The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-11-24
From the Boston Post Nor 1911
WILL THE PERSONAL LIBERTY BILLS RE

The Personal Liberty acts of several Northern
aRd Western States though they o-a a Of the,r
ty, are yet disgrace to fRe Legislatures which
enacted them, and ought, in common decency, to
be be repealed with all possible haste. When the
Vermont Personal Liberty act ESQ called) was
passed, three or four years ago, we remember that
every Democratic vote in both Houses was recorded
against it; and now Judge Thomas, of Vest Fairlee
a leading Democrat Of the lo,oer House, has intro
duced bill repeating the act. How Democrats
will vote upon this question there is but one opin-
ion-they will unanimously vote for repeal. What
the majority will do we shall presently see.
That the authors of a bill not only repugnant to
the Constitution of the United States, but without
even pretence of any danger to prompt it-a bill
enacted simply to curry favor with the ultra abo-
litionists of the State, and do spiteful thing to-
wards the South-that these men should now return
to reason and common sense is hardly to be expect
ed, notwithstanding their recent professions of
conservatism; yet we trustit may prove so; but
the bill introduced by Judge Thomas will at least
give them chance to show the sincerity of their
declarations and will, we doubt not, be followed
by similar movement on the part of Democrats
in the Legislature of every State whose statute
book is disgraced by a similar law.
In connection with this subject we quote the fol-
lowing paragraph from the Salem, Mass, Advocate:
The conservative Republicans of Massachusetts,
are now beginning to feel the effects of the teach
ngs OF the anatlca portion of their leaders, and as
an evidence that they are not prepared to follow
them longer, we glad to learn that petition is
now in circulation in Boston, numerously signed
by many of the leading Republicans of that city,
calling for repeal of the odious personal Liberty
Bill" This is right. Such petition should be in
circulation in every city, town and village in Mas
sachusetts. We hope Salem will Immediately fol.
low the example of Boston. 1t is only by faith
full compliance with all our constitutional obliga-
tons that harmony and peace will be restored to
the Union, and that fraternal regard and respect
which should always characterize the States of our
confederacy, again take the place of jealousy and
distrust.
The Springfield Republican acknowledges:
L. That the Republican party wrong in pass
ing Personal Liberty bills
2. That these bills are 'pernicous," and sin vio-
lation of the Constitution and "unjust to the
Slave States''
3. That these Republican enactments "mean nulIi-
hcation;" are Unconstitutional in spirit, and only
fail to be boldly and squarely unconstitutional on
Garrlson's ground because we (the Republicans)
have not the courage to go the whole and nulify
the Constitution boldly and squarely"
4. That these Personal Liberty laws ought to be
repealed.
The SLAVE TRADE Il New YoRK.-In the pro-
gress of the trial of the case of the SLAYER Kate in
the Federal Court of New York on Tuesday, the
following evidence, proving an offer to bribe the
United States officers to clear the Kate, was sworn
to by Mr.. Degraw:
began some time since. Objected to by Mr. Dono.
hue The first action in the matter of the clear
| ance OF the bark Kate on the 18th or 18th of
| May, 1860 Mr.. Smith, agent for the owners of
| the Kate, came to me in the naval office; he had
then Just cleared the Josephine, Captain Carter for
the coast of Africa. He came to my desk and asked
me [objected tol why persisted in reporting these
vessels going to the coast of Africa to the officers
OF the government?
He stated that there were particular officers to
do that business, and it was none of my business
He asked me if had ever made by the operation
i said, not one cent. He said YOU can if Won wish
| L asked was bis int to brih
me II don't know which word l used. He sale
no; that he supposed l had scruples against any
| thing of that kind.
| We had considerable other conversation not par
ticularly relating to the Kate, and then said ht
would see me after three o'clock. The office close!
at three. l stated this conversation to Mr. Frank
lin, the head of the naval office. [Objected to- anC
objection overruled.l l did it to ask his instruc
tions The facts were submitted in writing
asked Mr.. Franklin if money was offered to me if
should take it.
Mr.. Franklins orders ruled out.
Some time after the clearance of the Josephine
Mr.. Smith laid twenty dollar piece on my desk il
the naval office. took the piece and handed it tc
Mr.. Franklin. Smith said that he would soon cleal
the bark Kate He then said it will be the same
In future cases if you wish. Much of the same
statement vas subsequently made. He is fire.
quently In the office, entering aud clearing YES
sels
After the Josephine was seized Mr.. Smith wa
rather cool to me, and did not have much converse
tion with me; about the 2Sth of May the Josephine
was seized; nothing further was said in particular
about the Kate until the day of her clearance or
the Sd of July.
BARNUM PROPOSES RELIEF TO KANSAS IN HIS Ow,
WAY.-The following correspondence is published
in the New York journals of yesterday:
AMERICAN MUSEUM, Nov. 8.
THADDEUs HYATT, ESQ.,:
Dear Sir If they can be made available, | will
contribute one thousand dollars worth of admis
sion tickets to the Museum, for the benefit of tn,
Kansas sufferers. These tickets will each be pooC
Tor one admission at any one time.
Truly yours, P. 4. BARNuM
Mr.. HYATT's REPLY.
P. T. BARNUM, ESQ.,:
My dear Sir: Your very kind note of the 9tl
inst, have just received. In the midst of tn,
dreadful apathy that prevails, am rejoiced to fine
one sympathizing heart responding so nobly to the
cry of the suffering. l accept your generous offer
and in the name of 10000 starving Americans, re
turn you thanks and blessings.
l am sincerely your friend,
! THADDEUs HYATT.
| 46 Morton street, Nov. 13. nc