As a way to stop slaves from escaping and to keep citizens (Abolitionists) from helping escape attempts, a law was passed in Congress by southern congressmen. These laws said that it was illegal for any citizen to help an escaped slave. It was passed and became known as The Fugitive Slave Act (1850). The law demanded that if anyone saw an escaped slave, he or she should be �apprehended and turned in to the authorities for deportation back to the rightful owner down south�.
It was thought that the Fugitive Slave Act would reduce the incentive for slaves to attempt escape. The rationale behind this was the slaves' realization that even if they managed to escape from their plantation, they could still be caught and returned by any citizen in the United States.
In fact, the Fugitive Slave Act was so severe that at the request of Senator Henry Clay, it was legislated that any United States Marshall who refused to return a runaway slave would pay a hefty penalty of $1,000.
