Charles R. McKirdy
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781604739855
- eISBN:
- 9781604739879
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Mississippi
- DOI:
- 10.14325/mississippi/9781604739855.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, American History: Civil War
This chapter describes the main individuals involved in the Matson Slave Case, along with the events leading up to, during, and after the initial hearing. After Jane left Robert’s home with her ...
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This chapter describes the main individuals involved in the Matson Slave Case, along with the events leading up to, during, and after the initial hearing. After Jane left Robert’s home with her children, they were assisted by physician and abolitionist Hiram Rutherford. Matson came after Jane and her children, trying persuasion, threats, and intimidation before eventually turning to the law. The case attracted wide attention and excitement, then, so the standard story goes, Lincoln arrived on the scene, was convinced to assist in representing Matson, and, as a consequence, had to turn down Rutherford when the doctor subsequently asked Lincoln to defend him against Matson’s claim for damages.Less
This chapter describes the main individuals involved in the Matson Slave Case, along with the events leading up to, during, and after the initial hearing. After Jane left Robert’s home with her children, they were assisted by physician and abolitionist Hiram Rutherford. Matson came after Jane and her children, trying persuasion, threats, and intimidation before eventually turning to the law. The case attracted wide attention and excitement, then, so the standard story goes, Lincoln arrived on the scene, was convinced to assist in representing Matson, and, as a consequence, had to turn down Rutherford when the doctor subsequently asked Lincoln to defend him against Matson’s claim for damages.
Charles R. McKirdy
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781604739855
- eISBN:
- 9781604739879
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University Press of Mississippi
- DOI:
- 10.14325/mississippi/9781604739855.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, American History: Civil War
In 1847, in a small rural courthouse in Coles County, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln represented a Kentucky slave owner named Robert Matson in his attempt to recover a runaway slave woman and her four ...
More
In 1847, in a small rural courthouse in Coles County, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln represented a Kentucky slave owner named Robert Matson in his attempt to recover a runaway slave woman and her four children. Most Americans, even those with a penchant for the nation’s history, have never heard of this court case. This is no coincidence. Lincoln’s involvement in the case has troubled and bewildered most students and biographers of the “Great Emancipator.” In many assessments, the case inspires rationalizations and distortions; in others, avoidance and denial. These approaches are a disservice to the man and to those who seek to understand him. This book digs behind the myths and evasions to determine why Lincoln chose to advocate property rights grounded in a system that he claimed to abhor, and pursue the continued enslavement of five of its most vulnerable and sympathetic victims. In a careful blend of narrative and analysis, it finds the answer in the time and place that was Lincoln’s Illinois in 1847; in the laws and judicial decisions that provided the legal backdrop against which the drama of the Matson case was played out; and in the man that Lincoln was thirteen years before he became president. The discussion of Lincoln’s decision to represent Matson and the description of the trial itself take nothing at face value. The book examines primary and secondary sources for the ribbon of truth shorn of preconceptions and hollow justifications.Less
In 1847, in a small rural courthouse in Coles County, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln represented a Kentucky slave owner named Robert Matson in his attempt to recover a runaway slave woman and her four children. Most Americans, even those with a penchant for the nation’s history, have never heard of this court case. This is no coincidence. Lincoln’s involvement in the case has troubled and bewildered most students and biographers of the “Great Emancipator.” In many assessments, the case inspires rationalizations and distortions; in others, avoidance and denial. These approaches are a disservice to the man and to those who seek to understand him. This book digs behind the myths and evasions to determine why Lincoln chose to advocate property rights grounded in a system that he claimed to abhor, and pursue the continued enslavement of five of its most vulnerable and sympathetic victims. In a careful blend of narrative and analysis, it finds the answer in the time and place that was Lincoln’s Illinois in 1847; in the laws and judicial decisions that provided the legal backdrop against which the drama of the Matson case was played out; and in the man that Lincoln was thirteen years before he became president. The discussion of Lincoln’s decision to represent Matson and the description of the trial itself take nothing at face value. The book examines primary and secondary sources for the ribbon of truth shorn of preconceptions and hollow justifications.
Charles R. McKirdy
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781604739855
- eISBN:
- 9781604739879
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Mississippi
- DOI:
- 10.14325/mississippi/9781604739855.003.0008
- Subject:
- History, American History: Civil War
This chapter explores Lincoln’s motivations for representing slaveholder Robert Matson. It rejects claims that Lincoln was indifferent to the plight of slaves or that he held back at the Matson ...
More
This chapter explores Lincoln’s motivations for representing slaveholder Robert Matson. It rejects claims that Lincoln was indifferent to the plight of slaves or that he held back at the Matson trial, giving it less than his best effort, because of this hatred of slavery. It then considers whether ego, money, and loyalty played a role in Lincoln’s decision. It suggests that Lincoln’s friendship with Linder influenced his decision to represent Matson.Less
This chapter explores Lincoln’s motivations for representing slaveholder Robert Matson. It rejects claims that Lincoln was indifferent to the plight of slaves or that he held back at the Matson trial, giving it less than his best effort, because of this hatred of slavery. It then considers whether ego, money, and loyalty played a role in Lincoln’s decision. It suggests that Lincoln’s friendship with Linder influenced his decision to represent Matson.
Charles R. McKirdy
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781604739855
- eISBN:
- 9781604739879
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Mississippi
- DOI:
- 10.14325/mississippi/9781604739855.003.0001
- Subject:
- History, American History: Civil War
This introductory chapter first describes the “Matson Slave Case,” where Lincoln represented a slave owner named Robert Matson in his efforts to recover five slaves—a mother and her four children. It ...
More
This introductory chapter first describes the “Matson Slave Case,” where Lincoln represented a slave owner named Robert Matson in his efforts to recover five slaves—a mother and her four children. It then considers the varied reactions of historians to Lincoln’s role, which range from bewilderment to outright accusations that Lincoln had little or no genuine antipathy for slavery.Less
This introductory chapter first describes the “Matson Slave Case,” where Lincoln represented a slave owner named Robert Matson in his efforts to recover five slaves—a mother and her four children. It then considers the varied reactions of historians to Lincoln’s role, which range from bewilderment to outright accusations that Lincoln had little or no genuine antipathy for slavery.
Charles R. McKirdy
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781604739855
- eISBN:
- 9781604739879
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Mississippi
- DOI:
- 10.14325/mississippi/9781604739855.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, American History: Civil War
This chapter discusses the Matson trial in 1847. The court ruled that Jane Bryant and her four children “be discharged from the custody...of...David R. Hutchason or of Robert Matson and all persons ...
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This chapter discusses the Matson trial in 1847. The court ruled that Jane Bryant and her four children “be discharged from the custody...of...David R. Hutchason or of Robert Matson and all persons claiming them by[,] through or under him as slaves, and they be and remain free and discharged from all servitude whatsoever to any person or persons from hence forward and forever. The court also required Matson to pay all costs due and owing by reason of the arrest of said negroes including the costs of this application [for habeas corpus], and that executions issue from this court therefore...”. Postmortems of the lawyers’ performances in the case still go on today. Lincoln’s approach and presentation have received the most scrutiny, but the actions of all of the lawyers have been analyzed.Less
This chapter discusses the Matson trial in 1847. The court ruled that Jane Bryant and her four children “be discharged from the custody...of...David R. Hutchason or of Robert Matson and all persons claiming them by[,] through or under him as slaves, and they be and remain free and discharged from all servitude whatsoever to any person or persons from hence forward and forever. The court also required Matson to pay all costs due and owing by reason of the arrest of said negroes including the costs of this application [for habeas corpus], and that executions issue from this court therefore...”. Postmortems of the lawyers’ performances in the case still go on today. Lincoln’s approach and presentation have received the most scrutiny, but the actions of all of the lawyers have been analyzed.
