Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-09-02
The Fugitive Slave Bill.

AHo Dill PoFiulliS lot the more effectuat re-.
capture of fugitive slaves, which was ordered 10
its engrossment on Friday, in the Senate, will
it is generally understood, pass that body BY
large majority 1t IS so volumnious in its details
that we canaot insert il entire-but in lieu of IT,
we lay before our readers the following synopsis,
which will give them a very comprehensive
| idea OF its general provisions:
| Section 15t maks it the duty of the Judges of
the District Courts of the United States, and of
the Superior Courts of the organized territories.
I to appoint three commissioners for the time be-
Ing, holding office under the United States Gov
ernment, whose duty it shall be to examine
witnesses, administer the necessary oatlls, and
IN short, to snperintend the process of reclaim
ing fugitive slaves in said States or Territories.
Seton I'd makes it the duty of matshals and
their duputies 10 obey all warrants issued under
the provisions of this act they are also empow-
ed to appoint deputies to assist them in execut-
ing civil processes, and to summon to their aid
the bystanders, when necessary, 10 enforce the
clause referred to in the Constitution, in conform
ity with the provision of this act.
Section 81 enacts that a slave escaping into
one State from another, his owner or agent may
pursue and reclaim him by procuring warrant
from some one OF the courts having jurisdiction.
The slave shall be taken before the Judge, who
shall hear and determine the case of the claim
ant if it appear that service is due the claim
ant from the person escaping; it shall be the duty
Of said Judge to remove such person back 10 the
State or Territory whence he or she escaped
In no trial Of hearing, under this act is the tes-
timony OF the fugitive admissible
Section 4th prescribes penalty not exceeding
Isl 900, and imprisonment not exceeding six
months; to all persons who willingly hinder, OBJ
struc: or prevent the claimant, his agent or at
torney, or any person or persons lawfully assist.
ing him, her, orthem, from arresting such fupi.
tive from service or labor, either with or with.
out process as aforesaid or shall rescue, or at
tempt to rescue, such fugitive from service or
labor. By way of civil damages to the party in.
Jured by such illegal condect, this section more.
over prescribes that $ 1000 additional shall ba
paid to be secured by action of debt in any Of
the courts within whose district the offence may
be committed.
Section 5th provides payment for the services
of the U. S. officers, Whose business it is made
to capture the fugitves) in fees the same as those
paid for similar services in other cases. In
cases where the fugitive is discharged from Gus.
tody for want OF sufficient; proof these fees are
to be paid by the claimant. This section also
specifies the amount Of fees which shall be paid
to the commissioners and other officers afore.
said.
Section 9Th provides that, in case the claim.
ait mas reason 20 dPpfenenu q forced rescue OF
the slave, it shall be the duty of the officer max
ing the arrest to retain him or her in his custody.
and to deliver him to said claimant, his agent
Or attorney. In order to enable him to do this,
the officer is empowered to employ as many per.
sons as he chooses, all of whom are to receive
the same compensation and TO be allowed the
same expenses, as are now allowed by law for
transportation of criminals, to be certified by the
Judge of the district within which the arrest is
made, and paid out of the treasury Of the United
States.
Section 9TH makes it the duty of the claimant
to apply to Court of Record in the State, Terri
tory or District from which the slave escapes
and there give satisfactory proofto such court OF
the escape aforesaid and that the person escap-
ing owed service OF labor to such party. The
court then shall cause record to be made of tho
matters so proved, and also general description
OF the person SO escaping copy Of this re-
cord or writ must be presented to the Judge or
commissioner to whom application is made tor
surrender of the fugitives. 1t will then be the
duty Of said Judge Or commissioner to grant to
snch claimant a certificate of his right to take
away such person identified and proved to be
owing service or labor as aforesaid, which GER
tlficate shall authorize such claimant to seize or
arrest and transport such person to the State or
Territory from which he escaped
Section 9Th repeats all acts coming within the
provision OF this act, and ordains that this law
shall be in force from the day Of its passage.