Forty-two "Sundry Grocers of the City of Charleston" call attention to an 1815 ordinance that bears for them "a character of oppression." The said ordinance states that no licensed shopkeeper, during certain evening hours, may "admit into his or her premises, any Negro or person of Colour, or in any manner sell or retail to the same or any of them, any Liquors whatever; and every person herein offending shall forfeit and pay for each and every offence the sum of Fifty Dollars." They argue that it is obvious, from "a reasonable observation," that "negroes are permitted to Walk the Streets until a particular hour, and dispose of their commodities, so Your memorialists conceive they should be allowed to sell to them until that hour." Citing the "present depressed state of business," the petitioners pray "such relief in the Premises, as to Your Honorable Body shall seem meet."
Result: Referred to judiciary committee.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
