Letter From John Jones

Chicago, Ill., Dec. 11, 1853

Frederick Douglass, Esq: Much Esteemed Friend:—I write you these few lines in
great haste. I should have written before
this time, but for a press of business on
hand, which I could not neglect or put off.
My object in writing now, is, to put myself
right with M. R. Delany in relation to the
resolutions passed by our State Convention,
in October last, denouncing the Emigration
scheme lately set on foot by Webb, Delany
& Co. I am neither the father nor introducer
of those resolutions, or any others. Having
been honored by the Convention as its Pres
ident, I was not in the capacity to bring in
resolutions. I will say here, to my friend
Delany, that we had a Business Committee,
and that Committee had a Chairman, and
that Chairman brought in all the business
from the Business Committee, that the Con
vention did. My friend will say that that is
according to ancient usages, I know. I will
now explain to my friend how I came to get
the credit of those resolutions which he has
fretted so much about.

The Convention appointed a Committee on
the Colonization scheme, or schemes, and it
so happened that I was appointed Chairman
of that Committee. I prepared my report,
and at the appointed time I read it before
the convention; and at the resolutions report, the Chairman of the Business Com
mittee brought in the resolutions above re
ferred to; and they were adopted, the report
and the resolutions also.

The reporters of the Chicago Tribune,
from these circumstances, give me the credit
of the resolutions, as well as the report.—Frederick Douglass' Paper copied from the
Chicago Tribune, as reported in that paper,
without my knowledge or Mr. Douglass'—for it was copied while he was yet in Illinois.

These, I believe, are the facts in the case.
I, notwithstanding, wish it understood that
I endorse every sentence in those resolutions,
not as interpreted by M. R. Delany, but with
a fair construction.

Yours for Truth

JOHN JONES.

P.S. The underground rail road is doing
well this winter. We pass from three to four
per week to her Majesty's domain.

J. J.