Case Name: Negro David vs. Porter
Court: General Court of Maryland
Jurisdiction: Maryland
Decision Date: 1799-10
Citations: 4 H. & McH. 418
Docket Number: 
Parties: Negro David vs. Porter.
Judges: 
Reporter: Maryland reports, being a series of the most important law cases argued and determined in the Provincial Court and Court of Appeals of the then province of Maryland, from the year 1700 [i.e. 1658] down to the [end of 1799]
Volume: 4
Pages: 418–418

Head Matter:
GENERAL COURT,
OCTOBER TERM, 1799.
Negro David vs. Porter.
■ Certiorari to Frederick county court, whereby the proceedings in that court, on a petition for freedom, were removed to this court, .
It appears that the petitioner stated his claim to freedom to arise under the laws ot‘ the state of Pennsylvania for the abolition of slavery. The testimony taken proves the petitioner to have been the property of one Richard Coale,.who resided in Frederick county in this state in the year 1788. That the said Coale hired the petitioner to one M'Lean, who resided in the state of Pennsylvania» .That the petitioner was seen in the possession of the saijJ M'Lean, in the state of Pennsylvania, in the year 1788. That an agreement was executed between the •said Coale and M'Lean for the hire of the petitioner. That tlie petitioner is now in the possession of, and claimed by the defendant, who resides in Frederick county in this state.
Shaaff, for the petitioner.
Mason, for the defendant.

Opinion:
The Generar Court gave judgment that the petition! r is free, and that he be hence discharged, &c. with costs.