Report of the Case of Edward Prigg Against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, at January Term, 1842. In which it was Decided that All the Laws of the Several States Relative to Fugitive Slaves are Unconstitutional and Void; and that Congress Have the Exclusive Power of Legislation on the Subject of Fugitive Slaves Escaping Into Other States |
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act of Congress aforesaid argument arrest authority carry certificate citizens claim claimant clause Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concurrent power conflict Constitution construction deemed delivered delivery discharge duty Edward Prigg effect enact enforce escaping execution exercise expressly fled framers fugitive from labour fugitive slaves fugitives from justice given Governor of Virginia granted gress Hunter's Lessee indictment judgment judicial power jurisdiction law or regulation legis legislature Margaret Ashmore Margaret Morgan Maryland master mode national government negro or mulatto negro woman offence officers opinion owing service owner Oyer and Terminer party peace plaintiff in error power of legislation prescribe principle prohibited proof protect provision question relative to fugitives remedy removal right of property right to legislate secure seize seizure service or labour slave or servant slaveholding slavery sovereignty special verdict statute Supreme Court territory thereof Thomas Henderson tion unconstitutional Union United vested violation void warrant Wheat York county
Popular passages
Page 72 - Can we be said to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us if we wantonly inflict on them even the smallest pain?
Page 48 - The constitution vests the whole judicial power of the United States in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as congress shall, from time to time, ordain and establish.
Page 25 - An act respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters...
Page 51 - The government, then, of the United States, can claim no powers which are not granted to it by the constitution, and the powers actually granted must be such as are expressly given, or given by necessary implication.
Page 88 - Whenever the terms in which a power is granted to congress, or the nature of the power, require that it should be exercised exclusively by congress, the subject is as completely taken from the state legislatures as if they had been expressly forbidden to act on it.
Page 119 - It is not the mere existence of the power, but its exercise, which is incompatible with the exercise of the same power by the States, It is not the right to establish these uniform laws, but their actual establishment, which is inconsistent with the partial acts of the States...
Page 33 - To this objection, which is of recent date, it is sufficient to observe, that practice and acquiescence under it for a period of several years, commencing with the organization of the judicial system, affords an irresistable answer, and has indeed fixed the construction. It is a contemporary interpretation of the most forcible nature. This practical exposition is too strong and obstinate to be shaken or controlled. Of course, the question is at rest, and ought not now to be disturbed.
Page 135 - Hence its powers are expressed in general terms, leaving to the legislature, from time to time, to adopt its own means to effectuate legitimate objects, and to mould and model the exercise of its powers, as its own wisdom and the public interests should require.
Page 114 - We have obtained a right to recover our slaves in whatever part of America they may take refuge ; which is a right we had not before. In short, considering all circumstances, we have made the best terms for the security of this species of property it was in our power to make. We would have made better, if we could ; but, on the whole, I do not think them bad.
Page 92 - States, made in pursuance of the second section of the fourth article of the Constitution of the United States...