1875 Outstanding Legal Manuscript of Depositions Following the Apprehension of a Black Slave in Cuba

On offer is an absolutely stunning relic of Cuban legal history, being a massive manuscript of depositions related to an apprehended Black slave. 

This 18-page manuscript records testimony from multiple people in Santa Ana in May and June of 1875. Testimonies include those from the slave master and the slave himself. The document discusses a black slave named Jose, was apprehended, but with resistance. It is reported that Jose bore a knife with a fine point. It is also testified that a slave master ("mayoral") found a negro, without documentation of any type (he did not belong to any "class" [of slave or people]), in a machinists room and  that he was apprehended and tied up ("amarrado"), a knife with a sharp point, which had been found in his belt was delivered to the judge who interrogated him. The slave master, warned the negro José, he would be thrown in a depository for rebel for rebel slaves if he did not leave the plantation where he was found. José’s testimony states that his owner was trying to sell him and he escaped but found himself in the presence of the slave master of a plantation. Ultimately, José was imprisoned and it was later declared he was to wait for his owner to retrieve him. Each witness statement is signed by three officials, including Jose M. Ordena, Antonio Jaez and one “Gorapas”. 

This is a remarkable piece that not only tells the story of the apprehended slave, but offers immense insight into how slaves were handled in the Cuban legal system during the slave trade, which coincided with the Chinese coolie trade in Cuba in the mid-19th century. 

Cuba had a great need for inexpensive labour to support their sugar industry. While America and Britain signed a treaty in 1814 to abolish the African slave trade, it took many years for complete global abolition. The African slave trade was not ended in Cuba until 1886, despite it being formally abolished in 1867 (Yun & Laremont, 2001). During the Chinese coolie trade (1847-1874) African slaves often worked alongside Chinese indentured labourers. 

This document measures approximately 12.5x8.5 inches. It is made of nine folio leaves with 18 pages of handwritten. It is unbound and evidence of previous binding is present on the left side of the pages. Significant age toning is present. The edges of the leaves are frayed and lightly torn. Highly legible. Spanish language. Overall G+.