Speech of John Hossack, Convicted of a Violation of the Fugitive Slave Law

Speech of John Hossack, Convicted of a Violation of the Fugitive Slave Law is a famous speech given by Scottish-American abolitionist John Hossack, who became known when he was tried and convicted for violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 by helping Jim Gray, an African American, avoid slave catchers. Hossack was indicted and tried in Chicago before Judge Thomas Drummond of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The jury convicted Hossack, but recommended mercy, and Judge Drummond sentenced Hossack to only ten days in the Cook County jail and fined him $100. Hossack addressed the court prior to his sentencing, and the speech was subsequently published by the American Anti-Slavery Society.

John Hossack (1806-1891) was a Scottish-American abolitionist whose home, John Hossack House, was a 'station' on the Underground Railroad. He gained notoriety in 1860 when he was tried and convicted for violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 by helping Jim Gray, an African American, avoid slave catchers.