First published in September 1992, the book traces the nature and development of the fundamental legal relationships among slaves, masters, and third parties. It shows how the colonial and antebellum Southern judges and legislators accommodated slavery’s social relationships into the common law, and how slave law evolved in different states over time in response to social political, economic, and intellectual developments.

The book states that the law of slavery in the US South treated slaves both as people and property. It reconciles this apparent contradiction by demonstrating that slaves were defined in the law as items of human property without any legal rights. When the lawmakers recognized slaves as people, they burdened slaves with added legal duties and disabilities. This epitomized in legal terms slavery’s oppressive social relationships. The book also illustrates how cases in which the lawmakers recognized slaves as people legitimized slavery’s inhumanity. References in the law to the legal humanity of people held as slaves are shown to be rhetorical devices and cruel ironies that regulated the relative rights of the slaves’ owners and other free people that were embodied in people held as slaves. Thus, it is argued that it never makes sense to think of slave legal rights. This was so even when the lawmakers regulated the individual masters’ rights to treat their slaves as they wished. These regulations advanced policies that the lawmakers perceived to be in the public interest within the context of a slave society.

About the Author

Andrew Fede

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

We carry a wide selection of books from South Asia, United States, UK.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Readingos GmbH
Kaiserstra�e 47, Frankfurt am Main, 60329, Germany

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Shipping Terms

To ensure faster delivery, books may be shipped from any of the following locations Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), based on the buyer's address and product availability.

Shipping rates from Germany to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from Germany to U.S.A.
Order quantity	25 to 45 business days	8 to 14 business days
First item	US$ 11.32	US$ 21.28

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.