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Negro Fanny v. Isaac Kell.
There can be no binding contract between a slave and his master.
The child of a female slave is a slave, although the mother has the promise of the master that she shall be free at the end of a certain term of years.
This cause was submitted to the Court upon a case agreed.
The case stated was to the following effect:—
That W. Simms, in the year 1796, purchased Dorcas, the mother of the plaintiff, for a term of years, of one Alexander
During her servitude with Carrington, she had two children, one of whom, the plaintiff Fanny, is now in the possession of the defendant Isaac Kell, who purchased her of the executors of Carrington, with notice of the rights of the said Fanny.
At November term, 1822, it was agreed by the counsel of the parties that a verdict should be taken for the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of the Court on the said agreed case.
R. J. Taylor, for the plaintiff.
Thompson F. Mason, for the defendant.
At May term, 1824, judgement was rendered for the defendant, upon the case stated; upon the authority of the case of