves none open 10 divide the country and
disturb the general harmony. The nation has been
greatly convulsed, not by measures Of general poll
icy, but by questions Of a sectional character and
therefore, more dangerous and more 10 be depre-
Gated. u wanercpose. Hloves and cherishes the
Union. And IL is most cheering and gratifying TO
witness the outbursts Of deep and abiding attach