Case ID: dc_4/html/0468-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      The Court", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

United States v. Henry Lloyd.
    A simple assault and battery on a slave is not an indictable offence. A simple assault upon a slave, even with intent to murder him, is not an offence at common law.
    There must be a battery, as well as an assault with intent to kill, to bring the case within the Penitentiary Act. The Court refused to quash the indictment without prejudice to a motion in arrest of judgment.
    Assault and ^battery. The first count was for a simple assault and battery upon a slave. The second count was for assault (not assault and battery) with intent to kill and murder, a negro slave, Harry.
    
      Mr. Brent,
    in arguing to the j ury, contended that the second count is not a good count under the Penitentiary Act, which requires that there should be a battery as well as an assault with intent to kill.
    
      Mr. Key, contra:,
    
    that it is a good count at common law.
    
    Verdict, guilty on both counts, and amerced by the jury $20 on the first count.
    The Court (neni. con.) was of opinion, that a simple assault and battery on a slave, is not an indictable offence; and that a simple assault upon a slave, even with intent to murder him, is not an offence at law. *
    That the second count was bad under the Penitentiary Act, because it did not charge a battery.
    October 18, 1834. A new indictment was this day found by the grand jury against the defendant. The first count was for publicly and cruelly beating Harry, a slave. Second count for assault and battery with intent to murder the slave, Harry.
    
      Mr. Brent, for the defendant, moved to quash the indictment, because, he contended, it was not an offence to assault and beat a slave, even with intent to murder him.
    
      
       Cranch, C. J., doubted of this ; because the murder of a slave is a felony; and an assault with intent to commit a felony, is a misdemeanor at common law.
    
   The Court

(nem con.) refused to quash the indictment, without prejudice to a motion in arrest of judgment, if the verdict should be against the defendant.