The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-09

the same act in ts application to all other indvi-
duals this 10 levylng against the United States,
and nothing less than treason"
Such take 10 be the law. Now, what were the
facts at the time answered the Secretary oe-
spatch! knew that In every form in which sucn
an intention can be declared-by speech, paonc
ard private; by resolves at puoiic meetings., i!oM
the pulpit and the press-lhele WsIe iueR ~ tn!s
city who had declared thar no fugitive slave should
be taken from this city under the act OF Congress;
and that under the encouragement OF these decla
ratons, there were coored men here, carrying
arms about their persons, IN order TO resist the
law There was, therefore, reason 10 believe, and
did and do still believe, in the existence OF
epiracy here, more less extensive TO resist and
prevent the execution of the law in all cases
Whether the sct OF rescuing s. Shadrach" was
done in pursuance of this general intention to re-
sist the law IN all cases, il would not become me
now 10 un dertake TO show, because the whole case
is undergoing the examination of the proper au-
thorites.
But for me to have answered the Secretary of
State with anything less than what | believed to
be the truth, would have been what he certainly
would not have expected of me. Ii was my duty,
as citizen, TO tell the government the truth, and
the whole truth, as i understood it, Whether it
was creditable TO the State, or the city, or " the
people of Massachusetts,, or those concerned in it.
was q consideration that might deeply feel, but
could not allow to influence my answer. | knew
that the action Of the government would some
what depend upon the information they might re-
ceive in answer 10 their Inquiries and so far as
any responsibility devolves upon me, growing out
of the reply made TO Mr.. Webster, am ready 10
answer for it to the government and the public.
Ii is altogether unlikely, however, that the pro-
clamaton was issued solely on the strength os
these Geographic deep 4ches, or because the opinion
had been expressed that il was a case of ''levy-
ing war" Mr.. Webster had, several months since,
publicly laid down what constitutes the crime OF
50 levying wal" in letter which have not before
me, but which distinctly recollect He, and the
whole administration, must have had a general
knowledge of the declarations made and the pur-
poses .avowed here, before this occurrence took
place and when they received information that
a fugitive had been taken out OF the court house
at midday, by mob overpowerlng the officers of
the law, whether one man or another expressed an
opinion Of the nature of the offence, if the Pres-
dent lad not issued proclamatio he would, in
my Judgment, have failed in his duty.
nwhat way my despatch "does gross in ustice
to the people of Ma ssachuseits," it would be diff
cult for the writer ia the Atlas TO show. They We're
not engaged in the act, an account OF which |
undertook 10 give. But if, from this occurrence,
they and the people OF the whole country have
Ii earned that law Of the United States has been
efiectually resisted here by mob, and that that
mob grew out of predetermination to prevent the
removal of any fugitive, 50 Law or no law-Consti-
tuition or DO constitution" they will have learned
something, a repetition of which it concerns the
honor, peace, and safety of this community should
be preven,ed-Very respectfully yours,
GEORGE T. CURTIS.