FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT OF 1850

This law enraged and at the same time made abolitionists fearful of being put in jail. Suddenly law enforcement personnel were required to aid the capture and return of all runaway slaves, or risk a $1000 fine. Any citizens providing food or shelter to fugitive slaves were also liable for a $1000 fine and 6 months in jail. It is said that this law inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Sojourner Truth and others considered it more of a nuisance, and made it a little more dangerous, but did not diminish their commitment to the cause of justice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850

CATHERINE BEECHER

By 1837, more and more women were being published, in order to influence public thought. They did not have the freedom to speak in public, so this was their best alternative. Catherine, the older sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe, like her brothers and sister was passionate concerning the abolition of slavery. She wrote... a now famous essay addressed to Angelina Emily Grimke, herself a well-known advocate of abolition, along with her sister Sarah.
http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/abolitn/abesceba2t.htmlSee More

This is the source for the documents between Beecher and Grimke.

http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/abolitn/grimkehp.html