feb 12, 1793 - Fugitive Slave Act of 1793

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The first Fugitive Slave Act was started by congress in 1793 prompting the government and the people to capture and return runaway fugitive slaves back to their owners. This was mainly for the northern states who were more controversial about slavery many were free states. The law could reward people for finding and returning slaves or punish and fine them for harboring fugitive slaves. Because the law was so controversial in the north, it was hardly enforced and mostly ignored.
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/fugitive-slave-acts

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