Explanation:Fugitive Slave Acts, in U.S. history, statutes passed by Congress in 1793 and 1850 (and repealed in 1864) that provided for the seizure and return of runaway slaves who escaped from one state into another or into a federal territory. The 1793 law enforced Article IV, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution in authorizing any federal district judge or circuit court judge, or any state magistrate, to decide finally and without a jury trial the status of an alleged fugitive slave.
Fugitive Slave Acts: Cartoon
Fugitive Slave Acts: Cartoon
Cartoon criticizing the Fugitive Slave Acts
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (reproduction no. LC-USZC4-4550)
The measure met with strong opposition in the Northern states, some of which enacted personal-liberty laws to hamper the execution of the federal law; these laws provided that fugitives who appealed an original decision against them were entitled to a jury trial. As early as 1810 individual dissatisfaction with the law of 1793 had taken the form of systematic assistance rendered to Black slaves escaping from the South to New England or Canada—via the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad, painting by Charles T. Weber, c. 1893, depicting escaped slaves taking refuge at one of the stations on the Underground Railroad.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZ62-28860)
The demand from the South for more effective legislation resulted in enactment of a second Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. Under this law fugitives could not testify on their own behalf, nor were they permitted a trial by jury. Heavy penalties were imposed upon federal marshals who refused to enforce the law or from whom a fugitive escaped; penalties were also imposed on individuals who helped slaves to escape. Finally, under the 1850 act, special commissioners were to have concurrent jurisdiction with the U.S. courts in enforcing the law. The severity of the 1850 measure led to abuses and defeated its purpose. The number of abolitionists increased, the operations of the Underground Railroad became more efficient, and new personal-liberty laws were enacted in many Northern states. These state laws were among the grievances officially referred to by South Carolina in December 1860 as justification for its secession from the Union. Attempts to carry into effect the law of 1850 aroused much bitterness and probably had as much to do with inciting sectional hostility as did the controversy over slavery in the territories.
Reward for a fugitive slave
Reward for a fugitive slave
Advertisement from 1838 offering a $150 reward for the return an escaped slave.
Printed Ephemera Collection/Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (call no. Portfolio 22, Folder 12b)
For some time during the American Civil War, the Fugitive Slave Acts were considered to still hold in the case of Blacks fleeing from masters in border states that were loyal to the Union government. It was not until June 28, 1864, that the acts were repealed.
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This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn, Managing Editor, Reference Content.
LEARN MORE in these related Britannica articles:
The Founding Fathers and Slavery
…a fugitive slave clause (see Fugitive Slave Acts) designed to encourage the return of runaway slaves who sought refuge in free states, but the Constitution left enforcement of this clause to the cooperation of the states rather than to the coercion of Congress.…
Compromise of 1850: Clay, Henry
Compromise of 1850
…the application of the new Fugitive Slave Act triggered such a strong reaction throughout the North that many moderate antislavery elements became determined opponents of any further extension of slavery into the territories. While the Compromise of 1850 succeeded as a temporary expedient, it also proved the failure of compromise…
Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore
…on federal enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 alienated the North and led to the destruction of the Whig Party. Elected vice president in 1848, he became chief executive on the death of President Zachary Taylor (July 1850).…
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Fugitive Slave Acts
QUICK FACTS
DATE
1793
1850
KEY PEOPLE
Millard Fillmore
RELATED TOPICS
Slavery
United States
