Maryland slaveholders meet President Lincoln to complain about non-enforcement of Fugitive Slave Act

President Lincoln met with Maryland congressmen and a delegation of fifty slaveholders from Prince George's County, Maryland.  Half the population there were slaves and the owners were in Washington to complain about the non-enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, particularly by the military authorities.  Eight hundred slaves had already escaped from the county. Commenting on a thorny issue, Lincoln expressed his confidence in General James Wadsworth but assured the delegation that he would examine the issue and see justice done.  (By John Osborne)