the Dred Scott decision
(DRED SCOTT.). Dred Scott decision – “Important Decision of the Supreme Court:” in National Intelligencer
Washington: Gales and Seaton, March 7, 1857
Large folio (26 x 21 ½ in.), never bound. Small loss at lower corner far from Dred Scott material, original folds. Near fine.
This is the announcement of the Dred Scott decision, reported as breaking news by a leading Washington newspaper.
This announcement states that Chief Justice Roger B. Taney has delivered the Court’s decision in Scott v. Sandford declaring that “Negroes, whether slaves or free—that is, men of the African race—are not citizens of the United States by the Constitution.” Accordingly they could not enjoy the rights and privileges conferred by the Constitution. Further, Congress has no authority to ban slavery from the territories. The long article concludes by noting that the dissenting opinions were expected to be delivered that morning. The National Intelligencer was long the newspaper of record on the capital.
1857 was “the great pivot on the road to disunion … largely because of the Dred Scott case, which stoked the fear, distrust and conspiratorial hatred already common in both the North and the South to new levels of intensity” (David Blight).
The Dred Scott decision, universally reviled as the worst in the Court’s history, had far-reaching impact and helped to bring about the Civil War. It was overturned with the passage of the 13th and 14th Amendments.
$2,800