The United States Constitution, Restoration of Fugitive Slaves. (Const., Art. 4, sec. 2.)

In the Virginia Convention, Mr. Madison said,—

“Another clause secures us that property which we now possess. At present, if any slave elopes to any of those States where slaves are free, he becomes emancipated by their laws; for the laws of the States are uncharitable (!) to one another in this respect. But in this Constitution, [then he quotes Art. 4, sec. 2.] This clause was expressly inserted to enable owners of slaves to reclaim them. This is a better security than any that now exists.”

In the North Carolina Convention, Mr. Iredell begged leave to explain the reason of this clause:—

“In some of the Northern States they have emancipated all their slaves. If any of our slaves,” said he, “go there, and remain there a certain time, they would, by the present laws, be entitled to their freedom, so that their masters could not get them again. This would be extremely prejudicial to the inhabitants of the Southern States; and to prevent it this clause is inserted in the Constitution. Though the word slave be not mentioned, this is the meaning of it. The northern delegates, owing to their particular scruples on the subject of slavery, did not choose the word slave to be mentioned.”

In the South Carolina Convention, General Pinckney thus expresses his gratification at this clause:—

“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.” (!)