New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-11-23
Letter Referred TO I'm the Fore going Me-
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~~S@ ~ ~ INC r oEeSo We
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MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY,
NEAR ELLiCoTT's LOWER MILLS,
- August l9 1891.
THo. JEFFERSON, Secretary Of State:
SIR: | AN fully sensible OF the greatness oil
that freedom which | take with you on the
present occasion, liberty which seemed t.
me scarcely allowable when reflect on tina,
distinguished and dgnlied station 10 which
you stand, and the almost general prejudice
and predisposition which is so prevalent IN the
world against those of my complexion.
L suppose 1t Is a truth too Well attested to
you, to need proof here that we are a race
OF beings who have long labored under the
abuse aud censure OF the world; that We have
long been considered rather as british than
human, and scarcely capable of mental endow.
ments.
SIR, hope may safely admit, in consequence
OF that report which hath reached me- that YOU
are man far less iuhexible in sentiments OF
THIS nature than many others that you are
measuraby friendly and well disposed towards
US, aud that you are ready and willing to lend
your aid aud assistance to our relief from
those many distressed and numerous calamitles
to WHICH We are reduced.
Now, sir, If this is founded in truth, | ap-
prehend You will readily embrace every oppor
tunity 70 eradicate that train of absurd aud
false ideas and opinions which SO generally
prevails with respect to as, and that your SEN
tlments are concurrent with mine, which are,
that one universal Father hath given being to
us all, and that lie hath not only made us all
vi one flesh, but that lie hath ALSO without
partaiity, afforded Us all the same sensations,
and endned US all with the same faculties. and
that however variable We may be in society or
religion, however diversified in situation or
color, We are all OF the same family, and stand
In the same relation TO HIM
Sir, II these are sentiments of which you are
FULLY persuaded, hope you cannot but acknowl
edge that II Is the indispensable duty of those
who maintain tor themselves the rights of bu.
man nature, and who profess the obligations
OF Christianity, to extend their power and in.
fuence to the relief Of every part of the human
race from whatever burthen or oppression thew
may unjustiy labor under, and this. l apprs
bend, iuii conviction OF the truth aud obiga-
ton OF these principles should lead all to.
SIR, have long been convinced that If your
love tor yourselves, and those inestimable laws
which preserve to you the rights of human ma
t1re, Was founded on sincerity, You could not
but De soticltous ,hat every individual, of what
ever rank or distinction, might, with Won,
equally enjoy the blessings thereof, neither
could you rest satisfied short of the
most active diffusion Of your exertions, in order
10 their promotion from any state OF degrade
uon u which the unjustiisble cruelty and bar.
oarism OF men may have reduced them.
Sir, freely and cheerfuliy acknowledge that
an VI the African race, and in that color
winch 10 natural to them Of the deepest dye !:
and 1t IL under sense of the most profound
grautuoe To the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
tnat now confess to you that am not under
thaI state oil tyrannical thraldOm aud inhuman
captivity 70 which too many Of my brethren
are doomed, but that i have aoundantly tasted
OF the fruition OF those blessings which proceed
from that free and unequslied liberty with
winch you are favored, and which hope you
wiii wiiiingly allow you have received from the
immediate hand OF that being from whom pro-
cesdetn every good and perfect gift.
Sir, suffer me TO recall TO your mind that time
In which the arms and tyranny Of the British
crown were exerted with every powerful effort
In orusr 70 reduce You to state Of servitude
iook pack, entreat you, on the variety Of dan
gers 10 winch you were exposed; reflect on that
time Ia which every human aid appeared IN
available and even hope and fortitude wore the
aspect OF Inability to conflict, and you cannot
but De led to serious aud grateful rense OF
your miraculous preservation; you cannot but
acknowledge that the present freedom and
trsnqoiiity which you enjoy you have merci-
fully received, and that il is the peculiar bless-
ing of heaven.
Ihis, SIR, was time in which you clearly
saw into the injustice Of state Of slavery and
in which you had just apprehension of the hor-
rors oil It's condition it was now, sir, that your
abhorrence thereof was 30 excited that you
publicly held forth this true and invaluable
doctrine, which is worthy to be recorded ana
In all succeeding ages: We hold
these truths 70 be self-svldent that ell men are
created equal, and that they are endowed By