Compromise of 1850: Slavery Quotes

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

Quote #4

And be it further enacted, That when a person held to service or labor in any State or Territory of the United States, has heretofore or shall hereafter escape into another State or Territory of the United States, the person or persons to whom such service or labor may be due […] may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person, either by procuring a warrant […] or by seizing and arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without process, and by taking, or causing such person to be taken, forthwith before such court, judge, or commissioner, whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such claimant in a summary manner. (Fugitive Slave Act.Section 6.1)

Here, Congress uses some alternate phrases rather than "slave" for some reason, maybe to make it sound more legitimate. It's not your slave, it's the person "held to labor" to you.

Quote #5

[…] it shall not be lawful to bring into the District of Columbia any slave whatever, for the purpose of being sold, or for the purpose of being placed in depot, to be subsequently transferred to any other State or place to be sold as merchandise. And if any slave shall be brought into the said District by its owner, or by the authority or consent of its owner, contrary to the provisions of this act, such slave shall thereupon become liberated and free. (DC Slave Trade.Section 1.1-2)

At least the Compromise ends on a somewhat happy note, if you can call outlawing the slave trade in one single city a happy note. There's some recognition that the nation's capital shouldn't also be home to a giant slave auction site.