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Despite Giffen's warning, Palfrey still had plans for freeing his slaves in Louisiana.

Yet even if he could get the necessary approval, fourteen of his Negroes could not be manumitted without special permission.

According to state law a slave had to be at least thirty years old before he could be freed.

Palfrey petitioned the state legislature to waive the requirement.

Otherwise, freedom would mean removal from the state in which `` as the place of their past residence from birth, or for many years, it would be materially for their advantage to be at liberty to remain ''.

On March 11 the Louisiana legislature voted unanimously to table the petition.

News of the legislative veto appeared in the New Orleans papers, and Henry and William became incensed by the fact that they had not been told of the attempt in advance.

Henry stormed into Giffen's office waving a copy of the New Orleans Courier, shouting that the emancipation scheme had become a public affair, and that it would reach the `` Ears of the People on the Plantation, and make them restless & unhappy ''.