Uncle Toms Cabin

The reason I chose to analyze this document is because I was taught the significance of the
document itself but not what the contents of the document had. Therefore I would like to analyze
the text within the document to get a better understanding of the effect the document had on
history.
1. "And behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter;
and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter" (1).
I found this sentence to be quite profound. It introduces us to the topic at hand with
foreshadowing like a hook. The oppressed seem to be under the control of others while
they had no support whatsoever.
2. Legree took a silent note of Tom's availability. He rated him as a first-class hand;
and yet he felt a secret dislike to him,-the native antipathy of bad to good (2).
Although Tom was one of the more beneficial workers on the cotton plantation he
seemed to be disliked by the his oppressors. Tom seems to be a troublemaker in the
eyes of the plantation owners.
3. "I can bar it!" said Tom, "better 'n you" (4).
Even under the situation of captivity, Tom still tries to look after others and help them.
Tom has a strong sense of moral justice but is ridiculed for this. Why?
4. "You know nothing about this place," she said, "or you wouldn't have done that.
When you've been here a month, you'll be done helping anybody; you'll find it hard
enough to take care of your own skin!" (4).
The lady seems to have more experience as a worker on the plantation than Tom. She
warns him to stop helping other and look after himself because it will cause trouble. It
seems to me that the situation on this farm is survival of the fittest. Tom is very likely
unable to last months in this place.
5. "Wal, boys, the best way is to give him the flogging to do, till he gets over his
notions. Break him in!" (5).
Due to Toms adherent thoughts of morality, trouble is stirred. To prevent anymore stray
thoughts the oppressors try to demoralize him by breaking him in. I feel this is an
frequent occurrence for slaves with a bad reputation.
6. "So!" he added, "Misse Cassy did her day's work." "She picks like de debil and all
his angels!" (5).
Misse Cassy seems to be a person of interest on this plantation. She might be the
number one cotton picker, an asset to the oppressors. The devil seems to be used with
association to African Americans.
7. Now, ye jest take this yer gal and flog her; ye've seen enough on't to know how."
Even the oppressors are causing the slaves themselves to try and turn on each other
like wild animals. This is just absurd. Having the slaves tear each other apart on orders
is not only demeaning but inhumane.
8. "I'm willin' to work, night and day, and work while there's life and breath in me; but
this yer thing I can't feel it right to do;-and, Mas'r, I never shall do it,-never!" (6).
Tom has a lot of backbone. I especially like this quote because Tom is saying that he
would rather die than flog one of his own countrymen. Tom says doesn't feel right so it
isn't and that is the truth.

9. "No! no! no! my soul an't yours, Mas'r! You haven't bought it,-ye can't buy it! It's
been bought and paid for, by one that is able to keep it;-no matter, no matter, you can't
harm me!" (6).
Tom is basically stating in front of his superiors that they may own his body but they
cannot have his soul. This sentence sends a strong message. One that says all people
have a natural right.
10. "I think so, Mas'r," said Tom; "the poor crittur's sick and feeble; 't would be
downright cruel, and it's what I never will do, nor begin to. Mas'r, if you mean to kill me,
kill me; but, as to my raising my hand agin anyone here, I never shall,-I'll die first!" (6).
Hurting anything that's already injured is downright cowardly. Only those that are
despicable enough to suggest such a feat must have done it themselves. Tom would
rather die than live with such shame.
Fugitive Slave Act 1850
I chose the to interpret the Fugitive Slave Act because it was involve in a very important part of
our history with slavery. At that time the South wanted slaves and the North wanted nothing to
do with slaves. The laws were basically stated intents of the states and I want to study their
thoughts.
1. any justice of the peace, or other magistrate of any of the United States, may
exercise in respect to offenders for any crime or offense against the United States, by
arresting, imprisoning, or bailing (1).
Freely giving people under this department the power to imprison others is too influential.
This commissioner is just too empowered; he is able to arrest anyone he considers an
offender of the United States like African Americans.
2. That the Superior Court of each organized Territory of the United States shall have
the same power to appoint commissioners to take acknowledgments of bail and affidavits,
and to take depositions of witnesses in civil causes, which is now possessed by the Circuit
Court of the United States (2)
So now the commissioner also has the power of the courts and the judges of civil law cases.
This is just too much control over power for someone to have.
3. Circuit Courts of the United States shall from time to time enlarge the number of the
commissioners, with a view to afford reasonable facilities to reclaim fugitives from labor, and
to the prompt discharge of the duties imposed by this act (3)
These commissioners whose power is already unconstitutional are to be enlarged in number.
That is just insane, there main objective is to reclaim runaway slaves they want to also be
support by the courts?
4. upon satisfactory proof being made, with authority to take and remove such fugitives
from service or labor, under the restrictions herein contained, to the State or Territory from
which such persons may have escaped or fled (4).
Slave caught with evidence in another state must be return to the state from which the
slave labored. Just how do they know which state or which were laborers?
5. But in its absence the claim shall be heard and determined upon other satisfactory
proofs, competent in law (10).
So basically anything can be proof that a person is a slave as long as it is agreed upon by
the commissioners. Doesn't this endanger free men as well?

6. it shall be the duty of the officer making the arrest to retain such fugitive in his
custody, and to remove him to the State whence he fled (9)
So officers must personally guide the slave to the his state of origin. Aren't these demands
just to much? First the South wants their slaves back but they also want them serve on a
silver platter.
7. That the marshals, their deputies, and the clerks of the said District and Territorial
Courts, shall be paid, for their services, the like fees as may be allowed for similar services in
other cases (8).
Rewards are also given to those who cooperate in this slave hunt. What difference is their
from a bounty hunter to an officer of the law?
8. be subject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and imprisonment not
exceeding six months (7).
Anyone with relations to slaves are to be punished. The humane thing to do is to help people
in need but this document states not to. It goes against the natural laws of men. This idea is
just plainly unconstitutional to strip people of their natural rights to assist others.
9. the person or persons to whom such service or labor may be due, or his, her, or
their agent or attorney, duly authorized, by power of attorney, in writing, acknowledged and
certified under the seal of some legal officer or court of the State or Territory in which the
same may be executed, may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person (5)
Anyone with a warrant will be able to arrest these runaways slaves. Isn't the government just
recruiting their own private bounty hunters? If anyone with prerequisites can capture slaves
for a reward then why have law enforcement?
10. This whole document is basically a wanted poster. Hiring anyone to capture runaway
slaves for rewards and punish those who help the runaways.
What stood out the most to me when reading these two documents was the way how such a civilized
people could be so barbaric to those who are under develop. In Uncle Tom's Cabin, I found that Tom
have more morals in mind that his slave owner had in their whole entire existence. Although Tom is
considered an inferior being for the oppressors viewpoint he is a much more superior human that the
slave owners. In the Fugitive Slave Act, I found that the demands made within the document were
just downright unconstitutional. First it wanted to establish a new power, the commissioner, needless
to say the individual's power was just out of reasoning. Second, it wanted to condemn anyone
helping slaves, and rewards anyone would captured slaves. Lastly, anything could be used against a
person accused as a slave as long as it was within one's acceptation. How could such a well
developed system be corrupted by such an unconstitutional document?