Baron v. Phelan

In this case, it appears by the statement of facts that the plaintiff and appellee was indebted to the defendant and appellant, in the sum of $3000, for the payment of which, he conveyed to him three negroes and also procured his wife to convey a fourth: it being understood by the parties that the sales and transfers of title thus made, should not convey the absolute property, but that the slaves should be holden as a security for the payment of the debt—that they remained in the possession of the appellee, *89and the profit of their labour was applied to his use—that in the month of May, 1815,…