Fugitive Slave Law petition

Rhode Island--History.

An image of the petition containing 2,347 signatures of Rhode Island citizens protesting the Fugitive Slave Law, February 1851.

The Fugitive Slave Law or Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the United States Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850. It declared that all runaway slaves be brought back to their masters.

Citizens of Rhode Island

C#00628 – Petitions to the Rhode Island General Assembly

Rhode Island State Archives

1851 February

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eng

To the Honorable General Assembly of the State of Rhode-
Island.
We, the colored citizens of Providence in said State, respectfully ask
your honorable body to PROTEST, in the name of the State, against a law passed at the late
session of Congress, in relation to the surrender of Fugitive Slaves, and to instruct the Sena-
tors, and request the Representatives in Congress from this State, to make every effort, for its
immediate repeal. And we further ask your honorable body, to devise and establish such fur-
ther safeguards of our rights and liberties, as may be required in consequence of the passage
of said law.

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