In May 1854, the capture of the slave Anthony Burns stirred a fierce reaction among Boston's abolitionists and may have inspired Tappan to take personal action following passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
In May 1854, the capture of the slave Anthony Burns in Boston and forced return by US Marshals stirred a fierce reaction among Boston's abolitionists. This event may have inspired Tappan to take personal action following passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.