For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

GALENA, Ill., June 16, 1855.

MESSES. EDITORS:—Some time has elapsed since you have heard of me through your organ; I, therefore, beg a small place in your paper. I observe, in the last number of your
journal, a Call for a NATIONAL CONVENTION of our people to meet in the city of Philadelphia, on the 16th of October next. This Call should attract the attention not only of our entire people in this country, but throughout the world, for the reason, that freedom knows no geographical distinction. Such a Convention is much needed at this crisis. But I think the location altogether a bad one. Our people live scattered over a vast western country, consisting of States and territories; Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Cali

fornia; seven of the free States, so called, and six territories. We ask the committee if it is
doing justice to our scattered people to call this Convention in Philadelphia, a point so re
mote? It is true, they may reply, the greater number reside East, and therefore, we must
meet in their midst. Then, we of the West, must go thousands of miles to meet our breth
ren of the East, the place of light. No, brethren: the journey is too long and expensive.—
You may reply that the intelligence is all in the East. But we have our proportion of farmers and mechanics out West; those who till the soil and build the houses for Western emigration, and our interest and convenience ought to be consulted in the locality of this Convention. Here, at the West, our interest is never once thought of in calling these great Conventions. We are a mere secondary consideration. Now why not select Cincinnati, Ohio or Indianapolis, Ind., for the contemplated Convention?
In conclusion, Messrs Editors, allow me to remark, this is a time which will try men's souls! We must meet the crisis manfully. Let us meet the enemy openly, armed with our own weapons of defense, battle in our own way, and by the help of God, we shall conquer. Then let our watch word be to the Convention, TO THE CONVENTION, TO THE CONVENTION.—
Who is getting ready? Echo answers, who?
D. JENKINSJenkins, David

David Jenkins (c. 1816–76) was a Black abolitionist from Columbus, Ohio. Born in Virginia and educated at Oberlin College, Jenkins was described by Martin R. Delany as a highly skilled craftsman: “[He] received by contract, the painting, glazing, and papering of some of the public buildings of the State, in autumn 1847. He is much respected in the capital city of his state, being extensively patronized, having on contract, the great ‘Neill House,’ and many of the largest gentlemen’s residences in the city and neighborhood, to keep in finish. Mr. Jenkins is a very useful man and member of society.” Interested in the elevation of Black people in Ohio, Jenkins organized a debating society in Columbus and was active in the Masonic Lodge and in the temperance and abolition movements. He organized the first state convention for Blacks in Ohio in 1844 and was elected vice president and appointed to the central committee during Ohio’s State Colored Convention held in Cleveland on 11 September 1852. Jenkins was a delegate from Ohio at the Colored National Convention held in Rochester in July 1853 and was appointed to its finance committee. During the Civil War, he served as a recruiting agent at Camp Delaware. Jenkins was elected vice president of the Equal Rights League Convention held on 21 September 1865 in Cleveland and was appointed sergeant at arms for the 1867 State Convention of Colored People in Columbus. Jenkins removed to Mississippi in 1872 and became a member of that state’s legislature. He died suddenly in Canton, Mississippi in 1876 and foul play was immediately suspected. Frederick Douglass' Paper, 15 September 1843, 1 October 1852, 20 May, 15 July 1853; Liberator, 21 July 1865; Daily Cleveland Herald, 25 July 1863, 21 September 1865; Ripley (Ohio) Bee, 10 July 1867; Ohio State Journal, 25 February 1870; Cincinnati Commercial, 17 April 1872; Cincinnati Daily Gazette, 27 September 1876; Cincinnati Daily Times, 13 September 1876; New York Age, 16 January 1892; 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Franklin County, 55; Delany, Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People, 118; Ripley, Black Abolitionist Papers, 4:73. .