The American Slave Code

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. INHEKITANCE OF SLAVE PKOPERTY. Slaves, as Property, are transmitted by Inheritance or by Will to Heirs at law or to Legatees.--In the distribution of Estates, they are distributed like other Property. This feature of the slave system, like all its other features, is derived from its cardinal principle of Peoperty in the bodies and souls of men. Without this principle, the whole edifice falls to the ground. With it, the entire system, in all its parts, and entire, is sustained. We have already stated the law on this subject. The slave "may be sold" "at the suit of creditors Ok Legatees." (Stroud, p. 51.) A more specific recognition of this feature is found in a law of North Carolina, substantially copied by other States, in which, after prohibiting, in a great measure, the further introduction of slaves into their limits,* a proviso is added that "nothing in this act shall prohibit any citizen of this State who may obtain slaves, &c., by marriage, gift, legacy, devise, or descent," "from bringing the slaves, &c, into this State by land or water." (Hayward's Manual, 533-4. Act of 1794, chap. 2, &c., &c, &c. Vide Stroud, p. 55.) * It has already been seen that these prohibitions have not prevented an immense slave traffic between the States. In some of the States, these prohibitions have been repealed. This indicates what is the known fact, that slayes had previously been inherited in the several States. The inheritance of slave property appears to have occasioned much litigation in the courts, and accordingly the topic occupies no little space in the reported decisions collected together in ""Wheeler's Law oi Slavery." In the case of Beatley vs. Judy, &c., in Kentucky, it was determined that the phrase "personal estate" in...