Africans could contract under French commercial law but not family law

Evidence

“The status of the native,” he concluded, was “indelible” and could only be erased by naturalization. Having firmly stated this principle, he did, however, allow one exception. In cases involving commercial transactions, “sales, leases, etc.,” he explained, customthis did not apply in civil matters-was nonbinding. “Natives in these matters … can substitute different regulations, derived from a different legislation, such as French legislation.” — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 422