Fugitive Slaves

September 6, 1850

A N.Y. Tribune correspondent is the source of this, from Baltimore, unsigned.  The article sites instances of escaping slaves, which have “added new fuel to the indignation of the ‘flesh and blood’ owners and traders.  The result of this will be the most active measures to protect slave property, and to secure it when abducted…..It is openly avowed here, that in case another body of slaves abscond, and can be successfully pursued, that it shall be done with an armed band of fifty or an hundred men, if necessary …. Should this be done, we shall have an open border warfare at once, for the Free States will not quietly submit to have their territory invaded by armed posses. …there are thousands in this State and Virginia who will dare the issue, let the consequences be what they may.”

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