Fugitive Slaves (1619-1865)

by Marion Gleason McDougall

35. Fitch's resolution affirming the Compromise.

1852, March 1. Mr. Fitch offered the following resolution: "Resolved, That we recognize the binding efficacy of the compromises of the Constitution, and believe it to be the intention of the people generally, as we hereby declare it to be ours individually, to abide such compromises, and to sustain the laws necessary to carry out the provisions for the delivery of fugitive slaves ordered, and that we deprecate all further agitation of questions growing out of that provision of the Constitution embraced in the acts of the last Congress known as the Compromise."—House Journal, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 408; Cong. Globe, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 659.

36. Jackson's resolution affirming the Compromise.

1852, March 22. "Resolved, That we recognize the binding efficacy of the compromises of the Constitution, and believe it to be the intention of the people generally, as we hereby declare it to be ours individually, to abide such compromises, and to sustain the laws necessary to carry them out,—the provision for the delivery of fugitive slaves, and the act of the last Congress for that purpose included,—and that we deprecate all further agitation of questions growing out of that provision, of the questions embraced in the acts of the last Congress known as the Compromise, and of questions generally connected with the institution of slavery as unnecessary, useless, and dangerous." Resolution, as amended by Mr. Hillyer below, agreed to.—House Journal, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 550; Cong. Globe, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 825.

37. Hillyer's finality resolution.

1852, April 5. Mr. Hillyer moved the following resolution: "Resolved, That the series of acts passed during the first session of the Thirty-first Congress, known as the compromise, are recorded as a final adjustment, and a permanent settlement of the questions there embraced, and should be maintained and executed as such." Resolution agreed to, April 6, 1852.—House Journal, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 548; Cong. Globe, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 979.

38. Chase's resolution of inquiry into payments under act of 1850.

1852, June 3. Mr. Chase submitted the following resolution: "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be directed to communicate to the Senate statements, showing in detail the expenses incurred and claims made under the Act to amend and supplemental to the 'Act respecting fugitives from justice and persons escaping from the service of their masters,' distinguishing the expenses incurred and claimed by reason of prosecutions for treasons, alleged to have been committed in resistance of said act from expenses incurred and claimed by reason of other prosecutions for offending against said act, and for proceedings before and under orders made by committee." No action taken.—Senate Journal, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 450; Cong. Globe, 32 Cong. 1 Sess., 1519.

APPENDIX C. NATIONAL ACTS AND PROPOSITIONS RELATING TO FUGITIVE SLAVES. 1860-1864.

This Appendix is intended to contain references to all the resolutions, bills, and acts of Congress, relative to fugitives, from the beginning of the critical session of 1860-61 to the repeal of the acts in 1864. The resolutions for amendments to the Constitution have been collected by Mr. Herman V. Ames of the Harvard Graduate School, who has kindly selected out of the numerous amendments proposed in the last session of the Thirty-Sixth Congress those bearing upon this subject.