Warrant for the Ship Charming Sally
7/9/1803
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
Add only page 1 to activity:
Add only page 2 to activity:
This warrant orders the marshal and deputies of the Massachusetts district to arrest and take into custody the ship Charming Sally and her appurtenances (equipment and cargo). It notes that a libel was filed by Isaac Sherman of Boston. A libel is an accusation brought against someone or something claiming property ought to be seized, in this case the ship and its cargo for "transportation of slaves contrary to law."
An act of Congress passed in 1800 made it illegal for American citizens to engage in the slave trade between any nations, regardless of if the ship originated in the United States or was owned by a U.S. citizen. It also gave U.S. authorities the right to seize slave ships which were caught transporting slaves and confiscate their cargo.
An act of Congress passed in 1800 made it illegal for American citizens to engage in the slave trade between any nations, regardless of if the ship originated in the United States or was owned by a U.S. citizen. It also gave U.S. authorities the right to seize slave ships which were caught transporting slaves and confiscate their cargo.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6803894
Full Citation: Warrant for the Ship Charming Sally; 7/9/1803; Sherman, Isaac v. Charming Sally, Schooner; Case Files, 1790 - 1917; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/warrant-charming-sally, September 17, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
