"Decree No. 35," November 24, 1827

Summary: The Congress of Coahuila and Texas decreed that in certain circumstances slaves would be permitted to change their masters if they wished. This did not apply if their former master was assasinated or poisoned.

The Congress of the State of Coahuila and Texas decrees the following as additional articles to Decree No. 18 of the 15th of September last.

ART. 1. The slave who, for the sake of convenience, shall wish to change his master, shall be permitted to do so, provided the new master indemnify the former for what the slave cost him agreeably to the conveyance.

ART. 2. The manumission mentioned in the decree aforesaid shall not take place should the owner of the slave be assasinated or poisoned by an unknown hand, or die in any other unnatural way.

For its fulfilment, the Governor of the State shall cause it to be printed, published, and circulated.

Given in Saltillo the 24th of November, 1827.

[The same Signers.]

Source Copy Consulted: "Decree No. 35," November 24, 1827, reprinted in H.P.H. Gammel, The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897, 12 vols., (Austin: Gammel Book Co., 1898), 1:202. http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/lawsoftexas