Image of Pacific Appeal, Number 3, 19 April 1862
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Image of Pacific Appeal, Number 3, 19 April 1862
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This is an issue of the Pacific Appeal newspaper notably containing an article titled "The Convention of 1856." The outline contains a synopsis of the events that occurred and resolutions that were made during the 1856 California State Convention in Sacramento.
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<a href="http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=PA18620419&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1" target="_blank">California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC)</a><a href="http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=PA18620419&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1" target="_blank"><br /></a>
Scripto
Transcription
[PAGE 1]
The Convention of 1856. Before alluding to the proceedings of the Convention of 1856, we will refer to the action of the State Executive Committee, appointed by the Convention of 1855. The Committee held four Sessions during the year of 1856, as follows: : At Sacramento, January 31 and February 22; ; at Marysville, May 14; ; and at Sacramento,
[PAGE 2]
8 October 29. The business transacted by them had reference, principally, to collecting funds, circulating petitions and receiving reports from County Committees. They also appointed a general traveling Agent, Jonas H. Townsend, who, by his indefatigable efforts in holding meetings, delivering Lectures and organizing Committees, prepared the people, after the failure of our petition to the Legislature of 1855, to renew their efforts the succeeding year. The Executive Committee corresponded with the County Committees relative to holding another Convention, and finding the opinions of the people favorable to that object, they finally agreed to issue a Call for a Convention, to assemble in Sacramento, December 9, 1856. The Convention met, pursuant to Call, and the following delegates were present, representing 17 Counties:
[PAGE 3]
COMMITTEE OF CREDENTIALS. M. S. Haynes, Sacramento; E. K. Phelps, El Dorado; W. H. Newby, A. E. Dennison, San Francisco; Jacob Francis, Yuba. The Committee made the following re- report: Number of counties represented, 17 Number of delegates in convention, 61 Sonoma County, Geo W Miller. Marin County, A Sisco. Shasta County, B B Young, E Vincent. Yuba County, J J Vosburgh, M J Brown, Jacob Francis. Nevada County, Emory Waters, E A Booth. San Mateo County, R A Hall. El Dorado County, Wm H Hall, Andrew Collins, G B Brown, F Hutfield, E K Phelps, John Buckner, J B Sanderson, G W Booth, F Lawrence, J C Mortimer. Sacramento County, F G Barbadoes, T. Detter, G F Fletcher, J M Flowers, M S Haynes, J B Handy, James Hubbard, R W Freeman, S Holmes, David Lewis, John Wilmot.
[PAGE 4]
San Francisco County, W M Newby, J H Townsand, J J Moore, E J Johnson, A G Dennison, G W Gordon, C B Bass, H M Collins, Peter Anderson, Wm F Courts, F R Carter, Nathan Pointer, E H Parker, M W Gibbs, C H McDougal, D P Stokes, Daniel Seals, Charles Satchel, J E Brown. Butte County, W H Hall, J B Johnson, Alex. Ferguson. Mariposa County, Thomas Duff. San Joaquin County, Sam'l B Hyer, Wm Robinson. m Siskiyou County, C M Wilson. Placer County, I P Gibbs. Napa County, C A Gibson, Alameda County, W H Harper. Tuolumne County, H F Smith, , N F Henry.
[PAGE 5]
After going through the usual forms of organization, the officers were elected: The Nominating Committee, through their chairman, Mr. W H Harper presented the following report: For President - William H Hall, Butte county. For Vice Presidents - B B Young, Shasta county; H T Smith, Tuolumne county; T Duff, Mariposa county; F G Barbadoes, Sacramento county; Wm H Newby, San Francisco county. For Secretaries - J B Sanderson, El Dorado county; F J Vosburgh, Yuba county; S Howard, Sacramento county. For Chaplain - Rev J J Moore, San Francisco county. For Door Keepers - Mitchell S Haynes, Sacramento county: C. B. Bass, San Francisco county. In addition to the main subject for which the Convention was called, viz:
[PAGE 6]
9 our ineligibility as witnesses, and to petition the Legislature to remove that disability, several other important and equally relevant subjects were acted on. Since the Convention of 1855, a Weekly Journal, named The Mirror of the Times, had been established by the citizens of San Francisco, and Messrs. Newby and Townsend were appointed editors. To give it greater efficiency and extend its influence, it was proposed that it become a State Paper, or the official organ of the Colored People of California. The Convention adopted the Mirror of the Times, thns, for a time, securing its publication. A Committee was also appointed on Education, who were directed to report through the Mirror of the Times.
[PAGE 7]
The following Resolutions were reported from the Business Committee, of which J. H. Townsend was Chairman. Whereas, The state and condition of the colored citizens of California is one of the political as well as social debasement, and calls loudly upon them to exert themselves in behalf of reform, and to unite their energies to repeal and overthrow the cruel and unjust laws of this State which are imposed upon them, and Whereas, We are satisfied that our condition, according to the opportunities enjoyed, will be bear a favorable comparison with that of any other class of men in this State; ; and being fully determined to use every proper exertion to obtain those great and inestimable rights to obtain those great and inestimable rights for which our fathers fought and bled, in common with others, that they might secure them as an inheritance to us, their children: : Therefore, be it Resolved, That we will use every means in our power to exhibit a true state of our condition, repudiating the base slanders and falsehoods that have been fabricated against us. Resolved, That we will continually remind our white fellow-citizens that they are imposing upon us the same wrongs and grievances which caused their forefathers to rebel against Great Britain, and to appeal to their arms, and to the God of battles.
[PAGE 8]
Resolved, That the laws of the State of California disfranchising its colored citizens, zens, on the ground of color, are a foul blot upon the Statutes of the State, having no precedent in the annals of the world, un- unworthy of, and disgraceful to, the enlightened ened and progressive spirit of the American can people. Resolved, That we claim our rights in this country, as any other class, not as cit- citizens by the adoption, but by right of birth; ; that we hail with delight its onward pro- progress; ; sympathise with it in its adversity; and would freely cast our lot in the for- fortunes of battle, to protect her against for- foreign invasion. Resolved, That the laws of evidence in judicial investigation, should be accommodated dated to, and identified with, the laws of the human mind, and therefore, every force and circumstance having a tendency to throw light upon the subject under investi- investigation, should be heard and judged of ac- according to their relative weight and value, and with reference to all the circumstances of credit or discredit connected with them. . Resolved, That past experience has abun- abundantly shown, that all attempts to establish artificial standards of credibility, depending ing upon such tests as race, color, creed or country, are as unwise at they are unjust; that they serve only on the one side to ob- obstruct the investigation of truth, by the erection of useless barriers; ; and, on the
[PAGE 9]
10 other, to defraud the excluded classes, while, at the same time, they subject them in their lives, in their persons, and in their property, to outrage and injustice, with impunity, from the more favored classes. Resolved, That the true and only tests of credibility in a witness, are his intelligence, integrity, and disinterestedness; ; and that, as a race, we are willing to be subject to these tests, to be applied in each case as it occurs, and that we ought not to be subject to any other. Resolved, That to a class of people, the right of testimony is as valuable as the right of self-defense--a - a right which no generous foe will deny even to an enemy. Resolved, That we recommend the creation of a contingent fund, to be controlled by a committee, having discretionary power, to enable them to carry forward any measures that have for their object the amelioration of our condition. Resolved, That a State Executive Committee be appointed by the Convention, with full powers to adopt such measures as may be deemed expedient to accomplish the objects in view. Resolved, That the common law, and the common school, are the only hope of a free and enlightened people; ; the former their shield, and the latter their guide; ; and no people can be prosperous and happy who are deprived of these inestimable rights of God to man.
[PAGE 10]
Resolved, That the character, integrity, industry, and intelligence of the colored citizens of California, will compare favorably with that of any class of men in this State, and are deserving of better treatment from the authorities than that to which they are exposed, by the legalizing of the principle (as applied to them) that "might makes right." Resolved, That we will memorialize the Legislature, at its present session, for the repeal of so much of the 3d and 4th paragraphs of Section 394 of an Act passed April 29th, 1851, entitled "An Act to regulate proceedings in the civil cases in the Courts of Justice in this State," as relates to negroes; also, to repeal so much of Section 14 of an Act, entitled "An Act concerning crimes and punishments," passed April 16th, 1850, as relates to negroes and mulattoes, and which disqualifies negroes and mulattoes from being competent witnesses in the Courts of Justice in this State, in cases or proceedings to which white persons are parties. Whereas, The Constitution of this State denies us the right of suffrage, the only safeguard of a free people, and Whereas, We believe such a course is not only unjust, proscriptive and cruel, but inconsistent with the spirit of our Constitution, based, as it is, upon the doctrine that all men are created free and equal; ; therefore
[PAGE 11]
Resolved, That we will use all lawful means in our power to secure the abrogation of the provision which deprives us of this right. Resolved, That as a means of elevating themselves, we recommend to the colored people of California, the engaging in agricultural pursuits; ; also, the cultivation of a knowledge of the arts and sciences, believing it would tend to dissipate prejudice and proscription, by establishing the fact of our ability to compete with our oppressors in those branches requiring practical skill, ingenuity, and high intelligence. Which were adopted, with some immaterial amendments. The Executive Committee, for the year 1857, consisted of Francisco—J. San Francisco - J. H. Townsend, H. M. Collins, M. W. Gibbs, W. H. Newby. Sacramento - J.B. B. Sanderson, F. G. Barbadoes, M. S. Haynes, Thos. Detter. Marysville - E. P. Duplex, G. R. Smyes. Shasta - B. B. Young.
[PAGE 12]
Oroville--Wm. --- Wm. H. Hall. Michigan Bluff--J. --- J. J. Underwood. Columbia--H. --- H. T. Smith. Mariposa--Thos. --- Thos. Duff.
The Convention of 1856. Before alluding to the proceedings of the Convention of 1856, we will refer to the action of the State Executive Committee, appointed by the Convention of 1855. The Committee held four Sessions during the year of 1856, as follows: : At Sacramento, January 31 and February 22; ; at Marysville, May 14; ; and at Sacramento,
[PAGE 2]
8 October 29. The business transacted by them had reference, principally, to collecting funds, circulating petitions and receiving reports from County Committees. They also appointed a general traveling Agent, Jonas H. Townsend, who, by his indefatigable efforts in holding meetings, delivering Lectures and organizing Committees, prepared the people, after the failure of our petition to the Legislature of 1855, to renew their efforts the succeeding year. The Executive Committee corresponded with the County Committees relative to holding another Convention, and finding the opinions of the people favorable to that object, they finally agreed to issue a Call for a Convention, to assemble in Sacramento, December 9, 1856. The Convention met, pursuant to Call, and the following delegates were present, representing 17 Counties:
[PAGE 3]
COMMITTEE OF CREDENTIALS. M. S. Haynes, Sacramento; E. K. Phelps, El Dorado; W. H. Newby, A. E. Dennison, San Francisco; Jacob Francis, Yuba. The Committee made the following re- report: Number of counties represented, 17 Number of delegates in convention, 61 Sonoma County, Geo W Miller. Marin County, A Sisco. Shasta County, B B Young, E Vincent. Yuba County, J J Vosburgh, M J Brown, Jacob Francis. Nevada County, Emory Waters, E A Booth. San Mateo County, R A Hall. El Dorado County, Wm H Hall, Andrew Collins, G B Brown, F Hutfield, E K Phelps, John Buckner, J B Sanderson, G W Booth, F Lawrence, J C Mortimer. Sacramento County, F G Barbadoes, T. Detter, G F Fletcher, J M Flowers, M S Haynes, J B Handy, James Hubbard, R W Freeman, S Holmes, David Lewis, John Wilmot.
[PAGE 4]
San Francisco County, W M Newby, J H Townsand, J J Moore, E J Johnson, A G Dennison, G W Gordon, C B Bass, H M Collins, Peter Anderson, Wm F Courts, F R Carter, Nathan Pointer, E H Parker, M W Gibbs, C H McDougal, D P Stokes, Daniel Seals, Charles Satchel, J E Brown. Butte County, W H Hall, J B Johnson, Alex. Ferguson. Mariposa County, Thomas Duff. San Joaquin County, Sam'l B Hyer, Wm Robinson. m Siskiyou County, C M Wilson. Placer County, I P Gibbs. Napa County, C A Gibson, Alameda County, W H Harper. Tuolumne County, H F Smith, , N F Henry.
[PAGE 5]
After going through the usual forms of organization, the officers were elected: The Nominating Committee, through their chairman, Mr. W H Harper presented the following report: For President - William H Hall, Butte county. For Vice Presidents - B B Young, Shasta county; H T Smith, Tuolumne county; T Duff, Mariposa county; F G Barbadoes, Sacramento county; Wm H Newby, San Francisco county. For Secretaries - J B Sanderson, El Dorado county; F J Vosburgh, Yuba county; S Howard, Sacramento county. For Chaplain - Rev J J Moore, San Francisco county. For Door Keepers - Mitchell S Haynes, Sacramento county: C. B. Bass, San Francisco county. In addition to the main subject for which the Convention was called, viz:
[PAGE 6]
9 our ineligibility as witnesses, and to petition the Legislature to remove that disability, several other important and equally relevant subjects were acted on. Since the Convention of 1855, a Weekly Journal, named The Mirror of the Times, had been established by the citizens of San Francisco, and Messrs. Newby and Townsend were appointed editors. To give it greater efficiency and extend its influence, it was proposed that it become a State Paper, or the official organ of the Colored People of California. The Convention adopted the Mirror of the Times, thns, for a time, securing its publication. A Committee was also appointed on Education, who were directed to report through the Mirror of the Times.
[PAGE 7]
The following Resolutions were reported from the Business Committee, of which J. H. Townsend was Chairman. Whereas, The state and condition of the colored citizens of California is one of the political as well as social debasement, and calls loudly upon them to exert themselves in behalf of reform, and to unite their energies to repeal and overthrow the cruel and unjust laws of this State which are imposed upon them, and Whereas, We are satisfied that our condition, according to the opportunities enjoyed, will be bear a favorable comparison with that of any other class of men in this State; ; and being fully determined to use every proper exertion to obtain those great and inestimable rights to obtain those great and inestimable rights for which our fathers fought and bled, in common with others, that they might secure them as an inheritance to us, their children: : Therefore, be it Resolved, That we will use every means in our power to exhibit a true state of our condition, repudiating the base slanders and falsehoods that have been fabricated against us. Resolved, That we will continually remind our white fellow-citizens that they are imposing upon us the same wrongs and grievances which caused their forefathers to rebel against Great Britain, and to appeal to their arms, and to the God of battles.
[PAGE 8]
Resolved, That the laws of the State of California disfranchising its colored citizens, zens, on the ground of color, are a foul blot upon the Statutes of the State, having no precedent in the annals of the world, un- unworthy of, and disgraceful to, the enlightened ened and progressive spirit of the American can people. Resolved, That we claim our rights in this country, as any other class, not as cit- citizens by the adoption, but by right of birth; ; that we hail with delight its onward pro- progress; ; sympathise with it in its adversity; and would freely cast our lot in the for- fortunes of battle, to protect her against for- foreign invasion. Resolved, That the laws of evidence in judicial investigation, should be accommodated dated to, and identified with, the laws of the human mind, and therefore, every force and circumstance having a tendency to throw light upon the subject under investi- investigation, should be heard and judged of ac- according to their relative weight and value, and with reference to all the circumstances of credit or discredit connected with them. . Resolved, That past experience has abun- abundantly shown, that all attempts to establish artificial standards of credibility, depending ing upon such tests as race, color, creed or country, are as unwise at they are unjust; that they serve only on the one side to ob- obstruct the investigation of truth, by the erection of useless barriers; ; and, on the
[PAGE 9]
10 other, to defraud the excluded classes, while, at the same time, they subject them in their lives, in their persons, and in their property, to outrage and injustice, with impunity, from the more favored classes. Resolved, That the true and only tests of credibility in a witness, are his intelligence, integrity, and disinterestedness; ; and that, as a race, we are willing to be subject to these tests, to be applied in each case as it occurs, and that we ought not to be subject to any other. Resolved, That to a class of people, the right of testimony is as valuable as the right of self-defense--a - a right which no generous foe will deny even to an enemy. Resolved, That we recommend the creation of a contingent fund, to be controlled by a committee, having discretionary power, to enable them to carry forward any measures that have for their object the amelioration of our condition. Resolved, That a State Executive Committee be appointed by the Convention, with full powers to adopt such measures as may be deemed expedient to accomplish the objects in view. Resolved, That the common law, and the common school, are the only hope of a free and enlightened people; ; the former their shield, and the latter their guide; ; and no people can be prosperous and happy who are deprived of these inestimable rights of God to man.
[PAGE 10]
Resolved, That the character, integrity, industry, and intelligence of the colored citizens of California, will compare favorably with that of any class of men in this State, and are deserving of better treatment from the authorities than that to which they are exposed, by the legalizing of the principle (as applied to them) that "might makes right." Resolved, That we will memorialize the Legislature, at its present session, for the repeal of so much of the 3d and 4th paragraphs of Section 394 of an Act passed April 29th, 1851, entitled "An Act to regulate proceedings in the civil cases in the Courts of Justice in this State," as relates to negroes; also, to repeal so much of Section 14 of an Act, entitled "An Act concerning crimes and punishments," passed April 16th, 1850, as relates to negroes and mulattoes, and which disqualifies negroes and mulattoes from being competent witnesses in the Courts of Justice in this State, in cases or proceedings to which white persons are parties. Whereas, The Constitution of this State denies us the right of suffrage, the only safeguard of a free people, and Whereas, We believe such a course is not only unjust, proscriptive and cruel, but inconsistent with the spirit of our Constitution, based, as it is, upon the doctrine that all men are created free and equal; ; therefore
[PAGE 11]
Resolved, That we will use all lawful means in our power to secure the abrogation of the provision which deprives us of this right. Resolved, That as a means of elevating themselves, we recommend to the colored people of California, the engaging in agricultural pursuits; ; also, the cultivation of a knowledge of the arts and sciences, believing it would tend to dissipate prejudice and proscription, by establishing the fact of our ability to compete with our oppressors in those branches requiring practical skill, ingenuity, and high intelligence. Which were adopted, with some immaterial amendments. The Executive Committee, for the year 1857, consisted of Francisco—J. San Francisco - J. H. Townsend, H. M. Collins, M. W. Gibbs, W. H. Newby. Sacramento - J.B. B. Sanderson, F. G. Barbadoes, M. S. Haynes, Thos. Detter. Marysville - E. P. Duplex, G. R. Smyes. Shasta - B. B. Young.
[PAGE 12]
Oroville--Wm. --- Wm. H. Hall. Michigan Bluff--J. --- J. J. Underwood. Columbia--H. --- H. T. Smith. Mariposa--Thos. --- Thos. Duff.
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
The Pacific Appeal, “Image of Pacific Appeal, Number 3, 19 April 1862,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/691.