Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-06-04
Fugitive saves in New England.

Mr.. Webster, in his letter to his NewburyPort
friends, mentions the singular fact that in three
New England States no seizure of fugitive slaves
has ever been made. He says:
It is well to inquire what foundation there is
for all this rhapsody Of opinion, aid all this vio-
Ipnce in conduct. What and how many are the
instances of the seizure Of fugitive slaves which
these persons have seen, or which have happened
in New England in their time ? And what have
been the circumstances of iniuSticf, cruelty, and
atrociiy attending them To ASCERTAIN the truth
in this respect have made d.liG@nt inquiry of
members of Congress from six New England
States. Gina subject so general ] EannOtb be sure,
cf course, that the information received is entire
" accurate. and. therefore, ! do NOT say that the
statement which ] IN about to ESrscnt may be
relied on as altogether correct, lat | suppose it
cannot be materially erroneous. The result, then,
of all can learn, is This: No SECURE nf an al
lcgod slave has ever been made ~ Maine. No
seizure Of an alleged fugitive slar2 has eyer been
made in New Hampshire. No seizure of an al
legged might've slave has ever bcCd made in Yer
mnut. No seizure Of an alleged fugitive slave
has been made in Rhode Island Wiihin tho last
30 years. No seizure Ofan alleged fugitive slave
is known to have been made in Connecticut, eX-
ccp' one about 25 years ago. and in thatcase the
Ucrru vas discharged for want ~ofproof of idenii-
". Some instances OF tie sCiZnTc O?aIlrIcd III
cirfyc slaves are known TO have occurred in This
rcrcra'ion in Massachusetts; bit, except one.
their number and their history is Uncertain that
one took place in Boston IL Or!i5 years ago
and in that case some charitab|y disposed persons
offered the owner 4 sum of mon8y which he re-
gardcd as less than half the val1s of the slave,
hu, which he agreed to accept, ;fnd tho negro
was discharged. a few cases, q suppose, may
have occurred in New Bedford, Eht they attract
cd little notice, nor, so far as ! c:h learn, caused
any complaint. lndcCd, | do noiknowIhat there
eyer was more than a single cas:t or two arising
in that place. BE ii remcmbercd4aiat ! am speak
ing Of rrclarnations of slaves mast by their mas.
tiers under the law Of Congress. : am not speak
irr Of instances of violent ahduciinu and kidnap-
ping made by persons not pro:cssftg q to be reclaim
imT heir own slaves. i
IItiis he Il true account Of al itlathas happen
cd in New England within the !f77si 50 years, re-
spccting the arrest OF fugitive sla!hs, and believe
it substantially is so, what is life to justify the
passionate appeals, tho Iehcmcr4i aud empty de-
clrratjous, the wild and iantastig:onduct, of both
men aud women. which have SCI long disturbed
and 50 much di<CracCd the ~cnItanonwcalih and
the country W;lat is thcroErsp"ciaiiy that
should induce public mon 10 breEik loose from all
Just restraint, fall themselves ms The merest va
carries, and fan, with what thCt; cal! c'cTTc1ce.
the fires, ever ready to kirdlc, Z! popular prcju-
dice and popular excitement? + suspect all this
TO he the effect of that wandering and vagrant
philanthropy which disturbs M .annoys all that
is present, in time or place, by lf:ating the imagi-
nation on subjects distant, ree;ote and unccr-
tain.