The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

FUGITIVE SLAVES.

On the proposition of Mr. Wright, of Maryland, more effectually to aid the owners of Slaves, in procuring the restoration of fugitives that may escape into other States, the Washington Gazette very properly observes :-

"We are aware, that an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, of 1820, intended to prevent Kidnapping, might be cited, as, in some degree, frustrating the execution of the law of Congress; because, before a fugitive is taken out of that State (Pennsylvania) he must be taken before a Judge, which process may be attended with difficulty and risk, as the delay affords opportunity of escape or rescue; and this local law, no doubt, has given birth to the complaints of the Maryland Legislature against the citizens of Pennsylvania. Human liberty, however, is too sacred to be trifled with; and the motive for the passage of the act of Pennsylvania, no doubt, emanated, from principles philanthropick and patriotick. The reflection on the conduct of the Quakers, made in the House, by Mr. Wright, is, we believe, unmerited. They bear an irreproachable character, for all the social and moral virtues that adorn Christian piety, and are so strictly enjoined by the Holy Head of their Church. The menace of Mr. W. goes for nothing : it is unbecoming in the extreme, to talk of taking up arms to enforce rights, in a country actually under the government of law and not of force."