Sixteen citizens seek a law prohibiting persons of colour from assembling at the polls during general elections. The petitioners claim that persons of color "assemble at the several places where the general Elections of this State are held, on the days of holding said Elections, to the great annoyance and inconvenience of the Electors, who assemble to exercise their right of sufferage, and by fighting, quarreling, and other notorious and unlawful behavior" tend "to interrupt the propriety of said Elections,” thereby encouraging "Vice and immorality, which said abuses demand a speedy and effectual remedy." The petitioners pray that a law be passed "prohibiting said persons of Colour to assemble at the place of holding said Elections on the day said Elections are held under pain of said punishment."
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Repository: Delaware State Archives, Dover, Delaware
