This political cartoon expresses the tortures that the recaptured slaves have to deal with because of the Fugitive Act of 1850 (Digital Library of America 1850).
An Odyssey to Freedom
When the railroad system started in the early 1800s, its destination was Northern US and Canada (American Railroads). Although that changed when the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed. This act had the slaves return to their owners even if they were now in a free state. Now, the Northern states of the US were no longer a safe haven. Although, Canada had passed the Act Against Slavery in 1793. This prohibited slavery and declared any slaves free. So, the people chose to use Canada as their only destination.
This political cartoon expresses the tortures that the recaptured slaves have to deal with because of the Fugitive Act of 1850 (Digital Library of America 1850).
Sec 6. of Fugitive Slave Bill of 1850: "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, or his, her, or their agent or attorney, duly authorized, by power of attorney, in writing, acknowledged and certified under the seal of some legal officer or court of the State or Territory in which the same may be executed, may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person, either by procuring a warrant from some one of the courts, judges, or commissioners"
The Fugitive Slave Bill was passed in 1850 to recapture and punish runaway slaves (Library of Congress).