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Concluding the landmark James Somersett slave case...
Concluding the landmark James Somersett slave case...
Item # 593408
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May 23, 1772
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, May 23, 1772
* James Somersett's case
* Slaves - slavery
This is a significant issue concerning the landmark James Somersett slave case, the slave purchased in Virginia then taken to England, escaped & eventually recaptured. This case ultimately determined that slavery was unsupported in England and was the landmark event in the outlawing of slavery in England (see the hyperlink for much more on the Somersett case).
There were three hearings in the Somersett case, held in February and May. This report is just several days after the third hearing and sums up the case before the judges would consult for the decision. The decision would ultimately be made on June 22, 1772. This report notes in part: "When the decision of the cause between the Negro and his Master came on to be heard before the Court of King's Bench...shewd that the African Company had a right from the crown to purchase slaves & sell them in the American plantations; that these were as much their property as any other article of their personal estate....then Lord Mansfield summed up the Cause with his usual precision: He observed, 'That there was no contract between a Negro and his Master...his Lordship pointed at the inconveniences arising on either side, whether the Negro was to be free in England or not; for which reason a consultation is to be held among the twelve judges & if these should not agree in their opinion, then the case is to be argued by Counsel before them; and so it stands." (see) The decision would be announced in the June 23 issue of the London Chronicle.
The same page also has a letter from Kaskaskia, Illinois, concerning trouble with Indians (see).
Complete in 8 pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, very nice condition.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
No Longer Available
