The Panama City News Herald published today an article by Marlene Womack on how free blacks fled Pensacola in the years before the Civil War as the state’s laws became more oppressive, eventually mandating that they become slaves.
In 1829, the number of free blacks and mulattoes (those of mixed races) was limited to those already in the territory. The law became stricter when any free black or mulatto migrated into the territory and returned a second time. Those offenders were subject to be sold at public sale for the highest bidder for a term of five years.
In 1845, the state of Florida assessed every freeman of color between the ages of 21 and 60 a tax of $3. If they were unable to pay this assessment, they were to be sold publicly as a slave for a certain amount of time.
In 1856, all free blacks or mulattoes over 12 years of age who failed to have a guardian as provided by the act of 1848 were subject to a fine of not less than $10
In 1858, free persons of African descent had to elect their own masters and become slaves. Many free blacks chose to leave the United States rather become slaves.