First Fugitive Slave Law
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History: North American Series
- Categories: Government and Politics, Social Issues, Reform, and Protest
- Subcategories: African Americans, Blacks, Slavery, Slaves, Laws, Acts, Legislation
- Curriculum: African American History, American Early National History (1789-1815)
- Geographical Location: Pennsylvania
- Date: February 12, 1793
Article abstract: Federal procedure for slave owners to recover slaves who have fled north, aggravating sectional conflict between free and slave states.
Summary of Event
In colonial America, the return of fugitives within and between jurisdictions was a common practice. These fugitives were usually felons escaping from jails; persons charged with crimes; apprentices and indentured servants fleeing from their employers; or black, white, or Native American slaves running away from their masters. Their rendition between jurisdictions depended on comity...
[The entire page is 1501 words long]
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