Henry Pope entered into a written contract with his slave Mary, stipulating that he would emancipate her upon the payment of $600. Mary paid $350 on the contract, and Pope allowed Mary "to go at large and labor for her own benefit" in order to raise the remainder. Mary was unable to raise the rest, and now Pope has confined her to jail and threatens to sell her. Mary and her husband James King "are advised that although in general a slave can enter into no contract which will be valid," in cases like hers the court can enforce the contract. They ask that Pope be restrained from selling Mary, that Mary be released from jail, and that Pope be compelled to emancipate Mary when the remainder of the money is paid.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Kentucky Division of Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky
