The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-09-21
to south America.
Espy, Col. Co, Pa, July Q, 1888.

HUM W. H. IiNhb, ASST OtCs VI ptutos
DEAR Sm.-Yours of the Goth of June In
answer to my inquiry to Secretary Bayard
as to whether the State department had
any knowledge Of the existence of an or
ganization In this country or elsewhere
having for its object the emigration of
colored people In large numbers to Brazil
and the several Central and South American
countries, and IL 80 whether they were GO
ing there as bona fide emigrants encour-
aged and protected by those governments
or under such contracts to labor as will re-
duce them to condition of involuntary
scrvitude, and II so, would Mr.. Bayard
use his influence as Minister of State as far
as may be compatible with internationa
law to prevent such wrongs as might be
perpetrated upon credulous people.
You informed me in yours of Feb. 0 that
the State Department had no knowledge of
the existence of any organization IN this
country or elsewhere having for its object
the emigration Of colored people from this
country to Central and South America. l
was glad 10 be informed however that Mr.
Bayard made the necessary inquiry In re.
gard to the matter through the Representa-
tives of our government in those countries.
In yours OF June 90 found enclosed a copy
of Minister Jarvis dispatch No. 1873 to Mr..
Bayard in which he states that he has no
knowledge of any organization sanctioned
by the government of Brazil for the pur-
pose of importing American negroes into
that country and that Brazil was looking
to Europe for immigrants He stated that
he would look into the matter and make
more extended report. l also received two
copies of the Rio Netcs dated March 9TH and
gath, in which the editor in speaking of
colored immigration graphically,sets forth
the inconvenience which they would be
subject to, in those countries. Although
bis home is thousands of miles from our
shore and under Monarchical government,
where the Portuguese language is spoken,
he seems TO be thoroughly conversant with
the American continent. He writes upon
matters that are transpiring in this country
with the ease and quick sightedness of a
most enlightened journalist
You will please transmit any information
that may come to the State department
that concerns the welfare of my race Qhe
African). You will please accept my sim
cere thanks on behalf of the State depart
ment for the promptness of action and also
on behalf of Secretary Bayard for establish
ing an efficient Foreign Service, and Presi-
dent Cleveland for his earnest endeavors to
administer the government upon true de-
mocratic principles as was laid down by
Jefferson, that is Of the people and for the
people and by the consent of the people.
Yours respectfully,
STEPHEN w. HILL, Espy, Pa.
will not intrude upon your valuable
space by copying lengthy editorials upon
the subject but will give you few brief
extracts. The New York Herald of JAN
uary Goth contains the following dispatches
from Kansas City dated January 10th in
| regard to a scheme for colonizing African
laborers in South and Central America. ga
movement effectlng many States hundreds
OF thousands of people, has been inaugur-
ated in this city and now assumes definite
shape. What the political consequence
will be no one can tell. The headquarters
of the new movement are in Topeka, Kan
sas. The work to be done will be in the
Southern States" The Rio Neus speaks as
follows Of the Topeka scheme. ut would
appear from our latest American exchange
that the Topeka scheme for establishing
colonies of American negroes in South and
Central America is making rapid progress
| in the south and is attracting widespread
attention. The promoters of the scheme
in Topeka Kansas, have effected a regular
| organization under the corporated title,
''The South and Central American Immi-
| grafton League Of the United States OF
America" whose capital stock is placed at
| $4,000, 00O." The Rio Neps is Brazilian
paper published in the city of Rio Janiero.
beg leave to state that the writer of the
| foregoing in giving publicity to the above
IS aware that the people of this section Of
country have little concern in the welfare of
the colored race. 1t will be of interest to
many however to know the friendly atti-
tude of the administration towards US and
how it is appreciated by some of us. l am
not prepared to say to what extent the
colored people in the Northern States will
support President Cleveland in the coming
election. am not working in the interest
.olitical parties but for the welfare Of
my race, it is my duty therefore to state to
what extent the administration has assisted
and also my belief that it was done in good
faith.
s. w. Ii.