Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1851-03-22
TIE MESSAGE.
Executive DEPARTMENT,
February 10, 1851.

February 10, 1851.
To he Senate Of The United STATES:
| have received the resolution Of the Senate
Of the lSihin requesting me 10 lay before
that bodyii not incompatible with the public in>
terest, any information may possess in regard to
an alledgsu recent case Of a orcbe resistance
10 he execution Of the laws Of The United States
in the cify Of Boston and 10 communicate 10 the
Senate, under the above conditions, what means
| have adopted 10 meet the occurrences; and
whether in my opinion, any additional legisla-
lion is necessary to meet the eSigcncy Of the
case, and 10 more vigorously execute existing
laws.
The public newspapers contain an affidavit Of
Patrick Riley, deputy marshal for the district
Of Massachusetts, setting forth tho circumstances
Of the case--a copy Of which affidavit is here
with clmmlaicated. Private and unofficial com.
muncations concur in establishing the main
facts II hisaccoun,; but no satisfactory Official
information has as yet been received, and in some
important respects the accuracy Of tho account
has been denied by persons whom i duplicates
Nothing could be more unexpected than that such
a gross violation Of law, such high-handed
contempt Of the authority Of the United States,
should be prepetratcd bYa band Of lawlcss con-
lederates, at noon1ay, in the city 81 Boston, and
in the very temples u justice. regard this ilagi-
'ious proceeding as being surprise, not mat
tended by some degree Of negligence; nor Do !
doubt that, il any such act Of violence had been
apprehended, thousands Of the good citizens Of
Boston would have presented themselves, volnn
tarily and promptly, TO prevent Il; but The dau-
yer does not seem 10 have been timely made
known or ly appreciated by those who were
concerned in the execution d tho process. Ina
community Distinguished for liz love Of order and
respect for the lAws--among people whose sen
iiment Il liberty and law, and not liberty without
law, nor alioye the law--such an outrage could
only be the result of sudden violence, nnhapply
Too much unprepared for TO be successfully re-
sisted. It would BIO meIancboiy, indeed, il we
we're obliged to regard this outbreak against the
constitutional and legal authority II the govern
ment as proceeding from the general feeling d
The people. in spot which i proverbially called
"the Cradle Of American Liberty"
| Such, undoubtedly is not the fact. ilyiolales
! without question. the general sentiment Of the
the people Of Boston, and Of a vast majority o
the whole people Of Massachusetts. az much n
| II violates The law. dffies the authority Of the
government. and disgraces those concerned in il
| their aiders and abettors.
II is, nevertheless, my duty 10 lay before ih'
| Senate, in answer 10 It's resolution, soins lmpor
tant acis aud considerations connected with th'
subject.
4 resolution Of Congress, Of September 2Srd
/ 1889, declared.
| "Iha, il be recommended 10 the Legislature Q
! the several States to pass laws making i OK
prcssly the duty Of ,he keepers Of their jals 4
receive and safe keep therein all prisoners com
mitted under the authority Of the United States
untiIthey shalIbe discharged BY the course 3
The laws thereof, under the like penalties as /
| the case Of prisoners committed under the az
.hority Of such States respectively the Uniie'
States 10 pay for The use and keeping Of sue
ais, at the rate ol fifty cents per month for eac
prisoner that shall, under their authority, be com
/ mitled thereto, during the Time such prisone
| shall be therein confined, and also % suPpol
such Of said prisoners as shall be committed e
offences
i Afinher resolution of Congress, Of the thir
of March, I7gi, proyidesihat "Whcreas Cor
aress did, by resolution 81 the 23d day Of Sci
sember, l769, recommend to lhe several StaIs
TO pass laws making il expressly the duty Of n
i keepers of their ails 10 receive and safe kee
/. Therein all prisoners committed under the q
! tbority of tbe United States: in order, therefor
10 insure the administration Of Justice
! tResoIred BIZ fhe Senate and House Of RcPr
# scntatires Of the United STATES Of America
! Congress- assembled, That n case any sIa
Ii shall not have complied with The said reccl
mendatiOn, tho marshall such Stale, under /