Francis Colburn Adams was an American writer living in Charleston, South Carolina, who wrote under various pseudonyms. His works include Manuel Pereiera; or, The Sovereign Rule of South Carolina: with Views of Southern Laws, Life, and Hospitality, Uncle Tom at Home, Our World; or, The Democrat's Rule, a Know-Nothing, and The Von Toodleburgs: or, The Memoirs of a Very Distinguished Family. Adams wrote Manuel Pereira as a result of laws passes in South Carolina before the Civil War. "That if any vessel shall come into any port or harbor of this State, (South Carolina, ) from any other State or foreign port, having on board any free negroes or persons of color, as cooks, stewards, or mariners, or in any other employment on board said vessel, such free negroes or persons of color shall be liable to be seized and confined in jail until said vessel shall clear out and depart from this State; and that when said vessel is ready to sail, the captain of said vessel shall be bound to carry away the said free negro or person of color, and pay the expenses of detention; and in case of his refusal or neglect to do so, he shall be liable to be indicted, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined in a sum not less than one thousand dollars, and imprisoned not less than two months; and such free negroes or persons of color shall be deemed and taken as absolute slaves, and sold in conformity to the provisions of the act passed on the twentieth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and twenty aforesaid