The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-12-10
DEPARTMENr oF Srarr.

'oetcSSe" " num- enclosing several sips
from newspapers. in refeeenee "a .h~ sr,,.
Iceedings Of portion Of The community IN
Boston, on the subject OF the Fugitive save
law, was received by him yesterday. and
That he has given 10 the ietter and lis enco-
sufes careful perasgl
You state, in substance, that ven are the
owner Of Craiis Que Of the fugitive saves for
which warrants Of arrest were iSsned in
Boston, and ca. the President attention TO
The enclosed Sips laketi mostly from North.
ern papers, by which he Will perceive the
manner IN which youragents were received
and treated for merely asking that the slaves
be relnned according to the laws of the
hi ed States. That they have been arres.
led under various warnnts as kdnappers,
aud on frivolous pretenees. ard nnreasona-
ne bail demanded; anl that your friends
nave becone their suretes for more than
$4,000.
You also say. that the manner IN which
iicers have performed .heir duty will ap-
pear by the sips; aud that the warrants
now lie dead III the Marshal Office You
,hen speak Of the pernicious effect Of such
proceedings, ard Of their tendency to disturb
The harmony ofthe Union, aud Of the great
importance Of having the Jaw faithfully ex-
ecuted; aud finally, inquire "whelher it is
not N Tbs. power aud i moi the intention Of
The Executive Of the United States 10 cause
lhat aw to be faithfully and properly en-
forced z"
TO this the President directs me to reply.
that you cannot be more deeply impressed
than he is, with the Importance Of having
every law faithfully executed Every stat
nte, in this country, passed in accordance
with the provisions Of the Constitution; must
be presumed to ernbody the will OF major
ity Of the people of the Union; and as such,
is emitted to the respect and obedience of
every true American citizen; aud the Con
Stitution which the President has sworn to
support has made it his especial duty 40
take care that the laws be faithfully execu.
lied" He has no thought of shrinking from
MS duty, inthis orany other case; but will,
10 the utmost Of his ability, firmly and taith-
fully perform it.
But how is he TO cause the law TO be ex-
|ecuted First by appointing proper officers
to fiji the various offices and discharge their
varions functions with diligence and fidelity;
and fany shall be found incompetent or un-
faithful, by removing them, where he has the
power Of removai,--and appointing more
|competem and faithful officers in their pla-
|ees. And secondly in extreme cases,
whenever the laws Of the United States
shall be opposed. or the execution thereof
obsinlcted. in any State, by combinations
TOO powerful to be suppressed by the ordE
nay course Of Judicial proceedings" or by
|the power vested III the civil officers with
the posse which the law authorizes and re-
quires them to call to their aid. it woud be
his duty to call forth the militia, and use the
army and navy for the purpose of overcom-
ling such forcible combinations against the
laws But, IN either case, prudence and
Justice require that there should be more sat
Iisfactory eudeace Of Official delinquency, or
forcible resistance, Than mere rumor or
newspaper statements; and yet these are all
which have been furnished in this case.
If any Marshal neglect TO perform his du-
| ty, the law gives right Of action to the ag-
grieved party for the Injury which he may
sustain; and if he refuse TO perform it, the
ststute has imposed upon him a severe pen.
laIty. But ifhe refuse or wifully neglect to
perform ii, when this shall be satisfactorily
made TO appear TO the President. then, III adj.
lition his liability to the aggrieYed party, il
would doubt less be the duiy Of The Execn-
i've 10 remove him from Office. aud appoint
mother in his pace, But your ietter con
tains no proof Of tue kind, aud therefore
seems 10 require no action 1t is equally
clear that no case is presented jnstifyng a
call upon the mi.tia, or the use of the army
Iro execute the laws; and the President has
50 much confidence in the patriotism and de-
oti)i 10 the laws which have always char
actssized arge majority Of the people, o
Boston. that he canaot for a nao,ne,st betiec.
that 1t will ever be necessary to call in any
extraordinary aid TO execute the laws. in thai
community.
individuals may become excited. and n,as
| in the heat tfthe ntoment, offer resistance
10 the avs. but he ha- no doubt that in such
levent, 50 much 10 be regretted, The gooC
sense ofihe community would soon rally e
lthr support of the cisi authorities and tina
Those who sustain the law would triumph
4 hui ne directs me 10 assure you, that II, un
fortunately be shall fild himself mistaken il
lihis, and the painfu necessity should arise
he is resolved &c perform his duty by EN-
p ovinq all means which the Constitution
and Congress have paced az his di=aosa', Il
enforce the law.
As to The complaint that your agent
were unjustly prosecuted, and held to bail il
unreasonable amounts. for nretended often
ces, the President directs me 10 say, tina
however he may regret any such ininstic
lend incivlify. he is not aware that he ha
the power 20 remedy the evil. II the com
lplaints against your agents be unfounded
1.-THE defendants will doubtIess be acquitted
md i malicious. they have their remedy i