Il,‘ P ortiani» (Dbaeruer
Page A4
Black History Month
February 20, 2008
B lack H istory T imeline ____
Early Black History in the Pacific Northwest
1788
Marcus Lopez, cabin boy of Captain Robert Gray, becomes the first person of African descent known to have
set foot on Oregon soil.
1805
York, William Clark’s slave, comes west with Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery.
1844
Slavery is declared illegal in the Oregon Country. The infamous “Lash Law," requiring that blacks in Oregon
— be they free or slave — be whipped twice a year “until he or she shall quit the territory,” is passed in June.
It is soon deemed too harsh and its provisions for punishment are reduced to forced labor in December.
DIVERSITY OF
PEOPLE AND
THEIR IDEAS
AND EXPERIENCES
ARE THE RICHES
1848
Oregon’s Provisional Government passes the first Exclusion Law in the Oregon Country following the
Whitman Massacre in 1847.
1849
Federally-appointed Governor Joseph Lane arrives to proclaim that Oregon is now a Territory of the United
States.
1850
The Oregon Donation Land Act becomes law, granting free land to “whites and half-breed Indians” in the
Oregon Territory. Note that the language of the act prevents blacks from claiming land in Oregon.
1851
OF A COM M UNITY
Jacob Vanderpool, a saloonkeeper living in Salem, becomes the only person known to have been kicked out
of the Oregon Territory because of his skin color.
In celebration of
Black History Month,
the Port of Portland
recognizes past and
present contributions of
African Americans to the
diversity of our city,
state and nation.
An attempt to pass an exclusion law in California is defeated. The idea is periodically resurrected until the Ci vil
War, but never again gathers as much open support as during this attempt.
1852
0
P O R T OF P O R T L A N D
1853
Washington Territory is formed.
1854
O regon's Exclusion Law is repealed. Following the gold strikes in southern Oregon, pro-slavery forces
advocate forming a new state in southern Oregon and northern California, but the movement fails when
Californians reject the idea of reducing the size of their state.
1857
The pro-slavery separatists in southern Oregon bring an amendment to vote but again fail to carve a new federal
Territory out of the southwestern region of the Oregon Territory. Although slavery is illegal in the Territory,
a bill to protect slave property in Oregon is proposed in the Territorial Legislature. It is voted down on the
grounds that it would grant special rights to slave owners. Meanwhile, a new exclusion law is added by popular
vote to the constitution’s Bill of Rights.
1858
Just prior to statehood, Oregon elects its first state officials. Governor “Honest John” Whiteaker, as well as
many lesser officials, were well known fortheir pro-slavery views. In California, an exclusion law again threatens
to pass the state legislature. Despite its failure, pervasive racism along America’s West Coast inspires many
black settlers to head north to British Columbia.
1859
The Port is an equal opportunity employer, committed to affirmative
action Please call the 24-hour Job Hotline at 503.944.7480
or visit www.portofportland.coni
On February 14 , 1859, Oregon becomes the first state admitted to the Union with an exclusion law written into
the state constitution.
1861
ARE YOU?
The Civil War begins in the East. The Knights of the Golden Circle, an anti-Union, pro-slavery group, opens
chapters in many Oregon communities. Their ultimate goal in the Northwest is to secede from the U.S. and found
their own Pacific Coast Republic.
1862
Oregon adopts a law requiring all blacks, Chinese, Hawaiians, and Mulattos (an archaic term referring to people
of mixed ethnic heritage) residing in Oregon to pay an annual tax of $5. If they could not pay this tax, the law
empowered the state to press them into service maintaining state roads for 50 cents a day. Interracial marriages
are banned in Oregon; it is against the law for whites to marry anyone more than one quarter black.
1864
The Knights of the Golden Circle become Openly militant, but the group falls apart when it becomes apparent
that the Union will win the Civil War.
1865
The Civil War ends at Apomattox Courthouse. The Thirteenth Amendment, banning slavery in the United
States, passes by referendum in Oregon.
1866
Oregon’s citizens do not pass the Fourteenth Amendment, granting citizenship to blacks. The state’s ban on
interracial marriages is extended to prevent whites from marrying anyone who is more than a quarter Chinese
or Hawaiian, or more than half Native American.
1868
Fourteenth Amendment passes in Oregon.
1870
The Fifteenth Amendment, granting black men the right to vote, is added to the US Constitution despite failing
to pass in both Oregon and California. This federal law supersedes a clause in the Oregon State Constitution
banning black suffrage.
1883
U.S.ARMY
ARMY STRONG.“
The Army prepares you to be your best. That includes
expert training in any of over 150 careers. Learn about
the unmatched training, job experience and career
foundation you will get as a Soldier in the Army. Call:
(503) 284-4005
or stop by the Rose City Army Recruiting Station at
1317 NE Broadway St.
Portland, OR 97232
An attempt is made to amend the Oregon Constitution to remove its ban on black suffrage. The effort fails
despite the fact that the clause in question was rendered moot following the passage of the Fifteenth
Amendment, as noted above. Further attempts to remove the language prohibiting blacks from voting were
made in 1895,19l6and 1927.
continued
on page A 7
Your Company Representatives are Invited to the:
Governor’ s Marketplace Connection
Oregon
University
System
Construction Contracting Workshop
The Oregon University System is proud to be a sponsor o f the
Governor's Marketplace Connection Construction Contracting
Workshop. The purpose o f the Workshop is to provide construction
contractors an opportunity to find out about contracting process and
upcoming projects forOUS, ODOT and DHS.
What is Included:
• Government Contracts 101: Understanding the Basics
• Learn how to do business with OUS, ODOT, and DHS
• Learn how to use the new OUS Procurement Wehsite and ORPIN
to get contracts
• Networking with state purchasing officers
• Learn about services and agency programs to help you bid on
government contracts
• Lunch
portant I pelate: OUS has modified its procedure for hiring
itractors. Come learn how OUS is expanding opportunities for
ir comnanv and the new OUS Emerging Small Business Program!
When:
March 5, 2008
Where:
Holiday Inn 'W ilsonville
Cost:
Free
Register By: February 22, 2008
Registration form may be found at:
www,ous.cdu/dcpt/eapcon
A dditional Sponsors.
B
gíTffT-_
t f o r
A G O S
“
For additional information:
Linda Jones, Clearinghouse Program Coordinator: I intla.k.juries«* state or us (503) 378-3583
Tony Lawrence, Executive Assistant: tonyTavyenufiftstateoru*. (503) 378-5336
is
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