Slave Trade Felony Act 1811 facts for kids
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| Long title | An Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. |
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| Citation | 51 Geo. 3. c. 23 |
| Introduced by | Henry Brougham |
| Territorial extent | British Empire |
Quick facts for kids Dates |
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| Royal assent | May 1811 |
The Slave Trade Felony Act 1811 was an important British law. It made taking part in the slave trade a very serious crime. Before this, another law from 1807 had only given out fines. But these fines were not enough to stop people from making money from this terrible business.
This new law was pushed forward by a person named Henry Brougham. He believed strongly that the slave trade needed to be stopped completely.
Stopping the Slave Trade: The 1811 Law
The Slave Trade Felony Act of 1811 was a big step in ending the slave trade. It meant that anyone caught participating in the trade could face severe punishment. This was much stricter than the earlier law, which only charged fines. The new law aimed to truly stop the practice by making it a major offense.
The First Big Case
The very first time this new law was used was in the case of Samuel Samo. His trial took place in a special court called the Vice-Admiralty Court. This court was in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The judge for this case was Chief Justice Robert Thorpe. The trial lasted for a few days, from April 8 to April 11, 1812. This case showed that the new law was serious and would be enforced.
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