Today in History:

Fugitive Slave Clause of the US Constitution

Also known as the Fugitive From Labor Clause, in the US Constitution, Article IV, Section 2 Clause 3 stated:
"No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due."

 

This clause was subsequently ammended by the Thirteenth Ammendment to the Constitution, passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864.  The clause was one of the basis for the arguments presented by the South for their right to hold slaves.