A[bner] H. Francis to Frederick Douglass, May 30, 1854
SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, 1854.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—Pur-
suant to notice, a public meeting of the col-
ored citizens of San Francisco, was held on
Wednesday evening, May 24th—and by ad-
journment on Monday evening, May 29th—
in the "St. Ciprian Church," to consider the
claims of your valuable paper, and to adopt
measures to extend its circulation in "Cali-
fornia."
The meeting was called to order by Henry
M. Collins, on whose motion A. H. Frances
was elected Chairman. On taking the
Chair, he addressed the audience, and said:
"Though not fully informed as to the de-
signs of the meeting, it was his pleasure to
serve the people at all times." The meeting
was further organized by the appointment of
Wm. H. Newby and S. Howard as Secre-
taries. Messrs. H. M. Collins, J. B. Sander-
son, and F. Smithey, were appointed a Com-
mittee to prepare business for the meeting,
The Committee having retired, the Chairman
said, "The audience would be pleased to
listen to remarks relating to the object of
the meeting, from any gentleman."
Rev. Thomas M. Ward being called on, re-
sponded in an eloquent speech. He spoke
of the able manner in which the Frederick
Douglass' Paper had always been conducted;
the high estimation in which it is held; its
influence at home and abroad; and, finally,
its claims upon the colored man, whose or-
gan and advocate it is. The Business Com-
mittee now came in and reported the follow-
ing resolutions:
1st. Resolved, That we regard F. Doug-
lass as one of the ablest and most faithful
advocates of the rights of our people; that
we approve of his course, and appreciate his
labors with voice and pen in our behalf; that
we esteem it our privilege, as well as our du-
ty, to sustain him, and we will do all we can
to extend the circulation of his paper in Cal-
ifornia.
2nd. Resolved, That we do, on this occa-
sion, though late, express our entire approval
of the action of the National Convention of
colored people, held in Rochester, State of
New York, July the 6th, 7th and 8th, 1853;
and in the formation of a National Council
of colored people, with its various commit-
tees and their several plans, [vz:?] on Manual
Labor Schools, on an Industrial College, on
Business Relations, on Publications, &c., &c.
We see indications of a growing tendency
among our people to enter any field of hon-
orable labor with all other citizens—a course
which must result in working out and estab-
lishing our equality; in breaking down preju-
dice, and in hastening the day of our entire
freedom.
3d. Resolved, That we protest against the
scheme of the proposed "National Conven-
tion," called by Messrs. Delaney, J. G. G.
Bias, Wm. Webb and others, to be held in
Cleveland, Ohio, because we consider the
spirit of the call illiberal in the extreme, and
because it assumes before hand to gag a Con-
vention of freemen; because we are opposed
to any and every scheme of general coloni-
zation from the United States, at the dicta-
tion of our enemies; moreover, there are,
to our knowledge, names appended to that
call that were placed there against the wishes
of their owners; and finally, because we
consider it our imperative duty, and the
most effectual way of serving our brethren
in bonds, to remain with them in the United
States, side by side, suffering and laboring,
believing that thus under God we shall be
instrumental in hastening the abolition of
slavery.
It was voted to accept the report, also to
take up the resolutions in detail. Resolu-
tion No. 1, was taken up on motion of Henry
M. Collins, and unanimously adopted. The
2d resolution was taken up; pending its adop-
tion, J. B. Sanderson presented an account
of the doings of the National Convention,
the character of the men who composed it,
the impression which its action produced
upon the public mind, &c. It was adopted
unanimously. The 3d resolution was op-
posed by Mr. Yates. He was acquainted
with M. R. Delany. Bias was a friend to
them both. Thought the resolve was an at-
tempt to drag down one man, to raise up an-
other—an imputation against the motives of
the gentleman. The resolution was support-
ed by J. B. Sanderson; he thought there was
no intention of questioning the motives of
those gentlemen. The resolution simply
protests against the proposal to emigrate
from the U.S., even in the manner propoesd
by them, and for the reason offered in the
resolve among others. It is at all times the
right of the people to protest against that
which is inimical to their interests. Mr.
Gilbert was in favor of the resolution, which
he sustained in some earnest remarks. The
meeting was also addressed by Mr. F.
Smithey, in opposition to the resolution.—
At this stage of the meeting, in consequence
of the lateness of the hour, an adjournment
took place until Monday evening, May 29th.
Adopted.
The adjourned meeting of citizens was
held on Monday evening, May 29th. A.H.
Frances in the Chair. The meeting was
opened with prayer by Rev. J. Moore. The
Secretary then read the minutes of the pre-
vious meeting.
The first business in order, was the subject
of the disposition of the 3d resolution,
considering that the primary object aimed
at in holding these meetings, was to make
some demonstration in behalf of F. Doug-
lass and his paper. Resolution 3d was laid
upon the table. It was then voted to ap-
point a Committee, to solicit subscriptions
and donations in the meeting for the Doug-
lass Paper. Messrs. Yates, H.M. Collins,
and Sanderson were appointed. The Com-
mittee reported a list of 28 names, and a
donation of $1,80cts. Henry M. Collins was
appointed an agent to collect and forward
subscriptions for the paper. The everlasting
3d resolution was again called from the ta-
ble. Mr. Yates addressed the meeting
against its adoption. He thought it out of
place in a meeting of this character, and un-
called for under the circumstances. He be-
lieved the movers of the Emigration Con-
vention were true friends and faithful labor-
ers -- self-sacrificing for the good of our peo-
ple, and conscientious in their effors. As
the resolution intimated a doubt of their
honesty, he was opposed to its passage. --
Several gentlemen here attempted to reply
in the midst of a general call for the ques-
tion! question! As it was late, it was re-
solved to lay the matter on the table for fu-
ture consideration. Mr. John Oliver then
offered the following:
Resolved, That having come together to
express our sympathy for F. Douglass and
his paper, we avail ourselves of this occa-
sion to declare our love for, and confidence
in Wm. Lloyd Garrison, the long-tried friend
and advocate of equal rights, is unabated;
and we will not hesitate at all, in open times,
and on all proper occasions, to acknowledge
our sympathy with him, and we pledge our-
selves to labor to promote the circulation of
the old Liberator in California.
Mr. Oliver said he thought this a fitting
opportunity to express sentiments in regard
to Mr. Garrison, whose devotion to the cause
of liberty entitles him to our everlasting love
and gratitude. It was with these feelings
(in which he thought all participated) that
he offered this resolution. This resolution
—it being very late—was by vote laid on the
table for future consideration. It was then
resolved to adjourn to meet on the 21st
prox., in the Rev. Mr. Moore's Church.
A.H. FRANCES, Cha'n
WM. H. NEWBY, S. HOWARD, }Sec'ys.