, 1879-01-19
FUGITIYE-SLAVE LAW.

1,+rrestin. "Reminiscences OF Henry Clay.
In communication to the Boston advertiser,
Slr. Thomas r. Hazard, OF Rhode Island, writes:
r know that Mr. Clay never regarded the
massage Of the FugitiVe-SlaVe law IN any other
iight than as temporary measure, anu tuat'
while he politically approved OF 1t, anu auvo-
cated It because lie deemed it the most feasible
constitutional measure that could be carried
through Congress in the then excited state OF
publir feeling, its provisions were at 1ault wlta
his higher moral sentiments. trleu iepeaten-
ly, both in conversation and oV letter, to per
suade him with my feeble powers to modify the
mi 80 rs to allow owners to reclaim she1r iuel-
tive slaves, and then receive Their Value IN
money in lieu Of returning them to slavery.
This, Mr. Clay thought, ~oaa 1e 1anJ ~ n
talking with him on the subject, remember
cnce telling him that, however constt-
tutional the law might be, the moral
sentiment of the North would never
p,nnealcd to him to say, IN case slave that be
knew to be grossly abused by his master shoulo
lice ice to bis house and throw himself on his pro
lection, whether he would surrender MIN INTO
his hands, wlatcver the lay 1nlgat iequFs- Ill .at
not.n Subsequent to this conversation, which
occurred at our breakfast-table, at gaucluse,
received several letters on the subject have re-
| ferrcd to, among Others the following, written
with bis OWN baud:
" snIASD. sd November, 1s55.-Mr DEAR
| SIR: / received your favor OF the 18th inst,
,yhir., I hare pSrused with much attention and
| pleasure. 1t is full Of sentiments Of humanity,
| beneTolcnce, and patriotism worthy OF your
| heart a,n afraid with you that the Fugitive,
Staye bill is to give much trouble. You will
| have seen that the South is everywhere taking
strong ground against its repeal. or especial
| modification. I fear that your remedy OF pay
| ING a portion Of the value of unreclalmed slaves
would, il practicable to be adopted, be liable to
| serious objections, and lcld in operation tc
| fraudulent results. hope that the IL"
can be maintained, unless 1t can oe
| shown to have unconst1suslon9! oeiecls
which I do not believe. YOU over
rste. mv dear sir, my ability to a11ay the agita
tion: bu. whateTcr have shall be freely deVot
ed to the object, with the most perfect uisln1er
estelness personally. ! had intended 70 dlrec
| nv cxertions at the coming session to tue sIea
interests of colonization, and especially 10 tne
| ohieet of establishing line OF steamers OH 81
economical plan; but now appreheud tnas th'
a0itotion and excitement arising out ot tnt
Fuoitiye law will render the moment tnaasott
cious Tor any successful effort Inc ultra oout.
has seen in the scheme OF colonization, taloosI
the distant vista, q project OF general eInanc. :.
nation. That feeling was wearing away uut :
is aroused again by what has recently pS "a e,,,
and is passing. in regard to slavery. =. - s.itj S
in period OF calm, when the passions are s.tat
ID that an appeal eau be favoraaly made TO tnt
Sonth. Without its cooperation to so.nc ~. ~
tent, it would be inexpedseut TO rely anr
on Northern support. You, In your qu,es FL f,,i
d.1rh,f1l retreat ut Vaucluse, can 1oftn ~ ~
conception Of the violence OF thG ps7uua r1reot ~
Ing me- 9Vfr anu YOUR friend and obedcnI se5yant
Mr, Thomas r Hazard H. ohN''