PETERSBORO, June 2, 1855.

Dear Douglass:—I suppose you see, that
the eminent men, who write against our "Maine
Law," all agree, that the Federal Constitution
authorizes no slavery—for they all agree, that
the words : "No person shall be deprived of
life, liberty, or property without due process of
law" require a judicial proceeding. So Nicholas
Hill, Jr. interprets them. So Chief Justice
Bearlsley interprets them; and so, as I have
just now seen, D. D. Barnard interprets them.
Mr. Barnard says : "But one things is perfectly
clear—it must be a judicial proceeding of some
sort."

If we have to regret this formidable opposi-
tion to our "Maine Law" we have, neverthe-
less, reason to rejoice, that it turns to the ad-
vantage of the anti-slavery cause.

Your friend. GERRIT SMITH.