they needed to know the trails and all that stuff
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A runaway slave would need protection, a safe hiding place, and access to food and water to survive and evade capture. They would also benefit from support and guidance from individuals or organizations that oppose slavery and are willing to help them escape to freedom.
A slave who escaped was referred to as a fugitive or runaway slave.
A citizen who helped a runaway slave under the Fugitive Slave Act could be fined or imprisoned for aiding a fugitive slave. The act required citizens to assist in capturing and returning escaped slaves to their owners.
Penalties for helping a runaway slave included fines, imprisonment, or physical punishment. In some regions, individuals could also face charges of aiding and abetting a fugitive slave.
The Constitution's Fugitive Slave Clause required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners, regardless of where they were in the country. This clause was later reinforced by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, making it illegal to assist runaway slaves and facilitating their capture and return.
Slave owners offered rewards for runaway slaves as a way to incentivize others to capture and return the slaves, protecting their investment. The rewards also sent a message to other slaves that escape attempts would not be tolerated, serving as a deterrent. It was a way for slave owners to maintain control and prevent uprisings.