By this statute, the authorities of the several states were charged
with the duty of executing the law with reference to the return of
fugitives from justice.
With respect, however, to fugitive slaves, the authority and burden of
dealing with their return was placed upon officers of the Federal
Government as well as upon certain state officials. Despite the
somewhat cumbrous character of the law, the return of fugitives from
justice and of fugitive slaves was assured, and little controversy
arose until some forty years after its enactment. But with the rise of
the Abolitionists at the North difficulties in executing the law began
to appear—especially as to fugitive slaves.