William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"An Act respecting fugitives from Justice"
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017
1. "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" Marker Text
In March of 1793, Washington signed the Fugitive Slave Act, which gave slave owners explicit authority to recover escaped slaved from any part of the nation. Some agents even took advantage of this law to kidnap free people of African descent.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1793.
Location. 39° 57.029′ N, 75° 9.001′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall West (6th Street), on the right when traveling east on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "We shall come to a civil war" (here, next to this marker); "I will fear no Evil" (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!" (here, next to this marker); The Keeper of the House
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. "I am free now" (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The House & the People Who Worked & Lived In It (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Dirty Business of Slavery (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Executive Branch (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker is highly reflective and difficult to photograph straight on.
Also see . . .
1. Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. PBS "Africans in America" website entry (Submitted on March 25, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Fugitive Slaves, Fugitives from Labor. National Archives website entry (Submitted on March 25, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. A defense for fugitive slaves against the acts of Congress, February 12, 1793 and September 18, 1850
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017
2. "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017
3. "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 808 times since then and 378 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
