Fugitive Slave Act of 1793

Essential Quotes

“When a person held to labour in any of the United States, or in either of the territories on the northwest or south of the river Ohio, under the laws thereof, shall escape into any other of the said states or territory, the person to whom such labour or service may be due, his agent or attorney, is hereby empowered to seize or arrest such fugitive from labour.”

“Upon proof to the satisfaction of such judge or magistrate, either by oral testimony or affidavit … that the person so seized or arrested, doth … owe service or labour to the person claiming him or her, it shall be the duty of such judge or magistrate to give a certificate thereof to such claimant, … which shall be sufficient warrant for removing the said fugitive from labour, to the state or territory from which he or she fled.”

“Any person who shall knowingly and willingly obstruct or hinder such claimant … in so seizing or arresting such fugitive from labour, or shall rescue such fugitive from such claimant … or shall harbor or conceal such person after notice that he or she was a fugitive from labor, as aforesaid, shall, for either of the said offences, forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars.”