After the Revolution:Somersetand the Antislavery Tradition in Anglo-American Constitutional Development

Abstract

Somerset v. Stewart (1772) that the nature of slavery is ''so odious. .. nothing can be suffered to support it but positive law.'' In this essay, I trace the principle laid down in Somerset through several cases that occurred during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, and I pay particular attention to two conservative judicial opinions in the 1820's: Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion in The Antelope (1825) and Lord Stowell's opinion in The Slave Grace (1827). In each of these cases, practical considerations trump the antislavery constitutional tradition emanating from the Somerset decision. Rather than reflecting the triumph of illiberal constitutional theories, I argue that these cases demonstrate the ongoing tension between normative constitutional principles and practical political considerations.

Lord Mansfield – Truly a judge

“…In this latter case, it could mean the search for justice against all adversities and regardless of possible consequences. In such an event the maxim Fiat iustitia, pereat mundus, could be translated as follows: "let justice be done and overcome the pride " 2009, vol. 71, no.…”

Los desaf�os en la ense�anza del constitucionalismo y su historia: La interseccionalidad de raza y

“…En este ejemplo recogemos las contribuciones del constitucionalismo antiesclavista (Antislavery Constitutionalism). Para ello podemos apoyar el estudio en Wiecek (1977) y Dyer (2009). Se explica el estatuto jurídico del esclavo que se centra en el cuestionamiento de su humanidad.…”