Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1851-08-16
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.


FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
AN ACT to amend, and supplementary to, the act en-
ii,d An act respecting fugitive from justice. arc
persons escaping from the service Of their masters,
approved February 'wen, one thousand seven hun
dred and ninety-hrc
SEC. l.. Be ii enacted BY the Senate ana
House Of Representatives. # the Uaied States o.
America in Congress assembled, That The per
sous who have been. or may hereafter be, ap
pointed commissioners, in virtue Of ahy act %
Congress. by the circuit courts Of the U. States
and who, in consequence OF such appointment
are authorized to exercise the powers that AT,
Justice If the peace, or other magistrate of an,
Of the United States may exercise in respect tc
offenders for any crime or offence against the L.
States, by arres'ing, imprsoning, or baiIing the
same under and by virtue of the thirty third sec.
tion OF the &C, "f the twenty.fourh Of 5 piem
Der, seventeen hundred and eighty nine entitled
IAN act 10 establish the Judicial courts cf the
United States" shall be. and are hereby. au.
ihorizrd and required 10 exercise and discharge
all the duties conferred Nv this art.
SEC, ,. And be il further enacted. That the
superior court oteach organized Territory Of the
Tn ted States shall have the same power {" 40.
point commissioners IN take Acknowledgements Of
bail and afFdaviis and to take dispositions of wit
nesscs in civil causes which ia now possessed by
the circuit court Of the United States; and all
commissioner who shall hereafter be appointed
for such purposes by the superior court of any
organized Territory Of the United States, shall
possess all the powers and exercise all the du-
ties conferred by law upon the commissioners
appointed by the circuit courts Of the U. States
Cor similar purposes and shall moreover exercise
and discharge all the powers and duties confer
red by this act.
SEC. 3. AID Be il further enacted, That the
circuit courts Of the United States, and the ST.
p"rior courts Of each organized Territory of the
United States, shall from time TO time enlarge
the number Of Commissioners, with view to
afford reasonable facilities 10 reclaim fugives
from labor, and TO the pronp! discharge Of the
duties imposed by this act.
SEC. 4. And be il further enacted, That the
commissioners above named shall have concur
rem, Jurisdiction with the Judges Of The circuit and
distric, courts Of the Uni ed States, in their re.
speciive crcuis aud districts within the several
States and The Judges of the superior courts Of
the Territories, sevrraly and 20 lpctively, in
term-time, and vacation; and shall grant Ger
tificates 10 such claimants, upon satisfactory
proof being made. with authority TO take and re-
move such fa titives from service or labor un1er
che restrictions herein contained, 10 the State or
Territory from which such persons may have es.
cared or fed.
SEC. s. And be Il further enacted That i, shall
he the duty OF all marshals and deputy marshais
Il. 4 u
issued under the provisions Of This act. when to
them directed; and should any marshal or drpu:y
marshal refuse 10 receive such warran, or other
process when rendered. or TO use all proper
means diligently 10 execute the same, he shall o.
conviction thereof be fined in the sum If on"
thousand dollars 10 the use nF sucl claimant, on
the motion OF such claimant, by the circuit or
district court for the district of such marshal and
after arrest of such fugitive bv such marshal or
his deputy or whilst at any time in his custody
under the provisions under this act should such
iuglive escape whether with or withoM the As
sent of such marshal or his deputy. such marshal
shall he liable on his official bond to be prose-
cuied I0r the benefit IF such claimant for the
full value of the service or labor Of said fugitive
in The State, Territory, or District whence he
escaped; and The better 10 enable the said com.
Eni'sioner', when thus appointed, to execute Their
duiAs faitlflily and efficiently, in canfnm "
With the requirements &c the Constitution Of the
United States and ofthis act, they are hereby
unmarried and empowered, within their counties
respectively. To appoint. in writing under their
hands, any one or mora Suitable persons. fon
time to time. TO execu'e all such warrants and
other process as may he Issued by them in the
lawful performance Of their respective du,iss
with authority 10 such commissioners. o. the
persons to be appointed by them, to execute uro.
cess as aforesaid. TO summon and call to theiI
AID The bys'anders, or posse comitatus Of The
proper county. when necessary TO insure faith.
iul observance Of the clause of the Constitution
referred 10. in conformity with the provision, Of
this act and all good citizens are hereby com
manded to aid and assist in the prompt and eff.
clent execution Of this law. whenever their ser.
vices may be required. as aforesaid Tor that pur.
pose. and said warrants shall run, and be exc.
cued by said officers anywhere in the State
within which they are issued.
SEC. 6. Aud be il further enacted, That when
perSon held 10 service or labor in any State
or Territory Of the United States, has heretofore
OF shall hereafter escape into another State OF
Territory of the United States. the person OF
persons to whom such service or labor may be
uue' or bis, her, or their agent or attorney, duly
'u'norIzed' by power Of attorney, in wiring