THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.

Friend Douglass:—I have an item of good news for you from our little State, which I know you will be glad to hear. Rhode Island has just declared, through her highest Legislative authority, that she will no longer act the part of bull-dog for the South, to seize and hold their runaway slaves. She has just passed a law, forbidding any State officer, under a severe penalty, from seizing a person claimed as a runaway slave; also prohibiting her magistrates from entertaining any claim made by a slaveholder, or his agent for a slave; and also forbidding the use of her jails to confine any person claimed as a slave.

Thus has Rhode Island, in spite of the threats of Southern Legislatures, taken her stand, from which she will never retreat, and done something to atone for her former connection with the execrable business of slaveholding and slavetrading. She has placed her seal of reprobation upon it, and hereafter the poor fugitive from the Southern prison-house may repose in her borders, with his rights partially recognized at least, and with little danger of recapture. The haughty Southron may still, if he pleases, make his yearly pilgrimage to our shores, to enjoy that grand old ocean beach at Newport, or to court health by the waters of our beautiful Narraganset Bay; but he must either wait upon himself, or, contrary to his usual custom, pay for being served. ’Twill be dangerous to bring his slaves with him. So far, so good. Let our little State have due praise for this timely act; and to those members of our Legislature, of both political parties, who exerted themselves so strenuously for its passage, I would here, in behalf of the slave, express my thanks.

The Abolitionists of this State have for the last three years been endeavoring to obtain the passage of a law similar to the one just passed. At the session of the Legislature one year ago, this same law passed the House of Representatives by a large majority, but was lost in the Senate. At the session of the Legislature which has just closed, "An act further to protect personal liberty" was introduced by Mr. Thomas Whipple, from Coventry, and strenuously advocated by himself, by Mr. Sherman of Kingston, Mr. Ballou, of Cumberland, and others. Mr. Barber, of Hopkinton, declared in his place in the House, that while he did not consider the act as very important, and (if I am not mistaken) was opposed to its passage; still that he should vote for it, because nine-tenths of his constituents were, as he said, determined that such a law should be passed; and this was the feeling of members from many other towns in the State, showing that Abolitionists have not been idle or reposing on their oars. Notwithstanding all this, the law met with a violent opposition, and during three days the discussion, pro and con, was loud and high. Mr. Ames, a distinguished lawyer of this city, led on the opposition forces, assisted by Mr. Cranston, of Newport, and backed by influences high in rank and station without the House. It was stated by one member in his place, that the United States Judge for this District was using all his influence to defeat the passage of the law.

On the other hand, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Davis, and other members of our Exec. Com., did what they could by personal conversation with the members, and by furnishing them with facts and documents, &c., to ensure its passage. Mr. Veazin, and other members of the Liberty party in this State, also used their influence in its behalf.

Finally, after all attempts to defeat the bill had proved nugatory, and after an attempt to have the whole matter postponed until the next session, was decidedly negatived, the law passed the lower House by the decisive vote of more than two to one. Its fate in the Senate was still considered extremely doubtful; but the leading influences there recommended its passage, and it finally passed that body unanimously, and is now the law of this Commonwealth.

The passage of this act is timely, as well as very needful. During the past year, the fugitive—the "happy and contented" victims of the "patriarchal institution"—have arrived in this city almost by scores. During no one year of my Anti-Slavery experience have I had so many applications from runaway slaves for advice and assistance, as during the past year.

Our Anti-Slavery Office has at times swarmed with them; but we did not dare counsel them to remain in the State. We knew that any Constable might arrest them, and any magistrate give a certificate consigning them to bondage. But this is the case no longer, and you will rejoice with me in view of this fact.

But much yet remains for our State, in its official capacity, to do. There is the Stonington Railroad, almost the only one in New England, I believe, still pursuing the narrow policy of excluding colored people from an equal participation in its benefits.

You can speak experiment[al]ly in this matter. The Abolitionists are determined that the rights of colored people shall be respected on that road. We think it might be easily accomplished, if the colored inhabitants of this city would show the politicians that they mean to assert and maintain their just rights. And so in relation to the public schools, and many other matters. The colored voters of this State have now the power, if they will use it wisely, of saying to the politicians, "do this," or "do that," and they will do it.

But I took up my pen merely to inform you of the passage of the "fugitive slave law," and must conclude. We hope to see you with us before long. The Ladies of Pawtucket have just held their Annual Fair, and met with very flattering success. The Ladies of Providence are also talking of having a Tea Party in this city in the course of a few weeks, in aid of the good cause.
You may rest assured, friend Douglass, that the Abolitionists of this State are of the right sort; they make but little noise or parade, but they are silently and surely correcting the public sentiment on the slavery question, and bringing Rhode Island where, in justice to her founder, she ought to stand—in the very vanguard of slavery’s foes.

Truly yours,

GEORGE L. CLARKE.

Providence, R.I., Feb. 18, 1848.