Zulma Roy, a free woman of color, presents to the police jury that, in 1827, she purchased a thirty-year-old female slave named Laure, who had given her a portion of the asked-for price out of her savings. Laure has since fully reimbursed Zulma for the $800 paid to her previous owner, one Baptiste Doublet. However, having learned that the laws of Louisiana would require her to leave the state after emancipation, Laure has asked Zulma to delay the formalities on account of all the friends she would leave behind. For her part, Zulma, afraid that death may catch her by surprise, has now written a note, in the presence of witnesses, acknowledging receipt of the $800 and indicating her intent to emancipate Laure. Taking into consideration that the law requiring freed slaves to leave the state has now been relaxed, Zulma Roy humbly prays the police jury to be kind enough ["d'avoir la bonté"] to authorize her to fulfill the emancipation formalities [Original in French and English].
Result: Granted.
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Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
