The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 reduced the instances of runaway slaves and the resulting costs of their recapture by the slave owners. As a consequence, investors buying slaves were willing to pay higher prices. In a similar fashion, the Dred Scott decision also strengthened the legal claims of slave owners over slaves who were asserting their freedom. Investors were more willing to pay for slaves who lacked legal rights to their freedom (under certain conditions).
