(Hamlet, James.) The Fugitive Slave Bill: Its History and Unconstitutionality; with an Account of the Seizure and Enslavement of James Hamlet and his Subsequent Restoration to Liberty (cover title). 36 pages. 12mo, original self-wrappers, sewn; title

(Hamlet, James.) The Fugitive Slave Bill: Its History and Unconstitutionality; with an Account of the Seizure and Enslavement of James Hamlet and his Subsequent Restoration to Liberty (cover title). 36 pages. 12mo, original self-wrappers, sewn; title page dampstained and light "tide-mark" through a few preliminary pages. New York: American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, 1850 E350/500 FIRST EDITION. Hamlet was the first fugitive slave arrested and remanded under the Fugitive Slave Act of 18 September 1850, seized just eight days after its passage. (Finkelman. Slavery in the Courtroom, pages 85 86 cites this pamphlet as the only record of proceedings; there were no published reports of hearings before the fugitive slave commissioners.) Through this pamphlet and the Society, $800.00 to buy Hamlet's freedom was raised; he was freed 5 October 1850. Not in Schomburg or Blockson Collections.