Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-03-01
Effect Of the Boston Rescue in Washington

No sooner did the news reach Washington
that the majesty and dignity of the Slave
Power had been outraged in Boston by the
rescue of the fugitive Shadrach, than the
special defenders of the Union flew to the
rescue. The Cabinet was called together in
10 appease the ruling Divinity of the nation
in such awfully trying circumstances. Forth
with out came the President with the
! following Proclamation, which we put on
record for the instruction of posterity:
| WAsnIsaToN, Tuesday afternoon,
| February 18th, 1850.
| Whereas, information has been received,
that sundry lawless persons, principally per-
sons of color, combined aud coniederated
together for tho purpose of opposing, by
force, the execution OF the laws Of the Unit
ed States, did, at Boston, Massachusetts, on
the 18th of this month, make n violent as
saut on the Marshal or Deputy Marshals of
the United States, for the District of Mussa-
chusetts, in the Court House, and did outrage
the said officers, aud did, by force, rescue
from their custody person arrested as fi-
gitiye slave, and then and there prisoner,
lawfully holden by the said Marshal or Dep
uty Marshals oil the United States, and other
scandalous outrages did commit, in violation
of law-Now,
Therefore, to the end that the authority of
the laws may be maintained, aud those con-
cerned in violating them brought TO inmed-
ate and condign punishment | have issued
this my proclamation, calling OH all well
disposed citizens TO rally 10 the support of
tIn LAWS nf tlnir mud rnpttiriftnr ppI
commanding all officers, civil and military,
who shall be found within the vicinity OF
this outrage, to he aiding and assisting, 10y
all means in their power, in quelling this aud
other such combinations, aud assisting the
Marshal and his Deputies in re-capturing the
above mentioned prisoners.
And | do especially direct that prosecu-
tions he commenced against all persons who
shall have made themselves aiders or abet-
tors in or TO this flagiliOus offence. And
do further command that the District At
torncy of the United States, and all other
persons concerned in the administration or
execution of the laws of the United States,
cause the foregoing offenders, and all such |
as have aided, abetted, or assisted them, or |
shall he found TO have horbored or concealed |
such fugitive, contrary 10 law, TO he iinmedi-
ately arrested, and proceeded with according
to law.
Given under my hand and the seal of the
United States, this 18th day of February,
1851. MILLARD FILLMORE.
DANIEL WEBSTER, Secty of State.
Henry Clay, indignant at this assault upon
the sacred Compromises, introduced in the
Senate n resolution calling upon the Presi- |
dent for information us TO what had transpir- !
ed in Boston, and that body, after some
what excited discussion, passed it unanimous i
y. The answer OF the President we have a
not seen, but we are in no doubt as to its !,
character. In the course of the debate up c
On the resolution, Mr.. Clay said he had been 81
shocked, astonishcd and astounded' al the "
eports from Boston. He asked
Who committed this fragrant outrage p -
Vas il our own race? No! But band
Who are not of our people. II was by Aifi-
ans and descendants ofAfficans The ques- h,
On presented by the occurrence was wheth- m
r our laws, framed by our own government, D,
re to be carried into force, or, whether gov SC
rnment of white men is to be yielded to a &C
overnment of blachs3
In this Henry Clay revealed the hatred to- 81
ard the people of color which rankles in :
is bosom, and which is the vial, anmating
'irit of Colonization.
John Davis, of Massachusetts, undertook ~ ~
be bold in defence Of the honor of Mas Il,
but the Kentucky ovsrsssr