The 1850 Law That Forced You To Be A Slave Catcher The Compromise of 1850 included the Fugitive Slave Act—a law that forced all Americans to capture runaway slaves or face prison. Commissioners were paid $10 to declare someone a slave, $5 to free them. It inspired Uncle Tom's Cabin, sparked riots, and guaranteed the Civil War. #Compromiseof1850, #FugitiveSlaveAct, #CivilWar, #BlackHistory, #AmericanHistory, #UncleTomsCabin, #HarrietBeecherStowe, #Slavery, #Abolitionist, #1850s, #HistoryMatters,