Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/27

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rized by power of attorney in writing, acknowledged and certified under the seal of some Legal Office or Court of the State or Territory in which the same may be executed, may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person, either by procuring a warrant from one of the Courts, Judges, or Commissioners aforesaid, of the proper circuit, district, or county, for the apprehension of such fugitive from service or labor; or by seizing and arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without process, and by taking and causing such person to be taken forthwith before such Court, Judge, or Commissioner, whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such claimant in a summary manner."

Should the fugitive endeavour to find freedom in the Free States he may be pursued. If he should attempt to evade the States, and go into any Territory of the United States, he is still liable to be taken; it therefore follows he is nowhere safe in that Republic. You see, such fugitives may be arrested without first obtaining a warrant from the Court, Judge, or Commissioner, and yet be perfectly within bounds of legal authority. He is to be taken forthwith before such Tribunals as are herein mentioned, giving the criminal no chance whatever to extricate himself.

Still adding insult to injury, his case is to be heard and determined in a "summary manner," that is, with-