PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

FIRST STATE CONVENTION

OF THE

COLORED CITIZENS

OF THE

STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

HELD AT SACRAMENTO NOV. 20TH 21ST, AND 22D, IN THE
COLORED METHODIST CHURCH.

SACRAMENTO:

DEMOCRATIC STATE JOURNAL PRINT:

1855.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

CONVENTION

In obedience to call, a Convention of the colored people of the State of California, by their delegates, assembled åt Sacramento, in the colored Methodist Church, on Tuesday, Nov. 20th, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning the Legislature of California, for a change in the law relating to the testimony of colored people, in the Courts of justice of this State. Also. to adopt plans for the general improvement of their condition throughout the State.

At 10 o'clock, A. M., the Convention was called to order by J. B. Sanderson, of Sacramento; Jacob Francis. of San Francisco, was called to the Chair, and Albert Vaniel, of Sierra, appointed Secretary.

J. II. Townsend, of San Francisco, moved that Committee of fire, be appointed to examine the credentials of delegates. The motion was carried, and the following gentlemen appointed;

Committer on Credentials.-E. P. Duplex, Yuba; M. W✩ Gibbs, San Francisco ; J. B. Sanderson, Sacramento; Alfred White, Taolumno; Albert Vaniel, Sierra.

The Committee on Credentials presented their Report, as follows :

Number of Counties represented, 10; number of Delegates present, 49. From El Dorado County.-Edward R. Phelps, William II. Thomas, Joseph Smallwood, John Butler, William Quinn, Peter Blackstone, Charles H. McDougall, John Galley, William J. Hardin, Isaac Morton, 10.

From Sacramento County.-J. B. Sanderson, George W. Booth, John G. Wilson, Emory Waters, Thomas Detter, David Brown, James Nicholas Clayton Miller, James R. Starkey, David Lewis, 10.

From Yuba County.-Edward P. Duplex, Isaac Triplett, 2.

From Sierra County.-Albert Vaniel, 1.

From Nevada County-Daniel Mahoney, Dennis Carter, George Durall, 3.

From San Joaquin County.-Jeremiah King, 1.

From San Francisco County.-II. M. Collins, J. II. Townsend, WII. ewby, J. P. Dyer, D. W. Ruggles, F. G. Barbadoes, Henry F. Thompson, D. Gilliard, T. M. 1). Ward, 1). P. Stokes, Henry Cornish, Edward J.