The Judgment of the Right Hon. Lord Stowell, Respecting the Slavery of the Mongrel Woman, Grace, on an Appeal from the Vice-Admiralty Court of Antigua, Michealmas Term, 1827

Great Britain. High Court of Admiralty · John Haggard

Jan 1827 · W. Benning

Ratings and reviews

This book is a fine example of early eighteenth century autobiographical judicial reasoning and judgement involving an appeal by the crown to the author of the work, Lord Stowell. Grace was a slave who traveled to England in 1822 from Antigua with her Mistress and stayed in England for two years working as a domestic servant before sailing back to Antigua with her mistress. Two years after her return, Grace is arrested as an illegal and forfeit to the crown. The case is heard but her owner claims her and duly wins the case. The crown appeals and the matter is so unique that it is referred to the Kings Bench in England. Lord Stowell goes through the case and argues statute and common law and precedent with regard to the status of slaves and free people within England and the Dominions. He is easy to follow and is quite illuminating in the process. Did he uphold the appeal or dismiss it? Read the book and find out you might be astonished at his conclusion!