The town of Ouidah in the early 18th Century grew in importance due to the slave trade.

The first slaves were taken from the �Slave Coast� to the New World as far back as 1502, following a royal edict from the King of Spain.

The New World was in fact the Dominican Republic and Haiti as we know them today.

On February 4th 1794, the Slave Trade was officially abolished, but the trading continued.

At last by 1851 an end was brought to this shameful traffic. Those displaced will be forever searching for their origins.

CODE NOIR

In 1685, King Louis XIV of France published a list of rules regulating the conduct of slaves and their masters in the colonies. (A few are listed below.) Popularly known as the Code Noir (Black Code), the rules were intended to protect slaves from harsh treatment. Although they were more often ignored than enforced, they did show that some people cared about the slaves� welfare.
 

• Slaves had the right to marry (with the master�s content), have a fair trial when charged with criminal offenses, stay with their families, and be baptized and practice Christianity.

• Slaves did not have the right to carry weapons, hold meetings, testify against their masters, run business or leave the plantations, or practice voodoo or other native religions.

• Freed slaves had the right to the same respect and privileges as a man born free, including the right to own land or a business and to move from place to place.

• Masters were required to feed, clothe, house, and care for their slaves� health.

• Masters did not have the right to marry or have a relationship with a slave woman, mutilate or torture a slave, or punish a slave with death.
  
  -Frances Maclean