Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-03-06
AN ACT RELATIVE TO PERSONS
OF COLOR.

The following is the bill recently il
troduced into the House by the Hon
Henry Gray, of Bienville.-It has man,
commendable features, and we doubt no
will be so amended when up for consid
GRAFTON as TO render it acceptable to tl(
people Of the State.
Sec. l. Be 1t enacted by the Senate enc
House Of Representatives. Of tie State q
Louisiana, IN General assembly conrensd.
That all free negroes, mu|attoeS, and
persons Of color born in this State, win
may now be in this State by permission
of present laws, shall be allowed to re.
main in this State. All free negroes,
mulattocs, and persons OF color moi born
in this State, or not now III this State by
permission Of the present laws, shall
depart from this State on Or before the
LIST of January, 1889.
Sec. 2. Bet further enacted, etc., That
no free negro, mulatto, OF person OF color,
shall be permitted to com into this
State, except such as may come IN the
actual employment Of any vessel from
amy foreign port not within the limits OF
the United States.
Sec. 3. Be II enacted, ETC.,, That all free
negroes, mulattocs, and persons OF color
who may be found III this State contrary
to the provisions of this Act, shall be
seized and sold as slaves.
Sec. 4. Be 1t further enacted, etc., That
it shall be the duty Of every sheriff and
deputy sheriff OF every parish in this State.
and every constable Of every ward of
every parish of this State, whenever
such sheriff, OF deputy, II constable,
shall have reason to believe that any free
mulatto, Or person of color is in
the State in violation of the provisions
Of this Act, to make oath of the same
any justice of the peace or recor-
der of the city of New Orleans, and such
or recorder shall Immediately
his warrant for the arrest Of the
Tree negro, mulatto, or person OF color
against whom said oath is made, and
said free negro, mulatto, Or person of
color shall be committed for trial as in
,ther cases.
SEC. 5. Be 1t further enacted, ETC., That it
shall be the duty of the several district
attorneys to proceed against all free
negroes, and persons of color who may
the provisions of this Act, by
in the name Of the State, as
n other cases.
SEC. 6. Belt further enacted etc.. That
f any free negro, mulatto, OF person of
'olor be convicted.o of violating this Act,
shall be the duty of the judge of the
oprt before which said free negro, mu-
alto, or perons of color was tried, to
ssue his warrant commanding. the sehriff
f the parish to sell into slavery said !
negro, mulatto, or person of color,
hall be sold for cash one-half Of the
rice for which said free negro, mulatto,
+ person of color may be sold, shall,
ftcr payment Of costs, be paid into the
tate Treasury ; the other half to the =
heriff, deputy sheriff, constable, or per- /
Oh under whose affidavit saidfree negro, S
lulatto or person of color was ar $
d
Sec. I. Be 1t further enacted, ETC., That
lie sheriff selling the free negro, mulatto, a
: person Of color, as hereinbefore pro e
lded, shall make title to the purchaser q
: said free negro, mulatto, or person of =
DIOR who shall forever after be held in b
avery, subject to all the laws govern t
6 slaves, both as persons and prop $
ty. y
SEC. s. Be 1t further enacted, etc., That it :
lall be the duty Of the judges of the
.lstricts Courts of this State. whenever
grand jury is empannelled, specially F.,
charge said grand jury with the execu-
On of this Act and the several district
torneys are hereby specially required
enforce this Act.
Sec. 10. Be 1t further enacted, ETC., That P
lis Act shall take effect from and after
c first Of January, 1859.
~ = 49, ~ - ~