William W. Chapman to Frederick Douglass, June 18, 1853
WILLIAM W. CHAPMAN1Born in Sherburne, New York, William W. Chapman (1807—?) resided in Minetto, Oswego County. He was active in the later incarnation of the Liberty party, led by Gerrit Smith, and occasionally contributed letters to Frederick Douglass’ Paper. William W. Chapman to Douglass, 31 May, 23 December 1854 in FDP, 9 June 1854, 4 January 1855; James McCune Smith, The Works of James McCune Smith: Black Abolitionist and Intellectual, ed. John Stauffer (New York, 2006), 134. TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Minetto, [N.Y.] 18 June 1853.
I have perused with deep interest the “Call for a Colored Convention,"
published in your paper, to be held at Rochester, the 6th of July ensuing.2In an editorial entitled “Call for a Colored National Convention," Douglass invited representatives to convene in Rochester for a national convention for people of color on 6 July 1853. The purpose of the convention was to “confer and deliberate upon their present condition, and upon principles and measures important to their welfare, progress and general improvement.” Interested organizations were urged to appoint and send between one and three delegates to the convention. FDP, 24 June 1853. The principle and design embodied in the notice, with one exception, meet my views and approbation. I should be highly gratified to be present, and
identify myself with the Convention, but for the feature of exclusiveness
which characterizes the invitation. Perhaps I am the only person who feels
embarrassed by it. I call your attention to it, from the fact that it is quite
unlike your former principles, inasmuch as you have frequently com-
plained of this element in the palefaced associations and arrangements
of this country, and its deadly influence upon the colored people.—Would
not the attendance and co operation of such men as Goodell, Smith, and
Garrison3William Goodell, Gerrit Smith, and William Lloyd Garrison.
have given great and thrilling interest to your deliberations?
Mr. Smith has publicly acknowledged himself a colored man. And many
of us are, nevertheless, assimilated to you by our complexion and sym-
pathies; at least, the complexion of our hearts and activities place us in
strong affinity to you. In my communications with mankind, in an associ-
ated or individual form, the term color has long since become obsolete.
The barriers and peculiarities attached to nationality and caste must be
sacrificed, ere the blessings of human liberty can be realized by all. Now,
in this anticipated Convention, and in all future efforts, the colored people
must set the example of equality, and establish the rules of affiliation on
their proper basis and abide by them, come what will.
Affectionately, &c.,
W. W. CHAPMAN.
PLSr: FDP, 1 July 1853.