Fugitive Slave Act Strengthened, Prigg v. Pennslyvania (1842) (jun 7, 1842 – apr 5, 1865)

Description:

"In the case of 'Prigg v. Pennslyvania, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that so-called 'personal liberty laws' are unconstitutional. Enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act is declared the federal government's responsibility, not the states'.

Personal liberty laws were state laws that challenged the federal Fugitive Slave Act. Some personal liberty laws allowed runaway slaves to have trials, while others forbade state and local authorities from assisting in the search or apprehension of escaped slaves."