The colored American., 1903-02-21
Socks
ke<~xr<xrrE<~E<<TE

The Negro in revelation, in history,
and in citizenship, by Rev ]. ]. Pit
KIM. D. Thompson Co., St. Louis,
New York, and Chicago, IS one of the
best books about the Negro so lar
published 1t is gotten up in excellent
shape, printed Cn good paper, Is pro-
fusely illustrated, and is packed full
of useful facts, and valuable historic
al data. In a letter l received re-
Gently from Mr. Moses Da Rocha, of
Edinburgh, Scotland, to whom the
publishers at my request sent a copy,
he says:
Il thank you exceedingly for the
Negro in Revelation. in History, and
in Citizenship" which has been sent
me by the publishers. l believe, at
your request. l have read it through,
and have no hesitation whatever in
describing it as a most remarkable
book Our white critics often ask
v hat the American Negro has done
since his emancipation? The answer
is to be found in Mr. Pitkins' able
work"
The book retails for $500 and $2.75
per copy 1t covers a wide range of
thought and embraces every phase of
the problem. i have very great pleas
ure in commencing it to the thought
full consideration of students of Ne
gro history, and of those Negroes
whose knowledge of the achievements
of their race is limited to reading the
white mans side Of the Negro ques-
ton. dr. Pitkin seems to have gath
cred his facts from reliable sources,
and he has put them together in
way to attract the general reader,
and rivet his attention. In chapter
VIII he tells the story of Julius Mel
borne's visit to Thomas Jefferson
Melbourne was born a slave in North
Carolina, and was educated by rich
widow Mrs. Melbourne, whose name
he took. In 1906 she gave him his
freedom. and he subsequently went
to England, where he became wealthy
and a man of Importance. He pub
lished a book 50 years ago, entitled,
Life and Opinions of Julius Mel
bourne" with sketches of the lives
and characters of Thomas Jefferson,
John Quincy Adams, John Randolph,
of Roanoke. and other eminent states
men.
Describing his appearance, Mel
bourne said, MY hair is curly, or
rather wColy, and my nose is more
fattened than is generally the case
with pure-blooded Europeans" In
another place he said that indeed his
hair was kinky.
CO1 AM-ELl1fLN V EN-
He visited Mr.. Jefferson, at Month
cello in 1915, and was cordially re-
ceived and entertained by the father
of the democratic party, who gave
nin the freedom of his library dur
ing his visit of a week, in which he
spent as he tells us a portion or each
day during his stay there.
On Tuesday before he left those
quiet and philosophical shades he re
ceived card from Mr.. Jefferson, In
viting him to dine with him in com
pany with a few friends, the next day
at O'Clock. When he arrived at the
house he found there Chief Justice
Marshall, William Writ, Samuel Dex-
ter. of Boston, and DR.. Samuel l..
Mitchell. of New York. There was al
so present another remarkable man
from the North, Elder John Leland.
who sent Mr.. Jefferson the great
cheese. He was a Baptist minister
who lived in the western part OF
Massachusetts. He then goes on 10
give an account of the conversation
which. as usual, was on the question
of slavery. and the inferiority OF the
Negro. Mr. Dexter, Mr. jefferson.
Chief Justice Marshall Elder Leland,
and VIM. Writ all expressed them
selves freely and frankly in courteous
Dhrases Elder Leland maintained