Dred Scott, who was born a slave in Missouri, traveled with his master to the free territory of Illinois. As a result, Scott later sued his master for freedom, which the lower courts usually granted.

The plaintiff [Dred Scott]... was, with his wife and children ... We refer to these historical facts for the purpose of showing the fixed opinions concerning that race, upon which the statesmen ...

The group then cites six cases including Dred Scott v Sandford. The 1857 ruling came a few years before the 1861 outbreak of the US Civil War over the issue of slavery, stating that enslaved ...