A Mississippi slaveholder brought several slaves from that State and promised to give them their freedom in two years. They all ran away save one, Charles Bates, when they learned that they were already free. The owner, finding mining did not pay, started east, taking Charles with him. On the Isthmus of Panama, Charles was persuaded to leave his master. He returned to California and to Stockton with his true friend. On the street one day he was recognized by a party who had lent money to Charles's master. The debtor got out an attachment for the former slave as chattel property, and according to the State law, the Negro was put up and sold at auction. A number of anti-slavery men bought the boy for $750 and gave him his freedom.--_California Reports_, I, 424-426. [38] Bancroft, "_History of California_," VI, p. 716. [39] Bancroft, "_History of California_," VI, p. 716. [40] _Ibid._, VI, p. 716. DOCUMENTS CALIFORNIA FREEDOM PAPERS[41] To determine the sources of the Negroes first brought into California their treatment by the whites and the methods employed to obtain their freedom no documents are more valuable than the manumission papers found in the archives of that State. These throw much light also on the personal history of Negroes, many of whom later became useful citizens of that State. E. H. TAYLOR to DENNIS AVIERY SLAVE RELEASE TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; This is to certify that Dennis Aviery has been my Slave in the State of Georgia for about the term of eight years but by virtue of money to me in hand paid he is free and Liberated from all allegiance to my authority. Coloma Eldorado county California Feb. 8, 1851 Witness GEORGE SOALL STATE OF CALIFORNIA S.S. ELDORADO CO. On this eight day of February, A.D. 1851 personally appeared before me the recorder of said County. E. H. Taylor, satisfactory proved to me to be the person discribed in and who executed the foregoing instrument of liberating his negro slave by the oath of George Scall, a competent witness for that purpose by me duly sworn and the said E. H. Taylor acknowledged that he executed the same freely and voluntarily for the use and purposes therein mentioned. In testimony the thereof, I, John A. Reichart; Recorder for the said county have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of said office at Coloma this day of year first above written JOHN A. REICHART _Recorder of Eldorado county_ Filed for Recording February, 8, 1851 at 9, oclock A.M. J. A. REICHART Recorder's office Record Book[42] DEED OF MANUMISSION SAMUEL GRANTHAN to ALECK LONG STATE OF CALIFORNIA ELDORADO COUNTY