Case No. 14,802.

UNITED STATES v. CLARK.

[2 Cranch, C. C. 620.]¹

Circuit Court, District of Columbia.

Nov. Term, 1825.

HOMICIDE—SLAVE—MANSLAUGHTER—PUNISHMENT.

In Alexandria county, a slave guilty of manslaughter was punished by burning in the hand and whipping with ten stripes.

[Cited in U. S. v. Frye, Case No. 15,173.]

The defendant [John Clark], who was a slave about thirteen years old, was indicted for the murder of another slave, named Burdet, about fifteen years old. The deceased was larger and stronger than the defendant, and struck him several times, till the latter drew a knife and told the deceased that if he did not leave striking him, he would stab him; the deceased continued to strike him, and he stabbed the deceased in the left breast, of which wound he died instantly.

The jury found him guilty of manslaughter, and THE COURT sentenced him to be burnt in the hand, and whipped with ten stripes.

¹ [Reported by Hon. William Cranch, Chief Judge.]

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