Boo Dred Scott Vs Stanford Case
Dred Scott vs Sanford
By Peter Clemente
Dred Scott was an African American man born into slavery who made history by using the US legal system to fight for his right t freedom. Scott was born in Southampton County, Virginia around 1800. Like many slaves, Scott dreamed of freedom and equality for himself and all slaves. But the 1800s were difficult years for slaves. They were mistreated, neglected and considered the property of their owners who could do with them whatever they pleased.
Being born into slavery meant that Scott could be passed around from owner to owner. His first owner, Peter Blow, treated him fairly and took him along as his family relocated from Virginia, to Alabama, and then Missouri. After Peter Blow’s death, Scott was sold to John Emerson, a US Army doctor. After serving the Emerson’s for a few years, Dr. Emerson gave Scott to his wife’s brother, John Sanford. Scott tried to buy his freedom away from Dr. Emerson’s wife but she would not accept that. Since Scott had spent time living in Illinois, a free state, he pursued his right to sue Sanford for his freedom. Scott was assisted at the time by a group of antislavery lawyers.
Unfortunately, Scott lost in his first trial due to lack of evidence. Scott, determined to win his freedom, was given a chance for a second trial. His main argument against Sanford was Sanford’s violation of Scott’s Fifth Amendment rights. The Fifth Amendment states that a person’s life, liberty, or property cannot be taken away without due process of law. They were taking away Scott’s liberty, but he deserved to be free because he was taken to a free state. Although Scott won the second trial, his freedom was short-lived. Sanford’s sister, Mrs. Emerson, appealed the court’s decision leading to the case being brought to the Missouri Supreme Court. Sanford argued that Scott did not have rights as a US Citizen because he was a slave. As a slave owner, Sanford argued that slaves are a man’s property, and cannot be taken away
By Peter Clemente
Dred Scott was an African American man born into slavery who made history by using the US legal system to fight for his right t freedom. Scott was born in Southampton County, Virginia around 1800. Like many slaves, Scott dreamed of freedom and equality for himself and all slaves. But the 1800s were difficult years for slaves. They were mistreated, neglected and considered the property of their owners who could do with them whatever they pleased.
Being born into slavery meant that Scott could be passed around from owner to owner. His first owner, Peter Blow, treated him fairly and took him along as his family relocated from Virginia, to Alabama, and then Missouri. After Peter Blow’s death, Scott was sold to John Emerson, a US Army doctor. After serving the Emerson’s for a few years, Dr. Emerson gave Scott to his wife’s brother, John Sanford. Scott tried to buy his freedom away from Dr. Emerson’s wife but she would not accept that. Since Scott had spent time living in Illinois, a free state, he pursued his right to sue Sanford for his freedom. Scott was assisted at the time by a group of antislavery lawyers.
Unfortunately, Scott lost in his first trial due to lack of evidence. Scott, determined to win his freedom, was given a chance for a second trial. His main argument against Sanford was Sanford’s violation of Scott’s Fifth Amendment rights. The Fifth Amendment states that a person’s life, liberty, or property cannot be taken away without due process of law. They were taking away Scott’s liberty, but he deserved to be free because he was taken to a free state. Although Scott won the second trial, his freedom was short-lived. Sanford’s sister, Mrs. Emerson, appealed the court’s decision leading to the case being brought to the Missouri Supreme Court. Sanford argued that Scott did not have rights as a US Citizen because he was a slave. As a slave owner, Sanford argued that slaves are a man’s property, and cannot be taken away