It has been settled by the decisions of the highest court in Missouri, that by the laws of that State, a slave does not become entitled to his freedom, where the owner takes him to reside in a State where slavery is not permitted, and afterwards brings him back to Missouri. Conclusion. It follows that it is apparent upon the record that the court below erred in its judgment on the plea in abatement and also erred in giving judgment for the defendant, when the exception shows that the plaintiff was not a citizen of the United States. And as the Circuit Court had no jurisdiction, either in the case stated in the plea in abatement, or in the one stated in the exception, its judgment in favor of the defendant is erroneous, and must be reversed.
Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857
-What effect did the above ruling have on previous American legislation regarding slavery?
a. It declared the provisions of Missouri Compromise unconstitutional
b. It strengthened the provisions of the Northwest Compromise
c. It invalidated the Fugitive Slave Act
d. It validated the Black Codes of the South