Description:

Slavery
[New Orleans, LA], October 7, 1819
French Louisiana Slave Owner Compensated by City of New Orleans For Use of "François or Frank"
PPDS
A 1p document in French from New Orleans, Louisiana, entitled a "Mandat de Payement," or "money order," directing the treasurer of the city to reimburse a slave owner named Guillaume Plantey for the use of an enslaved man named "François or Frank." The partly printed and partly manuscript document with "Town Hall of New Orleans" letterhead is signed by Augustin de Macarty, Mayor of New Orleans, as "Aug. Macarty maire" at lower right; and co-signed by the slave owner as "G.J. Plantey" below. Also signed by an unidentified official as "Alvarez." October 7, 1819. New Orleans, Louisiana. Expected wear including scattered foxing. Isolated areas of ink erosion and haloing affecting the bottom two signatures. Minor water stains at lower right. Else near fine. 9.875" x 7.875."

The money order commanded the city treasurer to pay to "Mr. G[uillau]me Plantey the sum of Twenty piastres for 40 days [that] his Negro F[ranç]ois or Frank [was] Employed at city works from 18 August up until 5 Oct inclusive at the rate of 50/100 for day of work."

Enslaved persons like François provided manual labor for "city works" or public projects, like the construction, repair, and maintenance of roads, canals, levees, bridges, and military fortifications. François might also have been involved in the construction of New Orleans's waterworks, built from 1811-1820. The effort to build a modern waterworks was part of the city's initiative to prevent the outbreak of yellow fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. Benjamin Latrobe, who had served as an architect of the U.S. Capitol, designed the New Orleans waterworks. The centerpiece of Latrobe's waterworks was a steam-powered pumping station which redirected Mississippi River water into upright reservoirs. The water would then be control-released into wooden pipes connecting downtown New Orleans.

Augustin de Macarty (also McCarthy)(1774-1844) served as the Mayor of New Orleans from 1815-1820. In response to recent epidemics during his tenure, de Macarty oversaw numerous health initiatives. The mayor established a Board of Health in 1817, implemented a port quarantine, and set up basic sanitation practices.

Guillaume Plantey (1749-1826) was the owner of François. Born in Saint Domingue, Haiti, Plantey and his family had probably relocated to French-speaking New Orleans following the Haitian Revolution. Plantey owned property in downtown New Orleans on Bourbon Street. The records of the city's Notary Public show that in 1824, just two years before his death, Plantey sold two slaves to his wife and daughter.

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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  • Dimensions: 9.875" x 7.875"
  • Medium: PPDS

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October 30, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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