¶1The word slave, in its common acceptation, signifies ex vi termini, a perpetual servant; and it will be found, that it is used in this sense in the 3d 4th, and 5th sections of the act “for the gradual abolition of slavery.” 1 Dall. Laws, 839. Thus in the 4th section, the words are a servant for years, or life or a slave; in the 2d section, servants for life or slaves, slavery of children in consequence of the slavery of their mothers, &c. are used; and in the 5th section, the words are, negro or mulatto slave, or servant for life, or till the age of 31 years, &c. The registry is clearly good, and the negro must be remanded to her master.
3 Yeates 261
Respublica v. Findlay
Decided October 15, 1801
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · decided 1801-10-15
On a habeas corpus ad subjiciendum, the body of negro Hannah was brought before the court, and the sole question was, whether her registry was invalid, by reason of her being entered as a slave, without subjoining the words, for life. In other particulars, the registry was strictly formal.
Decided 1801-10-15