[DiogenesLamp]

I think Washington did what was prudent to avoid conflict. I think had he chosen to litigate the matter in Federal court, Article IV would have supported Washington's right to do whatever he wished.

I think he deferred to the state as a courtesy, not a necessity.

[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp: "I think Washington did what was prudent to avoid conflict....
I think he deferred to the state as a courtesy, not a necessity. "

No, it was far more than that, since George Washington was president of the Constitutional Convention and fully understood all the compromises & deals made there.
Washington understood exactly what those words meant, and never challenged that they referred to Fugitive Slaves, not to the rights of states to legislate abolition.