Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-10-05
synopsis Of The Fugitive Law,

rectly from the National IntelIigencer, in
which paper it was published officially
Having rend the proof with care, we can
assure our readers that our copy may be re-
lied upon as accurate. The law should be
studied by every Abolitionist until he be-
comes familiar with its diabolcnl provisions,
30 that, in resisting or disregording its au-
thoriiy, or attempting to battle its execution,
he may act intelligently and in full view Of
nlI the consequences which such course
involves For the benefit of tbose who have
not the leisure or patience 10 search for the
snbsiapce of the law hi the mass Of legal
technically in which it is involved, we sub
join the following synopsis.
1. All U. s. Commissioners who have
been or who may hereafter lie appointed by
the Circuit Courts of the United States, are
authorized and required to exercise concur
rent jurisdiction with the U. 8. Circuit and
District Courts, in ali cases arising under
the act These Commissioners have here
tofore been confined mainly to the large
citics--their power being substantially those
of Justices of the Peace 10 criminal cases I;
that is, they have bad power to hind over ac-
cused persons for trial but this law gives
them the full power Of Judges to determine
fiually oil cases arising under it.
2, Ii is made the duty of the Circuit
Courts to enlarge The number Of Commission
ers, from time 10 lime, ioith a uieD 10 afford
reasonable facilities for slave-calching. ['The
Judge Of this Circuit is John Mclean, whose
rottenuess of heart OH this question has been
sufficiently exhibited in cases arising under
the law of 1893. We may expect him to ap-
point Commissioners for this villanous pur-
pose in every County where the interests of
the shareholders may render it necessary
8. All marshaIs aud deputy marshas Of
the United States are required 10 execute all
warrants or other processes issued under the
act ; and should they refuse to do so, or fail to
use all proper means to catch the fugitive,
they are subject to a fine Of $1,000 for the
use Of the claimant. If a fugitive escape,
after arrest, with or without the assent ofihe
marshal or his deputy, the latter are liable on
their official bond for the market value of the
fugitive in the State whence he fled. This
is rather hard on the marshals-that is, If
any thing could be too hard for wretches base
enough to engage in such business.l bs a
A. II The regular inarshals, or deputy
marshals, should not be found sufficiently
numerous to do all the business arising un-
der the act, the Commissioners are a9ihor-
| lied, wilhin itir respective Counties, @dp-
point, in writing under their hand, : one or
moro suitable persons to execute warrants
and other processes.
| 5. The warrants issued to the marshals,
or other suitable persons are valid any
where within the limits Of the Stute where
they are issued.
| 6. The marshals, or other authorised per-
sons, have power to summon to their aid the
by-standers or posse comiiatus, when necessa-
ry; and ali good citizens are commanded
to aid aud assist in the prompt and efficient
execution of the law when thus called
upon. 4
q. The STAKEHOLDER, or his agent with a
written power of attorney, certified under
the seal of some legal officer or court, may
arrest the slave with or without process, and
take him forthwith before U. s. Court,
Judge or Commissioner, whose duty it shall
be to hear aud determine the case in a sum-
mary manner.
8. The Judge, or Commissioner, upon
satisfactory proof being made that the per-
son arrested does in fact owe service or la
bor' to the claimant in the State or Territory
from i0hieh he fled, is required to give the
claimant certificate, which shall authorise
him to take the fugitive buck, and to use
such reasonable force and restraint as mny
be necessary under the circumstances of the
case.
0. When slave escapes, the master may
60 to any court of record in the State in
which no lives, IA slaveholding State of
coursc,) and make proof of such escape, and
that the fugitive owes him service or labor /;
whercupon the court must give him trans
cript of the record, and general descrip-
ton Of the fugitive, with such convenient
certainty as may be; and this record and
description, authenticated by the seal of the
slayeholding court, when presented to any
U. s. Judge or Commissioner ia the State
where the fugitive may be found, is to be
taken to be full and Conclusive evidence of the
fact of escaDe and thnf Tho marty eso.,,;.. .