Louisiana Slaveowner Sells a Slave for Horse, Carriage, and Cash

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Source: University Archives https://www.universityarchives.com/auction-lot/louisiana-slaveowner-sells-a-slave-for-horse-carr_9844B18928 Louisiana Slaveowner Sells a Slave for Horse, Carriage, and Cash With this bill of sale, Nathaniel Amacker sold a slave to Dr. William D. Pearson for $750, paid with a horse and carriage worth $300, $200 in cash, and a promissory note for the balance of $250. Amacker warranted that the slave George was free of both disease and " the Vices known in the Laws of the State of Louisiana ." Much of the Louisiana Civil Code came from the 1804 French Code Napoleon, in contrast to the English common law origins of laws in most American states. It divided the defects of slaves into "vices of body" and "vices of character." Articles in the Civil Code declared, "The absolute vices of slaves are leprosy, madness, and epilepsy.... The vices of character which give rise to the redhibition [invalidation of sale] of slaves, are confined to the cases in which it is proved: That the slave has committed a capital crime; Or, that he is addicted to theft; Or, that he is in the habit of running away, when he shall have absented himself from his master’s house twice for several days, or once for more than a month." [SLAVERY.] Nathaniel Amacker, Autograph Document Signed, Bill of Sale, July 26, 1852, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. 1 p., 7.75" x 10". Expected folds; very good. Complete Transcript State of Louisiana / Parish of St. Helena Be it Known & Remembered that on this the Twenty Sixth Day of July A D 1852, That for & in Consideration of Seven hundred & fifty Dollars Paid in the following manner to wit Horse & Carriage at Three hundred Dollars Cash Two hundred Dollars & the ballance payable January 1853, I hereby Sell Transfer Convey & Deliver unto W D Pearson all my right Title Interest & Clame in & to a Certain Negrow man named George about Twenty nine years of age of dark Complexion a Slave for life & warranted free of disease & the Vices known in the Laws of the State of Louisiana; & The Title Warranted against My Self My Heirs, Assignes Administrators & all other persons. To have & to hold unto the said W D Pearson his Heirs & assignes forever The Possession of the same is hereby Acknowledged.      This done & assigned in the presence of John A. Hayse & Jessee Carnes Subscribing witnesses to the same on tis the day & date above written                                                                          N Amacker                                   &nbsp

Collection: University Archives — Bill of Sale Search

Time Period: Pre-1865 (Slavery Era)

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