The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-02-25
Yome GurresgonAtntf.
OUR ALBANY LETTER.
ALBANY, Feb. 81, 1860.

DEAR ANGLo:-A donation visit was
given to the Rev. A. G. Crippen, elder of
the Bethel A. M. e. Church, by the ladies
of his charge, on the afternoon and even
ing of the 14th, at their house of wor-
ship.
The Personal Liberty Bill has been in
troduced, with carefully written and able
report, and if any regard is to be paid to
the hundred thousand signatures to the pc
titions which have come up to the capitol,
it will become State law.
In the Senate, Mr., Murphy has present
ed a petition of r. NJ. Hoe and several
hundred others, asking for comfy between
the States, and the privilege of a slave
holder sojourning with his slave proper
ty" for nine months in the State.
One of the noted events of this body, or
perhaps rather the clerk thereof, has been
the recognizing of the Anglo African as
man, by issuing to the three colored min
listers here invitations, in common with
their white brethren, to open their sessions
with prayer, a right which for years has
been unrecognized; but Mr.. Richardson,
the present clerk, happens to be "man,"
and in the discharge of his duty made no
distinction of persons, notwithstanding the
threats and reasonable talk of the great
Democratic party-which happens, how
ever, to be in a minority here-and not
withstanding "Harper's Ferry" and Muir
phys petition are on the carpet again; and
when the time shall come when either of
these gentlemen shall stand before them,
(if they dare to and not cover down before
Democratic abuse-and for one your un-
worthy servant dare, and has sent in his
note of acceptance, and now only waits an
appointment / expect to hear the cry of
''More treason" "Disunion," abolition
ism," &c but trust that by this time the
Anglo-African has determined, as have,
to meet everything that comes, rather than
deny and cast away cur God-given rights.
A bill to abolish capital punishment has
also been introduced, accompanied with an
able report showing its wickedness in the
light of Scripture and revelation, and the
fact demonstrated clearer day by day that
hanging but increases crime and lessons
the sacredness and value of life. The
Legislature has adjourned for one week, to
honor Washington.S birthday, &c.
Rev H. W. Beecher was to have lee
tured before the Young Mems Association
last week, but the illness of his wife de-
tanned him at home. There has been quite
a feeling against Mr.. B here lately, by all
parties, but the circumstances connected
with the slave girl who was lately released
through his efforts have in great measure
abated the current. He is not, however,
near as popular as he was a year ago. His
Harper's Ferry sermon is not yet forgot
ten.
There is no one thing, perhaps, that the
citizens of Albany mean our people
regret more than their school arrange
ments, having but one public school, and
that located in position where, in winter
and summer alike, it is not eligible to
maj ority of the children, from its distance.
Consequently, the primary department, re-
Gently under the care of Mrs. NJ. G. Hicks,
has been closed, while the higher depart
ment, under the care of Mr.. Phelps,
white gentleman, has scarce an average at
tendance of twenty-five at this season, the
great reason seeming to be the poor disci-
pline observed. The children evince no
progress, and the general desire of the peo-
pie is to have colored teacher, for which
however, the Commissioners do not seem
over anxious, and of course Mr.. ?. is not
disposed to lend any influence in that di-
rection. Your unworthy servant has been
appealed to again to open a select school,
having had some experience in the respon-
sible work; but, there being one or two
here already, this is matter to be consid-
cred, we being of the opinion that the State
owes us public schools, and good capable
colored teachers, and then they ought to
be sustained. Let our friends remember
that agitation and perseverance will bring
success. NJ.