Final answer:
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was a federal law that required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they had reached free states. It was part of the Compromise of 1850.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was a federal law that was part of the Compromise of 1850, which was a series of laws passed to address conflicts between the North and South over the issue of slavery. The act required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they had reached free states. It was a significant component of the Compromise of 1850 and was aimed at appeasing Southern states by giving them greater power to reclaim escaped slaves.