User:Elizavang/A California Fugitive Case: The Archy Lee Case

Background: African Americans

In 1848-1855, the California Gold Rush was discovered by James W. Marshall and later news was spread all over the nation. There were many kinds of ethnicities that came over to California for the Gold Rush. Slaves also went to dig for gold, and if they find gold, they would use that gold to free them from being slaves. African American slaves were brought to California to work for their masters. In California, state law allowed testimonies from blacks in court. They also have more opportunity than any African American slaves in the nation. Stovall came to California in 1855, built a public and private school for boys and girls.

Archy Lee Case

Archy Lee was an African American boy and was the slave of Stovall in Mississippi. He was uneducated as well as Stovall. Stovall took him over to California when he opened a school for children. In California, black people have opportunities to do what they wanted to do. Archy saw them own houses, cars, and having good jobs. Society of black people in California inspired Archy to realize how he can be like them too. Stovall knew that Archy is thinking about wanting to be free. He decided to take Archy back to Mississippi. Somewhere on their way home to Mississippi, Archy ran away, leading Stovall to search for him. Later, Stovall found him in an African American’s house. Archy was forced to go back with Stovall. The owner of the house does not agree that Archy was treated fairly. He went to get some help from the white people who disagreed with slavery. They went to court and say that Archy should be free. Stovall reclaimed that Archy was his slave and they should let Archy go back with him. The court says that Archy was not a runaway slave; he is free. Stovall reported to the state court that Archy was his property and they should respect Mississippi’s rules. Judge Terry announced that Archy should return to Stovall. Afterwards, they continued their way to Mississippi, but Archy was arrested again and both of them were brought to the San Francisco Court. James, a supporter of anti-slavery, was told that Stovall was kidnapping Archy. The court announced that Archy should be free once again. Stovall argued that Archy was a runaway slave and he followed him to California to get him. According to Stovall’s record, he planned to stay in California by creating a school for children. This time the court was favorable of Archy, viewing he is not a fugitive. The court set Archy free and Stovall returned to his own business. Stovall agreed to let Archy go as the court wanted him to. Later Archy moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 1858, and found a job of cleaning shoes. In 1873, he was found dead of illness in British Columbia.