 After "R v. Knowles, ex parte Somersett" (1772) 20 State Tr 1 the law remained unsettled, although the decision was a significant advance for, at the least, preventing the forceable removal of anyone from England, whether or not a slave, against his will.A man called James Somersett was the slave of a Boston customs officer.They came to England, and Somersett escaped.