In re Sah Quah

DAWSON, Judge.

Petitioner alleges that he is unlawfully restrained of his liberty by the respondent, who claims to own him as a slave and chattel, and prays to be released from the restraint imposed upon him by the respondent. Respondent, by way of return to the writ, in substance alleges that both he and the petitioner are Indians of the Thlinket or Kalosian race; that they are uncivilized natives; that they and their ancestors have inhabited the Alaskan shores from time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary, in communities independent of any other law, authority, or…