Case Name: Elson, a negro, against William M'Colloch
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1804-10
Citations: 4 Yeates 115
Docket Number: 
Parties: *Elson, a negro, against William M'Colloch.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases adjudged in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (Yeates)
Volume: 4
Pages: 115–115

Head Matter:
*Elson, a negro, against William M'Colloch.
Only the owner, or his lawful attorney can register a negro or mulatto. The act of a stranger in such case is merely void.
Mr. J. Ross, pro quer.
Messrs. Addison and Meason, pro def.

Opinion:
Homine REPLEGiANDO. The only question in this case was, whether a stranger might register a negro, under the act for the gradual abolition of slavery, passed the xst March 1780?
The court declared, that the point would not bear dispute. The words of the 5 th section of the act were imperious. 1 Dali. St. Laws, 840. " The owner or his lawful attorney, shall de-
liver, or cause to be delivered in writing," &c. No one therefore, except the party legally or equitably intitled to the negro, or mulatto, or a person legally authorized for that purpose, can lawfully register him ; and the act of a stranger in such particular, is merely void.
It was agreed that a verdict should be entered for the plaintiff for nominal damages only, he having been in the defendant's service but two months, and full costs.