Description:

Controversial New Orleans Philanthropist Renounces Claim to Slave

[SLAVERY.] Manuscript Document [Signed], Certificate of Quit-claim by John McDonogh to Slave, July 4, 1837, New Orleans, Louisiana. 1 p., 8.5" x 13". Expected folds; tape repairs on fold discolored folds and edges; signature scraped off; includes the seal of a notary public; good.

In this quit-claim certificate, millionaire John McDonogh renounces any claim to the slave Rose, whom Pierre Philippe de la Ronde apparently wished to sell. McDonogh was known as a miser during his lifetime, but when he left millions to Baltimore and New Orleans for public education, many lauded him. Beginning in the mid-twentieth century and into the twenty-first century, many have denounced him for making much of his wealth by trading in human beings.

Complete Transcript
To all whom it may concern
State of Louisiana
Parish of Orleans
City of New Orleans
I the undersigned a Notary Public duly commissioned and qualified in and for the aforesaid Parish and State
    Do hereby certify that Mr John McDonogh a resident of the City of New Orleans has appeared before me in my official capacity and declared
    That he has this day renounced to all the rights titles and interest which he has now or may have had in the Slave Rose, a mulatress aged twenty five years, now claimed by Pierre Philippe de la Ronde and agreeing and promising not to disturb said de la Ronde in the possession of said slave, agreeing fully that the sale of said slave Rose be made at public auction, promising to ratify same if deemed necessary.
    In testimony whereof I have signed my name and affixed the insignia of my official seal this 4th day of the month of July AD. 1837 and of the Independence of the United States of America the 61st

                                                                        [Amedee Ducatel]

Joseph Amedee Ducatel (1808-1898) was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a French immigrant, but the family soon moved to New Orleans. After receiving an education in Paris, he married Aline Bertus (d. 1861), and they had four children. Ducatel served as a notary public in New Orleans from 1836 to 1890. He also served as the official notary of the Citizens' Bank for many years. During the Civil War, he enlisted with his two sons in the Confederate Army.

John McDonogh (1779-1850) was born in Baltimore, and his father indentured him to Baltimore merchant William Taylor for five years. In 1800, when his indenture was complete, McDonogh went to New Orleans to work as a merchant on Taylor's behalf. After establishing himself as a merchant, McDonogh began acquiring property, including many enslaved African Americans. He retired from mercantile life in 1807 and began purchasing real estate, especially from the Spanish government in West Florida. At his death, he willed $2 million to Baltimore and New Orleans for the construction of public schools. His will also freed some of his slaves and included arrangements to settle them in Africa. His heirs contested the will, taking cases all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. After the heirs lost their challenges to the will in 1858, New Orleans built thirty schools with the funds from McDonogh's estate.

Ducatel may have erred on the name of the slaveowner and meant instead:
Pierre Denis De La Ronde (1801-1840) was born in New Orleans, the only son of Major General Pierre Denis de la Ronde II (1762-1824), the commander of the Louisiana militia at the Battle of New Orleans and one of Louisiana's wealthiest plantation owners. The younger Pierre married Malvina Roche (b. 1811) in 1828

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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