Details
Title Practical illustration of the fugitive slave law. [graphic] / EC, del.
Publisher [Boston?] : [publisher not identified]
Publisher MASS. Boston. 1851
Date [1850 or 1851]
Physical Description 1 print : lithograph ; sheet 35 x 48 cm (13.25 x 19 in.)
Description Antislavery print depicting a fight between Northern abolitionists and supporters of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. In the left, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and an African American man both raise guns to protect an enslaved African American woman who is attired in a head kerchief, earrings, a short-sleeved dress, and shoes. She raises both arms in the air and clutches a handkerchief in her right hand and exclaims “Oh Massa Garrison protect me!!!” Garrison wraps his right arm around her and says, “Don’t be alarmed, Susanna, you’re safe enough.” In the right, the white man mercenary, attired in a top hat with a star on it, who may represent the federal marshals or commissioners authorized by the act (and paid) to apprehend freedom seekers, carries a noose and shackles. He sits astride Secretary of State Daniel Webster, who is on his hands and knees clutching the Constitution and bemoaning, "This, though constitutional, is extremely disagreeable." Behind them a white man, possibly John C. Calhoun, declares "We will give these fellows a touch of Old South Carolina" and carries two volumes labeled "Law and Gospel." Another white man carries a quill and ledger and says "I goes in for Law & Order." In the background, a number of men on both sides fight. A white man lies on the ground on his back. An African American man grabs a white man enslaver by the head and holds a whip while saying “It’s my turn now Old Slave Driver.” A "Temple of Liberty" stands in the background with two flags flying which read, "A day, an hour, of virtuous Liberty is worth an age of Servitude," and "All men are created free and equal."
Is referenced by Reilly 1851-6
Weitenkampf p. 102
Nevins and Weitenkampf, Century p. 70
Notes Title from item.
Probable place and date of publication supplied by Reilly.
Weitenkampf attributed this cartoon to the New York artist Edward Williams Clay, but Reilly refutes this attribution on the grounds that the draftsmanship, signature, and political opinions are atypical of Clay.
Originally part of American political caricatures, likely a scrapbook, accessioned 1899. Collection primarily comprised of gifts from Samuel Breck, John A. McAllister, and James Rush.
RVCDC
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Subject Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
United States. Fugitive slave law (1850)
Abolition movement.
Abolitionists.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American women -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Fighting -- United States.
Fugitive slaves -- Capture & imprisonment -- United States.
Liberty.
Slavery -- United States.
Enslaved persons -- United States.
Violence -- United States.
Enslaved men -- United States.
Enslaved women -- United States.
Enslavers -- United States.
Freedom seekers.
Freedom seekers -- Capture & imprisonment -- United States.
Mercenaries -- United States.
Genre Anti-slavery prints -- United States -- 1850-1860.
Lithographs -- 1850-1860.
Political cartoons -- 1850-1860.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Political Cartoons - 1851-6 [5760.F.104]
Accession number 5760.F.104