The U.S. Congress intended the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 to resolve the ambiguities present in previous legislation. Slave catchers were permitted to capture a runaway slave in any state or territory and needed only to prove orally to a federal or state judge that the person was an escaped slave. The slave was not guaranteed a trial by jury, and the judge's decision was final. Anyone sheltering an escaped slave could be fined $500, a stiff penalty at the time.

 

     
The Fugitive Slave Law of 1793

          ART. 4. For the better security of the peace and friendship now entered into by the contracting parties, against all infractions of the same, by the citizens of either party, to the prejudice of the other, neither party shall proceed to the infliction of punishments on the citizens of the other, otherwise than by securing the offender, or offenders, by imprisonment, or any other competent means, till a fair and impartial trial can be had by judges or juries of both parties, as near as can be, to the laws, customs, and usage's of the contracting parties, and natural justice: the mode of such trials to be hereafter fixed by the wise men of the United States, in congress assembled, with the assistance of such deputies of the Delaware nation, as may be appointed to act in concert with them in adjusting this matter to their mutual liking. And it is further agreed between the parties aforesaid, that neither shall entertain, or give countenance to, the enemies of the other, or protect, in their respective states, criminal fugitives, servants, or slaves, but the same to apprehend and secure, and deliver to the state or states, to which such enemies, criminals, servants, or slaves, respectively below.

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