"MAYOR'S OFFICE," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, April 16, 1842

Summary: Mayor Branham announced a curfew for all blacks, free and slave, in the city of Galveston. He said that in light of the concerns of many citizens, blacks could only be out after eight in the evening with a permit and never be out past ten. Anyone violating the curfew would be treated as a vagrant and punished accordingly.

GALVESTON CITY MARCH, 17th 1842.

WHEREAS it has been represented to the Civil authorities of the city that Free Negroes, Mulattoes, and Slaves are frequently found abroad at unseasonable hours of the night and the threatening aspect of the times requiring that a vigilant watch should be kept over the conduct of all such persons.

It is therefore ordered that no free Negro, Mulatto, or person of color shall be permitted to go at large In the limits of the city, after the hour of 8 o'clock at night, unless he or she shall have a permit from his or her owner, or employer, (or if a free Negro from some responsible person) specifying the purpose for, and the place to, which such person has permission to go and in no case shall the time granted to be at large extend beyond the hour of 10 o'clock.

All such persons found abroad after the above specified time without such permit, shall be liable to arrest, and be subjected to the penalties prescribed for vagrants by the ordinance of the city.

Individuals having negroes &c under their charge are requested to have this order read to them.

march 19 JAMES M. BRANHAM Mayor.

Source Copy Consulted: "MAYOR'S OFFICE," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, April 16, 1842, p. 1