1831:  African American Surety Bill

African Americans were required to post a $500 surety bond that indicated they would engage in “good behavior” and not become a financial burden to the state.  Anyone found harboring an illegal African American was subject to a fine. 

Cited by: Gunter, J. “Negative Racial Attitudes toward African Americans in Indiana during the Civil War,” Black History News and Notes [Indiana Historical Society] No. 81 (August 2000), 3-8. [6pp.]