1850 Fugitive Slave Act Fugitive slave laws




massachusetts had abolished slavery in 1783, fugitive slave law of 1850 required government officials assist slavecatchers in capturing fugitives within state.


the demand south more effective federal legislation voiced in second fugitive slave law, drafted senator james murray mason of virginia, grandson of george mason, , enacted on september 18, 1850, part of compromise of 1850. special commissioners have concurrent jurisdiction u.s. circuit , district courts , inferior courts of territories in enforcing law; fugitives not testify in own behalf; no trial jury provided.


penalties imposed upon marshals refused enforce law or whom fugitive should escape, , upon individuals aided black people escape; marshal might raise posse comitatus; fee of $10 ($288 in today s dollars) paid commissioner when decision favored claimant, $5 ($144 in today s dollars) when favored fugitive. supposed justification disparity in compensation that, if decision in favor of claimant, additional effort on part of commissioner required in order fill out paperwork remanding slave south. both fact of escape , identity of fugitive determined on purely ex parte testimony. if slave brought in , returned master, person brought in slave receive sum of $10 ($288 in today s dollars) per slave.


the severity of measure led gross abuses , defeated purpose; number of abolitionists increased, operations of underground railroad became more efficient, , new personal liberty laws enacted in vermont (1850), connecticut (1854), rhode island (1854), massachusetts (1855), michigan (1855), maine (1855 , 1857), kansas (1858) , wisconsin (1858). personal liberty laws forbade justices , judges take cognizance of claims, extended habeas corpus act , privilege of jury trial fugitives, , punished false testimony severely. in 1854, supreme court of wisconsin went far declare fugitive slave law unconstitutional.


these state laws 1 of grievances south carolina later use justify secession union. attempts carry effect law of 1850 aroused bitterness. arrests of thomas sims , of shadrach minkins in boston in 1851; of jerry m. henry, in syracuse, new york, in same year; of anthony burns in 1854, in boston; , of 2 garner families in 1856, in cincinnati, other cases arising under fugitive slave law of 1850, had bringing on civil war did controversy on slavery in territories.








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