The importation of slaves into the U.S. was banned in 1808 and punishable by fines, forfeiture and imprisonment. The law was erratically enforced, and the National Archives estimated 1.2 million slaves were illegally imported during the first half of the 19th century.

An example of this illegal practice was uncovered in 1818 when the U.S. Navy captured 3 American schooners and found 197 captives on board. This document details the six year court process during which the captives were ultimately sold at public auction. The courts confirmed the definition of slaves as property in legal discourse that today we find callous and inhumane. At one point during the litigation the court lost track of which captives were associated with each ship. The court then ordered the names of all the surviving slaves to be put in a box from which each claimant selected a proportionate share. Ultimately, after numerous appeals, the court ordered the sale of the surviving captives at public auction. The slave traders were not penalized. A remarkable report documenting a part of American history difficult to fathom today. Disbound, octavo, 77 pages.

References: Eberstadt 127:002.

Condition: B

Minor staining to the title page and the following 10 pages with some foxing in the second half of the text.