The dominion of the master is as unlimited as is that which is tolerated by the laws of any civilized country in relation to brute animals—to _quadrupeds_; to use the words of the civil law. Slaves cannot even contract matrimony. * * * * * LOUISIANA.—A slave is one who is in the power of his master, to whom he belongs. The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his industry and his labor; he can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire anything, but what must belong to his master. Slaves are incapable of inheriting or transmitting property. Slaves shall always be reputed and considered real estate; shall be as such subject to be mortgaged, according to the rules prescribed by law, and they shall be seized and sold as real estate. No owner of slaves shall hire his slaves to themselves, under a penalty of twenty-five dollars for each offence. No slave can possess anything in his own right, or dispose of the produce of his own industry, without the consent of his master. No slave can be party in a civil suit, or witness in a civil or criminal matter, against any white person. A slave's subordination to his master is susceptible of no restriction (except in what incites to crime), and he owes to him and all his family, respect without bounds, and absolute obedience. Every slave found on horseback, without a written permission from his master, shall receive twenty-five lashes. Any freeholder may seize and correct any slave found absent from his usual place of work or residence, without some white person, and if the slave resist or try to escape, he may use arms, and if the slave _assault_ and strike him, he may kill the slave. It is lawful to fire upon runaway negroes who are armed, and upon those who, when pursued, refuse to surrender. No slave may buy, sell, or exchange any kind of goods, or hold any boat, or bring up for his own use, any horses or cattle, under a penalty of forfeiting the whole. Slaves or free colored persons are punished with _death_ for wilfully burning or destroying any stack of produce or any building. The punishment of a slave for striking a white person, shall be for the first and second offences at the discretion of the court, but not extending to life or limb, and for the third offence, _death_; but for grievously wounding or mutilating a white person, _death_ for the first offence; provided, if the blow or wound is given in defence of the person or _property of his master_, or the person having charge of him, he is entirely justified. A slave for wilfully striking his master or mistress, or the child of either, or his white overseer, so as to cause a bruise or shedding of blood, _shall be punished with death_. Any person cutting or breaking any iron chain or collar used to prevent the escape of slaves, shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars, nor more than one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not more than two years, nor less than six months.