Foreign Miners Tax.

As a result of the Gold Rush in 1849, people from all over the world flocked to California. In part as a result of the fierce competition in the gold fields, the state legislature and court system structured the law to socially and financially benefit Anglo- Americans. One example was the Foreign Miners Tax of 1850, which forced nonwhites—usually varying Hispanic groups (local californios as well as Mexicans) and Chinese immigrants — to pay sixteen dollars per month on their mining claims. Racist violence of Anglo- American miners against nonwhite miners was also common.

The Case.

People v. Hall (1854) reflected the racist climate of California's early settlement. A white defendant was convicted on the basis of the testimony from a Chinese witness. On appeal the defendant's lawyer argued that a nonwhite witness could not testify against a white person. The...