- Joined
- Jan 7, 2013
- Location
- Long Island, NY
In mid-January 1866, statutes were passed in the Florida legislature that together formed that state's "Black Codes."
By this time, Black Codes in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana had already been enacted and had produced a backlash in the North. Most legislators contemplating Black Codes softened the statutes in defference to Northern concerns. Florida did not.
The codes required black workers to contract with an employer. Blacks without contracts could be charged with vagarancy. Those who entered into contracts and who failed to perform were liable to arrest and could be thereafter charged with vagarancy as well.
Those blacks convicted of vagarancy could be arrested and imprisoned. Following a trial, they could be sentenced to up to one year of labor or imprisonment and could be whipped up to 39 times. The convict could be let out to private parties, with any procedes going to the government.
Blacks were forbidden to carry bowie knives, dirks, firearms, etc.
By this time, Black Codes in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana had already been enacted and had produced a backlash in the North. Most legislators contemplating Black Codes softened the statutes in defference to Northern concerns. Florida did not.
The codes required black workers to contract with an employer. Blacks without contracts could be charged with vagarancy. Those who entered into contracts and who failed to perform were liable to arrest and could be thereafter charged with vagarancy as well.
Those blacks convicted of vagarancy could be arrested and imprisoned. Following a trial, they could be sentenced to up to one year of labor or imprisonment and could be whipped up to 39 times. The convict could be let out to private parties, with any procedes going to the government.
Blacks were forbidden to carry bowie knives, dirks, firearms, etc.
Bringing the