Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-19
THE SLAVE CASE AT BOSTON.

THE SLAVE CASE AT BOSTON. 'faf
Taoh THE BosTos DAILr ADvERTIsER oF SATURDAY. 4.
The CASE OF THE SLAVE SMs.-We have rea-
son to suppose that the discussion of this affair,
which has filled the columns of our newspapers
and excited attention abroad much more than it has
affected the common goings and comings of our
people, is now at an end. The Commissioner of
the United States Court has given to the Marshal
his certificate stating that the man Sims is the per-
son claimed by the agent of JAMES POTTER, Of
Georgia; and the Judges Of the Supreme Iu-
dicial Court Of Massachusetts and of the Circuit
and District Courts of the United States have re-
spectively, after elaborate argument at different
stages of the proceedings, refused to interfere with
the process. Sims will probably leave the city
to-day in the custody Of the United States officers.
The handful Of fanatics who have sought TO inter-
rupt the operation of law, or failing that, to en-
broil the community in small civic warfare, have
not succeeded in either Of their objects They have
indussriously sowed the wind, without reaping the
whirlwind they sought, although they may ind
eventually "a rcverberation from Il ahont their ears
more meet for theirdeserts than their patience.
\. Since our last publication ION Thursday morn
ing) many steps have been taken in this matter,
because much opposition has been made to the re-
gular proceeding Of the law. We are obliged to
con6ne ourselves to brief recital of matters:
The first act fastday" morning, when Messrs-
suMsER sEwAII, LIST, HIIDRErR, and others summoned
Judge sPRAsur of the U. s. District Cour to the court
room, ask for writ Of habess corpus, calling upon the
United States Marshal to produce Thomas SIMS and show
cause why be was not tried on the criminal prosecution against
him for assaulng the officer who arrested him. In support
Of this petition several ingenious points raised but
sh~t xlxp
feet Of granting would be put the prisoner into the GUS
tody Of the United States Marshal tohe-e he he did
not think necessary decide upon their distractions
The next proceeding known the public the close Of
the hearing before Mr.. Commissioner CuRrIs. The
had been fully argued before him. and he had deferred giving
his opinion in the case until yesterday morning. when at nine
o'clock the courtroom full Of persons anxious to hear it
We are not able to give to-day, than summary Of his
remarks
Mr. Curtis commenced the declaration Of bis opinion by
audng to and replying Of the personal appeals that
had been made to him by the counsel in the He said
1T would require but very short time pronounce my
decson if there had not been raised question Of law, which
must examine and pass upon The learned counsel for the
prisoner have argued with great ability the question Of the
constutonaly Of the Of Congress under which this
rant was sued and have called upon they have had
right to do to affirm deny it. Il can scarcely be neces
say for say that should have been glad have been
relieved Of this labor and responsibility BY any tribunal what
ever competent to the decision Of the question but
inasmuch my decision is final far as the restoration Of
the fugitive to the State Of Georgia concerned, and mas
much as no has felt be necessary TO intepose to
relieve me Of this responsibility, know Of why
should shrink from it. have been told, indeed, BY the
learned counsel who closed this for the prisoner
CHARLEs G. LoRINs) that have been the design
Of the projectors Of this law make oons possible to
the people Of the free States and that held 70 be con-
stiutionsI, endless agitation must ensue
~ have BEEN tod that deion will send this man TO
perpetual slavery and h to increase TO the utmost nten-
s,y the responsibility Of acting according its imperative
qusons have also been told that there are many persons
in this community, fully entitled TO remain here who will
placed practically and directly in the peril Of it's grasp
it is held to be constitutional.
81 here to decide grave question OF law the deci-
sion of which, far the rights Of the parties before me de-
pend upon it. has been unavoidably cast upon am to
decide that question upon my conscientious convictions OF the
TRUTH by intellectual process, over which consequences
have Just influence control have listened, with
all the attention could command what has been address
ed to my reason. have much respect for the learned
COUNSEL and have too senuousy endeavored TO Keep my
mind attitude where could appreciate bis argument
to have allowed myself suppose that any part Of It was IN
tended be addressed to my fears recognise in hs sug
geons and his earnest assertions, only evidence Of the
strength of his convictions and Of his OF the importance
Of the opinions which be ably and zealousy maintains
"The learned counsel said to in the course Of bis ar
gunent that there consideration connected with the
statute under which act, which must be humatng to this
court and to every other that had any thing to do with it.
that the clause which made the compensation to de-
pend upon the in which the decided II the
learned counsel supposed that the Of five dollars was like
to influence my judgment upon any question TINS case
he did right in reminding that the statute provides for
compensation But it would, in my opinion have been well
the learned counsel before he addressed TO this observa
ton, had examined the statute, to whether, although
authorizes the Commissioner to receive compensation,
imposes upon him any obligation to take it. If i does moi
see no cause for humiliation, and certainly feel none.
SIN stating the views which entertain Of the various
grounds of objection the consuonay Of this law, urged
by the learned counsel for the prisoner shall not undertake.
to answer the whole of their Of reasoning My
pose will be to state the which satisfy my own mind
that their objections are untenabe Them cannot expect TO
convince snder the circumstances of the present occasion
any part Of my duty endeavor TO do So My duty,
according my understanding Of il will be fully discharged
BY stating my convictions upon the several questions
that have been discussed Nor shall undertake to examine
arguments that have been made elsewhere follow and
reue any Of reasoning defamation that have
led ohe the opinions which they entertain with regard to
this constitutional question" .s
He then took up the different objections made by the
sci for the prisoner to the consuonay Of the Of Con
gess under which he held To the first of hese obes
tons that the power which s<en to the Commissions
judicial power, such Congress could confer ex
cept for life and with fixed salary, he replied that the power
ministerial one, although, like many other special pow
granted magistrates in the Of judicial inquiries
it had judicial character. He said:
The truth s them would seem that in every gov.
Of laws administered by Judiciary there mus, bt
of iudcal inquiries