For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—I hope that in my taking this liberty of asking a place in your paper, I do not trespass on your views or those of the readers of your paper. What I am about to say, I do with the very best of motives, especially those who may think with me on the great matters that pertain to our general welfare. The only regret and fear with me is, that we are too inactive on our part, while those that think differently are on the watch tower at their post, proclaiming the scheme of emigration in every town and village in our State. The people of this city have had four lectures on the plan, prospects and success of emigration. Three by Miss Shadd, and one by Wm. E. Walker. Permit me to say that these individuals differ widely on the place to go, to the lady for Canada and the gentleman for Liberia, both assuming high grounds to sustain the possession they pretend to assume. Miss Shadd took the ground that the people of color reach every station in the government that is now held by any class of the people which she said could not be had in the United States any where, some of which was mentioned, such as justices of the peace, stations in the army, and such like; and the reason that more were not filled by men of color, was incapability. I must say it is a great pity that women is not admitted in the Assembly of the law-making power. There would be at least two out of the forty thousand people of color who might be admitted into that department of the government. The idea of a colored nationality is out of the question. If this be true, then all the great ado at Cleveland will prove abortive; and the money spent by the Pittsburghers will be nothing more than to enrich the railroad companies. The position that Miss Shadd took in relation to the Canadas being annexed to the United States, was folly, and never could be done, especially if the people of color would go to that place, which would put a stop to any plan of annexation. If one could have dropped down in the midst of the assembly at any time during the evenings that were occupied by Miss Shadd, and not being acquainted with the aims of the people of the city, would come to the conclusion that the people was in favor of going to Canada. The next day, on the second evening, she gave the product, climate and soil of the country, and promised to exhibit some of the products of the sale. This was not done. The time taken up on the last evening, was a reply to Mr. Walker. At the close of the meeting, the Rev. A. R. Green offered a resolution complimentary to the lady, and endorsing the ability of the editors of the , recommending the same to the people of the city. This was done, when no one expected. Mr. J. I. Gaines made an effort to present the passage of the resolutions, but failed. He, however, made one true statement, and that was, that the emigrationists always skulk behind everything, to effect carry out their ends. I have already said more than I intended, and must content myself by saying nothing at present, touching Mr. Walker's position, as his plan is out of the question. Then, in conclusion, I must say I have not heard anything that has had a tendency to change my mind on remaining in the United States, under the tree that we have planted.

D. JENKINSJenkins, David

David Jenkins (c. 1816–76) was a Black abolitionist from Columbus, Ohio. Born in Virginia and educated at Oberlin College, Jenkins was described by Martin R. Delany as a highly skilled craftsman: “[He] received by contract, the painting, glazing, and papering of some of the public buildings of the State, in autumn 1847. He is much respected in the capital city of his state, being extensively patronized, having on contract, the great ‘Neill House,’ and many of the largest gentlemen’s residences in the city and neighborhood, to keep in finish. Mr. Jenkins is a very useful man and member of society.” Interested in the elevation of Black people in Ohio, Jenkins organized a debating society in Columbus and was active in the Masonic Lodge and in the temperance and abolition movements. He organized the first state convention for Blacks in Ohio in 1844 and was elected vice president and appointed to the central committee during Ohio’s State Colored Convention held in Cleveland on 11 September 1852. Jenkins was a delegate from Ohio at the Colored National Convention held in Rochester in July 1853 and was appointed to its finance committee. During the Civil War, he served as a recruiting agent at Camp Delaware. Jenkins was elected vice president of the Equal Rights League Convention held on 21 September 1865 in Cleveland and was appointed sergeant at arms for the 1867 State Convention of Colored People in Columbus. Jenkins removed to Mississippi in 1872 and became a member of that state’s legislature. He died suddenly in Canton, Mississippi in 1876 and foul play was immediately suspected. Frederick Douglass' Paper, 15 September 1843, 1 October 1852, 20 May, 15 July 1853; Liberator, 21 July 1865; Daily Cleveland Herald, 25 July 1863, 21 September 1865; Ripley (Ohio) Bee, 10 July 1867; Ohio State Journal, 25 February 1870; Cincinnati Commercial, 17 April 1872; Cincinnati Daily Gazette, 27 September 1876; Cincinnati Daily Times, 13 September 1876; New York Age, 16 January 1892; 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Franklin County, 55; Delany, Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People, 118; Ripley, Black Abolitionist Papers, 4:73. .

Cincinnati, O. Dec. 15 '54