The Fugitive Slave Bill

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Booklet of yellowed paper and black text. Title reads "THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL ENACTED BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS." The entire bill is 8 pages, seven of which are printed with bold black mourning borders. The rear cover features a reproduction of an engraving with the caption, "The Boston Police executing the infamous law, in the case of Simms, who was delivered into the hands of the oppressor, between the hours of moon-setting and sun-rising, in 1851." The illustration on the back cover consists of a captured man being carried down the steps of a building by two armed men. The building is surrounded by rows of armed men and two dogs are facing off against each other in the foreground.

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