Case Name: Marx Levy et als., Liquidators, v. V. Gremillion et als.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1869-09
Citations: 21 La. Ann. 635
Docket Number: No. 687
Parties: Marx Levy et als., Liquidators, v. V. Gremillion et als.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 21
Pages: 635–635

Head Matter:
No. 687.
Marx Levy et als., Liquidators, v. V. Gremillion et als.
A third holder of a promissory note, given for the price of a slave, cannot recover thereon, although he acquired it in good faith, ior a valid consideration, heiore maturity. Groves v. Clark re-affirmed, ante page, 567.
from tlie Parish Court of Avoyelles. Edwards, Parish Judge.
Wad-dill di Harbin for plaintiffs and appellants. Culloin & Thorpe for defendants and appellees.

Opinion:
Ludeling, C. J.
On the twenty-ninth day of March, 1866, Marx Levy et als., liquidators of the firm of Isaac Levy & Co., brought suit against the defendants to recover the amount of a note executed by defendants.
It is admitted that the note was given for the price of a slave; and that it was transferred before maturity. It is further proved that the note was transferred for value.
There was judgment against the plaintiffs, and they have appealed. "We had occasion recently to examine the question presented in this case, whether a note, given for the price of a slave and transferred before maturity and for value, can he enforced by the Courts of this State, when in the hands of an innocent holder ? And after mature consideration, we decided that such a contract could not be enforced now in this State. In Wainright v. Bridges, it was held that all contracts for the price of slaves were annulled by the sovereign power, and the Constitution of the State absolutely prohibits the courts from enforcing all such contracts. See the case of Groves v. Clark and Carnal, 21 An. 56; Art. 128, Constitution of 1868.
It is, therefore, ordered and adjudged that the judgment of the District Court be affirmed, and that the appellants pay the costs of this appeal.