Senator James M. Mason:Comments on the floor of the Senate regarding a bill respecting the "Surrender of Fugitive Slaves."January 28th, 1850.

Senator James M. Mason:

Comments on the floor of the Senate regarding a bill respecting the "Surrender of Fugitive Slaves."

January 28th, 1850.

James Murray Mason, United States Senate, Fugitive Slaves.

Considering the interests of his constituents, in particular the financial losses they suffered due to escaped slaves being closer to free soil than a vast majority of the other slave states, Mason sought to pass the Fugitive Slave Law in order to coerce the Northern States to more fully fulfill their Constitutional obligations (as he understood them) according to the 3rd clause, 2nd section, Article IV of the United States Constitution.

This bill would become known as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and would be passed along with other pieces of legislation as part of the Compromise of 1850. Unsurprisingly, Mason maintained constant and unambiguous support for this legislation, despite the outrage and anger at the law from the free states of the North.

John C. Rives (1795-1864)

James Murray Mason (1798-1871)

The Congressional Globe

University of North Texas Digital Library

28, January, 1850

Santiago Jauregui

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English

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