Because of the 1849 "Act to prevent Negros and Mullattos from coming to or residing in Oregon," free man Morris Thomas sought an exemption in 1854 to avoid being forced to leave the territory. He was described as "an industrious, peacable, well disposed mulatto man." In the end he stayed because the Legislative Assembly had accidentally repealed the exclusion act. (OSA, Oregon Provisional and Territorial Documents, No. 6024)

Transcript of original document:
To the Honorable Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Oregon: The undersigned citizens of the Territory of Oregon, do most respectfully pray for the passage of an Act of the proper character by your Honorable bodies to exempt Morris Thomas a free man of color, and all and singular the members of his family, from the operation of the Act of the Legislative Assembly passed September 26th, 1849, and Entitled "an Act to prevent Negros and Mullattos from coming to or residing in Oregon."

The said Morris Thomas now is and for several years past has been, a resident in the city of Portland in the Territory of Oregon. He is an industrious, peacable, well disposed mulatto man, and we do verily be-lieve the passage of the Act prayed for will be of no detriment to the welfare of the Ter-ritory or the interests of any citizen (?) and as in duty bounden we will ever pray &C (128 signatures)