Neither fugitive nor free
Subtitle: Atlantic slavery, freedom suits, and the legal culture of travel
By: Edlie L. Wong.
Series: America and the long 19th century
Publisher: New York University Press; NYU Press
Published: 2009
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 337
ISBN-13: 9780814794555; 9780814794562
Subjects: American literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism; American literature -- African American authors -- History and criticism; Slaves -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Antislavery movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Slavery -- Law and legislation -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Law and literature -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Slavery in literature; Travel in literature; Law in literature
Description: Studies lawsuits to gain freedom for slaves on the grounds of their having traveled to free territory, starting with Somerset v. Stewart (England, 1772), Commonwealth v. Aves (Massachussetts, 1836), Dred Scott v. Sanford, and cases brought questioning the legitimacy of Negro Seamen Acts in the antebellum coastal South. These lawsuits and accounts of them are compared to fugitive slave narratives to shed light on both. The differing impact of freedom obtained from such suits for men and women (women could claim that their children were free, once they were judged free) is examined.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.