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California State Legislature debates the Negro Exclusion Bill ~ Juneteenth 2016

by Isaac Allen
Prior2016 to the California Gold Rush and California Statehood people of African ancestry were major players in the transition from Spanish rule, Mexican rule and the 31st State of the Union. 2016 Juneteenth, reconsideration of the contributions by people of African ancestry, honoring the legacy of Mervyn M. Dymally stand in direct contrast to the values shared in AB395 Negro Exclusion Bill or Nigger Bill as read...
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Negro Exclusion Bill
AB 395 [1858]

Rep(or)t Fed(eral) Rel(ations)

April 21 [1858]
on “Nigger Bill”

Mr. President

The Committee on Federal Relations to whom was referred Assembly Bill No 395. Entitled “An Act to restrict and prevent the immigrations to and residence in this State of Negroes and Mulattoes” have had the same under Considerations and beg leave to report. That in the opinions of your Committee a law of this Character has become a necessity in California.

The position of the free negro in this state is a peculiar one, he is not the equal of the white man, socially or politically, he can not testify in our courts, or exercise the right of suffrage, hence in our judgement it is not good policy, on our part, to encourage the immigrations, of any class of persons incapable of appreciating and enjoying, to the fullest extent our institutions.

The negro is by nature indolent and in a state of freedom becomes a ready prey to vice, particularly in our large cities. We deem it unnecessary to refer to the conditions of the free Negro, in portions of our union(?), as a proof of the evil of harboring them here in our midst.

The presence of the free negro here is a constant source of disquiet, for we are sorry to say, that there is not wanting, a clan of white men, in our state: whom a false philantrophy leads to fasten the ignorant hide of the free negro, so that he becomes insolent and defiant and if in sufficient numbers would become dangerous, as evidenced by recent occurrences in one of our cities

That there are here in California many worthy and industrious free negroes, your Committee do not deny, in fact we know many who for industry sobriety and good conduct, would be a good example to many of our white citizens, but these are exceptionable instances.


The Bill does not interfere with those free negroes, already here, but simply requires them to procure a certificate of Registry, from the County Recorder in the County of their residence, to show that they were residents of this state prior to the 1st day of October 1858. This portion of the Bill is necessary to render it Effectual.

Believing therefore that the further immigration of free negroes and Mulattoes into this state, is not desirable, we beg leave to report the Bill back to the Senate and recommend its passage without amendment.

All of which is respectfully submitted
Senate Chairman of Committee on Federal Relations
Isaac Allen
C. E. Thom
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