The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-23 00:00:00

THE WELLINGTON STATUE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN:
SIR,—As it appears that considerable difficulty has
been experinced in the selection of an eligible site for the
Wellington Statue in the metropolis, where one of a
similar character already exists, permit me to propose
an appropriate position for that noble production of art,
in his Grace's native land, where the only monument
hitherto raised to his glory, though finished even to the
pedestal, continues at yet incomplete, owing to the want
of a colossal equestrian statue. I allude to the " Testi-
monial" in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Doubtless the
splendid trophy would be gratefully received by the
people of Ireland, and the suitable gift remain a perpe-
tual record of the liberality and judgment of the citizens
of London. HIBERNICU S.
Nov. 17, 1846.

SOUTFIAMPTON, FWDNIGHT.—The Ripon,
,steam-Ship, with the East Indis mail and 90 passengers
for Alexandria, was to have left this afternoon, but in
consequence of the rough unsettled weather, she will not
weigh anchor until it clears up.

THE CAPACITIES OFT HE NEGRO
RACE.
Among the negro race, with all their disadvantages,
many examples may be adduced which prove their intel-
ligence, ingenuity, and bravery, and indicate• that under
other circumstances they would not be of that inferior
grade which they are now said to be. Among these ex-
amples there is Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Napoleon of
the blacks. He has written his name in history. There
is also Lislet, a negro of the Isle of France, who was
named Corresponding Member of the French Institute,
on account of his meteorological observations. A negro,
likewise, named Hannibal, distinguished himself as a
colonel of artillery in the Russian service. The Ameri-
can United State of Maryland has produced two emi-
nent blacks. The first of these was named Richard Ban-
neker. the author of an almanack, and celebrated for his
astronomical calculations. The other was named Fuller,
and was an extraordinary example of quickness of reck-
oning. Being suddenly asked, for the purpose of trying
his powers, how many seconds a person bad lived who
was 27 years and some months old, he gave the answer
in a minute and a half. On reckoning it up after him,
a different result was obtained. " Have yon not for-
gotten the leap years ?" said the negro. The omission
was supplied, and the result of the sum then agreed with
his answer. Thomas Jenkins, the son of an African
king, became a stipendiary Scotch schoolmaster, in-
structed himself in Latin and Greek, and finished his
studies at college. Lntt Cary, a Virginian slave, in-
structed himself, made himself useful in business, saved
money, purchased his' own liberty and that of his
family, and afterwards assisted in founding the
African Colony of liberated blacks, 'at Cape Mon•
semi°, of which settlement he was elected vice-
agent. Phillis Whtatl-y, a young negro girl, a
slave at Boston, manifested much talent as ts. poetess :
she also translated from the Latin. Paul Cuffee, another
Boston slave, accumulated a considerable property by
trading in merchant vessels, manned with blacks, and
also distinguished himself as a friend of the civilization
of Africa. The chiefs of the " Amisted Captives," as
they were called, whose story is mentioned at length
to the American work of that worthy philanthropist,
Joseph Sturge, appear also to have been intelligent cha-
racters. But we must not forget to mention Placido, the
bard of Cuba. This negro patriot and poet, although
less celebrated,was of a like spirit to Toussaint L'Ouver-
ture. Delighted, by his verses, the young men of
Havannah subscribed together, and purchased his release
from bondage. Placido, however, not only thought but
felt. He desired to emancipate his race. In 1844,
he was arrested and executed, as the chief of a con-
spiracy formed in Cuba, for the purpose of arousing
an insurrection of the negroes. On his way to the
place of execution he held a crucifix in his hand, and
repeated aloud a solemn prayer in verse, calling
upon God to rend the veil of calumny which was
cast around him, declaring he was transparent be-
fore the Divine, but ready to submit if it was his
will that men should blaspheme his dust. At the
fatal time he exclaimed, " Farewell, world ! there is no
pity for me. Soldiers, fire!" His body was pierced with
five balls, but remaining unkilled, he pointed to his
heart and cried, "Fire here 1" and fell dead, as at the
instant two balls entered his breast. Thus perished.
Placido.—People's Journal.