The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-03-06

violations Of this Act, schen Merennto required;
and they shall be entitled to the same compen-
sation in the manner provided for in other cases
of offence against the laws Of this Territory.
| At the July session ofthe Board Of County
Commissioners of this county, the following or
der was passsd, to wit ssOrder, That Lewis "A.
Thomas, Esq, Pros. Attorney, be requested and
directed by this Board, to enforce the law in re-
lation to Blacks and Mulattos', approved Jan.
21st, 1889 Particularly with regard to those
who have recently come, and shall hereafter
come to the county; and that he take immediate
ly such steps as shall be necessary and proper to
enforce the law in the premises"
l hereby certify that the above is correct
transcript from the records of the Board Of Co.
Commissioners Of Dubuque county, at the July
session of said Board for the year lS49.
MICHAEL O'BRIEN, Clerk
Bd. Co. Comrs. Dubuque Co.
have thus attempted to give a brief synopsis
of this law and the order of the Board of County
Commissioners. In obedience to the injunctions
of that law, and the aforesaid order of the Com
missioners, have taken, and still am taking,
measures to enforce its provisions, far as it is
incumbent on me to do so,
And here would willingly leave the matter
for an impartial public to mete out appreciation
or censure, as my action in the premises shall
seem to deserve; but cannot dismiss the SUBJ
ject without briefly noticing communication
which appeared in recent number of the Inde-
pendent, paper published in New York City,
headed "From our Ioaoa Correspondents" and
signed J. G. H. Ihave not space to quote from
this communication such parts as wish to no.
tice. He calls it one of the most barbarous
"dlack laos" that ever disgraced "Free State"
Now, suppose every one has a right to his own
opinion as to whether this law be "disgrace,"
or not, to "Free State" Certain it is that ev-
cry "Free State and Territory in the Missis-
sippi Valley has had, for a long series Of years,
Just such law, whether it be called sblack" or
white-difering only in this, that in most cases
they are far more stringent and severe than ours.
This is pretty good evidence that something of
the kind is necessary as a measure of civil po-
lice, the denunciation of 81. G. H." to the con-
trary notwithstanding. This correspondent
seems to exult that public opinion, as he calls it,
has "emJoldened" the colored population to de-
fy the law. This is his language
were served on all the colored people in this
town, and great alarm was excited among them;
but public sentiment was so strongly manifested
in opposition to it, that they were emboldened to
treat the whole matter with neglect, andit is not
probable that the law can be enforced That
is undoubtedly very good authority in
matters of Ethics, but shall most assuredly pro-
test against his setting himself up the sole ex-
ponent of public sentiment on all other matters,
including law and ndpolitics. What! he inculcate
obedience to the powers that be, and in the same
the Community to defy and set at naught the
laws of the land! 4.. .- t.~
l cannot for moment harbor the thought that
such was the intention; but unfortunately it is
the direct tendency the communication. "Pub.
lie sentiment was so strongly manifested" was
it? What does he mean by this? Does he sup
pose that by such language he will deter those
whose duty it is to execute this law, from dis
charging their duty in the matter. If such be
the object, l think he has for once mistaken his
men. If the law be SO very odous, then repeal
it. Blot it out from the Statute Book, and brand
it with the contumely and execration it merits.
But that it is approoed, in principle at least, by
the good sense Of the community, is established
by the fact that several strenuous efforts have
been made to repeal it; the last of which was
made at the last session of the Legislature. He
states that s'this law has been a dead letter at
best in this part of the State. Here he is equal
ly unfortunate, the records of the Board of
County Commissioners, and the Dockets of the
Magistrates in this city will prove. AS gene
raj thing this law has been executed in this coun-
ty, at least-not strenuously, but with gener-
Gus regard to the feelings and convenience of
those affected by it. There are other matters II
would wish to notice in this communication, but
spectfully suggest to that correspondent, that he
would make himself thoroughly acquainted with
this and kindred subjects before he again at
tempts to pronounce authoritatively upon mat
tiers so thoroughly secular and civil their char
acter and tendency. l shall now leave this SUBJ
ject. 1t was with great reluctance that have
reverted to it at all through the medium of the
press But justice to myself, as well as to those
whose duty it is to act with me in the matter,
seemed to demand this communication. .asz
In conclusion, have only to request the COM
munity to examine thoroughly this subject, be-
fore thav decide and then mefe ont commands.
ton censure, as the facts shall warrant and
justify Yours, respectfully, sa
l.. A. THOMAS.
Dubuque, Feb. 23d, 1850.
LIFE IN CALIFoRNIA.-A person writing to
the N. O. Delta, from San Francisco, says:
"Almost the first person met on my arrival
was the Rev. Dr. Farley, under whose preaching