Slave Escape, Prices, and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Abstract

In the antebellum South, slave transport between the Upper and Deep South was profitable due to a persistent gap in slave prices between the two regions. The gap has been attributed to agricultural productivity differences. This paper examines another potential explanation: regional variation in the chance of successful escape. To do so, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is exploited as a natural experiment. The Act strengthened slave-owners' property rights reducing the likelihood of successful escape. Providing identification, the Act had a bigger impact in border states, where escape to the Free states was arguably easier.Using data from probate records, estimates suggest a large fraction (between 20 and 30% depending on specification) of the observed price difference disappears after the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act. Estimates are robust to changes in sample restrictions, spatial composition effects, and placebo tests on the Act's implementation date. The findings are also supported by a reduction in the rewards offered and frequency of advertisements for runaways from newspaper advertisements at the time.

Women live longer than men even during severe famines and epidemics

“…Among the Trinidad slaves, young adult men had lower mortality than young women, perhaps because a premium was placed on their survival. Several studies show that male slaves employed in the plantations during the 19th century had a higher monetary value than female slaves (for both creole and African-born slaves) in the United States, Cuba, the British West Indies, and Brazil; only occasionally did female prices exceed those of males, namely, in urban areas, where women were valued for domestic work ( 37 – 39 ). The higher male mortality after age 15 y or age 25 y, depending on whether the upper- or lower-bound scenario is considered, could reflect their harder working conditions.…”

Women live longer than men even during severe famines and epidemics

“…Among the Trinidad slaves, young adult men had lower mortality than young women, perhaps because a premium was placed on their survival. Several studies show that male slaves employed in the plantations during the 19th century had a higher monetary value than female slaves (for both creole and African-born slaves) in the United States, Cuba, the British West Indies, and Brazil; only occasionally did female prices exceed those of males, namely, in urban areas, where women were valued for domestic work (37)(38)(39). The higher male mortality after age 15 y or age 25 y, depending on whether the upper-or lower-bound scenario is considered, could reflect their harder working conditions.…”

Fines, externalities, and transaction costs: essays in common-pool resources management

“…SeeCard (1992), andCard and Krueger (1994) for pioneering uses of difference-in-differences in the labor market. Allen (2015), Aragón (2015),Butcher, McEwan, and Weerapana (2014), Di Tella and Schargrodsky (2004),Duflo (2001),Estevan, Gall, and Morin (2016),Gentzkow, Shapiro, and Sinkinson (2011), La Ferrara, Chong, and Duryea (2012),Lennon (2016),Moser and Voena (2012), andPischke (2007) correspond to examples of applications related to distinct settings.6 In this case, seeAngrist and Krueger (2001),Baum (2007),Blevins, Tsang, and Spain (2015),Fávero (2015),Fávero, Belfiore, Takamatsu, and Silva (2013), andTrivedi (2010). SeeAcemoglu, Johnson and Robinson (2001),Breza (2012), andLevitt (1997) for examples of applied studies involving instrumental variables Fisman and Miguel (2007).…”