Thomas Scott, a man of color, seeks permission to sue as a poor person to establish his right to freedom. Scott claims that his owner, James Harrison, hired out his services in 1847 to St. Vrain, a trader in New Mexico, who carried Scott to New Mexico and "held him there in bondage for a period of at least five months." He avers that slavery "was not allowable by the laws of New Mexico at that time" and that he is therefore entitled to his freedom.
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
