The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims Anti-Slavery Tracts No. 18

"The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims" by Samuel May is a compelling historical exploration of a divisive law enacted in 1850 that deepened the conflict between the North and South over slavery. The story presents a thorough overview of the law, outlining how it authorized officials to seize and return escaped slaves while stripping them of their rights, as well as detailing the penalties for those who refused to cooperate with the law. The narrative also includes an unflinching portrayal of the victims ensnared by the law, exposing the violence, oppression, and complicated legal battles that defined their lives amidst America's moral and political turmoil over slavery.