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Domestic News
May 19, 1818
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
In 1817, Congress banned slave importation and tasked states with handling violations. Recently, a cargo of illegally imported slaves arrived in Louisiana, where the legislature ordered them jailed and sold into lifelong slavery by the sheriff.
Clipping
OCR Quality
96%
Excellent
Full Text
Abolition of the Slave Trade with a witness!
In 1817, Congress passed a law to prohibit the importation of slaves, and directed the Legislatures of the several States to make provision for the disposition of any of them who might be brought into the country contrary to the law. A cargo of these unfortunates have recently been brought into Louisiana, and what think ye, courteous reader, was the "disposition" made of them by the Legislature of Louisiana, composed of men who profess to be the champions of Liberty and Equality ? They have passed a law directing them, first, to be committed to jail, and then have authorised the Sheriff to sell them as slaves for life !
In 1817, Congress passed a law to prohibit the importation of slaves, and directed the Legislatures of the several States to make provision for the disposition of any of them who might be brought into the country contrary to the law. A cargo of these unfortunates have recently been brought into Louisiana, and what think ye, courteous reader, was the "disposition" made of them by the Legislature of Louisiana, composed of men who profess to be the champions of Liberty and Equality ? They have passed a law directing them, first, to be committed to jail, and then have authorised the Sheriff to sell them as slaves for life !
What sub-type of article is it?
Slave Related
Legal Or Court
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Slave Importation
Louisiana Legislature
Illegal Slaves
Sale Into Slavery
Where did it happen?
Louisiana
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Louisiana
Event Date
Recently
Outcome
authorised the sheriff to sell them as slaves for life
Event Details
A cargo of slaves brought into Louisiana contrary to the 1817 federal law prohibiting importation; the Legislature of Louisiana passed a law directing them to be committed to jail and then sold as slaves for life.