One hundred and seven citizens seek the repeal of an 1816 Delaware law "Concerning free Negroes, free Mulattoes, Servants & Slaves." The subscribers submit that "the free people of Colour have become an Intolerable Nuisance and expensive burthen to the good Citizens of this County." In their opinion, the law in question administers “no punishment Whatever ... on a free negro or mulatto convicted of felony.” They avow that free people of color “are Sold for little or nothing,” quickly released, and soon go back to thieving. They contend that free blacks "Steal with Impunity and of late seem to glory in it." The petitioners therefore pray "the Legislature to take the premises into Consideration and put a stop to this growing evil; either by Repealing the said Act of Assembly (by which People of Colour are so much more favoured than White Citizens) or in some other way as the legislature in their wisdom shall think Meet."
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Repository: Delaware State Archives, Dover, Delaware
