Alice Clifton's Trial

“The Trial of Alice Clifton” Is a Primary source that records the testimonies given by witnesses regarding the accusation against Alice Clifton, a seventeen year old enslaved girl, for the murder of her newborn child.  The aftermath of the trail, held on April 18th, 1787, concluded Alice Clifton to be guilty, sentancing her to death.  A month after Alice Clifton was put to death, the constitutional convention of 1787 was held. From which the U.S. constitution was formed. The constitution included several articles pertaining to slavery, such as Article 1 section 2 clause 3, the three fifths compromise, in which enslaved people were considered to be three fifths of a person for the purpose of determining the number of seats held by a state in the House of Representatives. Similarly, although Alice Clifton is tried as a human would be, her humanity is also denied at the same time, as she was not allowed to represent herself during her trial.