The Spanish Códigos Negro of 1789 and the American ordinance of 1817 built on the early French Code Noir of 1724. With these laws, each sovereign power tried to govern and control the slave societies that they sanctioned. These codes also tried to regulate the relations between slave owners, the enslaved, free people of color, and average white citizens.
Both the French and Spanish codes expel Jews and promote Catholicism as the official religion. The Spanish code was less harsh than the French code, but the planters did not follow its provisions. American laws set forth severe punishments for any infraction. Contemporary accounts of the day describe actual punishments meted out as as much more severe than those prescribed.
French : Article 18 left it to the discretion of officers of the Superior Council in Louisiana, as long as it was something.
Spanish : Chapter 2 left food and clothing type and quantity to be set by Spanish officials and approved by the District Court.
Territorial : Specific quantity of food and salt every month.
American : No mention in ordinance for enslaved in and around New Orleans.
French : Not mentioned in code noir.
Spanish : Must provide separate living quarters for the sexes, unless they are married, and that are comfortable and sufficient to protect them from the elements, with raised beds, blankets, or necessary clothing, and with a separate room for each, and at most two in a room.
Territorial : Not mentioned.
American : No mention in ordinance for enslaved in and around New Orleans.
French : Not mentioned in code noir.
Spanish : Chapter 2 left food and clothing type and quantity to be set by Spanish officials and approved by the District Court.
Territorial : Enslaved without ability to grow own crops given bare minimum of clothing.
American : No mention in ordinance for enslaved in and around New Orleans.
French : Sundays off, otherwise not mentioned in code noir. Enslaved of different masters may not assemble for any reason.
Spanish : Work is sunrise to sunset. On holy days of obligation, supervised rest after mass. No excessive drinking. Enslaved of different masters may not assemble for any reason.
Territorial : Sundays off. Exact time allotted for meals specified.
American : Sundays off for church, and assembling for dancing or other merriment only in open or public places as shall be appointed by the Mayor, and only until sunset.
