Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
P. M. Lapice of St. James Parish in Louisiana wrote to Brig. Gen. George F. Shepley, military governor of Louisiana, warning him that enslaved Black people "believe they are free."
Lapice, a farmer, wrote that the population of Black people would cause "serious troubles" between Christmas and New Year's if told they are not free and that the authorities should take action to prevent problems.
Noting the enslaved people, "being so much accustomed to submission," he wrote, "a small number of white men would enforce order."
He added that visits from "Native Guards," who were Black people or interracial men who had been given freedom when the U.S. made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, "have the very worst effect" on Black people, as well as Whites.
Lapice also noted that even if there were no insurrection, the enslaved people would be idle after Jan. 1 and "may refuse to work."
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Warning to Gen. Shepley on slaves, New Orleans, 1862
- Creator: P. M. Lapice
- Creation Date: 1862-12-15
- Subject Date: 1862-12-15
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 31 cm x 20 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 117, Box 2/9
- Collection: George Foster Shepley papers
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Freedmen--Louisiana
- Military occupations--Louisiana--New Orleans
- Military service--1860-1870
- Slavery--Louisiana--New Orleans
- Slaves--Louisiana--New Orleans
- United States--Civil War, 1861-1865
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
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