John Smoot informs the court that eight or ten years ago his father, a resident of Maryland, died, having bequeathed him "nine or ten slaves," whom he has been unable to bring to Virginia "in consequence of a law passed some years since, prohibiting the introduction of slaves into this state." He explains to the legislative body that he is "permanently established & engaged in agricultural pursuits" in Virginia, having emigrated from Maryland several years prior to the filing of his suit, and that owning slaves in another state is not to his advantage. The slaves are not in his immediate service and they have to be managed at a great distance, Smoot claims. Furthermore, he contends, he is attached to them and they are to him. If he sold them the money would not be as useful to him as the slaves. He seeks permission to bring the slaves into Virginia.
Result: Rejected.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
