Stewart took an opportunity of seizing him, and had him conveyed on board the Ann and Mary, captain Knowles, to be carried out of the kingdom and sold as a slave in Jamaica.

The question was-"Whether a slave, by coming into England, became free ?" In order that time might be given for ascertaining the law fully on this head, the case was argued at three different sittings.

First, in January, 1772; secondly, in February, 1772; and thirdly, in May, 1772.

And that no decision otherwise than what the law warranted might be given, the opinion of the Judges was taken upon the pleadings.

The great and glorious result of the trial was, That as soon as ever any slave set his foot upon English territory, he became free.
Thus ended the great case of Somerset, which, having been determined after so deliberate an investigation of the law, can never be reversed while the British Constitution remains.