This practice received highly favorable social sanction, and masters often celebrated national holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special events by manumitting one or more of their favorite slaves.
The law also defended the right of the slave to purchase his own freedom.
He had the right to own property and could accumulate funds with which he might eventually achieve his dream.

He also had the right to demand that his master or the courts set a fixed price for his purchase which he could then pay over a period of years.

Sundays and holidays were for the slave to use as he saw fit, and, in some cases, he was also guaranteed a couple of hours every day for his own use.

During this time he could sell his services and save the proceeds.

The law also stated that parents of ten or more children were to be set free.