Celia,_a_Slave

In 1855, Celia, a slave, murdered her owner Robert Newsom because of sexual advances toward her. McLaurin’s Celia, A Slave accounts the five years of her recorded life until her hanging on 21 December 1855. To understand her trial, its verdict, and the final disposition of her case, we must also understand the debates about slavery and free labor in both Missouri and the United States during this time. Controversy in Missouri begins as early as 1819 when it petitioned for statehood. Debates on whether the territory should have slaves or abandoned slavery completely became a very emotional subject. A compromise was made in 1820 making Missouri a slave state and admitting Maine as a free state. This compromise was appropriately named The Missouri Compromise of 1820. Arguments began again around the year 1850 with the admittance of the new territories gained from the Mexican War. The North and the South were divided on the issue of slavery in the newly acquired land. Missouri had an about an equal number of citizens on both sides of the issue. The existence of Celia begins in this controversial year of 1850 when her owner Robert Newsom purchases her in Audrain County, about a day’s ride from her new home. Her role as a slave was established on their ride home when Newsom rapes Celia. This continues over the next five years. He would give her food and a roof over her head. And she would become his affectionate partner. Newsom is even thought to be the father of her first two kids. In 1854, Celia begins a forbidden relationship with George, a slave. Sometime early in 1855 Celia becomes pregnant with her third child and is uncertain to whether it belongs to Newsom or George. George believed the child was his and started pressuring Celia to end her relationship with her owner. Not wanting to go to Newsom directly, Celia appealed to his daughters. She threatened to hurt Newsom if his sexual advances did not stop. Her owner did not stop so Celia confronted Newsom himself in June of that year. He just ignored her request and told her he would be over that night. He did as he promised and showed up later that night. He was not seen again. His disappearance was noticed in the morning and a search party was sent looking for him. At first, Celia denied any involvement in the disappearance of her master, but questioning wore her down and she eventually confessed to the murder. They then found probable cause to arrest her. Violence of slaves during this time was on the minds of every farmer and slave owner. The Kansas-Nebraska Act during this time called for a popular sovereignty. The worry of northerners settling in Missouri and slave rebellions was definitely present during this time. 09 October was the first day of Celia’s trial. She pleaded not guilty and used the defense that she was allowed, by law, to use deadly force due the fact that she was being sexually assaulted. The jury did not see it like this, as slaves were considered property and therefore is not sexual assault. They also relied on the fact that she did confess to killing Newsom. Celia was found guilty of murder. Celia was sentenced to hanging on 16 November. This allowed time for her baby to be born. To get an appeal to the court, Celia was helped to escape jail and then was returned to postpone the hanging. Her new date of execution was 21 December. On that note, she was not given the chance to appeal. There was no cause to. It seemed that this court statement to make with slaves, as they also were the deciders of the Dred Scott Decision. It seems that they were unwilling to change their views on slaves. Even giving slaves some freedom by extending their laws was not in sight. The Pre-Civil War was being seen and soon the United States would truly be divided. She was hanged on 21 December and she told her story as her final statement. I think Celia’s story is one that represents the happening of the United States very well. And by understanding the debates about slavery and free labor in both Missouri and the United States, we come to understand her trial, its verdict, and the final disposition of her case.