[Detail] A picture of slavery, for youth. Jonathan Walker. 
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Collection Overview
Slaves and the Courts, 1740-1860, presents pamphlets and books documenting legal cases argued in courts in the United States and Great Britain on the issue of slavery. Included are accounts and analyses of cases and the court decisions for these cases, arguments from cases, and proceedings. Of special interest are copies of the slave code of the District of Columbia, material on the Dred Scott case, and material documenting the activities of John Brown, John Quincy Adams, and William Lloyd Garrison.
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Special Features
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Historical Eras
These historical era(s) are best represented in the collection, although they may not be all-encompassing.
- The New Nation — 1780-1815
- Expansion and Reform — 1801-1861
- The Civil War and Reconstruction — 1850-1877
Related Collections and Exhibits
These collections and exhibits contain thematically-related primary and secondary sources. Browse the Collection Finder for more related material on the American Memory Web site.
- African-American Odyssey
- Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938
- Fredrick Douglass Papers at the Library of Congress
- From Slavery to Freedom: The African-American Pamphlet Collection, 1824-1909
Other Resources
Recommended additional sources of information.
Search Tips
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Last Updated: 11/ 3/2009