Runaway slaves could be captured and returned to their masters in any land belonging to the United States. The first fugitive slave act, was passed by Congress in 1793, government could track down a slave in order to return it, and penalties were given to anyone who helped the slave get away. There was great resistance to this law so it later forced the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Harsher punishments were given to people who helped the slaves/ the slaves itself. These Acts were controversial laws in the very early 19th century,so some states In the North tried avoiding them by passing new laws. Finally, Congress in 1864 changed them.
