Compromise of 1850: Rules and Order Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Section.Line)

Quote #4

And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of all marshals and deputy marshals to obey and execute all warrants and precepts issued under the provisions of this act, when to them directed ; and should any marshal or deputy marshal refuse to receive such warrant […] or to use all proper means diligently to execute the same, he shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in the sum of one thousand dollars […] and after arrest of such fugitive, by such marshal or his deputy, or whilst at any time in his custody under the provisions of this act, should such fugitive escape, […] such marshal shall be liable, on his official bond, to be prosecuted for the benefit of such claimant, for the full value of the service or labor of said fugitive in the State, Territory, or District whence he escaped. (Fugitive Slave Act.Section 5.1)

The Fugitive Slave Act section of the Compromise is an attempt to maintain order by appeasing the South. Here, order is kind of aggressively maintained by setting rules that punish officials who don't uphold the law. Underneath all that complicated language is a simple: track down the runaway slaves or pay up big time.