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Title
Untitled [Article]
Description
A letter to the editors from Burke regarding the 1856 "Colored Convention's" proceedings.
Publisher
<a title="Sacramento Daily Union; Untitled Article" href="http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=q&r=1&results=1&deq=185&e=-------en--20-SDU-1--txt-txIN-%22Colored+People%22-ARTICLE------1" target="_blank">Citation</a><br /><br />
Date
1856-12-10
Scripto
Transcription
MESSRS. EDITORS: : The colored citizens of California are now holding a Convention in this city, at the " "African Methodist Episcopal Church;" ;" it commenced this morning, at 11 o'clock.
You know they held a Convention last year, at the same place, for the purpose of setting on foot measures to secure such action from the Legislature as would give them an equal right to testify in the Courts of this State "in cases or proceedings to which white persons are parties."
In accordance with their action last year, petitions were presented to the Senate from San Francisco, Sacramento and El Dorado counties, numerously signed by some of the most prominent citizens of those counties, which were respectfully received and referred to the Judiciary Committee. For reasons sufficient to that Committee, no report on those petitions was returned to the Senate ; probably they were too much hurried by the press of business ; or perhaps the proper time had not come, in their judgment, for recommending the change desired by the petitioners.
Since then, there have been expressions of opinion from various sources upon the subject, sufficient to indicate that it is thought of by many of the most intelligent and influential men in our State--including nearly three hundred lawyers--that that the law referred to ought to be repealed.
The Grand Jury of San Francisco county, in their report of the present month, have expressed the opinion that " "were all persons allowed to testify, , and the jury left to judge of their credibility, no doubt the ends of justice would be greatly promoted thereby." Such is the language of the Grand Jury of San Francisco. This opinion is, we believe, entertained by a majority of the best informed among the citizens of California, and the number holding it (as the evils resulting from the operation of the law become known) is rapidly increasing.
The colored people have met again this year, to endeavor to carry forward the work commenced last. For our own part, we rejoice when we see them using proper means to improve their moral, intellectual and political condition. We noticed, to-day, , many of the same persons who composed the delegations last year. Among them are men whose mental culture, gentlemanly appearance and manners would reflect credit upon almost any position.
You know they held a Convention last year, at the same place, for the purpose of setting on foot measures to secure such action from the Legislature as would give them an equal right to testify in the Courts of this State "in cases or proceedings to which white persons are parties."
In accordance with their action last year, petitions were presented to the Senate from San Francisco, Sacramento and El Dorado counties, numerously signed by some of the most prominent citizens of those counties, which were respectfully received and referred to the Judiciary Committee. For reasons sufficient to that Committee, no report on those petitions was returned to the Senate ; probably they were too much hurried by the press of business ; or perhaps the proper time had not come, in their judgment, for recommending the change desired by the petitioners.
Since then, there have been expressions of opinion from various sources upon the subject, sufficient to indicate that it is thought of by many of the most intelligent and influential men in our State--including nearly three hundred lawyers--that that the law referred to ought to be repealed.
The Grand Jury of San Francisco county, in their report of the present month, have expressed the opinion that " "were all persons allowed to testify, , and the jury left to judge of their credibility, no doubt the ends of justice would be greatly promoted thereby." Such is the language of the Grand Jury of San Francisco. This opinion is, we believe, entertained by a majority of the best informed among the citizens of California, and the number holding it (as the evils resulting from the operation of the law become known) is rapidly increasing.
The colored people have met again this year, to endeavor to carry forward the work commenced last. For our own part, we rejoice when we see them using proper means to improve their moral, intellectual and political condition. We noticed, to-day, , many of the same persons who composed the delegations last year. Among them are men whose mental culture, gentlemanly appearance and manners would reflect credit upon almost any position.
Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata
Contributor
This transcription is the combination of work from more than 4,500 people who volunteered during the 2022 celebration of Douglass Day, held in partnership with Zooniverse.
Event ID
1856.CA-12.09.SACR
Citation
Sacramento Daily Union, “Untitled [Article],” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/686.