1866 Civil Rights Act 14 Stat. 27-30, April 9, 1866 A.D. CHAP.
XXXI. –- An Act to protect all Persons in the United States in
their Civil Rights, and furnish the Means of their Vindication.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That all persons
born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power,
excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens
of the United States; and such citizens, of every race and
color, without regard to any previous condition of slavery or
involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted, shall have the same
right, in every State and Territory in the United States, to
make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, and give
evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey
real and personal property, and to full and equal benefit of all
laws and proceedings for the security of person and property, as
is enjoyed by white