Fugitive Slave Law 1850

The Fugitive Slave Law was part of the Compromise Of 1850 . This stated that all escaped slaves would be required to return to their owners. The south had demanded this for many years. But it had also stated “All good citizens , are hereby commanded to aid and assist in the prompt and efficient execution of this law.” And as part of this law those who did not would be fined or jailed. This angered the north because they believed if the slaves had escaped to the north they were free and didn’t have to return to their owners. Clay needed to get this law through to congress so he went to Senator Daniel Webster Of Massachusetts to get support, Webster was opposed to the idea of slavery but he decided to support Clay’s compromise in the effort to end the crisis between the north and south . Webster gave a speech to the congress urging his fellow senators to unite for the good of the nation . Quoted “ I wish to speak today, not as a Massachusetts man , nor as a northern man, but as an American , I speak today for the preservation of the union .” The debate went on for many months but the Congress finally approved Clay’s Compromise which included the Fugitive Slave Law. This took a big toll on the north. The north was against slavery and thought that any slave that had run to the north would be free.Now the south could get back the slaves they wanted.