Many do not know how active Michigan was in the Underground Railroad. Michigan was considered the Bastion of Free Men, and assisted escaped slaves to reach free soil. Providing them with clothing, farm implements, and tools to start a new life as a free man. Michigan was an intrical part of the underground railroad and had many stations that provided safety for runaway slaves to reach their destination. Nonly was Michigan and anti slavery it also attracted many abolitionist. It was a harsh place to be if you were a slave catcher. Michiganians dealt with them severly. Michigan formed its own organization called the "Stockholders" and actually posted adds in the local papers dipicting there movements, intentions and the arrival of escaped slaves. In disreguard for federal law Michigan legislature passed a Personal Liverty Law requiring local prosecutors to defend escaped slaves and forbidding the use of county jails to detain runaways. Those Michiganian were a very crude bunch when they believed in something we can only trust that their strength will carry on.
No comments:
Post a Comment