The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-21
IMPORTANT SUIT BEFORE THE sUPAEME
COURT.

Amidst the political excitement consequent
upon the protracted efforts to organize the
House of Representatives, little attentios seems
to have been given to a case which was las; week
argued before the Supreme Court, ia VIII III are
involved highly interesting legal ard cdnstitu-
tional principles, touching Slavery ard the
rights of free colored people. The facts in the
case are agreed upon by the parties hsigant,
and are thus set forth by their counsel:
DRIED SCOTT u.s. JOHN F. A SANFORD.
In error the Circuit Court U. s for the Dst1c OF
Missouri
In the year 1884, the plaintiff was 6. negro
slave, belonging to Doctor Emerson, who was
q surgeon in the army of the United STATES. In
that year, 1884, said DIR. Emerson took the
plaintiff from the State of Missouri to tic mill
tary post at Rock Island, in the State af Hi
nois, and held him there as a slave uEsil the
month of April or May, 1886. AT the time
last mentioned, said DR.. Emerson reno Jed the
plaintiff from said military post at Rock Island
to the military post at Fort Snellingt situate on
the west bank of the Mississippi r FER in the
territory known as Upper Louisiana aeluired
by the United States of France, ID .aituate
north of the latitude of 360 30/ north ana north
of the State of Missouri. Said DR. Emerson
held the plaintiff in slavery at said Foa Smell
ling, from said aforementioned dat Until the
year 1888.
In the year 1885, Harriet who is ma ned in
the scond count of the plaintiffs delegation
| was the negro slave of Major TaliHfer:o, who
belonged to the army of the United States. In
that year, 1885, said Major Taliaferfo to1k said
| Harriet to said Fort Smelling, a m.;itaAy post
situated as hereinbefore stated, an kspt her
there as a slave until the year 1881 aEtl then
sold and delivered her as a slave said Fort
Smelling unto the said DR.. Emersi. hefeinbe
| fore named. Said DIR. Emerson he sail Har
riet in slavery at said Fort snellirl ui3il the
year 1888.
In the year 1886, the plaintiff an sail Har-
riet at said Fort Smelling, with thu consent Of
said DR.. Emerson, who then claimed to l,9 their
master and owner, intermarried, an took each
| other for husband and wife. Eliza and Lizzy
named in the third count of the pls MITES dec
laration, are the fruit of that marrf ge.f Eliza
is about fourteen years old, and " IS horn or
board the steamboat Gipsey, north tn, north
line of the State of Missouri, and u<on ae riv
er Mississippi. Lizzy is about seve years old
and was born in the State of Miss uri, Eat the
military post called Jefferson Bsrrs ks,
In the year 1888, said DIR. Emers IN removed
the plaintiff and said Harriet ant Their sale
daughter Eliza, from said Fort Smelling to the
State of Missouri, where they have eve. since
resided.
Before the commencement of tbs SUIT, said
DR.. Emerson sold and conveyed the plaintiff
said Harriet, Eliza, and Lizzy, to the jefend
ant, as slaves, and the defendant has eve since
claimed to hold them and each of the m as1slaves
At the times mentioned in the PLAINTIFFS dec
ilaration, the defendant, claiming to be- Owner
as aforesaid, laid bis hands upon said aintitt
lHeriet, Eliza, and tizzy, and imPri,OneE them