Scott v. Sanford

DRED Scott v. Sandford; ENSLAVED African Americans; SANDFORD, John F. A.; UNITED States history, 1849-1877; SCOTT, Dred; SLAVERY in the United States; LEGAL status of enslaved persons; ACTIONS & defenses (Law); HISTORY

The article presents the text of the case Dred Scott v. John F. A. Sandford, heard before the United States Supreme Court in December of 1856. In the case, the defendant Dred Scott, a slave, made three counts against the plaintiff, John F. A. Sandford, his owner, claiming he assaulted him, his wife, and his children. Sandford then claims that because Scott is a slave, not a citizen of the State of Missouri, a negro of African descent brought to the U.S. and sold as a slave, and his lawful property, that the court should dismiss Scott's allegations. The Supreme Court decides to side with Sandford, affirming Scott's status as a slave and the property of his owner.