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title: Free persons of color and slave documents, 1808-1844.
Subject: Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. Slaves, Louisiana, New Orleans, Fugitive slaves, Louisiana, New Orleans, Slavery, Louisiana, New Orleans, Slave trade, Louisiana, New Orleans, Mather, James, 1750?-1821, Macarty, Augustin Francois de, 1774-1844, African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans, History, 19th century, Mayors, Louisiana, New Orleans, Municipal government, Louisiana, New Orleans, Marie Justine, born 1779?, Letters, Affidavits, Receipts (Acknowledgments)(Acknowledgments), Certificates, Haitian Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans, Cap-Haïtien (Haiti)
Date created ms: 1808, 1844
Abstract: Certificates, municipal records, sworn statements, a letter, and financial documents relating to free persons of color and enslaved persons in the New Orleans area. Three documents verify the status of free people of color: an affidavit by Michel Amfoux certifying that Marie Justine "Sangosse" was born free; a certificate by P. A. Delachaise, justice of the peace; and a statement by Francis Wadrick, a man of color, both attest that James Brown, a prisoner in New York, was a free man of color and never an enslaved person. A few documents concern the ownership or transfer of enslaved persons by the City of New Orleans and bear the signatures of city officials, including mayors James Mather and Augustin Macarty, and city jailor B. Puche. A document signed by James Mather and a receipt given by P. Puche to Mr. McDonald concern runaway slaves. The documents are in French, English, and Spanish.

title: Petition of François Ramirez to the City Council of New Orleans; testimony of Mayor James Mather; decision rendered by the City Council.
Subject: Documents, Maintenance&repair, Money
Date created ms: 1807-12-12, 1807-12-12
Abstract: François [or, Francisco] Ramirez, contractor in charge of the streetlamps of the city, stated that he would have to cancel the agreement, not through any fault of his own, but on account of the nightly vandalism of certain individuals who had broken lamps and cut cords. Ramirez asked that he be indemnified for his losses in replacing the lamps. The Mayor testified that the night before, ten lamps had been broken and cords cut by unknown persons. The Council resolved to repair the damage at its own expense.

title: Plats and surveyor's certificate for land claimed by Jean Dugats on Bayou Lafourche
Subject: Documents, Certificates, Surveying, Land
Date created ms: 1807-12-18, 1807-12-18
Abstract: Pursuant to an order from the Surveyor of Lands of the United States, Henry surveyed a tract of land on Bayou Lafourche claimed by Jean [or, John] Dugats. The lot measured to have 183.91 acres.

title: Civil suit record no. 156B, John Mink v. Jacob Faucundas, 1807
Subject: Fauncundas, Jacob, Trials, litigation, etc, Kennedy, Thomas S, Promissory notes, Louisiana, Trials, Louisiana
Date created ms: 1807-03-18
Abstract: Dispute between John Mink and Jacob Faucundas over a sum not named in the documents. File contains affidavit, answer and correspondence. Affidavit of Mink sworn before Judge James Workman. Answer written by Dewees. correspondence from R.R. Keene to Thomas S. Kennedy, dated 18, March 1807, asked for a release of Fraucundas's note and copies of court proceedings to Mink.

title: Official letter from Mayor James Mather to the members of the City Council of New Orleans.
Subject: Correspondence, Documents, Fire stations, Food
Date created ms: 1807-3-11, 1807-3-11
Abstract: The City Council had already informed the Mayor of two resolutions adopted at the meeting on the 18th concerning the opening of streets and the tax on meat. The letter served to acquaint him with other matters decided at the same meeting. The Council had agreed to forward to the Mayor copies of resolutions that did not require his signature. The Council had resolved to give a reward of fifty piastres to the first firemen who arrived with their pumps at a fire. The Council had received the Mayor's letter concerning the sidewalks constructed by M. Lafon in front of government property on the corner of du Maine and Condé Streets. It requested the Mayor to order the City Treasurer to pay Lafon 71.21 piastres, The resolution of January 26 contained an error, because it imposed a tax on all rum and tafia coming into the port, whereas it had been the intent of the Council to exempt spirits manufactured in the United States. Therefore, the Council declared that after April 1 the City would impose a tariff of 1.80 piastres on each barrel of imported rum or tafia, but the United States product would enter free. There had been complaints that, in contradiction to the law, many houses were being constructed of wood with the builders' using brick solely for the facade. It was the duty of the Commissioner of Police to enforce the building regulations. The Council requested the Mayor to reprimand the officer severely for failure to carry out his duties. The Council also requested the Mayor to order repairs on City Hall, to order watchmen to assist in the capture of runaway slaves, to consult with the City Engineer regarding the best way to dig wells in the city, and to consult General W.

title: Official letter from Mayor John Watkins to the members of the City Council of New Orleans.
Subject: Correspondence, Documents
Date created ms: 1807-1-5, 1807-1-5
Abstract: Watkins enclosed a letter that he had received from General James Wilkinson. [The Wilkinson letter is not in the collection.] The Mayor volunteered to meet with the Council at their convenience to discuss the contents of the letter and to decide what course of action to follow.

title: Passport issued by James Sullivan, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to John Colbert, a black man
Subject: Documents, Travel
Date created ms: 1807-07-13, 1807-07-13
Abstract: John Colbert, a black man, and his wife and three children, citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, were to be allowed to travel freely to New Orleans. Verso, Governor Claiborne wrote and signed the following note: "The within Passport has been exhibi[ted] to the undersigned, and is entitled to full credit."

title: Mandats de Paiement issued by the Mayor of New Orleans in favor of various individuals.
Subject: Documents, Money
Date created ms: 1807-11-12, 1807-11-12
Abstract: The Mayor of New Orleans issued these pay bills or cash vouchers to authorize the City Treasurer to remunerate individuals for services rendered to the City. The mandats were printed forms with pertinent data filled in. Each was signed by the Mayor and usually by the person to whom it was issued, or a designated representative. The bills are interfiled in chronological order with the New Orleans Municipal Papers. The following is an inventory of the documents: $30 to Valfroy Trudeau, a free mulatto, for services rendered in the "Grandjean affair." /s/ Jas. Mather.

title: Residency permit issued by Mayor James Mather, New Orleans, to John Colbert, a free black man
Subject: Documents, Travel
Date created ms: 1807-11-24, 1807-11-24
Abstract: Mayor Mather certified that he had examined the papers presented him by John Colbert and had found them to be in order. Colbert and his wife Teenah and their three children were therefore to be permitted to travel freely and reside within the city limits and to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

title: Civil suit record no. 556, Anne Ruotte v. I.G. Tomatis, 1807
Subject: Arneaux, Felix, Ruotte, Anne, Trials, litigation, etc, Tomatis, I.G, Trials, litigation, etc, Trials, Louisiana
Date created ms: 1807-04-24
Abstract: Summons and attachment for I.G. Tomatis in the case of Anne Ruotte v. I.G. Tomatis were written by Thomas S. Kennedy. Noted on verso of attachment that it was served to Felix Arneaux and returned May 26, 1807. Debt of $800 written on documents.

title: Land grant, 1794
Subject: Archinard, Cesario
Date created ms: 1807
Abstract: The land grant, signed by Luis Héctor Barón de Carondelet, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, 1792-1797, awards land in Rapides Parish to Cesario Archinard, a resident of New Orleans. The land was surveyed by Carlos Trudeau, surveyor general of Spanish Louisiana. The field of 950 sq. arpanes was drawn up March 29, 1794. This land was bordering field property of Mr. Dupare from one side, field of Mr. Richard Edmond Cuny from the other side, and the Rapides River according to the surveyor, Carlos Trudeau. Louisiana, 1794. Rapides Parish, No. 587. Land grant bears additional signatures.

title: Map of Louisiana, 6th judicial district, 1808. (and surveyor's notes)
Subject: Real property, Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish, Maps, West Florida, Maps, Spain, Colonies, Administration, History, 19th century, Real property, Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish, Maps
Date created ms: 1808
Abstract: Certified copy of property survey map originally created by Pintado in 1808. Original map in Spanish; notes on certified copy in English. 'Seal of office in the City of New Orleans this 25th day of January 1843 year of our Lord and the Sixty-seventh of the Independence of the U.S of America. (Signed) Bringier, Surveyor Genl.' 'A true copy of the document on file in my office. December 26th, 1846.' Pintado explains (in Spanish) the difficulties he encountered on this project. Far right upper (southeast) area of map shows unattached territory (Crown lands). Remainder of area (north, east, and west) in private hands, owned by Dominique Bouligny, Ursino Bouligny, Gilberto Andry, and Jean Baptiste Labatut.

title: Resolution of the City Council of New Orleans.
Subject: Documents, Money, Police, Real estate business
Date created ms: 1807-6-16, 1807-6-16
Abstract: The City Council had received the Mayor's letter of June 3 in which he stated that the Governor would make the following monthly remittances to the City: thirty piastres for Frederick Stringer for rental of a building occupied by the militia patrol; thirty piastres for Bradford and Anderson for rental of an office; and ninety piastres for Samuel B. Davis for rental of the old customhouse. The Mayor had also told the Council that M. Sauseneau, who was building the sidewalks in the city, had requested an advance of 753.93 piastres. He had asked the Council to approve payment. The Council therefore resolved to advance the money to Sauseneau on condition that the work be regularly inspected for defects by commissioners appointed by the Council and by the City Engineer.

title: Official letter from Mayor John Watkins to the members of the City Council of New Orleans.
Subject: Correspondence, Documents, Maintenance&repair, Proposed works
Date created ms: 1807-3-3, 1807-3-3
Abstract: Mayor John Watkins enclosed a list of names of Aldermen elected to the City Council on February 23. He stated that work on the levee in front of Faubourg Marigny was completed at about the estimated cost. Repair work on the levee in front of the meat market was to have been put up for public bids. No action had been taken, but the work could wait until high waters receded. The next section concerned problems encountered in construction of the bayou road. Watkins had taken steps to force Messrs. Michael Smith and S.B. Davis to pay the sum they still owed the City. He had received a letter from Daniel Clark, delegate to Congress from the Territory of Orleans, who informed him that the City's suit claiming title to certain lands was being heard by the Secretary of the Treasury, who would soon render a decision on the matter. The scarcity of ballast this year had hurt local businesses. For this reason the Mayor would allow merchants to borrow ballast from the City on the condition that they return the stones or pay for them. Repairs on the levee facing Faubourg Saint Mary would be very expensive on account of the Council's tax on meats. The Council's decree, which exempted firemen from militia duty, was not approved by the Governor, but it would be incorporated into the militia bill before the Legislature. The previous day a piece of burning charcoal from a fireplace had ignited the floorboards of the chambers of the Superior Court. Luckily the fire was discovered and extinguished before it had done much damage. Watkins suggested that in the future the City should place metal fire screens in front of all the open fireplaces in City Hall.

title: Article of Agreement between Catherine Turnbull and Joseph Dunbar, 1807 February 10
Subject: Labor contract, Louisiana, West Feliciana Parish, Plantation overseers, Louisiana, West Feliciana Parish, Plantations, Louisiana, West Feliciana Parish
Date created ms: 1807-02-10

title: Carlos Edward and Juan Pedro baptismal certificates, 1808.
Subject: Baptismal certificates, Louisiana, New Orleans, Free African Americans, Louisiana, New Orleans. African American Catholics, Louisiana, New Orleans, Cuban Americans, Louisiana
Date created ms: 1808
Abstract: Certificates of baptism for Carlos Edward and Juan Pedro, natural children of Mardi Magdalena Dupuis, a free woman of color of Sainte Dominge, Barracoa, Cuba. In Spanish.

title: Petition addressed to the Mayor for permission to build a theatre
Subject: Documents, Theaters, Petitions
Date created ms: 1807-12, 1807-12
Abstract: Petition addressed to the Mayor requesting permission to build a safe, commodious and elegant theatre on St. Phillip Street. There are sixteen signatures, including Douvillier, B. Marigny, Tessier, Michel, Mercier, J. Henry, Francisqui, Lüdeling, Armand Duplantier.

title: Petition addressed to the Mayor for permission to build a theatre
Subject: Documents, Theaters, Petitions
Date created ms: 1807-12, 1807-12
Abstract: Petition addressed to the Mayor requesting permission to build a safe, commodious and elegant theatre on St. Phillip Street. There are sixteen signatures, including Douvillier, B. Marigny, Tessier, Michel, Mercier, J. Henry, Francisqui, Lüdeling, Armand Duplantier.

title: Amendments to ordinance regarding strangers issued by the City Council of New Orleans.
Subject: Boats, Documents, Travel
Date created ms: 1807-12-12, 1807-12-12
Abstract: The Council amended the Resolution regarding strangers of 1807 January in the following manner: Article 2. Captains of vessels arriving on the Mississippi were to deliver passenger lists to the Mayor's office; Article 3. Captains of vessels using the Bayou were to deliver passenger lists to the commander of Fort Saint John; Article 4. Newly arrived persons, except for previous residents, were to appear at the Mayor's office within twenty-four hours that their color might be ascertained; Article 5. Persons required to appear at the Mayor's office were to pay a registry fee of 12 1/2 cents and obtain a receipt.

title: "An ordinance continuing to force the Levee duty laid upon vessels...as also upon Rum and Tafia..."
Subject: Boats, Documents, Taxes
Date created ms: 1807-3-24, 1807-3-24
Abstract: The City Council of New Orleans resolved that since vessels entering the port of New Orleans caused damage to the levees and that since the anchorage duty was insufficient to pay for necessary repairs, the City would henceforth collect an additional levee tax from vessels and from consignees of imported rum and tafia. The Ordinance set the tariff on different types of vessels and established a mode of collection by a levee warden.

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