To answer the question...I think it could be determined. I found a listing of a number of Indians recorded as indentured servants in California printed in a California newspaper during the Civil War. I bet if you went to the counties mentioned and researched their records you could find the owners. Many of these owners seemed to have been gold and silver miners and farmers. The possibility is real that an owner could have been a Freedman but I caution I do remember reading the Indian laws and it stated the legal protections to "whites" against Indian in courts of law. It seemed to me that they may have been declaring that only "whites" could own Indians.

"Why ever would I want to talk to a dried-up old historian when I have the ear of a sweet young lady?"

Geez, the internet sure plants images in people's minds that have little to do with actual reality, maybe it's how I write. Although I agree that Sally's personality on this board is that of a "sweet young lady" to say so blindly is a bold move. I agree I would much rather converse with a young beauty than some boring guy who spends his life reading old books, but that's what we're here for, that's what this board is for. I'm pretty sure there's other places you can visit on the internet for finding "the ear of a sweet young lady".

It disappoints me (just a tiny itty bitty bit) that I come across to you as a "dried up old historian". First of all "dried up" could mean two things, either the climate I live in is very dry (it is) or my ability to find and discover unknown history is at an end. I feel I have only just begun. "Dried up" associated with the word "old" makes me sound as if I'm ready for the nursing home. Your discription of me maybe true if it means I've been a historian (I perfer Historical Enlightened Researcher, Truth Teller, and Chronicler Sensei) for a long time. As for my true age (I've stated here before), I think am the youngster here on this board...I play first person video games, hang out with the boys now and then at the sports bars, and my wife still cases me around the house. In fact just shoveled and moved eight skips of gravel by hand yesterday although my back is sore this morning... I feel young.

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David Upton