- Written by
- United States Congress, American, founded 1789
- Subject of
- Fillmore, Millard, American, 1800 - 1874
- Burns, Anthony, American, 1834 - 1862
- Sims, Thomas, American, born ca. 1834
- Date
- 1854
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 9 x 6 in. (22.9 x 15.2 cm)
- Caption
- This printing of the Fugitive Slave Bill was sponsored by anti-slavery groups as a protest against the new law that required local and state authorities to assist slave owners in retrieving slaves.
- Description
- 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.
- Place printed
- Boston, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Books and Published Materials
- Movement
- Abolitionist movement
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2012.46.5
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




