Unequal Laws Unto a Savage Race: European Legal Traditions in Arkansas, 1686-1836

by Morris S. Arnold

"Morris Arnold's description of the French and Spanish periods is just marvelous. It will be a classic for some time to come (or perhaps even forever)." -Hans W. Baade

243 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1985

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first three parts of this book is largely a history of Arkansas Post told through the lens of the law. The last two parts are more of a history of the legal profession in the regions that would become Arkansas from after their acquisition as part of the Louisiana Purchase, up to Statehood. The whole shows the transition from authoritarian civil law decided by individual military leaders under the French and Spanish regimes, to the more codified system of common law with a system of lawyers and judges under the American one.

The writing is well done with a style that makes a sometimes very niche subject matter bearable to a layman. I don't think this volume is necessary for a general study of Arkansas history, but I don't regret having read it.