Lesson 9 Document 4
TITLE: Effects of the Fugitive-Slave-Law.
CALL NUMBER: PC/US - 1850.H698, no. 1 (B size) <P&P>[P&P]
REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZC4-4550 (color film copy
transparency)
LC-USZ62-1286 (b&w film copy neg.)
SUMMARY: An impassioned condemnation of the Fugitive Slave Act
passed by Congress in September 1850, which increased federal and free-state
responsibility for the recovery of fugitive slaves. The law provided for the
appointment of federal commissioners empowered to issue warrants for the arrest
of alleged fugitive slaves and to enlist the aid of posses and even civilian
bystanders in their apprehension. The print shows a group of four black
men--possibly freedmen--ambushed by a posse of six armed whites in a cornfield.
One of the white men fires on them, while two of his companions reload their
muskets. Two of the blacks have evidently been hit; one has fallen to the ground
while the second staggers, clutching the back of his bleeding head. The two
others react with horror. Below the picture are two texts, one from Deuteronomy:
"Thou shalt not deliver unto the master his servant which has escaped from his
master unto thee. He shall dwell with thee. Even among you in that place which
he shall choose in one of thy gates where it liketh him best. Thou shalt not
oppress him." The second text is from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness." The print is unusually well drawn and composed for a political
print of the period. The handling of both the lithographic technique and the
figures betray particular skill.
MEDIUM: 1 print : Lithograph on wove paper ; 33.3 x 44.3 cm
(image)
CREATED/PUBLISHED: New York : Hoff & Bloede, 1850.
RELATED NAMES:
Hoff & Bloede.
Kaufmann, Theodor
NOTES: Title appears as it is written on the item. Signed in reverse: Th.
Kaufmann [Theodor Kaufmann?] Publ. by Hoff & Bloede New York 180 William Str.
Corner of Spruce Str. [New York] Entered . . . 1850 by Hoff & Bloede . . . The
Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on October 30,
1850.
