The Fugitive Slave Case of John Freeman and its Influence on Indiana Politics
In June 1853, Indianapolis resident John Freeman was arrested at the behest of a Missouri slaveholder under the terms of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Freeman enjoyed the support of many of his white neighbors as well as excellent legal representation, but was forced to remain in jail while his la...
| Veröffentlicht in: | Transition. - Indiana University Press, 1957. - 114(2018), 1, Seite 1-38 |
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| Format: | Online-Aufsatz |
| Veröffentlicht: |
2018
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| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Transition |
| Schlagworte: | Fugitive slave laws People's Party Indianapolis Behavioral sciences Social sciences Economics Political science Law |
| Zusammenfassung: | In June 1853, Indianapolis resident John Freeman was arrested at the behest of a Missouri slaveholder under the terms of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Freeman enjoyed the support of many of his white neighbors as well as excellent legal representation, but was forced to remain in jail while his lawyers sought proof of his free status as well as the true identity of the fugitive slave in question. Although Freeman was finally legally identified and released, the case brought home to many Northerners how easily free black citizens could be arrested and borne away by claimants and how complicit Northern law enforcement could become in aiding Southern slaveholders. The case also influenced the formation of the abolitionist People's Party in 1854. |
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| ISSN: | 15278042 |