In November 1853, Scott filed a federal lawsuit with the United States Circuit Court for the District of Missouri. By this time, Irene had transferred Scott and his family to her brother, John Sandford (although it was determined later that she retained ownership). On May 15, 1854, the fed...
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit came up with a fairly specific test of what constitutes a true threat. It’s a threat that "on its face and in the circumstances in which it is made is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to the person threatened, as...
Irene Emerson Chaffee insisted, however, that she receive the wages the Scotts had earned during the preceding seven years, a sum of $750 that had been tied up because of the court proceedings. On May 26, 1857, Dred and Harriet Scott appeared in the St. Louis Circuit Court and were ...