New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-16
william Craft.

This gentleman is now in our city on a visit
from the State OF Georgia. Mr.. Crafts his
tory is we'll known to all who are familiar
with the more prominent outrages committed
under the fugitive slave law. Because q
that law Mr.. Craft and wife were compelled
to find refuge in England, where they lived
4 number of years, returning TO this country
in 1869 and settling again in Georgia, their
native State. Mr.. Craft has educated him
self, and is a man of ability. While in Ing
land during the rebellion he dill good work
in defending the cause of the Union, and his
speeches and efforts arc spoken of in high
terms by prominent Englishmen favorable to
the United States. Mr.. Craft was engaged
as commercial agent in Africa for English
merchants, and was among the'iirs to sue
coed in establishing business relations with
the King of Dahomcy and other kingdoms in
Africa. Letters from English merchants III
the possession of Mr.. Craft attest his ability,
honesty, and perseverance in the work Of
establishing business relations with different
African tribes on an anti-slavery basis;
at one time Mr.. Crafts detestation Of slavery
was a source Of great recrniary loss to him.
He having sold goods to the King of Daho-
mey on credit was offered sixty slaves IN set
Element, and, as it would be considered an
insult by the King of Dahoney had the
slaves been returned 10 him, Mr.. Craft cman-
cipateI them, and was compelled hy his en-
ployers in England to pay them five thousand
IL IL % Il. . frrl a. TO /
ness.
The African trade Ia. been q very
profitable one for England, and Is nearly
monopolized by that country. English mcr-
chants, unlike the Americans, have 10 dis
taste to men BY reason Of their color, and
when they find cOlored man, intelligent,
able, and honest, they have NJ hesitation
in giving him honorable employment. Thus
Mr. Craft became a trusted and useful COM
mcrcal agent, gaining in Africa 4 knowledge
of incalculablc value to commercial men
wishing to establish Il trade with the tribes
direct, which is the most profitable business,
and it was with reluctance that Mr.. Crafts
of his African agency was ac-
cepted, when he determined to return TO
the free United States.
The services Of man with such knowledge
as Mr.. Craft possesses Of the requirements
of the African trade would seem TO lis TO be
highly desirable as Minister to iberia, a po-
sition in which he could be of great service in
establishing commercial relations between
African tribes and American merchants.
If the rumor be correct, that Hon. J. VI.
Turner intends to, or has, resigned his posi-
ton as Minister TO Liberia, President Grant
could find no man more competent for the
position than Mr.. William Craft, ard the
American merchants could find no one more
careful or attentive to their interests. Mr..
Crafts heart is IN the wo,l; Of establishing
such business connections with African
tribes and the more enlightened countries as
will show those tribes that their necessaries
can be best obtained by trading in the pro-
ducts of their country rather than in slaves.
Mr.. Crafts large experience and success in
Africa in behalf Of English houses, makes
him a very desirable person for the position
of Minister to Liberia.