1834 Anti-abolition riots occur in New York City and Philadelphia. Mob in Alton, Illinoi,s destroys anti-slavery newspaper.
Underground railroad becomes a force in assisting slaves to escape to the North.
President Harrison dies a month after taking office. John Tyler becomes first vice-president to assume the presidency. Supreme Court in the Amistad case frees black slaves mutineers from a Spanish ship. 1842 Supreme court upholds constitutionality of 1793 Fugitive Slave Law. New Jersey voters ratify state constitution that restricts vote to white male citizens.