Case Name: C. F. Dranguet, Administrator v. Emile Rost
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1869-08
Citations: 21 La. Ann. 538
Docket Number: No. 174
Parties: C. F. Dranguet, Administrator v. Emile Rost.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 21
Pages: 538–538

Head Matter:
No. 174.
C. F. Dranguet, Administrator v. Emile Rost.
Tho act of the sovereign power in proclaiming tho abolition of slavery throughout tho United States annulled all contracts based on slavery, and article 128 of the State Constitution did not affect such contracts by prohibiting the courts from enforcing them. 'Wainwiight v. Rridges, 19 A. 234.
A promise made after emancipation, to pay a promissory note given for a slave, cannot bo judicially enforced. Constitution art. 128.
from, tlie Ninth Judicial District Court, parish of Natchi-toches. Orsborh, J;
Pierson & Levy, for plaintiff and appellant, Morse & Jlyams, for defendant and appellee.

Opinion:
Lddeliso, C. J.
This appeal is from a judgment rejecting plaintiff's demand, which is based on a note given for a slave. It is urged that, as the defendant promised to pay the note after the emancipation of slavery, he became- legally liable for the debt, for which ho v-as already hound, in foro conscientiw. This is contrary to the principles decided in the case of Wainwright v. Bridges. It is also contended that the article of the Constitution of this State, which declares contracts for the sale of persons null and void, and prohibits the courts from enforcing them, is violative of the . Constitution of the United States. The decision in the Wainwright case is predicated upon the theory that the sovereign power had abrogated slavery, and all contracts based on slavery. If this he true (and we have reaffirmed it toe often to question its correctness now), the State Constitution did not affect the obligation of these contracts by prohibiting courts from enforcing them, or by declaring a fact, that they were null.
It is therefore adjudged that the judgment of the District Court be affirmed with costs of appeal.