Rumors of royal support for three free days a week animated slave expectations

Evidence

When in December 1791 the insurgent leaders Jean-François and Georges Biassou were negotiating with colonial officials, they explained that their followers were prey to “false principles,” notably the idea that “the king has given three days per week to the slaves,” and that they would feel betrayed if they were not granted them. … Three days of freedom a week was not complete liberty, but as a change that carried the seeds of a more autonomous existence it would have been an inspiration for many slaves. — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 366

Categorization

• QUESTION: Where did the ‘three days per week’ rumor originate and did any royal decree plausibly support it?