Case ID: la-ann_20/html/0199-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Howell, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 1266.
    Hezekiah Posey, Administrator, v. M. H. Driggs, et als.
    Tiie sale of a person (slave) at probate sale after the Proclamation of Emancipation by the President of the United States, conferred no title to the purchaser, and by the doctrine settled in the case of Wamwright v. Bridges, (19 An. page 234,) he is relieved from the payment of the price.
    APPEAL from the District Court, Parish of West Feliciana, Cooley, J.
    
      Collins & Leake, for appellees.
    
      S. J. Powell, for appellant.
   Howell, J.

The defendant, M. H. Driggs, has appealed from a judgment condemning him to pay the amount of two promissory notes, given on 7th January, 1863, for the price of a negro sold on that day, at probate sale.

As contended by the appellant, the slaves in the parish of West Feliciana, having been emancipated on the 1st January, 1863, by the operation of the Emancipation Proclamation of the President of the United States, the binding force of which was one of the effects of peace, he acquired no title to, nor property in, the said negro, and cannot be compelled to pay the alleged price.

In addition to this, the doctrine in the case of Wainwrighi v. Bridges, (19 An. 234,) relieves him from any obligation to pay.

It is therefore ordered that the judgment appealed from be reversed, and that there be judgment in favor of defendant, M. H. Driggs, with costs in both courts.