By the new constitution of 1847 only whites were allowed to vote or to serve in the militia. Apportionments for members of the legislature were to be accorded to white population. By article 14 the legislature was required at its first session to pass such laws as would efficiently prevent free persons of color from immigrating and settling in the State. and to prevent effectually the owners of slaves from bringing them into the State for the purpose of setting them free. By the revised statutes of 1857. page 824. the legislature carried out this .provision by the most stringent legislation. and among them was a prohibition against any person bringing into the State any colored person. slave or free. under the penalty ofta fine of $500 and imprisonment for one year. And it was also provided that if any negro or niulatto. bond or free. shall come into the State and remain ten cays. with the evident intent of residing there. he shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor and fined $50. and one shad be sold to pay fine and costs (if unable to pay them). and his purchaser shall have right to compel him to work. and if. when his term of service under the salo is out. he does not leave the State in ten days he shall be fined $100 and be sold again. and this process of fine. it being increased at every succeeding offense $50. was to go on until the negro or mulatto died or left the State.
Keywords matched
immigrating