Which clause requires the return of escaped enslaved persons?

Which clause requires the return of escaped enslaved persons?

• A. Direct Taxes Clause
• B. Three-Fifths Clause
• C. Slave Trade Clause
• D. Fugitive Slave Clause

Answer: (D)

The Fugitive Slave Clause is the one that requires the return of escaped enslaved persons. It mandated that anyone enslaved who escaped to another state be surrendered and returned to their enslaver, creating a legal obligation across state lines to reclaim runaways. This stands in contrast to clauses about direct taxes, representation and taxation counting of enslaved people (Three-Fifths), or the early limit on prohibiting the international slave trade (Slave Trade Clause). The explicit duty to recover and return runaways is what makes this clause the correct answer.

The Fugitive Slave Clause is the one that requires the return of escaped enslaved persons. It mandated that anyone enslaved who escaped to another state be surrendered and returned to their enslaver, creating a legal obligation across state lines to reclaim runaways. This stands in contrast to clauses about direct taxes, representation and taxation counting of enslaved people (Three-Fifths), or the early limit on prohibiting the international slave trade (Slave Trade Clause). The explicit duty to recover and return runaways is what makes this clause the correct answer.