NEW YORK CENTRAL COLLEGE,

March, 21st, 1853.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—Our
world is full of changes, and even we here,
in the centre of creation, are not quite free
from them. Last week, Prof. AllenAllen, William G.

Son of a free black mother and a white immigrant father, William G. Allen (1820–?) grew up in southeastern Virginia. After graduating from the Oneida Institute in New York, Allen taught school in Canada and New York. Allen was a popular lecturer and was regarded as an expert on black history and literature. In 1844, while teaching in Troy, New York, he assisted Henry Highland Garnet in editing the National Watchman, a temperance and abolitionist newspaper aimed at black readers. Shortly after having its title changed to the Clarion, the short-lived paper failed in 1847. No issues are known to have survived. In 1850 Allen became a professor of rhetoric and belles-lettres at New York Central College in McGrawville, New York, where he caused a public furor by marrying one of his white female students in 1852. The following year the Allens sailed to Great Britain, where William lectured for the abolitionist cause, and both he and his wife operated a series of small schools. Hutton, Early Black Press in America, 9; R. J. M. Blackett, “William G. Allen: The Forgotten Professor,” CWH, 26:39–52 (March 1980); Ripley, Black Abolitionist Papers, 4:135–36n; ANB, 1:346–47. resigned
his connection with the Board of Instruction
in this school, and accepted an agency for
this College in Europe. Although he has left
us with the best of feelings on both sides, we
fear we shall find it difficult to fill his place
in the school—for he is a superior teacher;
but we hope he has gone into a field where
his capabilities will have ample room and
most healthful influence. He is going where
he will be relieved from the intolerable pres
ence of public prejudice and hate. Those
that know him know that he has suffered
more than ten crucifixions from this infernal
nightmare. Oh! when will this bitter cup
be taken from the hand of our colored peo
ple? When I think of this one sin of our
nation in its relations and bearing, I feel that
this alone would be enough to crush it. How
much the diabolical crusade of last winter has
done to determine him in leaving his native
land, I do not know; but we may readily see
it would be quite likely to effect a manly in
dependent mind strong in that direction.

Most respectfully yours,

A. CALDWELL.