Heading: (Cuba - Slavery)
Author:
Title: Labor contract for an emancipated African slave
Place Published: Havana, Cuba
Publisher:
Date Published: May 25, 1871
Description: 1 page, on recto of 1st sheet of 4-page conjugate (remaining pages blank). 31.5x21.8 cm (12½x8½").Rare labor contract for an emancipated Black slave, "la negra Elena Catumbu... natural de Africa," to be employed by D. José de la Portilla, a landowner and resident of Havana. Elena Catumbu has (in translation) "through the exemption... obtained from the government, ... is able to freely contract [her] work..." The contract is for six years (as opposed to the eight years of most contracts with Chinese laborers), and Portilla agrees that "I will pay eight pesos a month as remuneration... I will supply you with the food of eight ounces of salted meat and two and a half pounds of sweet potatoes or other healthy and nutritious pods per day." Signed by (or for) Portilla and two witnesses. The fact that the printed form goes into such specific detail seems to indicate a widespread transfer from bonded slavery to contract labor, as the institution of slavery in Cuba was under pressure. The slave trade had been abolished in 1867, but slavery remained in practice until 1886. Under institutionalized slavery or not, the conditions of the labor force remained much the same.

Three inch tear along a fold, some minor worming; very good.