Pierre Roussillon, a free man of color, represents that André Esclavon, a free man of color acting on behalf of himself and his sisters and brother, sold him a tract of land of “two arpens front” by “a depth of eighty arpens,” for the sum of $640. Roussillon paid $40 cash and issued three promissory notes to cover the balance. The terms of sale stipulated that the notes would not be payable until all parties had consented to the sale. Roussillon contends that Esclavon’s sisters and brother have refused to ratify the sale. Therefore, he can only purchase that undivided portion of the land owned by Esclavon himself. Roussillon argues that, since the “situation and quality” of the land does not permit a partition, he is entitled to recover his notes and have them cancelled. He prays that the court will cite the Esclavons to appear and answer his petition. He seeks the sale of the land, the return of his notes, and $150 in damages from André Esclavon for misrepresenting himself as his siblings’ agent.
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: St. Landry Parish Courthouse, Opelousas, Louisiana
