Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-05-01

1Nillf llli1 1NUnllnHlt'ITI Nftilih NElDNI TIC III
advance; prcs,mcs that am a fugitive slave
admits er paric testimony tina, am one, and will
not permit me to rebut by my own denial. lie
throws the burden of proof Of my liberty cntire-
ly upon me denies a trial by jury; permits no
appeal from his own decision; in fact really de-
MES trial Of my liberty at all-tclng INC !
must look to Texas courts for that, provided this
slave-catcher does not SCH me on The roqR, "A We
ry unpleasant contingency, please your honor, A.
ganst which the fugitive slave law mikes no sort
Of provision Now, your honor, | object to haz-
ardtng my liberty by going into the jurisdiction Of
this Commissioner, which am not bound To- do
until you are satisfied That am fugitive slave.
ana SO lawfully within his exclusive jurisdiction
Very sorry, John, says the Judge yours is not
only "a cose,' bat a very hard ono bat there is
not freeman of Vermont, black or white, high
or low, whom can protect against ths slave
catcher. But, says poor John, the Constitution
Of Vermont says am free and guarantees me a
trial by jury Vermont never agreed 20 permit
any slave-catchcr 70 force me from my family and
my home. until he proues that am fugitive
slave. The Constitution of the United States
does not require it and that, too guarantees me
trial by jury and the benefit of every process
known TO the common law Of England and Of
this free llnd This Commissioner CONSTITUTES the
fugitive slave law as donial Of all these rights.
You may please your honor are bound By your
oath to obey the Constitution let who VIII yio-
late it and to obey the laws Of Vermont also
SO far as in your Judgment they are constitutions
al Vermont claims that she has her.git TOT pro-
tect her inhabitants 10 their liberty until they
are proved 10 be slaves by due process Of law
embracing trial by jury | demand the protec.
ton which the State Of Vermont by lbs con.tu-
ton and laws accords me against this nan. who
would deprive me of 10y liberty without due pro-
cess of law; and who, in defiance OF the lam
guage of the Constitution Of tle IT, S. aud Of
the fugitive slave low itself attempts to seize
free ,uon--pot a slave. an, no, riobtf,ll, with
-. t;. ;.....i.,..;-.
protect me- IIe'y g"ol lA"' pclleNe myself
says the Judge but the state of Vermont has
no greater irbts than this slave ratchinn com
,..;..i,.,,,- 81. '.,.,. ,-.... fr.:...i.-..
way ''0''
'''' .''''r' -" ~" "a vac ''''''
appear nom MS u'clslon 10 FEDERAL court or io|
any hum'h 'flounaL lhe Nta'e cannot my its
own fls''s' nor aFoll ''eH oil Us constitutional
power ne CONSTITUTION l'seH aFals nothng
uhle's lnls Commissioner says so. should YOU
o' 'n'u'u vermont Tor yon' except 10 Is ruling
ON l"' point OF 'r'aI 10y jury or line HeNt ot 'p-
pe"l' or ule admission oi testimony of the 'olId-
i'! 'I 'ne record "hIch 'is slaves ltc"er profess
SECS TO onng with -youcannot appeal There
Is no remedy Should you aI,'2e that the tugi-
1--WE shave law IS unconsitutonai-you cannot
carry TINT question to the Supreme Court of the
Oniea states me jurisdiction OF the Comms-
sioner is " exclusive. must remind you' and
since don't myself believe IN the sort of law
winch rcqnnes me TO do 1t, VII! give you Judge
Nelson's opinion;
The power therefore Il will be seen, to exc
ouS '.''s aos " o9' 'on!s TO lne 'rlounais
and. in respect io these. cqu he ,rgc,,eJ
oaiy By such co,Uis or eicess as are speciaily d.,
slgndied IA bie 0ei for Ms purpose lio wit circuit
a''n u'.Io' Juuse7' o. commissioners Inc
pffcars Ln,l,s !, rcsno.,.,l,, trlu,r.,t' ~ w.
State ar ojbsre Of ibc 5,,l,-,i -,..,.,,,,t ,.,U