New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-02-24
The Retaliatory Bill.

AS much inquiry mas been made respecting what Is
popularity termed the Massachusetts, Retaatory BILL
introduced in the House of Representatives by Capt
Henry W. Allen OF West Baton Rouge, we append it
below II is certainly very severe in its provisions
and should it become law and be pronounced consti
tutona it will tend materially to break up the trade
of Massachusetts,, not only with Louisiana, but with
the Southwestern valley. To those who may be dis
posed to its introduction deprecate its pas
sage through the Legislature we would say that the
infamous " Personal Liberty bill of Massachusetts,,
which is freely quoted FROM affords ground for ustif
cation of almost any retaliatory procedures
AN ACT entitled Act the rights liberties
Of the State Of Massachusetts.
Whereas, The Legislature of the State of Massa-
shusetts did, on the 2lst of May A. D. 1856 pass an
act entitled An Act to protect the rights and liber
ties of the people of the State of Massachusetts," in
which said act there are many sections that not only
insult every stakeholder in every Southern State and
boldly set the Federal Constitution at defiance, but
the following sections are to be found, to-wit:
Sec IL. Any person who shall act as counsellor
attorney for any claimant Of any alleged fugitive
from service or labor under by virtue of the acts
of Congress mentioned in the 9th section of this act
shall be deemed TO have resigned any commission
from the Commonwealth that he may possess, and he
shall thereafter be ncapaetated from appearing as
counsel or attorney in any of the courts of this Com
monwealth.
le,
jailor, coroner, or other officers Of this Common.
wealth. or the police of any city or town. or any dis
trict, county, city town officer other member of
the volunteer militia Of this Commonwealth, who
shall hereafter arrest, mprson, deain, return, or
aid in arresng imprisoning, OBTAINING, returning,
for the reason that he is claimed adjudged to be
fugitive from labor service, shall be punished by
fine not less than one thousand dollars, not exceed
ing two thousand dollars, and by Imprisonment in the
State prison not less than one year. nor more than
two years.
"Sec. l6 No JAIL prison. or other place of confne-
ment belonging to or used by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, or any county therein, shall be used
for the detention Imprisonment of any person ac-
cused convicted of any oense created by either Of
the said acts of Congress- mentioned in the Ninth
Section OF this Act, or accused or convicted of OBJ
structng or resisting any process warrant, order
issued under either of said Acts or resisting at
tempting to any person arrested under any OF
the provisions Of either of said Acts"
And whereas, said Act, tO-wit, the Act to protect
the rights and liberties of the people of the Common
wealth of Massachusetts is still in full force and effect
an said State of Massachusetts, thus multiplying the
Acts of Congress made for the rendition of fugitive
slaves, and boldly setting at defiance the Constitution
of the United States, therefore,
SEC. l. BE IL enacted by the Senate and House OF
Representatives. of the State of Louisiana in General
| assembly conrened, That all goods, wares and mer
| chandise of any and every kind whatsoever, manu-
factured in exported from the State of Massachq
sets and sold in this State of Louisiana, shall be
| taxed fifty per cent. on such sales.
| SEC. q BE IL further enacted, etc, That it shall
be the duty of the Assessors of each and every parish
OF this State at their general assessment 10 ask each
merchant vendor of goods of their several parishes
the following question, which shall be answered under
| oath Have you, within the last twelve months
sold any goods, wares or merchandise manufactured
in exported from the State of Massachusetts il
So what amount n and said Assessor shall proceed tC
assess on said account of sales fifty per cent.
Sec. 3. BE 10 further enacted, ETC., That the Col
| nf IN in nnr risha Eoft
State shall collect the tax as levied in section second
in the manner, and under the same regulations
prescribed by law for the collection of State tax and
shall pay the amount collected to the Treasurer
of the State.
Sec. A. BE ii further enacted, ETC., That in case
any merchant vendor of goods shall refuse or fai
to answer, under OATH required by section second
them in that case the Assessor shall proceed to takt
the testimony OF his neighbors of any other per
son or persons having information and make the as
sessment accordingly. .eN
Sec. g. BE it farther enacted ETC., That no indebt
edness of any nature kind whatsoever contracted
| by citizen of Louisiana with citizen OF Massachu
setts shall be enforced in any Of the courts of th
State.
| Sec. g. Be IL further enacted, etc., That this Ac
shall take effect in ninety days from and after it
passage, and that it shall not apply to any goods
wares, merchandise from Massachusetts, and nov
in the State of louisiana.