Description:

Slavery
New Orleans, Missouri Territory, March 12, 1814
Slave Owner Compensated by City of N.O. For Use of "Pierre" as Chain Slave During the War of 1812
PPDS
A 1p document in French from War of 1812-era New Orleans, Missouri Territory, entitled a "Mandat de Payement," or "money order," directing the treasurer of the city to reimburse a slave owner named Alexandre Darprement for the use of an enslaved man named Pierre. The partly printed and partly manuscript document is signed by the Mayor of New Orleans, Nicholas Girod (1751-1840), as "N. Girod, Maire" at center; and co-signed by the slave owner as "A Depremont" below. March 12, 1814. New Orleans, Missouri Territory. Expected were including even toning and isolated foxing. A minor wrinkle in the upper right corner, and pencil-inscribed by a former collector in the upper left corner. Else near fine. 9.5" x 7.75."

The money order commanded the city treasurer to pay to "Mr. Alex.dre Darprement the sum of Six Piastres 75 cts. for Twenty Seven Days [that] his Negro Pierre [was] Employed at works since the 28 January last up Until the 28 February; deduction made for Sundays." The document gloss located at upper left indicates that Pierre was one of a group of "Chain Negroes paid by the city at the rate of 25 cts a day." The term "Nègres de Chaîne" meant Black laborers from a work gang or chain gang, who were often literally tied up together with irons. The "chain negroes" likely worked on public projects, like the construction, repair, and maintenance of roads, canals, levees, bridges, or military fortifications.

The "Mandat de Payement" carefully notes the exception of Sundays in calculating Pierre's salary. Enslaved persons were granted Sundays and holidays in accordance with the 1724 "Le Code Noir," or "Black Code," which outlined civil and legal regulations concerning slave-holding in the North American French colonies.

It is entirely possible that Alexandre Darprement's bondman Pierre may have later been conscripted to supplement General Andrew Jackson's troops just ten months later, at the January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans. It's estimated that General Jackson conscripted around 500 enslaved persons from New Orleans and the surrounding area to bolster the ranks of his 4,500-men fighting force comprised of whites, free Blacks, and Choctaw warriors. Enslaved Blacks fighting under Jackson were promised manumission that never materialized, even after the Americans defeated the British.

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: 9.5" x 7.75"
  • Medium: PPDS

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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