Letter from Observer.

[Commemoration] of British West India Emancipation—the [Speakers]—the Hannibal Guards—[Colonization]—[L. W. Putnam].

Mr. Editor:—I promised in my last to [give] you some account of our picnic on the first of August, held in commemoration of British West India Emancipation. The picnic was held between the villages of Weeksville and [ ]ville, both colored settlements about four miles from this place.—The object in having it there, was not only to celebrate West India Emancipation, nor yet to see a little pleasure, but it was mainly to congregate those from the surrounding country, [ ] grounds owned and occupied by our own [ ], and if we had anything to spend for nick-nacks, to spend it with them.

The necessary preparations having been made with the Long Island railroad, a large concourse of the citizens of Brooklyn, New York, Williamsburg and Flushing, with a number from other places more distant, were assembled at the depot, long before the time appointed. It was a fine morning, though the sky looked somewhat lowering, and fleeting clouds would now and then, as though tauntingly, part [before] the sun: however, it was a fine day. Ten cars were crowded; in addition to that, several minibuses were soon filled with anxious passengers. We arrived [illegible] on the ground, where was assembled, in a short time, several thousand people.

The first thing in order, was for the committee to arrange for speaking. Arrangements for eating and drinking were already amply made. Several speakers announced for the occasion were not present; others were soon secured. Great animation and anxiety prevailed throughout the crowed to hear the [speaking commence]. The first speaker anounced, I believe, was Mr. Wm. [illegible] of [Ithaca]. He was a stranger to most persons present and consequently his timely, sensible, and appropriate remarks took all by surprise, particularly those speakers who expected to follow him. In fact some of them wanted to back down. He was followed by the Rev. Peter Gardner. Just as he arose, the noise of the drum, and the shrill sounds of music announced the approach of Capt. Hackins, at the head of the Hannibal Guards. The company was taken by surprise. They marched up directly opposite the speaker's stand, and there [waited] for orders, which were soon given, to march [round] the ground. This done, they appeared opposite the stand. Again, Mr. Gardiner proceeded to declare his approval of military science among our people. The rest of his remarks were dedicated to the object of the meeting, temperance and emancipation.

The other speakers were Messrs [illegible], William Wilson, and Merell, Mr. Gibson was particularly impressive, and truly eloquent. He argued that the redemption and education of our people in this country, and the entire black race on this continent, depended mainly on their own efforts and energies.—He urged the necessity of the part of parents to thoroughly educate their children

and have them well informed in history, both ancient and modern, by which we would better understand our present condition and what course we should pursue. He spoke of the necessity of our becoming possessors of the soil, and producing for our own consumption, of our engaging in trade, the mechanical arts, and the general lucrative enterprises, in which white men are engaged, and that our efforts would though perhaps with a little more trouble, be attended with ample success. Mr. Wilson is decidedly a practical man. Mr. J. C. Morell next spoke. You are well acquainted with his views and general sentiments on most questions relating to our people. As a speaker, he is always eloquent and interesting. He did not on this occasion make much of a speech. I mean in length. He took an early opportunity to express his utter abhorrence of the Colonizationists and their designs. No one who hears him on that important subject, can doubt whether he really hates them or not. Were they, the Colonizationists, to hear him. I really think they would afterwards hate themselves. Mr. M. you know, is the teacher of the public school at Corsville. He seemed particularly pleased with being surrounded by many of our people from the neighboring villages and cities, on the grounds of the colored people. In conversation, he frequently spoke of the advantages and benefit to be secured and enjoyed by leaving the city.—The friends of the village seemed equally pleased with our visit, and seemed ready and willing to contribute to the general comfort of all. I forgot to say that Capt. Hackins and his first Lieut. dined with the Booklyn committee of arrangements. Mr. R. H. [Cazens] acted as the chairman of the meeting on this occasion. Mr. L. Putnam, I believe, was the regular nominee: that man who is so deeply interested in African affairs, and who says he is doing more for his race and people than all the rest. But all the rest don't think so; consequently, there was a good deal of murmuring about his being "president." Mr. P. is certainly gaining popularity about here, as an advocate of "Colonization to Liberia."

More anon.

ObserverStill, James N.

James N. Still (1815–?) of Brooklyn, New York, combined reform activities with a career as a self-employed tailor and clothing retailer. Still won praise from Douglass for being a leading supporter of Frederick Douglass’ Paper and probably penned articles under the pseudonym “Observer.” Though not well educated, Still gained some reputation as an intellectual. An active proponent of black rights, Still argued that the way to obtain social equality with whites was through wealth, since he believed wealth led to empowerment. Still received scorn for this belief, most ardently from “Communipaw,” another Frederick Douglass’ Paper correspondent, James McCune Smith. Still also aided fugitive slaves to freedom through New York City via the Underground Railroad. In 1856, after he moved to Shrewsbury, New Jersey, the commissioners of the National Emigration Convention, led by Martin R. Delany, named Still an editor of a projected scholarly journal Afric-American Quarterly Repository. FDP, 15 January, 11 March, 17 December 1852, 6 May, 10 June 1853, 11 January 1855; William H. Smith, Smith’s Brooklyn City Directory for 1854 and 1855: Being a General Directory of the Inhabitants and a Street and Avenue Guide (Brooklyn, N.Y., 1854), 461; Miller, Search for a Black Nationality, 166; Ullman, Martin R. Delany, 182.

Brooklyn, L.I., August 14th, 1851.

The Hannibal Guard are a company of colored [young] men, formed some [illegible] years since to learn military tactics, being a [ ] new and novel, they have [had] much [opposition], until the present.