Solomon Northup Couldn’t Testify

In 1841, free Black New York man Solomon Northup was kidnapped during a trip to Washington, DC, and sold into slavery in Louisiana. After he proved his freedom 12 years later, authorities prosecuted one of his kidnappers. The case collapsed because DC law did not allow Northup, a Black man, to testify against a white man, and the kidnapper was acquitted.

Previous Fact Next Fact