News Clipping: Burlington Daily Free Press, October 7, 1850
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We very cordially invite every Fugitive Slave in the United States to take VERMONT on his way towards FREEDOM in Canada. We are willing to guaranty that he can get a night's lodging and a free pass over the Lines, without any particular danger from that elevated species of the himan race known as "Slave catchers." If one of them exhibits his "ugly mug" in the old Green Mountain State, we "calkelate" all the "wool" he will get, he might have found on a hog, at home...."
Teaching tools
Information
In 1850 Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act as part of the Compromise of 1850. Vermont immediately responded by passing an act to impede the carrying out of the Fugitive Slave Act--southern states were not the only states protesting acts of Congress during this period. Anti-slavery newspapers also protested the Act by printing notices stating that fugitives would be safe in Vermont.
Questions
- What does this notice say to fugitives?
- What does this notice say to slave catchers?
- What is the Daily Free Press protesting?
