For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

POUGHKEEPSIE, April, 1855.

FRIEND DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—Allow me
to present a few thoughts with regard to the
position always held, as far as I know, by
Ethiop, and recently taken, as I think, by
Communipaw. I allude to their politics of
preserving and maintaining the African iden-
tity of the colored people of the United
States. Did I not know personally, "Ethiop"
and "Communipaw," I should suspect that
they were colonizationists in disguise, urging
the colored people to preserve their identity
with the African race, that thereby the pro-
priety and necessity of African colonization
might be made to appear most plain to all
men, without dispute and without contradic-
tion. This would so appear, 1st; because
if the colored people are in fact Africans,
what business, it may be asked, have these
3 millions of inferior degraded Africans here
in the United States, trying to mix them-
selves up with 24 or 30 millions of whites?—
You cannot mix nationalities, nor can you
mix black and white; and if you could mix
black and white, what benefit could possibly
result to either party, while each would pre-
serve its identity. But "Ethiop" and "Com-
munipaw" would not have the colored peo-
ple imitate nor mix with the whites. They
would have them contend with each other.—
Just think of it! Three millions of Afri-
cans contending with 24 millions of Ameri-
cans—for what? Why, for the rights of
American citizens, politically, socially and
religiously. What an idea that is. I desire
to have no part in such a contest. I hope
no one desires it. It would be more fatal to
the colored race than the brave and daring
charge of the British Light Brigade at Bala-
klava. Nay, more, the foolish daring of the
British Light Brigade would be justly con-
sidered an act of wisdom, compared with the
conduct of 3 millions Africans charging 24
millions Americans on the ground selected
by the Americans themselves. One such
charge would result in the anninhilation of
the Afrian Brigade, with no prospect of re-
cruits.

The true policy, in my opinion, for the
colored people to pursue is, lessen the dis-
tinction between white and colored citizens
of the United States. We are American cit-
izens by birth, by habit, by habitation, and
by language. Why, then, wish to be consid-
ered Africans. "African churches"—Afri-
can schools will do , while nothing better is
to be had. These will do very well in Afri-
ca, but not in the U.S. The presumption
with most people is, that no man is a proper
citizen of one certain country, while he
claims at the same time to be a citizen of
any other country. It therefore seems out
of place, and resaonable to claim to be Amer-
icans, and at the same time claim to be Af-
ricans. Common sense would seem to dic-
tate, that if we are American citizens, then
we are in our own country of right; but, on
the other hand, if we be Africans, then sure-
ly our county is Africa. For my part, I
claim to be an American citizen, and also
claim to be a man. When I claim to be any-
thing else, I trust I shall evince my bravery
and wisdom by taking my proper place,
whether it be in Africa or elsewhere. "Col-
ored Americans" will do in the United States,
but "Africans" never. I shall be greatly
mistaken if the free colored people of this
country shall consent to be packed and la-
belled for the African market, by "Ethiop"
and "Communipaw."

URIAH BOSTON.