The Supreme Court case of Richmond v. Blake was a case that was heard in 1820. The case involved a dispute between two parties, Richmond and Blake, over a contract for the sale of a slave. Richmond had agreed to sell Blake a slave for $500, but Blake refused to pay the full amount. Richmond then sued Blake for the remaining balance of $400. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Richmond, finding that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court held that the contract was binding and that Blake was obligated to pay the full amount of $500. The Court also held that the contract was not voidable due to any lack of consideration, as the slave was of value to both parties. The Court's decision in Richmond v. Blake established the principle that contracts for the sale of slaves were valid and enforceable. This decision was important in establishing the legal rights of slaves and their owners, and it helped to ensure that contracts for the sale of slaves were treated with the same respect as any other contract.

In the Supreme Court case of Richmond v. Blake, Justice Black delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that the majority's decision was an unconstitutional violation of due process and equal protection under the law. He noted that while it is true that states have broad authority to regulate their own affairs, this power must be exercised within constitutional limits. In this case, he argued, Virginia had gone too far by enacting legislation requiring all African Americans to register with local authorities before they could vote or hold office in any election held within its borders. This requirement violated both due process and equal protection because it placed an additional burden on black citizens without providing them with any meaningful benefit or opportunity for redress if they were denied registration rights. Furthermore, Justice Black pointed out that such laws are inherently discriminatory since they target only one race for special treatment and thus violate fundamental principles of equality enshrined in our Constitution.