Prigg v. Pennsylvania, 41 U.S. 539, 16 Pet. 539, 10 L. Ed. 1060 (1842)

Edward Prigg (plaintiff) against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (defendant) regarding the kidnapping of Margaret Morgan, an enslaved woman. Margaret Morgan was previously enslaved to Margaret Ashmore in Maryland before she escaped and fled to Pennsylvania. Prigg, as Ashmore’s agent and attorney, had Morgan arrested. Prigg, Nathan S. Bemis, Jacob Forward, and Stephen Lewis Jr. were indicted for the kidnapping. Decision: not guilty.