Thirty-two white mechanics in Harrison County seek the passage of a bill "to prevent the competition and encouragement of Negro Mechanick." They believe that "it is not just or right to give Slaves the advantages or liberties that they are now endeavoring to take or get to put down white Workmen whose daily living is made by the sweat of their brow in their industrious pursuits." They "most solemnly object to being put in competition with Negro Mechanicks who are to rival us in the obtaining of contracts for the construction of Houses Churches and other Buildings." The petitioners declare "Negroes forever but Negroes in their places (viz: in Corn & Cotton Fields) and if there are those who have Negro Mechanicks to do their own work let them have them but we do not want to be equalized with them by allowing them to go at large contracting for jobs of work ... or to be made the Competitors of Negros in this a true Southern State." They ask that a law be passed "to confine them to the hire of some Workman or Undertaker whose duty it will be to keep them in their places and under proper control without the owner or Master being at all injured."
Result: Referred to committee on state affairs.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Texas State Library-Archives Division, Austin, Texas
