Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-26

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accepted.
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts,.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
JUNE II, 1921.
The committee appointed to inquire into and
report upon the expediency of amending tie
Laws ofths Commonwealth concerning The
admission into and residence il this state
Of Negroes and Mulattoes, ask Leave now 10
report statement of facts.
That many of the states of this Union, as
well holding as non holding slaves, have t.
dopted various and rigorous measures in res
pcct OF free negroes and characterized slaves
In some ofthese states Laws have been pas-
scd permitting The emancipation of slaves only
upon the condition that the slaves so enamel
patcd shall Immediately leave the state. IN
other states, slaves are emancipated oaly on
the condition that sufficient security shall be
given, that the emancipated person shall never
become chargeablc in any respect whatever
This principle as to Pauperism was rccogniz-
ed III the Province Laws of Massachusetts
Bay as early as 1903, and as far as tour Com
mittce have been able 10 ascertain, in most OF
the Provinces of New-Engand
That the state of Virginia passed in 1919, a
severe law, containing great variety of details
IN relation to this matter, of which law the fol-
loving IS the substance, concerning free ne
groes, viz -
1. Every cmanCipated slave shall forfeit his
freedom by staying in the state more than one
year after such act of emancipation.
9. No free negro shall be allowed to come
INTO the state, and every free neSrO detected
coming into the state shall be forthwith sent
out Oft by the order of any Justice OF the
Peace, and at the expense Of the state
8. Masters of vessels bringing free negroes
"a bp Of -b. H.. ~ e. 90.
dollars and So cents
4. Every free negro shall be registered in
the books OF the Clerk of the Parish to which
he belongs. This Register shall contain a
minute description of such negro, a copy
OF which shall be taken by him. and which
he may be required 10 produce at any time.
That the state of Georgia has lately Eassed
a law imposing an annual tax OF twenty dol
lars upon every free negro in thai state, and
IN case durability TO pay, such Ienro is i'm
medately expelled the state.
That the state of Soath Carolina has lately
passed law, allowing no negro enfancipated
| las your committee bclese) after fhe Ist oil
March. 1921, TO remain in the state.
! That the state OF Ohio has passed laws re-
! qurlugal negroes coming tOreside in that state
| to furnish security % tie amomt of five hum
dred dollars that they will lead quiet and pea
whatever become chargeable.
| And, lastly, that tie City ofWashington, on
the i4th of April, 1921 adopted city ordnance
requiring all free negroes, living in the City oil
Washington, or coming to reside there, an
| nually to report themselves at the Mayors
oflce--to show their certificates of fleedom
a''d annually TO furnish security in one res
Pcctabe householder, that such negro will
never IN any way become chargeable on the
Corporation, and will always behave in a
sober and orderly manner. In default OF such
! report and security, such negro may be fined
confined in lail-in the wOrkhouse, or ex-
PEELED the city.
Your committee have thought it useful tn
alludc particularly TO the laws rccited in In,
above named instances, in order more clearly
TO illustrate that principle of legislation, which
already IS, or doubtless viii soon be adopted
N The greater part ofthc s,tos Of this com