The Ashworth Act, was an act that was passed by the Texas Senate on December 12, 1840. The Ashworth Act allowed the Ashworth Family as well as all free persons of color and free slaves who were residing in Texas on the day of the declaration of independence, are, and shall be exempt from the operation and provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act concerning Free Persons of Color," ... and that the above named persons, with their families are hereby granted permission to remain in this republic. All free people of color who had come to Texas before March 2, 1836, had the absolute right to remain, "anything in the laws of the country to the contrary notwithstanding" (Shades 74)