The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-03-16
s6g% To THE Cry CouScIL.-The peti


ton OF portion of the fee colored people, resident
in the city of Richmond. by their counsel, most re-
spectfully represents that there is very large num-
Der of free persons of color in the city of Richmond
who, notwithstanding their uniform good character
industrious hab is, and honest experiment, are,
nevertheless made TO suffer the p11ns AID penalties
and punish the dissolute free negroes of the city
Through their counsel your petitioners most re
honorable body. Before, however, stating the
ground of their petition, in this behalf. they beg
leave most respectfully and candidy to discaim all
idea OF complaint, on their part AGAINST any ordi
enacted. or to be enact d, the object or ten
dency Of which is to strain the vicious to puE
sh the deliberate violators cf the law They feel
and duly appreciate the delicacy of their position
and are prompt to recognize the necessity of the
most rigid and stringent regulations and police dis
cipline towards the dis>pated, idle and evil dspos,
free colOred people; nor are they unmindtul of the
fact that it is most difficult and delicate task to dis
criminate, in the provisions and policy of the law
between the class last named and the Industrious
sober and law-abding portion OF the free colored
people of the city.
The State laws respecting the status department
and punishment of free negroes. for offences as
therein specified, are. it is respectfully submitted
severe enough. in their penal enacments and pura.
tive policy. to accomplish fully aud in all respects
the saiutary objects in view The ordinances of the
city of Richmond have g far restricted the priv
teges OF this class who reside in the city as mate
rally TO diminish the privileges guaranteed by the
State law. There is q marked difference between
the State law and the CITY ordinances on the subject
of unlawful assemblies"
The definite of IAN unlawful assembly. as give,
In sec 81 of chap SS Of the new Code is surely sui
Gent 10 accomplish all that was designed by the Le-
gislature or that for the general police
regulations Of the city To this law. as also to the
city ordinances on the same subject your petitiop-
FRS have always confsrmed and will ever conform
with fidelity and submission.
The ordinances Of the city, respecting unlawful
assemblies have as to free negroes residing in the
city, enacted very different and far more stringent
system of police regulation, which, in their general
same penatit denounced .inst the guilty and dis
reputable. To these provisions your Petit mere
your honorable body, witt. the view OF asking q
modlflcatisn OF The same, far only as to place
them on this subject, under the general provisions
breach Of law and good order, if in the day time in
perfect peace and quiet, on their way to or from
church, or in their own houses more than five al
the class seen together. All they ask in this be
half is. that so long they Of good rerute; so
long as they are in NIL respects obedent to the laws
able and well behaved SO long as they maintain a
reputable character; they may rot. in the penal
d posed. who frequent forbidden places and yiolat.
the general police discipline in secret meetings and
uniawfni designs. At their own honses. where the
vigiant eve OF well ORGANIZED police il ever SUR
to detect AMI expose the first semblance of wrong or
misbehavior. they seek to occupy no other ground
or to enjoy any other privilege. than is accorded in
Ia life. ol
Your petitioners are aware of the very great deli
eacy OF Their position in thus presenting themsevs
before the city Council; are they unmindfui OF
the prejudice existing against free negroes as a
reputable character OF so many of their strfus But
impressed with thorough appreciation Of the sound
polio OF the law. the wisdom and high sense of jus
nee characterize the elaboration OF the CITY
council ana above all. inspired with reverence for
he law and good order of the city your petitioners
nave iet encouraged respectfully. but most earn
They feel assured that il will receive candid and
appreaiatiye consideration and so disposed OF IA 10
neet the ends OF Justice. maintain the integrity of
the law. and promote the good order snd salfary
police discipline of the city; while the legal priv
ieges OF the innocent and law-abiding will not be
vicious and eyil-dsposed = = ..'e
J, Having thus briefly and imperfectly presented
, ha peition they respectfully ask that through
Dody, on the subject-matter 1T this their humble
prittoa. THE PETITIONERS, |
BY their Counsel
"assn z, ioss. JoHS II. 6IMER.