A few weeks after the firing on Fort Sumter, Vermont repealed its Personal Liberty Law, calling it "inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States." The 1858 law had been passed in Vermont as a direct challenge to the federal Fugitive Slave Law. The powerful legislation was explicit in its defense of escaped slaves, saying at one point that any slave reaching the state was deemed to be free and that anyone attempting to hold such a person shall be liable to a fine and fifteen years in prison. (By John Osborne)

The legislature of Vermont passed a new Personal Liberty Bill - "An Act to Secure Freedom to All Persons Within this State" - and the governor signed it into law. In a direct challenge to the federal Fugitive Slave Law, the Act was explicit in its defense of escaped slaves, saying at one point that any slave reaching the state is deemed to be free and that anyone attempting to hold such a person shall be liable to a fine and fifteen years in prison. On May 10, 1861, the legislature repealed the law as "inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States." (By John Osborne)

The United States and Chile agreed to submit their long-standing dispute over the Macedonia claims to arbitration.  The King of Belgium was appointed.  In 1821, an American ship and its captain had been detained and goods confiscated by Chilean forces then led by the British admiral Lord Cochrane. The diplomatic argument had festered ever since. The King did not render his decision until May 15, 1863 when he awarded the United States $42,400 compensation.  (By John Osborne)

In the Bolivian capital, the United States and Bolivia completed and signed a treaty of "peace, friendship, commerce, and navigation." (By John Osborne)

The United States and Belgium completed and signed in Washington a treaty of "peace, amity, and commerce." (By John Osborne)

Alexander, the son of Kara George who had ruled Serbia briefly earlier, is forced by the National Party to abdicate as ruler. He had been in this role since September, 1842. He is replaced by Alexander Milosch, who returned as prince after a twenty-nine year exile. Serbia will remain part of the Turkish Empire until 1878. (By John Osborne)