 Shortly afterwards provisions in the Slave Trade Act 1788 made it unlawful to insure against similar losses of slaves.In 1811, Arthur Hodge became the first (and only) British subject ever to stand trial for the murder of a slave.As part of his defence, Hodge argued that "A Negro being property, it was no greater offense for his master to kill him than it would be to kill his dog," but the court did not accept the submission, and point was dismissed summarily.