Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-23
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.

UNITED STATES, in reply to a citizen of Georgia,
respecting the Of certain slaves escaping from
saat State to Boston, and there, through the agency
al the Aboltionists, eyading the attempt of their
sswuer to recover them. The letter is important as
Sarnishing public and explicit assurance of what
au who know the President felt well assured of
before-,hat he stands ready to employ his whole
power in enforcing the act of Congress for the re-
coyery Of fugitive slaves, whenever the officers
charged with its execution shall find themselves SO
obstructed in the performance Of their duty as to
esquire the nterposton of the Executive arm and
<hat he, in like Manner stands ready to punish any
officer of the Government who shall prove fai,hless
20 his duty in the execution Of the law.
DrrARrHEsr STATE,
Washington, November 8, 1850.
To RoBERT ColIIss, Esq, Macon, Ga.
SIR sm instructed by the President inform you that
ysur letter Of the I'd Instant addressed to him, enclosing
several slips from newspaper, in reference to the proceedings
q portion of the community in Boston the subject Of the
Fugitive Slave Law received by him yesterday, and that
Hs has given the letter and its enclosures careful
You state substance that you the owner Of Craft
enc Of the fugitive for which Of
ISSUED in Boston, and call the Presidents attention to the
enclosed from papers,
BE will perceive the in which your agents
,ed and treated for merely asking that the slaves be
I'd according the laws Of the United States That they
have been arrested under various warrants kdnappsr and
other frivolous preencss and unreasonable bail demanded
and your friends have become their surees for than
So 000 You also say that the in which the officers
have performed their duty will appear by the slips and that
dc lie dead ia the Marshals Office You then
speak Of the perncous effect Of such proceedings and Of their
tendency disturb the harmony of the Union, and of the
great importance Of having the law faithfully executed and
Enaly inquire, whether is not in the power and is not
che intention of the Executive of the United States cause
chat law to be faithfully and properly enforced"
To this the President directs reply that you cannot
be more deeply impressed than he is with the Importance OF
having every law faithfully executed Every statute, in this
country passed in accordance with the provisions Of the Con-
sution be presumed embody the will Of majority
of the people Of the Union and such is entitled the
respect and obedience Of every American citizen and
Ehc Constitution which the President has to support
made his especial duty o take that the laws be
faithfully executed" He has thought Of shrinking from
his duty in this any other case but will the utmost
Of his ability, firmly and faithfully perform it.
But how is he TO the laws to be executed First
by appointing proper officers m the various Offices and
discharge their various functions with diligence and fidelity
and any shall be found incompetent unfaithfu, by
knowing them where he has the power Of removal and ap
ointng competent and faithful officers in their places
And secondly, in extreme cases, whenever the laws Of
ahe United States shall be opposed the execution thereof
sucted in any State by combinations too powerful to be
suppressed by the ordinary course Of judicial proceedpg
q by the powers vested in the civil officers with the posse
which the law authorizes and requires them to call to their
- wouid be hs duty to call forth the militia, ard
dc army and nary for the purpose Of overcoming such for
A
prudence and justice require that there should be
satisfactory evidence of official delinquency, forcble
sance, than rumor, newspaper statements; and
yet these all which have been furnished in this
any marshal neglect perform his duty, the law gives
right Of action to The aggeved party for the injury which
Inc may sustain, and if he refuses to perform it the statute has
lnzposed upon him penalty But IL he refuse or
vduiy neglect toperom IL when this shall be satisfactorily
nadc to appear The President them in addition bis la
aEy TO the aggneved party, would doubtless be the duty
af the Executive to him from office and appoint
acr in his place. Bot your letter contains proof Of this
Hind, and therefore require action. 1t equally
clear that is presented usifyng call upon the mill
@ the of the army the laws and the Pre-
aent has much confidence the patriotism and devotion
Do the laws which have always characterized large msjoy
Il the people Of Boston that he for believe
cat will be necessary call in any extraordinary aid
% execute the laws in that community.
Individuals may become excited and may in the heat Of
SIC offer resistance the laws, but he has doubt
a in such event. much to be regretted the good
If die community would rally the support Of the civil
Uthorits, and that those who sustain the law would ti
oKph But he directs you that II, unfortu-
.sey he shall find himself mistaken in this and the painful
necessity should arise he resolved perform his duty by
employing all the which the Constitution and Congress
have placed at bis disposal to enforce the law.
AS to the complaint that your agents unjusy prose-
d, and held bail ia unreasonable for pretend
Cd oences the President directs say that however he
sy regret any such injustice and incivy, he
st he has the power remedy the evil If the complaints
against your agents be unounded the defendants will doubt
s be acquitted, and malicious they have their remedy in
mn action for malicious prosecution But all these ju
ca questions which the Executive can exercise no
esiro, and the evil complained of from the acknow
ded right Of every individual prosecute any an
szisged offence violation Of right,
The Pesden, feels the importance of avoiding as far %
practicable, all causes Of irritation between the North and the
Soa sni especially on the exciting subject Of slavery.
We're ne permitted to advise, he would suggest all the i'm
Bortance OF permitting the laws take their usual course
xDi that every thing like intimidation and illegal or unjust
snroyance should be scropuousy avoided Every effort
ouId be made to cultivate fraternal feeling We should
hs people Of interest and sentiment knowing No
RocaI DIVISION and toerating sectional iriustce C,r
UxroE dear to the heart Of every American can opv
% preserved by strict observance Of the Constitution and
na impartial administration of the Laws.
- III. IL.