Summary

In April 1781, 13-year old Carlota (listed as negra, negrita, and native de Senegal), is being tried in the presence of a court-appointed guardian for having attempted to set fire to her enslaver’s house. Her enslaver, Francisco Brantan, is a 50-year-old negro libre. Testimony given by several other free and enslaved negros, and white criollos, contradicts Carlota’s version of events. Carlota is jailed for more than two months before the judge deems her guilty; another month passes before he orders Carlota to undergo 50 lashes in the public square. In its current stage, this document is truncated; a more complete version is currently in progress. Additionally, it is part of a series of documents related to the fire, or potentially multiple fires, which were set at the homes of enslavers in April of 1781. This case, and Carlota’s testimony, provides insight into the complex legal landscape of colonial Louisiana. It also raises questions about how testimony given by children, and especially enslaved children, was received by the courts during the colonial period.

Transcription
Translation
Notes

Transcription (Spanish, diplomatic)

Ano de 1781 Criminales Contra la negra Carlota esclava de Francisco Brantan por haver atentado incendiar las casa de dho hom [hombre]

[folio 1 verso] [digital 3]

[blank]

[f. 2r] [digital 4]

[margin]
Auto

[body]

En la Ciudad de la Nueva Orleans a Cinco de
Abril de mil seti[cientos] ochenta y un años: El Señor Dⁿ Guido Dufosat Alcalde ordinario de segundo voto de esta Ciudad y su jurisdicción pur su magestad: Dijo que ahora que seran las ocho y media de la noche se le acava de dar noticia por Francisco Brantan que estando en el patio de sus
casas adha [de dicha] [h]ora se acercó a el una negrita su esclava nombrada Carlota de edad de trese años: Diciendo le, mi amo mire uno que yo acavo de poner fuego en el patio por inducion de unos negros, que haciendo ocurrido imediam[en]te a el paraje
que esta le señalo en contro de vaja [baja] de un porcion de tejamanil que estava arrimado a la Bodega de dhas casas un
carbon apagado en buelto en un trapo y que este no fue quemado
Cuio carbon y pedaso de lienzo otrapo de dho
Francisco entrego a su [vrd]
en virtud de lo qual mando poner presa dha negrita
con los de mas que se descubran reos y complices embargandoseles sus bienes
y que reconocio

[f. 2v] [digital 5]

el paraje e instrumentos con q.^e se
intentaon [intentaron] incend[er] todo puesto por fee y Dilig.^a se traigan estas p.^a
[dar] las demas q.^e correspondan.
Y por este q.^e su [mrd] proveio
assi lo mandó y Firmó de que
Doy fee__
[signed] Dufossat

Ante mi
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

[margin]

Certificacion

[body]
En cumplimiento de lo mandado por el auto anceded.^te [antecedente]
Yo el essno pasé a las casas de Fran.^co [Francisco] Brantan, Negro libre donde ya se havia transferido su mrd [merced] el Señor D. Guido Dufosat Alcalde Ordin.^o de segundo voto de esta Ciudad; y el dho Franc.^s [Francisco]
Negro señor condujo a el patio de ellas y nos enseño el lugar donde se intento poner el fuego por la dha Carlota negra
su esclava; y vi que era arrimado a una
Bodega donde estavan arrimada
una partida de tejamanil que este
no estava quemado ni nuna parece haver sido ensendido; que igualm.^te reconocio el carbon que su [mrd] tenia en la mano y q.^e se enuncia haverse encontrado embuelto
en su pedazo

[f. 3r] [digital 6]

de trapo el que tampoco fue quemado; y que
no vio mas indicios De fuego que el
Carbon referido, y p.^r que contle pongo la presente a dha ora de las ocho y media de la Noche del dia cinco de Abril
de mil sett.^s ochenta y un años
De que Doy fee__ [enmendado para el dho= Vale=]
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

Incontinente Yo Pedro Pisani Al.[Alcade]
ql de este Tribunal en virtud de lo mandado por el auto ante.^ced.te puse presa en la cars.^l pu.^la de esta Ciudad a una negrita nombrada Carlota esclava de Fran.^co [Francisco]
Brantan y p.^a
q.^e [conste] Lo pongo por Dilig.^a__
[signed] Pizani

Ante me
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

N.^a Orleans Seis de Ab.^l de 1781

Respecto a la menor edad de la negrita Carlota Esclava de Fran.^co Brantan el presente essno pasara al
R.l Carzel de su Ciudad y lo hara
saver nombre un curador aprecevida la

[f. 3v] [digital 7]

nombrarse le de oficio a su Defecto; y dho
puesto por
Dilig.^a Autos [Diligencias Autos]
[signed] Dufossat

Ante mi
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

En dho dia yo el essno pasé a la carsel
pu.^la de esa Ciudad e hize saver a la
negrita Carlota esclava de Fran.^co
Brantan nombrarse curador,
y esta Dijo q.^e nombrava por tal a Fernando
Rodriguez, no firmo por q.^e
dijo no saver
De que Doy fee__
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

N.^a Orleans 6 de Ab.^l de 1781

Vistos: hagasele saver a Fernando
Rodriquez el nomnram.^to [nombramento] de curador
q.^e de él hace la negrita Carlota; y
aceptando y jurando su encargo se traiga para
Dicermele [decirme le] el cargo de tal__
[signed] Dufossat
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

[f. 4r] [digital 8]

[left margin]

[n.n acept.n y juramen.to]

[body]

En dho dia lo hice saver a Fernando
Rodrig.^z en su pers.^a quien Dijo que
aaceptava y acepto el nombram.^to De
curador q.^e se le hace por la negrita
Carlota y juró por Dios y la Cruz de
proseder bien y fielm.^te y lo firmó
De q.^e doy fee__
[signed] Fernando Rodrig.
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

En la Ciudad De la Nueva Orleans
a Seis de Ab.^l de mil Sett.^s ochenta
y un años. El señor D. Guido Dufosat
Alcalde ordinario De segundo voto de
este Ciudad y su jurisdicion por su Mag.^d
haviendo visto la acep.ⁿ y juram.^to
[huhe] por Fernando Rodrigues
De la curaderia De la negrita Carlota
Dijo su mrd [merced] que le dicerma [decirme] y
Dicennio [designó] el cargo de tal, e cuia virtud

[f. 4v] [digital 9]

se proceda a tomarle Su declarac.ⁿ
y por este q.^e su mrd. proveyó asi lo
mandó y firmó de que doy fee__
[signed] Dufossat
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

En dho dia lo hice saver a Fernando Rodrig.^z
e [su pers.^o] Doy fee__
[signed] L. Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

[left margin]

Declarac.

[body]

En la ciudad de la Nueva Orleans el seis de
Avril mil siete cientos ochenta y uno años estando en la Carcel publica su mrd hizo comparecer ante Si La negrita nombrada Carlota De quien en presencia de Fernando Rodriguez su curador, y
por ante mi el presente Es.^no su mrd
recivio el juram.^to conforme a Dro que lo hizo por Dios nuestro S.^or con uno Señal
de Cruz bajo del qual prometio Decir
verdad, y examinada segun el tenor del
auto Cabeza, Dijo lo Siguente___

Preguntada q.^e motivo tenia de pegar el fuego
bajo de una porcion de tejamanil q.^e estava arimada a la bodeja de la casa de Su amo Fran.^co Brantan

[f. 5r] [digital 10]

Dijo q.^e haviendo sido inducido por la
mulata libre nombrada Juaneton q.^e pertenecia a Don Juan La Cour
alias Dubourg, lo pego, pero q.^e arepentida del mal q.^e pudria inferir se de
Dho fuego, llamo a Su amo, y le dijo de
quitar se, haziendo le veer donde estava, q.^e luego vino Su amo, y quito el
Carbon q.^e toda via no havia quemado el trapo en q.^e estava embuelto y
responde ___

Preguntada Si la dha mulata le prometio
alguna cosa, o, recomoensa para inducir la a cometer Dho Deligo, Dijo q.^e le prometio q.^e le haria alguna gratificacion, pero sin expresar qual cosa Le daria, y responde ___

Preguntada si tiene conocimiento q.^e la dha
mulata tenga algun odio contra M. Dubourg dijo q.^e no save, pero
q.^e la dha mulata le dijo q.^e su intencion estava q.^e Dho fuego se comunicase a la casa del Dho Dubourg, y responde ___

Preguntada si conoce las personas q.^e frequenta la dha mulata, dijo q.^e la vio muchas vezes en la casa de M.a Bijon con la mulata libre Mariana y responde ___

Preguntada Si dha Mariana le hablo algunas vezes de esta resolucion dijo q.^e no, y resp.^de ___

[f. 5v] [digital 11]

Preguntada si desde el tiempo de Dho fuego, ha visto Dha Juaneton Dijo q.^e no, respecto a q.^e Devia ir se en una habitacion con su piragua, lo q.^e hizo efectivame.te y responde ___

Preguntada Si se fue luego q.^e se puso Dho fuego dijo q.^e Dha mulata Se fue a las
Dos, y media del dia, y p.e su piragua
partio antes, pero no save la
hora y responde ___

y haviendo la hecho varias preguntas
tocantes al hecho dijo no
saver mas, y q.^e lo q.^e ha
declarado es la verdad bajo de su juram.to hecho, y no firmo por no
saver, lo hizo Su Mrd [Merced] con Dho
curador de q.^e yo el Es.no [Escribano] Doy fe __
[signed] Dufossat
[signed] Fern.^do Rodrig.^z
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

Nuevo Orleans el siete de Avril 1781

Respecto a la Auc.a [Audiencia] de la mulata Janeton librese mandan.^to de pricion [mandamiento de prisión] contra ella y entreguese a Nicolas
Fromantin y constando por Certificacion de Alcalde de la Carcel Imperl [imponerla]
en ella y a su cargo se procedera

[f. 6r] [digital 12]

atomare [á tomare] su declarac.ⁿ [declaración] __ [signed] Dufossat

Nota q.^e se li [struck through]

Proveio lo el S.^or D.ⁿ Guido
Dufossat Alcalde ordinario del Segundo voto en esta Ciudad, y su furisdicion por
S.^M. el siete de Avril mil setecientos ochenta y uno an.^o de q.^e yo el Es.^no
Doy fe__
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

Nota q.^e se libro el mandamiento de prision
q.^e se mando, Doy fee__
[signed] L. Mazange

En el Dho, Dia mes y año su Mrd hizo comparecer ante si la negra libre nombrada Fanchon antes perteneciente a M.^r
Duparc dequien por ante mi el pres.^te Es.^no recivio el juram.^to_
conforme a Dro quien lo hizo a
Dios por uno Señal de Cruz lo cuyo cargo prometio decir verdad, y examinada por los [El] auto de Cabeza y su tenor

Preguntada si conocer la mulata nombrada
Juaneton perteneciente antes a M.^r Duborg dijo q.^e se, q.^e hay mucho tiempo q.^e la conoce y resp.^de___

[f. 6v] [digital 13]

Preguntada si hizo algun comercio con ella
sea vendiendo le alguna cosa, sea
comprando de aquella Dijo q.^e si q.^e
se acuerda de haver le vendido quatro longanizas hay algun [o] tiempo y resp.^do___

Preguntada a q.^e hora del Dia, y en q.^e
mes dijo q.^e por la mañana como a las ocho del dia q.^e fue en el mes de Avril proximo pasado __ pero q.^e no se acuerda bien de la fecha, [y] u Responde__

Preguntada donde fue la dha mulata, despues __ de haver comprado dhas longanizas, dijo q.^e se fue con ella la declarante
a acompañar la encima la Levée,
donde se qutaron, y q.^e no
save lo q.^e hizo desde aquel tiempo, por [q] no haver la visto mas, y q.^e lo q.^e tiene declarado es la verdad bajo de su juram.^to hecho, q.^e es de edad de quarenta, y cinco años, y no firmo por no saver lo hizo
su mrd de q.^e yo el Es.^no
Doy fee__
[signed] Dufossat

Ante mi
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

[f. 7r] [digital 14]

E incontinente su mrd hizo comparecer
ante si el negro nombrado Pompée per- teneciente á M.^[r] Dubourg alias La Cour
vecino de esta Ciudad, de quien ante mi el
pres.^te Es.^no recivio el juram.^to con- forme a Dro q.^e lo hizo a Dios con
uno señal de Cruz lo cuyo cargo
prometió decir verdad, y examinado__
segun el tenor del auto de Caveza
y de la Sumario dixo a las Preguntas
Siguentes__

Preguntado Si conoce la mulata libre
nombrada Juaneton perteneciente
antes a M.^r Dubourg dijo q.^e si por haver
tenido el mismo amo y resp.^do__

Preguntado Si hay mucho tiempo q.^e la vio
Dijo q.^e como dos dias hay q.^e la vio encima
la Levée teniendo
longanizas, y otras cosas q.^e llevava
con sigo, y q.^e fue cerca de la casa
de M.^r Magnon, y resp.^do__

Preguntado a q.^e hora lo encuento, y Si
hablo con ella dijo q.^e q.^do
La vio, venir

[f. 7v] [digital 15]

de atravesar del otro lado del rio a este,
donde venia de comer y q.^e
presume q.^e la encuentro como a las dos
del Dia
y q.^e el Declar.^te Dijo a la susadha [susodicha] q.^e
venia del otro lado
del Rio, q.^e Su amo le havia mandado de [A] su casa de la ciudad
para veer Si su ama tenia necesidad de
el, respecto a q.^e havian algunos puesto_
el fuego en la casa de M.^r Meuillon, a lo q.^e le
respondió Dha mulata q.^e Si, q.^e Se havia puesto el fuego en dha casa, pero q.^e ya estava apagado, y q.^e Se iva, llevando longanizas a su hija
Rosette en la habitacion de M.^r Dapremont, y de alli a
alcanzar su piragua y aunq.^e se le hizieron varias preguntas tocantes al hecho,
Dijo no saver mas, q.^e lo q.^e
tiene declarado es la verdad bajo de su juram.^to hecho
q.^e es de edad de quaranta años
y no firmo por no saver, lo hizo Su
mrd de q.^e yo el Es.^no Doy fe
[signed] Dufossat

Ante mi
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Es.^no P.^lo

[f. 8r] [digital 16]

Qualquiera mtro [ministerio] de Just.^a [Justicia] pondrá presa en
la carz.^l [Carcel] pu.^ca [publica] De esta Ciudad a la mulata
Janton [Juaneton] libre q.^e por auto [en los que se] sigue__
contra la negra Carlota esclava de Fran.^co
Brantan asi lo tengo mandado

N.^a Orelans siete de Abril de mil seit.^s
ochenta y un años__

[signed] Dufossat

Transcription (English, modern)

[folio 1 recto] [digital 2]

[In the] year of 1781 Criminal [case] Against la negra Carlota, esclava of Francisco Brantan, for having [attempted] to set fire to the house of this man

[folio 1 verso] [digital 3]

[blank]

[f. 2r] [digital 4]

[margin]

Signed

[body]

In the City of New Orleans on April 5th of 1781: Don Guido Dufosat, Alcalde ordinario de segundo voto¹ of this City and its jurisdiction by His Majesty: states that now, at around eight-thirty at night, he has just been informed by order of Francisco Brantan that while he was in the courtyard of their home at said hour he was approached by a negrita esclava named Carlota, aged thirteen: telling him, ‘my master, look, first, I just set fire to the courtyard by request of some negros,’ and immediately going to the place she pointed out to him, he found below a portion of wooden planks that were leaning against the cellar of said houses an extinguished charcoal wrapped in a cloth and this was not burned. That charcoal and piece of cloth said Francisco handed over to Your Grace, by virtue of which he ordered the imprisonment of said negrita along with any others discovered guilty and accomplices, with their property to be seized and that recognized.

[f. 2v] [digital 5]

The location and instruments with which they tried to start the fire, all recorded with faith and diligence, are to be brought forward to provide the remaining [evidence] as appropriate. And by this, which Your Grace provided, it was thus ordered and signed, of which I give witness.
[signed] Dufossat

Before me,
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

[margin]

Certification

[body]

In compliance with the order in the preceding decree,
I, the undersigned, proceeded to the houses of Francisco Brantan, negro libre, where His Grace, Don Guido Dufosat, Alcalde Ordinario de segundo voto of the city, had already arrived; and Francisco,
negro, led us to the courtyard of the house and showed us the place where the fire was attempted to be set by the said negra Carlota, his esclava; and I saw that it was next to a storehouse, where there was leaning a pile of wooden planks which were not burned nor did it appear that they were ever ignited; likewise, he examined the charcoal that His Grace held in his hand, and which was said to have been found wrapped in a piece

[f. 3r] [digital 6]

of cloth, which was also not burned; and that
he saw no further signs of fire other than the carbon referenced, and because I told him, I issue the present document at said hour of eight-thirty at night on the fifth day of April in the year 1781,
I testify, [amended para el dho=vale=] [signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

Immediately, I, Pedro Pisani, Alcade of this Tribunal, by virtue of the order issued in the preceding decree, placed under arrest in the public jail of this city a negrita named Carlota, an esclava of Francisco Brantan, and for the record,
I document it as diligence.
[signed] Pizani

Before me
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

New Orleans, Sixth of April, 1781

Regarding the minor age of the negrita Carlota, esclava of Francisco Brantan, the present undersigned will transfer her to the Royal Jail of this City and will inform them to appoint a guardian, advising

[f. 3v] [digital 7]

that one can be officially designated if none is provided; and said appointment is recorded by Proceedings
[signed] Dufossat

Before me
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

On the said day, I, the notary, went to the public jail of the City and informed the
negrita Carlota, esclava of Francisco
Brantan, of the appointment of a guardian, and said that he named as such Fernando Rodriguez. She did not sign because she did not know how.
Of which I give witness__
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

New Orleans, April 6, 1781

Seen: let Fernando Rodriguez be informed
the naming as guardian that has been made of him [by] the negrita Carlota; and upon
accepting and swearing to his duties, let him be brought forward to declare to me the position as such
[signed] Dufossat
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

[f. 4r] [digital 8]

[left margin]

[record of acknowledgement and oath-taking]

[body]

On the said day, I informed Fernando
Rodriguez in person, who said that
he accepted and did accept the appointment as
guardian for the negrita
Carlota and he swore by God and the Cross to
proceed well and faithfully and he signed,
of which I give witness__
[signed] Fernando Rodrig.
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

In the City of New Orleans
on the sixth of April, 1781,
Don Guido Dufossat,
Alcalde ordinario De segundo voto
this city and its jurisdiction, by His Majesty’s
authority, having seen the acceptance and oath
[made] by Fernando Rodrigues
for the guardianship of the negrita Carlota,
stated, Your Grace, that the position be confirmed and assigned to him, by virtue

[f. 4v] [digital 9]

proceeded to take her statement, and by this
which His Grace decreed, thus
ordered and signed, of which I give witness__
[signed] Dufossat
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

On said day it was made known to Fernando Rodriguez in person. I certify this.
[signed] L. Mazange
Public Notary

[left margin]

Declared.

[body]

In the city of New Orleans the sixth of
April of 1781,
while in the public jail, His Grace made
appear before him the young negrita named Carlota, in the presence of Fernando Rodriguez, her guardian, and
before me, the present notary, His Grace received the oath in accordance with the law which was made by God our Lord with a sign of the cross under which she promised to tell the truth, and examined according to the tenor of principal decree, she said the following___

Asked what motive she had to set fire under a portion of thatched wood that was leaning against the warehouse of her amo Francisco Brantan

[f. 5r] [digital 10]

She said that, having been persuaded by the mulata libre named Juaneton who had belonged to Don Juan La Cour, also known as Dubourg, she set the fire, but regretting the harm that could result from said fire, she called her amo, and told him to remove it, showing him where it was, and her amo then came, and removed the charcoal which had not yet burned the cloth it was wrapped in and she responds___

Asked if the said mulata promised her anything, or, a reward to induce her to commit said crime, she said that she promised to give her some reward, but without specifying what she would give her, and she responds___

Asked if she has any knowledge that said mulata had any hatred against Monsieur Dubourg, she said that she didn’t know, but that said mulata told her that her intention was for said fire to reach the house of said Dubourg, and she responds__

Asked if she knew the people that said mulata associates with, she said that she often saw her at the house of Madame Bijon with the mulata libre Mariana, and she responds__

Asked if the said Mariana ever spoke to her about this plan, she said no, and she responds__

[f. 5v] [digital 11]

Asked if, since the time of said fire, she has seen said Juaneton, she said no, as she was supposed to leave for her residence with her canoe, which she indeed did, and she responds___

Asked if she left immediately after said fire was set, she said that the said mulata left at two-thirty in the afternoon, and that her canoe departed earlier, but she does not know the hour, and she responds___

and having been asked various questions
regarding the said matter, she said she did not
know anything further, and that what she declared is the truth under the oath she made, and she did not sign because she did not
know, signed, Your Grace, with the said guardian, of which I, the notary, certify. [signed] Dufossat
[signed] Fernando Rodriguez
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

New Orleans, April 6th 1781

With respect to the case of the mulata Juaneton, issue an arrest warrant against her and surrender her to Nicolas Fromantin, and upon certification from the Alcalde,
put her in jail
and charges against her shall proceed

[f. 6r] [digital 12]

to take her testimony__

[signed] Dufossat

Note that is [struck through]

Proceedings issued by Don Guido Dufossat, Alcalde ordinario del Segundo voto in this city and its jurisdiction, by His Majesty, issued this decree on the seventh of April in the year 1781, of which I, the notary,
certify__
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

Note that the arrest warrant
that was ordered has been issued, I certify__
[signed] L. Mazange

On the said day, month, and year, His Grace made appear before him the negra libre named Fanchon, formerly enslaved to Monsieur Duparc from whom, before me, the present Notary, she took an oath
in accordance with the law, which she made to God with a sign of the cross, under which she promised to tell the truth, and she was examined by the leading order and its content.

Asked if she knew the mulata named
Juaneton, formerly belonging to Monsieur Dubourg, she said yes, that she has known her for a long time, and she responds___

[f. 6v] [digital 13]

Asked if she engaged in any trade with her,
whether by selling her something, whether by buying from her, she said yes, that she remembers selling her four
sausages some time ago and she responds___

Asked at what time of day and in which month, she said in the morning, around eight
o’clock, that it was in the past month of April,
but she does not remember clearly the date, and she responds__

Asked where the said mulata went,
after having bought the said sausages,
she said that she went with her, the declarant, to accompany her to the top of the levee, where they separated, and that she does not know what she did after this time, because she has not seen her since, and that what she has declared is the truth under the oath she made, that she is forty-five years old,
and she did not sign because she does not know how, His Grace signed it, of which I, the Escribano, certify__

[signed] Dufossat

Before me
[signed] Leonardo Mazange
Public Notary

[f. 7r] [digital 14]

And immediately His Grace made appear
before him the negro named Pompée
belonging to Monsieur Dubourg, also known as La Cour, resident of this city, from whom before me, the present Escribano, he took an oath in accordance with the law which he made to God with a sign of the cross, under which he promised to tell the truth, being examined according to the tenor of the principal decree and the summary, he said in response to the following questions__

Asked if he knows the mulata libre
named Juaneton, formerly belonging
to Monsieur Dubourg, he said yes, because they had the same amo and he responds__

Asked if it has been a long time since he saw her, he said that it was about two days ago when he saw her on the levee, carrying sausages and other things
with her, and that it was near the house
of Monsieur Magnon, and he responds__

Asked at what time he encountered her, and if
he spoke with her, he said that when he saw her coming

[f. 7v] [digital 15]

from the other side of the river to this side,
where he was coming from eating and that
he presumes he encountered her around two o’clock in the afternoon
and that he told the aforementioned woman that he was coming from the other side of the river, that his amo had sent him to
his house in the city
to see if his mistress needed
him, because some people had set
fire to the house of Monsieur Meuillon, to which the said mulata responded that yes, the fire had been set on the said house, but that it had already been extinguished, and that she was leaving, taking sausages to her daughter Rosette in the residence of Monsieur Dapremont, and that from there [she went] to catch her canoe and although he was asked several questions concerning the matter,
he said he did not know more, that what he has declared is the truth under the oath he made,
that he is forty years old,
and he did not sign because he does not know, His Grace signed it, which I, the Notary, certify [signed] Dufossat

Before me [signed] Leonardo Mazange Public Notary

[f. 8r] [digital 16]

Any officer of justice shall place in the public jail of this city the mulata libre Juaneton, who, as per decree in the proceedings against the negra Carlota, esclava of Fracisco Brantan, I have thus ordered. New Orleans, Seventh of April in the year 1781__ [signed] Dufossat

Notes

¹ The term alcade ordinario refers to judges who tried non-fuero [non-military] cases and who sat in an elected judicial post on the New Orleans Cabildo council. Only ‘able and informed’ men were considered eligible for this post. In order to serve as an alcade ordinario, the judge was required to have a residence in the city and to live there during their tenure of office. The New Orleans Cabildo had two such alcaldes ordinarios, who were designated as alcalde ordinario deprimer voto and alcalde ordinario de segundo voto, respectively. They were voting members of the council. Their judicial responsibilities, however, made it impossible for them to serve as comisario anual or comisario mensual. In the absence of the governor and his lieutenant, the alcalde ordinario de primer voto presided over the Cabildo sessions. The alcaldes ordinarios were not salaried, and they collected set fees from the cases they heard in their respective courts. For more see Gilbert C. Din and John E. Harkins, The New Orleans Cabildo: Colonial Louisiana’s First City Government, 1769-1803. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press (1996).