Dred Scott vs. Sandford Supreme Court Case Details
Brief Fact Summary
The Plaintiff, Dred Scott, a slave, was taken by his former master from Missouri (a slave state) to Illinois (a free state), then to the Louisiana Territory (free territory) and then back to Missouri where he was sold to the Defendant, Sandford. Plaintiff thereupon sued in federal court arguing that his trips to free territory made him free.
Facts
Plaintiff, a slave, was taken by his former master from Missouri to Illinois, then to the Louisiana Territory and then back to Missouri where he was sold to the Defendant, a citizen of New York. Thereupon, Plaintiff brought suit of Article 3 diversity jurisdiction, claiming that he was a citizen of Missouri. Plaintiff argued that his trips to "free" Illinois and the Louisiana Territory made him free. Defendant argued that even if Plaintiff was free, he was not a citizen of Missouri and therefore, that the Circuit Court lacked diversity jurisdiction over the case.
Synopsis of Rule of Law
Blacks are not citizens within the meaning of Article 3 of the United States Constitution. A person cannot be dispossessed of his property merely because he takes his property into a particular territory consistent with Due Process.
Issue
Did the Circuit Court have Article 3 diversity jurisdiction over the case? Was Dred Scott free?
Missouri - slave state
Illinois - free state
Louisiana Territory - free territory