Communications

Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1848.

Frederick Douglass:—I have omitted giving you any intelligence from our mammoth metropolis for several weeks, owing to pressing engagements. Since yourself and friend Delany paid us the timely visit, which was as "bread cast upon the waters," we have had the most encouraging movements going on. Anti-Slavery meetings upon Anti-Slavery meetings have followed in quick succession, with the best of consequences.

The North Star association held its first meeting, since its organization, on last Thursday evening, at Brick Wesley Church, and was tolerably attended.

Since M. R. Delany left, Wm. W. Brown paid us a visit, and lent us a hand for a short time. He is now in the Eastern part of the State, lecturing, in company with Cyrus M. BurleighBurleigh, Cyrus M.

, J. M. McKimMcKim, James Miller

James Miller McKim (1810-74) was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Dickinson College in 1828. After beginning the study of medicine, McKim decided to enter the Presbyterian ministry and attended both Princeton and the Andover Theological Seminary. He was ordained and assigned his first parish in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. After reading William Lloyd Garrison's Thoughts on African Colonization, McKim converted to the abolitionist cause. In 1836 he became a lecturer for the American Anti-Slavery Society and an ardent supporter of Garrison, whom he followed after the 1840 abolitionist rupture. In that year he settled in Philadelphia in order to serve as the editor of the Pennsylvania Freeman, the voice of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. McKim continued as editor of the Freeman until it merged with the National Anti-Slavery Standard in 1854. He was also very active in the Pennsylvania Underground Railroad. McKim welcomed the Civil War and promoted the use of black troops. He supported aid to southern freedmen in Port Royal during and after the war through his membership in the American Freedman's Union Commission. William Still, The Underground Railroad (1872; Chicago, 1970), 654-59; William Cohen, "James Miller McKim: Pennsylvania Abolitionist" (Ph.D. diss., New York University, 1968); ANB, 15:115-16. , and others.

We are to have a State Convention on the 13th of December, at Harrisburgh, to make arrangements to petition for the right of suffrage. I have never before witnessed so favorable a feeling among our people in regard to the elective franchise as at present. The people are at work in the matter. We received a circular a few days ago from Pittsburgh, calling upon the colored citizens to call county Conventions, and appoint delegates to the State Convention. Accordingly, the citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia called a meeting, and appointed ten delegates, and are making arrangements to collect funds to send them. The circular contained two hundred and fifty-seven names, from twenty-three counties.

Our never-to-be-forgotten pro-slavery priest, Gloucester, still holds out against the friends of the slave. His doors are still shut against the advocates of the oppressed. A member of his congregation was married a few days ago in his church, when it was reported that all who witnessed the marriage should pay ten cents; but in consequence of the parties refusing to comply with said arrangement, it was abandoned. As a matter of course that was no desecration of the church!

Yours in behalf of the downtrodden of our country,

GGoines, George W.

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