Online Collection |
|
THE BOSTON MOB.- Mr. Webster has written a letter, in behalf
of Mr. Fillmore, to the Mayor of Boston, in response to the resolutions of the
City authorities concerning the mob that rescued Shadrach. The letter very properly
describes that mob and its results as ' having been an entire surprise upon
the citizens, and upon the authorities; an act of successfully temerity, on
the part of a very inconsiderable number of persons which only needed to have
been apprehended the shortest time beforehand, to have been prevented.'
'The President (says Mr. Webster in conclusion and with great correctness)
does not doubt that the people of Massachusetts perfectly well understand the
difference between the freest discussion of political measures, and opposition
to legal enactments already made and established. He is quite sure that they
regard the law of the land not as sentiment or an opinion; but as a rule of
conduct prescribed by the general authority, and which all are bound to obey,
at the risk of the penalties attached to its violation.' |
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
label levels: |
|
|
There is currently no available "Beginner" label. The following is the default level label: Three days after fugitive slave Shadrach's arrest and subsequent rescue by a mob, the board of aldermen ordered that the mayor of Boston direct the city marshal to assist agents of the state and federal government in the execution of their duty when obstructed by a mob. The Boston authorities had not come to the aid of the federal marshals when a mob broke into the courtroom and rescued Shadrach. These officers felt that the 1843 Massachusetts law that prevented "all officers of the commonwealth from engaging . . . in the arrest, detention, or imprisonment of a fugitive slave" governed their actions. The Boston officers probably did not agree with the Fugitive Slave Law and did not want to come to the aid of the federal marshals in any case. The letter from Daniel Webster on behalf of President Fillmore to the mayor of Boston, includes the sentiment that the people of Boston must understand that a law should be regarded as a law, whether they agree with it or not.
top of page
|
"The Boston Mob" article to the Mayor in Gazette and Courier newspaper
publisher Greenfield Gazette and Courier |
date Mar 31, 1851 |
location Greenfield, Massachusetts |
height 4.5" |
width 3.75" |
process/materials printed paper, ink |
accession # #L09.004 |
Send an e-Postcard of this object
|