Groves v. Slaughter

Fri, 12 Feb 1841 13:00:00 +0000

Case Basics

Petitioner

Groves

Petitioner Type

Petitioner

Respondent

Slaughter

Respondent Type

Respondent

Heard By

Taney Court (1838-1841)

Decided By

Taney Court (1841-1842)

Opinion

40 U.S. 449 (1841)

Argued

Friday, February 12, 1841

Decided

Wednesday, March 10, 1841

Facts of the Case

Slaughter took a group of slaves to Mississippi to sell them. He accepted partial payment. The note fell due but remained unpaid. A federal court eventually held that Slaughter was entitled to recover the amount of the contract. However, a state constitutional provision adopted prior to Slaughter's sale prohibited his transaction.

Question

Does the Mississippi constitutional provision banning importation and sale of slaves unconstitutionally encroach on congressional commerce power?

Conclusion

The provision did not become effective until a supporting statute was enacted, but that supporting statute followed the sale in question. Hence, the contract was valid.

Cases - 1841 term

Groves v. Slaughter