Castor, a man of color, claims that Claire L'Eveque, a free woman of color, is holding him as a slave without her having any title to him. Castor presents that the will and testament of his late master, Francis Morin L'Eveque, an "inhabitant of the island of St. Domingo," included a freedom clause in his favor; but, after Francis’s death, the executor of his will, one Joseph Hollandais, failed to fulfill the clause before his own death. After the death of both men, Castor "dwelt under the authority" of Francis’s sister, Claire L'Eveque. Claire took Castor from Saint Domingue to Cuba, and then to New Orleans. L'Eveque has not only often treated Castor severely but she has been enjoying the fruits of his work without any rights to it. Castor believes L’Eveque is ready to leave the state because she cannot prove these rights. He therefore prays that Claire be cited to appear and answer the charges. He seeks to secure his freedom according to his master's wishes and asks to be compensated in the sum of $1,500 for work done while under Claire’s rule. Although Francis Morin L’Eveque is identified as Claire L'Eveque's brother, the language of the petition suggests that he was a white man [Original in English and French].
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
