Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (1850-1864) was part of the Compromise of 1850, drafted to diffuse tensions between Southern 'slave states' and Northern 'free states.' The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 already allowed slaveholders to reclaim their fugitive slaves from Northern states, but, since many Northerners were not inclined to help them in this, the 1793 law had little real power. Although one could be punished for not complying with the 1793 law, Northern police officers could refuse to make an arrest, and Northern judges could dismiss a case, as many saw the 'law' as legalized kidnapping. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 compelled Northern authorities, law enforcement, and ordinary citizens to report on fugitives and help slave catchers retrieve them.