The Fugitive Slave Law.
1793
The Constitution's Fugitive Slave Clause required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners, regardless of where they were in the country. This clause was later reinforced by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, making it illegal to assist runaway slaves and facilitating their capture and return.
Buy them at a slave auction, or hire somone to capture a runaway one.
Runaway slaves needed a plan, help from allies or a network (such as the Underground Railroad), knowledge of the terrain, disguises, forged papers or passes, and determination to navigate obstacles and evade capture.
The two men looking for runaway slaves were bounty hunters. They were hired to capture and return the escaped slaves to their owners for a reward.
The Council planned to capture runaway slaves by offering rewards, setting up patrols, and using informants to track them down. To prevent future rebellions, they implemented stricter enforcement of laws, increased surveillance on slave populations, and imposed harsher punishments on those found helping slaves escape.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed to aid Southern states in capturing runaway slaves. This law required Northern states to assist in capturing and returning escaped slaves to their owners.
Slave owners offered rewards for runaway slaves as a way to incentivize others to capture and return the slaves, protecting their investment. The rewards also sent a message to other slaves that escape attempts would not be tolerated, serving as a deterrent. It was a way for slave owners to maintain control and prevent uprisings.
Helping runaway slaves was dangerous because it was illegal under the Fugitive Slave Act, which required authorities in free states to help capture and return escaped slaves. Those found aiding runaway slaves could face fines, imprisonment, or violence from pro-slavery groups. Additionally, assisting in the escape of slaves challenged the institution of slavery itself, posing a threat to the established social order.
The law requiring citizens to help catch runaway enslaved people was the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It allowed for the capture and return of escaped slaves even in free states, supporting the institution of slavery by compelling individuals in free states to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required citizens to assist in the capture and return of runaway slaves. It allowed for the arrest and return of slaves who had escaped to free states. Failure to comply with the law could result in fines or imprisonment.