If the imprisonment were a specific part of the sentence,--as, if they had been sentenced to one year's imprisonment and a fine of one hundred dollars,--beyond all question they might be discharged, by pardon, from this imprisonment. But where the imprisonment, as in the present case, is not a specific part of the sentence, but simply an alternative in the nature of a remedy, to secure the payment of the fine, the power of the President cannot be less than in the former case. So far as all private parties are concerned, the imprisonment is a mere matter of _remedy_, which can be discharged without divesting the beneficiaries of any rights; and since imprisonment for debt has been abolished, it is reasonable, under the circumstances, that this peculiar remedy should be discharged. III. By another form of _limited pardon_, the President may discharge Drayton and Sayres _from their imprisonment, also from all fines and costs in which the United States have an interest_, without touching the rights of other parties. This would set them at liberty, but would leave them exposed to private proceedings at the instigation of the owners of the "transported" slaves, if any should be so disposed. IV. By still another form of pardon, reference may be made to the Maryland statute of 1782, under which the Governor is authorized "to remit the whole or any part of any fine," without any exception therefrom; and this power, now vested in the President, may be made the express ground for the remission of all fines and costs due from Drayton and Sayres. By this form of pardon the case may be limited, as a precedent hereafter, to a very narrow circle of cases. It would not in any way affect cases arising under the general laws of the Union. In either of these alternatives the great object of this application would be gained,--the discharge of these men from prison. CHARLES SUMNER. May 14, 1852. * * * * * PRESENTATION OF A MEMORIAL AGAINST THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL. REMARKS IN THE SENATE, MAY 26, 1852. In the Senate, Wednesday, 26th May, 1852, on the presentation of a Memorial against the Fugitive Slave Bill, the following passage occurred, which illustrates the sensitiveness of the Senate with regard to Slavery and the impediments to its discussion. Mr. Sumner said:-- Mr. President,--I hold in my hand, and desire to present, a memorial from the representatives of the Society of Friends in New England, formally adopted at a public meeting, and authenticated by their clerk, in which they ask for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Bill. After setting forth their sentiments on the general subject of Slavery, the memorialists proceed as follows.