Taney, Roger Brooke (1777-1864) [Paperwork for the case Richard Cromwell v. John Shotts]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02844 Author/Creator: Taney, Roger Brooke (1777-1864) Place Written: Frederick County, Maryland Type: Autograph document signed Date: circa 1802 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33.4 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Taney, the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as a lawyer in Frederick, Maryland. Taney represented plaintiff and slave owner Richard Cromwell who complained that John Shotts beat his slave Joe on 28 October 1802 in Frederick County, Maryland. Taney claimed that Shotts "with force of arms to wit swords[,] Knives, Cudgels, shovels[,] clubs and fists upon a certain Negro man named Joe the slave of him the said Richard Cromwell an assault did make ... and there beat wound and evilly treat [him]." Goes on to say Cromwell lost 20 days of work from his slave. Also claims that Shotts' actions damaged the peace, government, and dignity of the state of Maryland. Taney claims the damages are worth fifty pounds.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.