The Slavers case was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1864. The case involved two ships, the Reindeer and the Encomium, which were both owned by American citizens but had been seized for transporting slaves from Africa to Cuba. The court held that these vessels could not be considered as engaged in piracy or any other illegal activity under international law because they were being used for a legitimate trade purpose. Furthermore, it ruled that even if slavery was prohibited by U.S. laws at home and abroad, this did not mean that all slave trading activities should be treated as criminal offenses under international law since some countries still allowed such practices at the time of seizure of these ships. This ruling established an important precedent regarding how international law applies to private property rights on high seas and set forth principles governing maritime commerce between nations during times of war or peace alike.

In Reindeer, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether slaves were property that could be taken in execution of a judgment. The majority opinion held that slaves were indeed property and could be taken in execution of a judgment. However, Justice Field dissented from this decision on the grounds that slavery is an institution which has been abolished by Congress and therefore cannot exist as a legal form of property. He argued further that since slavery had been abolished it would not make sense for courts to recognize it as valid or enforceable under any circumstances. Furthermore, he noted that allowing such seizures would violate the Thirteenth Amendment's prohibition against involuntary servitude and thus should not be allowed even if they are technically permissible under state law. Finally, he concluded by stating his belief that recognizing slave-ownership as valid or enforceable would undermine public policy goals related to emancipation and civil rights for African Americans.