The Negro trail blazers of California [microform] : a ... - Homestead

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46 THE NEGRO TRAIL BLAZERS entered on the Senate Journal. Finally, Jefferson Davis, from Mississippi, who at the time was a member of the Senate, addressed that body, and said that so much talk was creating outside criticism, and the newspapers were spreading alarming reports, which were doing more to create a sentiment to dissolve the Union than it would to enter the protest on the Senate Journal. The names of the Senators signed to the protest were as follows: J. M. Mason, E. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia; A. P. Butler, E. B. Barnwell, of South Carolina; H. L. Tunney, of Tennessee; Pierce Soule, Louisiana; Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi; David E. Atchison, Missouri; Jackson Morton, D. L. Yulee, Florida. Senate Chamber, August 13, 1850. Senator Seward 's address, appealing to a higher consciousness, caused the Senators to vote California as a Free State. Their actions proved that justice was about to rule, even if the Negro slaves had been held in darkness, ignorance, and cruelly treated in a land where people had come to escape oppression and had declared their independence. They allowed another class of people to come to America and for hundreds of years carry on human slavery, forgetting that the first human blood shed in the Eevolutionary War was that of a Negro man by the name of Crispus Attucks. Still even this sacrifice was not suflScient to arouse the conscience of the masses against the enslaving of the Africans brought to America. The statesmen in those days could not see nor believe that it was right to allow California to become a Free State. If the reader will review in an impartial manner the facts in the case and consider that for hundreds of years these southern Senators' ancestors had been dealing in human slaves, that some of their fortunes had been handed down to them in the form of human slaves, it would be more than human for them to give up the institution of slavery vrithout a struggle. They were true to what they believed to be right. There were others who did not believe in human slavery, and still others who, while believing in it, were too poor to own slaves, and wished California admitted as a Free State for fear that if the southern whites were permitted to bring their slaves and work the mines there would soon be an aristocracy of southerners in beautiful California. The latter legislated to keep the Negro out of California, whether either slave or free. They were afraid to be even kind to the Free Negroes, lest they would lose by that kindness. "Kindness is a perfume you cannot pour upon others without getting a few drops yourself. ' ' The admission of California as a Free State, a land very near the ' ' Terrestrial Paradise" was as an opening wedge, an awakening of the public conscience and a call from the God of Justice. The poor slaves had no way of being heard or changing the laws against them, for their human bondage was so complete it was held a crime to teach them their letters. But somehow the Negroes learned to pray and they poured out their souls in prayer and songs, in their plantation melodies, and God was not deaf. The great Negro, Fred Douglass, at one time was addressing an audience and his heart was so oppressed at the cruelties of slavery that in the anguish of his soul, in a heart-rending, plaintive tone, he said : ' ; ' Oh, God surely must be dead he does not answer our prayers. ' In the audience sat a colored woman by the name of Sojourner Truth, who arose and said: "Fred Douglass, God is not dead! To your knees, oh ye benighted sons of Africa; to your knees; and remain there. There, if nowhere else, the colored man can meet the white man as an equal and be heard. ' The effect of the protest of these southern Senators against the admission of California as a Free State was as an answer to the prayers of the Negro slaves sent to the > Court of Heaven, for hundreds of years asking to be given their liberty. The abolitionists and humanitarians had been constantly campaigning against the system of human slavery. Like drops of water they had finally worn an impression upon human conscience. People were beginning to think. The battle was not won by the admission of California into the Union as a Free State, but the protest of the southern Senators was effective and the South began to realize that the time was coming when the country would no longer remain "one-half free and one-half slave." It really was the beginning of the end of human slavery in the United States. There were many white persons living in the South who were too poor to own slaves, and yet too proud to work for a living; too much like a slave, the performance of common labor. All over the country there was fast developing a class of white people who were "shabby genteel." Their children, however, grew tired of the custom, especially when coming into contact with the northern whites who worked and earned their living by the sweat of their own brows and were happy and healthy. This was demonstrated in a speech in the California Constitutional Convention when one gentleman, a member of the convention, said: "We left the South because we did not care to bring up a family in a half dependent sort of a fashion." In other words.
OF CALIFORNIA 47 they came to California because they wished to earn their own living without the aid of Negro slaves, and not be considered "common, or poor white trash" for so doing. He opposed the admission of the Negro either as a slave or freeman. Coming as he did from the South, he knew the tricks the southern slaveholders would resort to in an effort to retain their slaves in California and would soon become wealthy in California gold through the labor of the Negro slaves. In an address given by Abraham Lincoln at Peoria, HI., October 16, 1856, among other things the speaker said: "Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature; opposition to it in his love of justice. These principles are in eternal antagonism, and when brought into collision so" fiercely as slavery extension brings them, shocks and throes and convulsions must ceaselessly follow. Repeal the Declaration of Independence; repeal all history; you cannot repeal human nature. It still will be the conviction of man^s heart that the extension of slavery is wrong and out of the abundance of his heart his mouth will continue to speak." While this speech was delivered after the admission of California into the Union, still it is typical of the spirit that was dominating the minds of a large number of people at that period through the United States. The human heart of mankind that loved justice was crying out either in spirit or otherwise, to be delivered from the cause of slavery. The prayers of the Negro slave, his groanings and anguish for hundreds of years had to be heard and answered. In the language of the Honorable John Steven McGroarty: "So through the centuries he has borne, With shoulders bowed to the wheel. The whole world's burden and its scorn; Its bloodhounds at his heels. Bound, he stood in the palace hall, He was chained in the galleyed ships. Yet with deathless courage he braved it all With a challenge upon his lips." Thus the Negro coming to California in pioneer days, with all the disadvantages and obstacles, ever kept the challenge on his lips which in time opened to him the door of hope. The records will show the wonderful strength of character and energy possessed by the pioneer Negroes of California. The writer is allowing them to tell their own story. So come visit with me to the aged pioneer Negroes all over the State. Listen to the tales from their memory of the days when California was young; gather from them the connecting links and trace the threads of the story of their struggles to obtain a right to live in California. The Honorable John Hay has said: "Real history is not to be found in books, but in the personal anecdotes and private letters of those who make history. These reveal the men themselves and the motives that actuated them and also their estimate of those who are associated with them."
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Page 9 and 10: THE NEGRO TRAIL BLAZERS OF CALIFORN
Page 11: FOREWORD The author's reason for pr
Page 15 and 16: PREFACE In presenting to the public
Page 17 and 18: AUTHORITIES CONSULTED Afro-American
Page 19 and 20: CONTENTS Foreword—Charlotte A. Ba
Page 21 and 22: THE NEGRO TRAIL BLAZERS OF CALIFORN
Page 23 and 24: OF CALIFORNIA 19 and kisses roses i
Page 25 and 26: OF CALIFORNIA 21 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL
Page 27 and 28: OF CALIFORNIA 2:3 is given an inter
Page 29 and 30: OF CALIFORNIA 25 Hackluyt's collect
Page 31 and 32: OF CALIFORNIA 27 of which and a Con
Page 33 and 34: OF CALIFORNIA 29 Galvaz had said to
Page 35 and 36: This CHAPTER IV Bear Flag Party Dur
Page 37 and 38: OF CALIFORNIA 33 the bear and the s
Page 39 and 40: OF CALIFORNIA 35 of his class, and
Page 41 and 42: OF CALIFORNIA 37 suance to adjournm
Page 43 and 44: OF CALIFORNIA 39. CAl'T. (.H'ARTKR-
Page 45 and 46: OF CALIFORNIA 41 The true reason th
Page 47 and 48: CHAPTER VI Admission of California
Page 49: OF CALIFORNIA 45 living, without ch
Page 53 and 54: OF CALIFORNIA 49 mail from Stockton
Page 55 and 56: OF CALIFORNIA 51 "Springfield, HI.,
Page 57 and 58: OF CALIFORNIA 53 was killed, the fi
Page 59 and 60: OF CALIFORNIA 55 Peter Bell, MiflBi
Page 61 and 62: OF CALIFORNIA 57 CLALUns UALl.ARl)
Page 63 and 64: OF CALIFORNIA 59 The Negro was not
Page 65 and 66: OF CALIFORNIA 61 about all they wer
Page 67 and 68: OF CALIFORNIA 63 " 'Read the first
Page 69 and 70: OP CALIFORNIA 65 account of race, c
Page 71 and 72: OF CALIFORNIA 67 the sale of the ch
Page 73 and 74: OF CALIFORNIA 69 be friends of Cali
Page 75 and 76: OF CALIFORNIA 71 Aged and Infirm Co
Page 77 and 78: OF CALIFORNIA 73 note of in the Cal
Page 79 and 80: OF CALIFORNIA 75 HON. JAMES M. ALEX
Page 81 and 82: OF CALIFORNIA 77 the Territory of U
Page 83 and 84: OF CALIFORNIA 79 refused to deliver
Page 85 and 86: OF CALIFORNIA 81 rule for the first
Page 87 and 88: OF CALIFORNIA 83 After the final de
Page 89 and 90: OP CALIFORNIA 85 The description of
Page 91 and 92: OP CALIFORNIA 87 The following is q
Page 93 and 94: OF CALIFORNIA 89 of Negroesi and pe
Page 95 and 96: OF CALIFORNIA 91 was witnessed by A
Page 97 and 98: OF CALIFORNIA 95 ATTORNEY B. BURTON
Page 99 and 100: OF CALIFORNIA 95 Cases like the abo
Page 101 and 102:
OP CALIFORNIA 97 way, aa he was rid
Page 103 and 104:
OF CALIFORNIA 99 tomically there is
Page 105 and 106:
OP CALIFORNIA 101 the Cyan, killed
Page 107 and 108:
OF CALIFORNIA 103 Carter, S. E. Cun
Page 109 and 110:
OF CALIFORNIA 105 In after years th
Page 111 and 112:
CHAPTER XII Biographical Sketches o
Page 113 and 114:
OF CALIFORNIA 109 Biddy Mason The s
Page 115 and 116:
OF CALIFORNIA 111 MRS. BIDDY MASON
Page 117 and 118:
OF CALIFORNIA 113 "When the Frazier
Page 119 and 120:
OF CALIFORNIA 115 charge of collect
Page 121 and 122:
OF CALIFORNIA 117 Mr. James H. Hubb
Page 123 and 124:
OF CALIFORNIA 119 the trade of cabi
Page 125 and 126:
OF CALIFORNIA 121 to graduate from
Page 127 and 128:
OF CALIFORNIA 123 Eachel Seals, dau
Page 129 and 130:
OF CALIFORNIA 125 large number of t
Page 131 and 132:
OF CALIFORNIA 127 Shorey. 'Victoria
Page 133 and 134:
OF CALIFORNIA 129 MRS. KATE BRADLEY
Page 135 and 136:
OF CALIFORNIA 131 one daughter to w
Page 137 and 138:
OP CALIFORNIA 133 colored authors a
Page 139 and 140:
OF CALIFORNIA 135 character gives a
Page 141 and 142:
OF CALIFORNIA 137 also owns his res
Page 143 and 144:
OF CALIFORNIA 139 educated; instead
Page 145 and 146:
OF CALIFORNIA 141 within less than
Page 147 and 148:
OF CALIFORNIA 143 beautiful, until
Page 149 and 150:
OF CALIFORNIA 145 that the Mission
Page 151 and 152:
OF CALIFORNIA 147 MRS. ELLEN HUDDEL
Page 153 and 154:
OF CALIFORNIA 149 a great orator; A
Page 155 and 156:
OF CALIFORNIA 151 the pathless wood
Page 157 and 158:
OF CALIFORNIA 153 Lowe, who lives i
Page 159 and 160:
OF CALIFORNIA 155 County of Tulare,
Page 161 and 162:
OF CALIFORNIA 157 and for seven yea
Page 163 and 164:
OF CALIFORNIA 159 The A. M. E. Chur
Page 165 and 166:
The OP CALIFORNIA 161 "September 14
Page 167 and 168:
OF CALIFORNIA 163 a cost of one tho
Page 169 and 170:
OF CALIFORNIA 165 :mrs. ardella c.
Page 171 and 172:
OF CALIFORNIA 167 Rev. Sanderson wa
Page 173 and 174:
OF CALIFORNIA 169 "(3) We declare t
Page 175 and 176:
OF CALIFORNIA 171 as steward. In 18
Page 177 and 178:
OF CALIFORNIA 173 Wright Harlan, in
Page 179 and 180:
OF CALIFORNIA 175 necessary for the
Page 181 and 182:
OF CALIFORNIA 177 Chieo colored sch
Page 183 and 184:
OF CALIFORNIA 179 " 'Eesolved, That
Page 185 and 186:
OF CALIFORNIA 181 Sacramento. Mr. B
Page 187 and 188:
OF CALIFORNIA 183 MME. ELLA BRADLEY
Page 189 and 190:
OP CALIFORNIA 185 Sara Sanderson wa
Page 191 and 192:
OF CALIFORNIA 187 graduate in the S
Page 193 and 194:
OF CALIFORNIA 189 the Legislature f
Page 195 and 196:
OP CALIFORNIA 191 tary, Mrs. H. E.
Page 197 and 198:
OF CALIFORNIA 193 tocratic resident
Page 199 and 200:
OF CALIFORNIA 195 The pioneer Negro
Page 201 and 202:
OF CALIFORNIA 197 but he is also th
Page 203 and 204:
OF CALIFORNIA 199 United States and
Page 205 and 206:
OF CALIFORNIA 201 MRS. OWEXS-BYNUM
Page 207 and 208:
OF CALIFORNIA 203 defense that Burr
Page 209 and 210:
OF CALIFORNIA 205 William Lenton St
Page 211 and 212:
OF CALIFORNIA 207 The author then q
Page 213 and 214:
OF CALIFORNIA 209 Negro in the Unit
Page 215 and 216:
OF CALIFORNIA 211 "Ray Hastings "Or
Page 217 and 218:
OF CALIFORNIA 218 leading soprano o
Page 219 and 220:
OF CALIFORNIA 215 The charm of this
Page 221 and 222:
OF CALIFORNIA 217 lege education in
Page 223 and 224:
OF CALIFORNIA 219
Page 225 and 226:
OF CALIFORNIA 221 mother of his chi
Page 227 and 228:
OF CALIFORNIA 223 Master Owen Troy
Page 229 and 230:
OF CALIFORNIA 225 led to his reachi
Page 231 and 232:
OF CALIFORNIA 227 in other organiza
Page 233 and 234:
OF CALIFORNIA 229 presented them to
Page 235 and 236:
OF CALIFORNIA 231 Mrs. Grasses is a
Page 237 and 238:
OF CALIFORNIA 233 deepest sympathy,
Page 239 and 240:
OF CALIFORNIA 235 own homes in resp
Page 241 and 242:
OF CAIJI-'OKMA ^'V MME. SUL-TE-WAN
Page 243 and 244:
OP CALIFORNIA 239 The writer in giv
Page 245 and 246:
OF CALIFORNIA 241 of being a thief
Page 247 and 248:
OF CALIFORNIA 24:3 daughter was edu
Page 249 and 250:
CHAPTER XIX Doctors and Dentists op
Page 251 and 252:
OF CALIFORNIA 247 Carolina, in 1914
Page 253 and 254:
OF CALIFORNIA 249 fessional educati
Page 255 and 256:
CHAPTER XX Literary Dep.uitment In
Page 257 and 258:
'OF CALIFORNIA 253 giving extracts
Page 259 and 260:
OF CALIFORNIA 254A REV. WM. T. CLEG
Page 261 and 262:
OF CALIFORNIA 255 Recognizing Mr. T
Page 263 and 264:
OF CALIFORNIA 257 "In war, warriors
Page 265 and 266:
OF CALIFORNIA 259 people. It was su
Page 267 and 268:
OF CALIFORNIA 261 Mr. Wilson was an
Page 269 and 270:
OF CALIFORNIA 263 the rarest evenin
Page 271 and 272:
OF CALIFORNIA 265 Our Nation's Fath
Page 273 and 274:
OP CALIFORNIA 267 WITHERED FLOWERS
Page 275 and 276:
OF CALIFORNIA 269 IT MATTERS MUCH B
Page 277 and 278:
OF CALIFORNIA 270A SERGT. CHARLES R
Page 279 and 280:
OF CALIFORNIA 271 But 'twas a might
Page 281 and 282:
OF CALIFORNIA 273 engage in anythin
Page 283 and 284:
OF CALIFORNIA 275 pleased to have w
Page 285 and 286:
OF CALIFORNIA 277 down and pity the
Page 287 and 288:
OF CALIFORNIA 279 crowded home to e
Page 289 and 290:
OF CALIFORNIA 281 aspirations. They
Page 291 and 292:
OF CALIFORNIA 283 In the great conf
Page 293 and 294:
OF CALIFORNIA 285 William Beck, son
Page 295 and 296:
OP^ CALII'oiiXIA 286A LIEUT. JOURXE
Page 297 and 298:
OF CALIFORNIA 287 "Captain Jones wa
Page 299 and 300:
OF CALIFORNIA 289 wounded after a d
Page 301 and 302:
OF CALIFORNIA 291 Mr. Benston was t
Page 303 and 304:
OF CALIFORNIA 293 Chaplain of the 9
Page 305 and 306:
OF CALIFORNIA 295 United States in
Page 307 and 308:
OP CALIFORNIA 297 Mr. Wall related
Page 309 and 310:
OP CALIFORNIA 299 quite a musical f
Page 311 and 312:
CHAPTER XXII History of the Negro a
Page 313 and 314:
OF CALIFORNIA 303 representing the
Page 315 and 316:
CHAPTER XXIII The End of the Trail
Page 317 and 318:
OF CALIFORNIA 307 Edward Carlisle,
Page 319 and 320:
OP CALIFORNIA 309 mention must be m
Page 321 and 322:
CHAPTER XXIV Notes on the Text ' "T
Page 323 and 324:
OF CALIFORNIA 313 defendant corpora
Page 325 and 326:
OF CALIFORNIA 315 From these papers
Page 327:
OP CALIFORNIA 317 Soldier, Negro.
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