Hall v. United States (92 U.S. 27)

APPEALS from the Court of Claims.

The facts are stated in the opinion of the court.

Mr. C. F. Peck, for the appellant Hall, cited Williamson v. Daniel, 12 Wheat. 568; Menard v. Aspasia, 5 Pet. 513; McCutchen v. Marshall, 8 id. 220; Fowler v. Merrill, 11 How. 375; 1 Pars. on Contr. 329; Butler v. Craig, 2 H. & McH. 216, 236; Rawlings v. Boston, 3 id. 139; Hudgins v. Wright, 1 Hen. & Munf. 134; Pallas et al. v. Hill et al., 2 id. 149; Gregory v. Bough, 2 Leigh, 686; Leiper v. Hoffman et al., 26 Miss. 623; Pepoon v. Clarke, 1 Const. Ct. Rep. (S.C..) 137; Matilda v. Crenshaw, 4 Yerg. 299; Herod et al. v. Davis, 43 Miss. 102; Morgan v. Nelson, 43 Ala. 587.

Mr. Assistant Attorney-General Edwin B. Smith for the United States.

Mr. T. H. N. McPherson for the appellee Roach.

Hall, being a slave, was not entitled to political or civil rights while subject to his condition of servitude. Amy v. Smith, 1 Litt. 326; Lenoir v. Sylvester, 1 Bail. (S.C..) 633; Catche v. The Circuit Court, 1 Miss. 608; Vincent v. Duncan, 2 id. 214; Hall v. Mullin, 5 Har. & J. (Md.) 190; The State v. Hart, 4 Ired. (N. C.) 256; Gist v. Coby, 2 Rich. (S.C..) 244; Jenkins v. Brown, 6 Humph. (Tenn.) 299. His acquisitions belonged to his master. 5 Cow. (N. Y.) 397; 2 Hill, Ch. (S.C..) 397; 1 Bail. (S.C..) 633; 2 Rich. (S.C..) 424; 6 Humph. (Tenn.) 299; 2 Ala. 320; 5 B. Monr. (Ky.) 186.

He had not the ability to contract or be contracted with (Hall v. Mullin, 5 Har. & J. 190; Gregg v. Thompson, 2 Const. Ct. Rep. (S.C..) 331; Jenkins v. Brown, 6 Humph. 299, 5 Cow. 397; Emerson v. Howland et al., 1 Mas. 45; Bland and Others v. Dowling, 9 Gill & J. 27), and could, therefore, make no binding contract with his master. 11 B. Monr. 239; 9 Gill & J. 19; 3 Bos. & P. 69; 8 Mart. 161.

MR. JUSTICE SWAYNE delivered the opinion of the court.