Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-15
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 8, 1851.
More about the Fugitive Slave Law.

The fugitive slave law in existence, is not the
law drawn up by Henry Clay, but is the written
by Mr. Mason, OF Virginia There is vast difference
between the two bills Had Mr. Clays bill passed il would
have given much more satisfaction than the present
-IndiGnG Journal
The whole history of the passage of this law to
be quite much misunderstood its practical effects
and operations have been msrepresented. In the early
part of the last Congress Mr.. Mason, of Vir-
gnia introduced into the Senate bill providing for the
Of fugitive slaves. This very different bill
from the subsequently passed. 1t conferred the
power Of issuing wrts for the re-capture Of slaves
Postmasters and authorized these officers hear evil
dence and grant certificates of ownership, sc. Shortly
afterwards Mr.. Webster introduced another bill which
conferred the power issue wrts, grant certificates,
&c. on United States Commissioners and provided for
jury trial before the Commissioner in the first hearing
This latter provision with most violent opposition
from Mr. Clay and all the Southern members and Nh.
Webster did not further press it. When Mr.. Foote
moved the resolution raise the committee of thirteen
and refer all these questions that committee for
consideration, Mr.. Mason brought forward an amend
ment which substantially the present law, and stated
that when the bill up for consideration he would
move to strike it out and insert the amendment which
he said had drawn up with great care and that in
his abors he had aided by the advice and of
several distinguished urists from the North. This
endment with the original bill REFERRED to the
mtee of thirteen who reported in favor of the amend
ment with the addition of two sections One OF these
sections defined the character of the record evidence
necessary prove the identity of the slave and to show
that he owed service The other section required the
give bond that the slave should have trial by
jury in the State and according the laws of the State
where he owed service. This latter provision in
serted the cooperation Of Northern Senators
who contending for jury trial. Mr.. Clay himself
stated in the that he considered of practical
Importance as that, under the laws Of every State
where slavery exst9d there ample provisions for
such trial. and that in all eases where slave chose
for his liberty the Of justice open and
counsel assigned vndicate his rights. After
the defeat of the Omnibus bill Mr.. Clay left Washing
ton his health by bathing, and not
present at the passage Of the bill The original bill
taken up and Mr.. Mason's amendment, with few
unimportant additions, adopted. No motion was
made to incorporate the sections reported by the
mittee Of thirteen 1t was ascertaned that it would
give the Northern strength and the South
not desiring it, the amendments offered and the
bill passed That it met with the hearty cooperation
OF Mr. Clay no one can doubt. He urged its passage
in his great speech the compromise report,
sure OF Justice to the South. No read his
speeches without being convinced that it with him
a darling measure.
Since its passage he has denounced in no measured
terms those who favor its repeal, and those who
resisted its execution 1t subject upon which he is
peculiarly sensitive.
Nomotion made in relation to it during the last
sion without firing the od eloquent and it is an
act Of gross Of injustice him and calculated to mis-
lead his friends represent that he is not heart and soul
in favor of the fugitive slave law in all it features and
provisions His name will be found in favor of its
repeal, OF material alteration.