Nubia to Frederick Douglass, August 10, 1854
For Frederick Douglass' Paper.
PROGRESS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE OF SAN FRANCISCO.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10th, 1856.
MR. EDITOR:—Your not being in the receipt of any regular correspondence from California, and knowing your great interest in all that concerns the welfare of "our people," has induced me to pen this epistle. You can form no idea of the progress made by the colored people in this city within the short space of two years. We have three churches —one Baptist, and two Methodist. The two Methodist churches are filled regularly with large and intelligent audiences. The St. Cyprian is on Jackson St.; it is the largest of the three. Its interior is as handsome as any church in the city. It is presided over by the Rev. Mr. Ward, (a nephew of Samuel R. Ward,) and the Rev. Darius Stokes. Both of these gentlemen are eminently qualified to fill the positions they occupy. Mr. Stokes is regarded here as a very eloquent man; his memory is surprising, and his language chaste and elegant. The Stockton St. church (Methodist) is presided over by the Rev. Mr. Moore. He is, perhaps, the best scholar of color in the State. His sermons are looked upon as learned effusions. He is a very instructive preacher, and is doing much good.
We have one Literary Association—the "San Francisco Athenaeum." To this institution we are greatly indebted. It has given tone and character to Society. It requires its members to be moral and intelligent. The doings of the Society are published quarterly, and are characterized with great ability. Their library is small, but well selected, comprising about 800 volumes, besides periodicals, magazines, and papers from every part of the world. The Annual Report of the Institution showed an accession of 70 members, and the receipts of about $2000. We have one public school of color; it numbers about fifty children. Mr. Moore is the teacher. All this, Mr. Editor, has been effected, and with much more, by the much despised blacks. We suffer many deprivations, however. We have no oath against any white man or Chinaman. We are debarred from the polls. The Legislature refused to accept out petition for the right to testtify in courts of justice against the whites; but, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, we are steadily progressing in all that pertains to our welfare. Your valuable (or rather invaluable) paper is much sought after. Many persons have sent on for it, but have never received it. This must be attributed to the Post Office here, as persons are in the habit of receiving the paper, who have never subscribed for it.
There was a demonstration made in behalf of the North Star, or Douglass' Paper, here recently, which resulted in some forty or fifty subscribers, and the selection of Mr. Collins, of Pittsburgh, as agent; and we hope for the future to be edified by the columns of your paper, on the arrival of every mail.
The First of August was celebrated here very spiritually by addresses from several gentlemen. Mr. Ward made us believe that we were listening to his great name-sake and relation, Samuel R. Ward. His remarks were characterized by great force of expression. He said, "we had met to dig the grave of Slavery." He urged resistance, mental and physical, to every encroachment of our rights and liberties. His remarks called forth much applause. Mr. Sanderson, recently from New Bedford, (who, by the way, is a most eloquent speaker,) gave us a history of the anti slavery parties in England and America. Mr. Townsend and Mr. Newly also made addresses. The former gentleman is President of the Athenaeum, and is a regular graduate of one of the Eastern Colleges. We have a large number of respectable ladies here, and their influence is felt and acknowledged.
San Francisco presents many features that no city in the Union presents. Its population is composed of almost every nation under heaven. Here is to be see at a single glance every nation in miniature.—The Chinese form about one-eighth of the population. They exhibit a most grotesque appearance. Their "unmentionables" are either exceedingly roomy or very close fitting. The heads of the males are shaved, with the exception of the top, the hair from which is formed into a plaited tail, resembling "pig tail tobacco." Their habits are filthy, and their features totally devoid of expression. The whites are greatly alarmed at their rapid increase. They are very badly treated here. Every boy considers them lawful prey for his boyish pranks. They have no friends, unless it is the colored people, who treat every body well, even their enemies. But I must close this already too long letter.
Yours, &c.,
NUBIA.