This act was a component of the Compromise of 1850 which was a complicated, jumbled mess of US western expansion and claims to land, attempts to extend slavery into newly acquired territories, war with the Mexicans for some of that land, political confrontations between slave states and free states, Texas claims and aims, and basically American colonists wanting more. To add to the explosive events during this era, in March of 1949, President Zachary Taylor died of either poisoning or the horrible medical treatments of the era. This occurred during the period that these issues were being fought over in every way imaginable.
This version of the Fugitive Slave Act required all federal officials in all states and territories to assist in the return of escaped slaves and prohibited citizens from assisting fugitives. The provisions of this act further divided the animosity between north and south. The Crosswhite family mentioned in the Giltner v Gorham case impacted congress deeply to pass a stricter Fugitive Slave Act.
Comments