[DRED SCOTT V. SANDFORD]. 
HOWARD, Benjamin Chew (1791-1872). Report of the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the opinions of the judges thereof, in the case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford. December Term, 1856. Washington, D.C.: Cornelius Wendell, 1857.

8vo. Original printed wrappers; upper cover creased and with tiny corner tears; in cloth slip case and chemise.

FIRST EDITION OF THE LANDMARK RULING BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF DRED SCOT V. SANDFORD.

This historic ruling decided that enslaved people were not citizens of the United States and therefore could not expect any protection from the federal government or the courts. The opinion also stated that Congress had no authority to ban slavery from a federal territory. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote the majority opinion. Dred Scot v. Sandford is now considered by many legal scholars to have been the worst decision ever rendered by the Supreme Court, with its end result ultimately being to help propel the nation closer to civil war.

In his speeches, such as his 1857 critique of the decision and his famous "House Divided" speech in 1858, Lincoln emphasized that the Dred Scott ruling undermined democracy and individual rights. He contended that while judicial decisions should be respected, they were not infallible or binding on all future political actions if they conflicted with fundamental principles. Lincoln's opposition to the Dred Scott decision became a cornerstone of his political platform during his debates with Stephen A. Douglas and his eventual presidency. 

One of two simultaneously printed editions, the other in New York, for which no precedence has been established. Grolier, American 68; Howes S-218; Sabin 33240.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation