Ford v. Simmons

This suit is instituted to recover of defendant the value of the slave Lewis, hired to him by plaintiff, on the ground that the slave was illegally and by violence killed on the premises of defendant, who refuses to account for Ms death, and to pay petitioner Ms value.

The answer is in these words : “ In this case the defendant for answer denies all and singular the allegations contained in plaintiff’s petition, and especially denies the ownership of the slave Dennis, charged with killing the slave of plaintiff.” “ Wherefore he prays that plaintiff’s demand be rejected, with costs.”

There was…