The republic., 1851-04-10
r,.pors.nt CsrrsspenA lance.

Important CssEsspenAsnes.
It has frequently been made matter Of re-
proach against the PREsrDEnr that he has been
backward and evinced want Of determination
in carrying into effect the Fugitive Slave law;
and these charges have been made the theme Of
many wanton and unjust insinuations in one sec
ton of the Union, while they have occasionally
called forth insolent defiance in another. From
the moment, however, in which the PRESIDENT
was invested with his Executive functions, he
has never for a single moment faltered in his
deliberate purpose to ''see that the laws shall
be faithfully executed" No language Of petu-
lance nor words of fretful fury have at any time
heralded his serene but infexible determination,
but orders of unmistakable import have never
theless been quietly and unostentatiously pro-
mulged to the proper officers; and in every in
stance in which their efficacy shall be fairly
tested, the result will show that the PRESIDENT
has at no time neglected his duty or tampered
with public excitements to serve ulterior de-
signs.
By the following correspondence, which forms
a part of the documents accompanying the
Presidents Message to the Senate, it will be
view of threatened difficulties in executing
the Fugitive Slave law, the President gave
the necessary directions and took the necessary
precautions to ensure the faithful fulfilment
and execution Of that law; and there is every rea
son to believe that these precautions, backed by
IL, - IS tk, b~dry nft tba
can people, will every day render resistance to
that or any other law Of the land proposition
more and more out of the question.
[ooPy.l
CoMMANDANr's OFFICE,
U. s. NAVY YARp, PHILADELPHIA,
October Is, 1850.
SIR The commandant of this yard and station
is often called upon by the civil authorities to aid
with the marines in executing the laws of the Uni
ted States. Being in doubt to the extent of my
authority to afford such aid although it has been
given on several occasions, should be pleased to
hear from the Department on the subject If the
marines may be called out in support of the laws Of
the United States may ask if they can be legally
employed to assist the State authorities? This in
formation is desired in consequence of the judge of
the district court of the United States having
quested the assistance of the marines to some
slaves who have been claimed by their owners
| have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant,
(Signed) GEO. G. READ,
Commandment
To the Hon. WIN. A. GRAHAM,
Secretary Of the Navy. Washington, D. G.
(coPY.l
NAVY DEPARTMENT, October 20, 1850.
SIR: Circumstances have occurred to prevent an
earlier reply to your letter of the 18th inst, which
was duly received and submitted TO the considera.
ton of the President.
In that letter you state that the Judge of the dis
trict court of the United States had requested the
assistance of the marines under your command to
SECURE certain fugitive slaves who have been claim
ed by their owners, and that calls upon the COM
mandant of the Philadelphia navy yard to aid.
with the marines, in the execution Of the laws, by
the civil authority, often made, and you inquire
as to your duty in rendering obedience to them.
That part of the inquiry which pertains to calls
for military aid by officers acting under State au
thority, it is not deemed necessary specially to
answer, there being no present occasion to re-
quire it.
In reply to the other question presented by you,
I am instructed by the President to say, that he
deprecates any necessity for calling on the mill
tary force OF the United States to aid the civil
officers in the execution of their proper func-
tions and he trusts that the patriotism of the good
| people of Pennsylvania will enable the marshal
and other civil officers TO command sufficient as
sistance from among those in civil life, 10 serve
any process in his hands, and to render it efec-
tual.
But the President, feeling the full force of his
constitutional obligation "to take care that the
laws be faithfully executed" directs that If the
marshal. or any of his known deputies, charged
with the service of process by competent authority
of the United States, shall be unable TO raise the
necessary force for that purpose. or to prevent a
rescue, or TO make rccapture, in case Of res
cue, by virtue Of his authority to summon citizens
to his aid and shall call for the assistance of the
marines, you will. in such event, promptly order
them to accompany and assist him in the per-
formance of his duty, having previously instructed
the officer in command of the marines that, dur
ing this vice. he will receive the orders of the
marshal or his deputy, and act only in strict obe-
dience to them.
Such will be your duty in applications from
the marshal and his known deputies. But in
the case of like applications from special depu-
ties appointed by Commissioners Of the United
States to execute process under the act of the last
session of Congress, entitled "An act to amend and
supplementary to the act entitled .an act re-
spectng ugitives from justice, and persons escap-
ing from the service of their masters approved
February ~, l793." they will be required in each
instance TO produce 70 you certificate Of the
justice judge of the United States in their district
stating that the execution Of the process in question
has been actually resisted, that combinations to
resist It have been formed, too powerful 10 be over
by the authority ofsuch deputy, to call for the
4.
| him the like assistance If called on by mar
shal or hia deputv obeervn the cautions above in.