Case Name: STATE v. LEVIN SMITH, Negro
Court: Delaware Court of Quarter Sessions
Jurisdiction: Delaware
Decision Date: 1802-05
Citations: 2 Del. Cas. 164
Docket Number: 
Parties: STATE v. LEVIN SMITH, Negro.
Judges: 
Reporter: Delaware Cases
Volume: 2
Pages: 164–164

Head Matter:
STATE v. LEVIN SMITH, Negro.
Court of Quarter Sessions. Kent.
May, 1802.
Rodney’s Notes.
Vandyke [for the State]. Rodney, Ridgely [for defendant].
John Adams sworn. John Davis and William Adams sworn; also several other witnesses.
Verdict, guilty.
Motion in arrest of judgment by defendant’s counsel on the ground goods charged to have been the property of John Adams, a Negro. One point, a slave can hold no property. Next, that the presumption of law is that every Negro is a slave prima facie. Every person that appears in court with a black complexion is a slave. Case of CoTlins v. Hall. . . . Sussex. That a free black from Maryland should not be admitted a witness.
Vandyke, Attorney General.
4 Bl.Comm. 375. 2 Bl.Comm. 93. Villains in England had a right to hold property against others, their lords excepted, and slaves may here. Indictment will lie by a person having special property.

Opinion:
Court overruled the objection, and sentenced [defendant] to be whipped with 21 lashes, etc. $400 restitution.