Pittsburg, Feb. 24, 1849.

Frederick Douglass:—I arrived in Pittsburg on Wednesday, the 14th inst., having crossed the mountains in perhaps as cold weather as was experienced on the mountain tops. These mountains, though common to every traveller from eastern to western Pennsylvania, and familiar to all who have studied geography; yet they are so novel and romantic in their appearance and arrangement, and withal so tedious to travel, that a cursory description of them here may not be amiss, though I have crossed them frequently in the course of seventeen years, and the fourth and last time in the last five months.

The Alleghany Mountains, on this portion of the Pennsylvania improvements, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, consist of a continuous and contiguous range of seven mountains and thirteen summits in a distance of eighty-six miles, commencing at London, fourteen miles west of Chambersburg, the terminus of the Philadelphia railroad, and half way between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

First and second in rank of elevation, is the Cove mountain, seven miles from foot to foot; second, the Scrub Ridge, composed of six summits, or elevated points, and ten miles across; third, Sidling Hill, three and a half miles from foot to foot; fourth, Rav's Hill, two and a half miles; fifth, the Alleghany Mountain, fourteen miles across, the greatest and first in rank of elevation and vastness; sixth, Laurel Hill, the third in rank, six miles across; and seventh and last, Chesnut Ridge, the most westerly, five miles from foot to foot, and forty-five miles east of Pittsburgh.

In some cases the foot of one mountain commences immediately at the foot of the other, as is the case with the Cove Mountain and Scrub Ridge; Scrub Ridge and Sidling Hill; Sidling and Ray's Hill; but a very narrow valley between them, and where this is not the case, there are many little prominences and rugged hills coursing along between the mountains, in the valleys, so that the plains are broken and undulated, making the travel one continuous ascension and descension from the time you strike the foot of the first mountain until you leave the base of the last. Many are the scenes throughout the whole course of these vast mountains and valleys—beautiful, picturesque, grand and sublime, well worthy the pencil of the most accomplished artist. In summer, when clothed with foliage and verdure, the scenery is beyond the most graphic description. It is worth the trip to those who have the means to travel, as the tediousness is lost in contemplation of the scenery around. The soul may here expand in the magnitude of its nature, and soar to the extent of human susceptibility. Indeed, it is only in the mountains that I can fully appreciate my existence as a man in America, my own native land. It is then and there my soul is lifted up, my bosom caused to swell with emotion, and I am lost in wonder at the dignity of my own nature. I see in the works of nature around me, the wisdom and goodness of God. I contemplate them, and conscious that he has endowed me with faculties to comprehend them, I then perceive the likeness I bear to him. What a being is man!—of how much importance!—created in the impress image of his Maker and how debased is God, and outraged his divinity in the person of the oppressed colored people of America? The thunders of his mighty wrath must sooner or later break forth, with all of its terrible consequences and scourge this guilty nation, for the endless outrages and cruelty committed upon an innocent and offending people. I invoke the aid of Jehovah, in this mighty work of chastisement. If two she bears were sent forth from the mountain to slay forty or more children, who in all probability were taught no better, for mocking Jehovah, in the person of the good old "bald-headed" prophet Elijah, then should there, for mocking Him in the person of three millions of his black children, be let loose the fiery dragons of heaven, bearing with their approach the vengeance of an angry God!

I left in Philadelphia on the 5th inst., our admirable, sterling and noble co-laborer in reform and the cause of his oppressed fellow-countrymen, Charles Lenox Remond, Esq., to whom I am much indebted for the continued and untiring assistance rendered me, and the enterprise in which I was engaged during my stay in Philadelphia. Mr. Remond has few equals among our people in this country or elsewhere—indeed, as an orator, a gentleman and true man, I think his superior is not to be found in the councils of this nation.—This I assert without the fear of successful contradiction. He possesses a soul of the largest magnitude, and that alone which makes the true man, fidelity to principle. Mr. Remond is doing a good work in Philadelphia, and to him are our people and the cause much indebted for the progress made during the current winter. It is expected he will spend the remainder of the winter season in that city.

Philadelphia is a very important point and field of labor, there being an interesting population of some twenty-five thousand of our people in that city and its environs, whose character as a whole has a very important bearing upon the character and destiny of the whole colored people of the country. There is much work to be done among the people of this great city. There are never-ending fields, the harvests of which "are ripe, but the laborers are few." Here is an arena for the young people, women and men, the moral and intelligent of whom could not better do the will of God, and subserve the cause of suffering humanity, than give a portion of their spare time, and there are those who have much time to dispose of in visiting, advising, distributing tracts, and otherwise administering to the necessities of the numerous needy of that extensive city.

The subject of TRACTS I introduced three years ago in Philadelphia, and again recently, which I am in hopes may arrest the attention of our people. A tract association, as soon as possible, should be formed, and subjects adapted to our condition and wants treated upon. The self elevation of our people should be made the leading topic of their contents. Of this, however, I shall have much to say hereafter in another position.

There are several good select schools in this city for colored youth, among which that of Sarah M., daughter of the later Robert Douglass, Sen., stands foremost; also several public schools, exclusively for colored children, the best and largest of which stand at the angle of South-sixth and Little Pittle streets. The teachers of all the public schools, though exclusively for colored children, I am informed, are white, no colored person, however competent, being employed by the white directors, placing none but whites over the children, if not the better to raise them subservient to pro-slavery will, at least to enable the salary to go into the pockets of pro-slavery men and women. Nearly all of the churches have a Sabbath-school, several of which I visited, and found them quite interesting.

Of Benevolent Institutions, there is the Shelter, established by the Friends, the Moral Reform Retreat, in Lombard street, established by the colored people for the purpose of reforming illicit females, in which there is an excellent school, taught by Mrs. West, the Matron and Superintendent of which is Mrs. Hetty Reckless, an untiring, amiable and most excellent colored lady, to whom the philanthropists, both white and colored, are much indebted for services and untiring assiduity to business. Lastly, is the Moyamensing Alms-House, for colored and white, superintended by Mr. Mullen, to whom the inmates and philanthropist should be indebted for its existence, as it met with much opposition during the progress of its erection. The contemptible Commissioners, as in the case of Smith's Hall, ordered the work of the building to be stopped, after having presented it as a nuisance, but Mr. M., being an old resident and man of means, despised their authority, and defied their power. He succeeded, fully opening this winter, to the gratification of a large number of indigent people of both sexes and colors. I have much to say about Philadelphia, her people and resources, but shall forbear at this time, and conclude this notice of that city by simply saying, that the work in Philadelphia, among our people, as well as everywhere else where there is any considerable number of them, in order to be successful, must be done by themselves. This is imperative—our friends may and should help, but we must do THE WORK. "First set our own shoulders to the wheel, then call upon Hercules."

To Mr. George W. and Mrs. Elizabeth Bolivar (as well as many other kind families of Philadelphia) am I especially indebted for kind favors during a residence of two months in their family. The pilgrim and traveller should never forget the hand that succors him. The eminent Apostle was wont to remember the kindness of those among whom he sojourned, especially Aquila and Priscilla, and surely one so humble as myself should not forget the disinterested kindness of George and Elizabeth.

I held a meeting on the evening of Monday the fourth, previous to leaving—a meeting replete with interest and full gratitude. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the fifth and sixth, I again held meetings in Columbia assisted by our able and noble-hearted friend W. Whipper, Esq., and Rev. Mr. Williams, both of that place.

Thursday and Friday evenings, the seventh and eighth, I held meetings in York, endeavoring to awaken an interest among the quite interesting people of that place. I am sorry to see that a party spirit has crept even into that little place among our brethren, and would advise them as soon as possible to do it away, as it has, as heretofore, been the very curse of all our moral efforts. It is of infernal origin—its father is Beelzebub, the prince of devils. I left York on Monday, the 12th passing on to Pittsburgh, without making any other stay on the way.

On Thursday, the 15th inst., it was rumored that Gen. Taylor, of Florida-war, Indian-murder, bloodhound, and Mexican-slaughter notoriety, President of the United States, was to be in the city, whose approach was to be announced by the thunders of a great cannon, placed upon Coal Hill, overlooking the whole neighborhood, as a signal-gun. The firing commenced about 8 o'clock at night, continuing at intervals for several hours. In the morning, however, it was ascertained that his bloody excellency had not arrived, but had telegraphed that he could not make it convenient to come by this way, then being at Wheeling, Va. This appeared to be glory enough for the people of the Smoky City—even that he had condescended to notice them; hence, the firing of cannon in honor of his refusal! The force of his non-compliance may be the better realized, when it is known that on his way up the river he was particular to stop at all slaveholding intermediate ports, going out of his way several hundred miles, up the Cumberland River to Nashville, and down again. Cincinnati, I believe, was the only "free town" he honored with a visit on his way up!

Such was the infatuation and enthusiasm said to have been manifested on the occasion of his approach, that at Memphis, Tenn., one man had his arm shot off; at Louisville, Ky., one man lost his life; at Cincinnati, there was one wounded; at Covington, Ky., one had an arm shot off; at Nashville, Ky., another lost an arm. On arriving at Captina, Va., the ice not permitting the steamer to ascend further up, a sleigh was appropriated for his special use. When passing along, although four men held, two on each side, to prevent accident, such was the wish to see him that the sleigh was upset, and the General tumbled heels-over-head down a precipice of a few feet, not sufficient to do serious injury, but enough to frighten the brave old hero of three hundred slaves and a Mississippi cotton plantaion, and make the whole thing ridiculous, and slightly injure him.—Hence, his letter to Hon. Walter Forward, that night sent to Wheeling, that in consequence of an "accident and injury received," he was "unable to visit Pittsburgh at present." I suppose at the moment when the old non-surrender was tumbling over the declivity, he felt more like going to—! than "giving the Mexicans hell!" It is also said that such was the crowd upon the boat in which he came passenger to Captina, that the provisions were all consumed, actually depriving the President of three meals. Thus did they not only show their high regard and love for the general, by killing several persons, but were well nigh killing him by starvation and dashing him to pieces.

The extent to which the American people carry this glorification of military crusaders, is beyond a parallel, except in the days of Roman extravaganza, which was but a foreboding of the end of her glory and speedy downfall of that haughty, insolent empire and commonwealth. The extent to which this homage is carried, ceases to be respectful, since it is neither kind nor complimentary, but like the homage of the serf to the noble, or the vassal to his lord, it is ludicrous. It is unfit for fremen, and only worthy of slaves—it is a flagrant outrage upon common sense and propriety.

I intend to hold a series of meetings among the colored citizens here, and shall write once more previous to my setting out for Rochester; when I shall give you an account of the state and condition of people and things about Pittsburgh.

Yours, for God and Humanity,

M. R. D.Delany, Martin Robison

Born to a free mother and a slave father in Charlestown, in western Virginia, Martin Robison Delany (1812-85) was an editor, physician, and leading advocate of black emigration. In 1822 Delany's mother moved to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where his father later joined them, and the young Delany attended a local school. In 1831 he moved to Pittsburgh where he worked as a barber, attended a school run by a black Methodist minister, and studied medicine, upgrading his occupation from “cupper and leecher“ to physician. Between 1843 and 1847, Delany was editor of the Mystery, a black Pittsburgh newspaper. For the next two years he served as co-editor of Doug1ass’s North Star and lectured and traveled extensively to gain new subscriptions for that paper. In 1850-51 Delany attended Harvard Medical College but, owing to protests from white students, was denied admission to the final term needed to complete his medical degree. The following year he wrote The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States, Politically Considered (Philadelphia, 1852), in which he argued that emigration was the only remedy for the oppressed state of black Americans. When many black abolitionists, including Douglass, rejected Delany's position, he organized a series of National Emigration Conventions that met in 1854, 1856, and 1858. These assemblies created a permanent National Board of Commissioners, of which Delany was president and chief propagandist. In 1856 Delany moved to Chatham, Canada West, and three years later explored the Niger river valley in Africa looking for possible emigration sites. His novel Blake was serialized in the Weekly Anglo-African from November 1861 through May 1862. During the Civil War, Delany served the North first as a recruiter and examining surgeon and eventually as a major of the 104th U.S. Colored Troops. From 1865 to 1868 Delany was a Freedmen's Bureau officer in South Carolina and later was active in that state's politics, running unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor on the Independent Republican ticket in 1874. Ullman, Martin R. Delany, 52-103, 115-21, 140-71, 211-46; Dorothy Sterling, The Making of an Afro-American: Martin Robison Delany, 1812—1885 (Garden City, N.Y., 1971); Thomas Holt, Black Over White: Negro Political Leadership in South Carolina during Reconstruction (Urbana, Ill., 1977), 74-75, 176-77; Miller, Search for a Black Nationality, 115-33, 171-83; Martin R. Delany, Blake; or, The Huts of America, ed. Floyd J. Miller (Boston, 1970), ix; DAB, 5: 219-20.