1858 DRED SCOTT. Massachusetts Gives "Hard Pass" to the Dred Scott Decision.

Very scarce official Massachusetts statement of legislative response to the Dred Scott decision. And the response was a hard, "Nope. Thanks but no thanks." 

The resolution as follows, in part:

Resolved, that while the people of Massachusetts recognize the rightful judicial authority of the Supreme Court of the United States in the determination of all questions properly coming before it, they will never consent that their rights shall be impaired, or their liberties invaded, by reason of any usurpations of political power of said tribunal.

Resolved, that slavery does not and cannot exist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Resolved, that all citizens of Massachusetts are citizens of the United States; that all negroes, not aliens, domiciled within her limits, are citizens of Massachusetts, and are entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of citizenship in the Courts of the United States and elsewhere.

Resolved, that no part of the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of Scott versus Sanford, is binding, which was not necessary to the determination of that case.

. . .

Resolved, that slavery can exist nowhere, except by positive law; while freedom is the natural condition of man.

 Etc.

Massachusetts, House of Representatives. The Dred Scott Decision. Resolutions of the Legislature of the Sate of Massachusetts, in Relation to the Decision of the Supreme Court in the Case of Scott Versus Sanford. April 21, 1858. 35th Congress 1st Session. Mis. Doc. No. 123. 2pp.

A good + copy, bound in wraps, has been removed from a larger sammelband, and is generally bright.