The Final Decision
Dred Scott
This is an impression of a wood carving published in an edition of Century Magazine published in 1887. It depicts a portrait of Dred Scott, shown in the magazine to give a face to the man described in the accompanying article who fought so diligently for his freedom.
The Verdict
“Upon these considerations, it is the opinion of the Court that the Act of Congress [Missouri Compromise] which prohibited a citizen from holding and owning property of this kind in the territory of the United States north of the line therein mentioned is not warranted by the Constitution, and is therefore void; and that neither Dred Scott himself, nor any of his family, were made free by being carried into this territory; even if they had been carried here by the owner with the intention of becoming a permanent resident.”
The following excerpt is from the majority decision in the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford. Written by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, it addresses the question of African American citizenship and slavery in the territories. This gives the Dred Scott Decision, deciding Scott's fate. He filed to the court that he was a free man after being brought as a slave into free territory. The final decision, decided on March 6th, 1857, brings conflict as it is decided that he is not a free man. Many Americans were shocked and upset by the verdict. It was a huge conflict as many felt this was halting the progression of abolitionist acts.
“Upon these considerations, it is the opinion of the Court that the Act of Congress [Missouri Compromise] which prohibited a citizen from holding and owning property of this kind in the territory of the United States north of the line therein mentioned is not warranted by the Constitution, and is therefore void; and that neither Dred Scott himself, nor any of his family, were made free by being carried into this territory; even if they had been carried here by the owner with the intention of becoming a permanent resident.”
The following excerpt is from the majority decision in the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford. Written by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, it addresses the question of African American citizenship and slavery in the territories. This gives the Dred Scott Decision, deciding Scott's fate. He filed to the court that he was a free man after being brought as a slave into free territory. The final decision, decided on March 6th, 1857, brings conflict as it is decided that he is not a free man. Many Americans were shocked and upset by the verdict. It was a huge conflict as many felt this was halting the progression of abolitionist acts.
The Final Word
Here is the cover of the final decision and report of the Dred Scott v Sanford court case. Roger B Taney ruled that African Americans were not, and could never be, citizens of the United States, further overturning the previous Missouri Compromise. John F. A. Sanford was seen by the court as the owner of Dred Scott at the time of the trial, therefore causing the case to be called “Dred Scott v. Sanford.” The court case led to severe conflict, not only with Dred Scott, but with African Americans nationwide. It showed that there was no longer truly “free states” because as shown in the court case, no master would be denied his property, even if that human property was residing in a “free” state.
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