Martin R. Delany - The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States

M >> Martin R. Delany >> The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Several years ago, there lived in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr.
Berry Mechum. This gentleman was very wealthy, and had at one time, two
fine steamers plying on the Mississippi, all under the command and
management of white men, to whom he trusted altogether. As late as 1836,
he sent two sons to the Oberlin Collegiate Institute, desiring that they
might become educated, in order to be able to manage his business; who,
although he could read and write, was not sufficiently qualified and
skilled in the arts of business to vie with the crafty whites of the
Valley. But before his sons were fitted for business though reputed very
wealthy, which there is no doubt he was, his whole property was seized
and taken: and as he informed the writer himself, he did not know what
for, as he had no debts that he knew of, until these suits were
entered. Mr. Mechum was an energetic, industrious, persevering old
gentleman--a baptist clergyman, and published a small pamphlet on the
condition of the colored race. And although, it evinces great deficiency
of literary qualifications, yet, does credit to the good old man, for
the sound thoughts therein contained.

Also in the city of St. Louis, David Desara, who was a Mississippi pilot
for many years. He made much money at his business, and owned at one
time, a steamboat, which he piloted himself. Mr. Desara also failed, in
consequence of having his business all in the hands of white men, as
most of the slave state colored people have, entrusting to them
entirely, without knowing anything of their own concerns.

Charles Moore, long and familiarly known as "Chancy Moore the Pilot,"
was for many years, one of the most popular pilots on the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers. Mr. Moore made much money, and withdrew from his old
business, purchasing a large tract of land in Mercer County, Ohio, where
he has for the last ten or twelve years been farming.

Mr. Moore was an honest man, and we believe upon him originated the
purely Western phrase, "Charley Moore the fair thing"; he always in his
dealings saying "gentlemen, do the _fair_ thing."

Abner H. Francis and James Garrett were formerly extensive clothes
dealers in Buffalo, N.Y., doing business to the amount of sixty thousand
dollars annually. They were energetic, industrious, persevering
gentlemen, commencing business under very unfavorable circumstances, in
fact, commencing on but _seventy-five_ dollars, as the writer has been
authentically informed by the parties.

They continued successfully for years, where their paper and
endorsements were good for any amount they wanted--highly respected and
esteemed; Mr. Francis sitting at one time as juryman in the court of
quarter sessions. These gentlemen failed in business in 1849, but since
then, have nearly adjusted the claims against them. Mr. Francis has
since settled in Oregon Territory, Portland City, where he is again
doing a fair mercantile business. They bid fair again to rank among the
"merchant princes" of the times.

Robert Banks was for many years, a highly esteemed and extensive clothes
dealer, on Jefferson Avenue, in Detroit, Mich. No man was more highly
respected for unswerving integrity, and uprightness of purpose, than
Robert Banks, of Detroit. Mr. Banks, had much enlarged his business,
immediately succeeding a fire in which he was burnt out two years
previous to closing, which ensued in July, 1851, being the second time
he had lost his store by fire. He might have, had he done as merchants
usually do under such circumstances, continued his business; but
instead, he made an assignment, with few preferred creditors, rather as
he expressed it, ruin his business, than wilfully wrong a creditor. What
speaks volumes in his behalf, every person, even his greatest creditors
say, "He is an honest man"; and while settling the business of the late
concern, those to whom he was indebted, offered him assistance to
commence business again. But this he thankfully declined, preferring to
take his chance with others in the land of gold, California, where he
now is, than commence again under the circumstances. Doubtless, if no
special prevention ensue, Mr. Banks will be fully able to redeem his
present obligations, and once more be found prospering and happy.

Henry Knight, of Chicago, commenced business in that city without
capital; but by industry, soon gained the esteem and confidence of the
public, making many friends. He fast rose in prosperity, until he became
the proprietor of the most extensive livery establishment in the city,
in which he had much capital invested. Determined to be equal to the
times, the growing prosperity of the city, and the demands of the
increasing pride of the place, he extended his possessions--erecting
costly buildings, besides increasing his stock and livery extensively.
He was burnt out--a pressure came upon him--he sold out his stock, staid
suits against himself; went to California, returned in a year and a
half--paid off old claims, saved his property--went back; opened a
California hotel, returned in less than one year with several thousand
dollars, and now stands entirely clear of all debt--and all this done in
the space of two and a half years. Mr. Knight is a man of business, and
will hold his position with others if he have but half a chance. With
such a man, there is "no such a thing as fail"--he could not again, if
he desired, because, his friends would not permit him.

XIV

LATE MEN OF LITERARY, PROFESSIONAL AND ARTISTIC NOTE

Late Captain Frank Johnson, of Philadelphia, the most renowned band
leader ever known in the United States, was a man of science, and master
of his profession. In 1838, Captain Johnson went to England with his
noble band of musicians, where he met with great success--played to Her
Majesty Queen Victoria and His Royal Highness Prince Albert--Captain
Johnson receiving a handsome French bugle, by order of her Majesty,
valued at five hundred dollars--returning, he held throughout the
Eastern, Northern, and Western States, grand concerts, known as "Soirees
Musicales." He was a great composer and teacher of music, and some of
the finest Marches and Cotillions now extant, have been originally
composed by Captain Frank Johnson. On his Western tour, by some
awkwardness of management, he lost at Buffalo, original music in
manuscript, which never had been published--as much of his composition
had been; valued at one thousand dollars, which, although advertised, he
never got. But his name was sufficient to give additional value to the
prize; and there is no doubt, but the world is now being benefited by
the labors of Captain Johnson, the credit being given to others than
himself. This was an unfortunate circumstance, and had his amiable and
excellent widow, Mrs. Helen Johnson of Philadelphia, now this
composition, she could support herself in ease, by the sale of the
published work. Captain Frank Johnson, died in Philadelphia in 1844,
universally respected, and regretted as an irreparable loss to society.
At his death the band divided, different members taking a leadership.

Andrew J. Conner, one of the members of Captain Johnson's band, also
became a distinguished composer and teacher of music. Mr. Conner taught
the piano forte in the best families in the city of Philadelphia--among
merchants, bankers, and professional men. He contributed to the popular
literary Magazines of the day, and very many who have read in Graham's
and other literary issues, "Music composed by A.J. Conner," did not for
a moment think that the author was a colored gentleman. Mr. Conner died
in Philadelphia in 1850.

James Ulett, formerly of New York, became quite celebrated a few years
since, as a comedian. He played several times in the old "Richmond Hill"
Theatre, and quite successfully in Europe. Mr. Ulett was not well
educated, and consequently, labored under considerable inconvenience in
reading, frequently making grammatical blunders, as the writer noticed
in a private rehearsal, in 1836, in the city of New York. He, however,
possessed great intellectual powers, and his success depended more upon
that, than his accuracy in reading. Of course, he was a great delineator
of character, which being the principal feature in a comedian, his
language was lost sight of in common conversation. Mr. Ulett died in New
York a few years ago.

Doctor Lewis G. Wells was a most talented orator and man of literary
qualifications. Residing in Baltimore, Maryland, he raised himself high
in the estimation of all who knew him. He studied medicine, and was
admitted into the Washington Medical College, attending the regular
courses, and would have graduated, but for some misunderstanding
between himself and the professors, which prevented it. He was a most
successful practitioner, and effected more cures during the prevalence
of the cholera in 1832, than any other physician in the city. Doctor
Wells was also a most successful practical phrenologist, and lectured to
large and fashionable houses of the first class ladies and gentlemen of
Baltimore, and other cities. Being a great wit, he kept his audiences in
uproars of laughter. Mr. Wells was also an ordained minister of the
Gospel, belonging to the white Methodist connexion; and was author of
several productions, among them, a large Methodist hymn book, containing
several fine original poems. Dr. Wells died the same year of cholera,
after successfully saving many others, because there was no physician at
that time who understood the treatment of the disease.

XV

FARMERS AND HERDSMEN

Little need be said about farmers; there are hundreds of them in all
parts of the country, especially in the Western States; still these may
not be considered of a conspicuous or leading character--albeit, they
are contributing largely to the wants of community, and wealth of the
country at large. Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and
Indiana, all, are largely represented by the farming interests of
colored men. We shall name but a sufficient number to show the character
of their enterprise in this department of American industry.

Rev. William Watson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is the owner of a fine farm in
Mercer county, and six hundred acres of additional land.

Mr. Richard Phillips, of the same city, is owner of a fine farm in the
same county, and three hundred and fifty additional acres of land.

Rev. Reuben P. Graham, of Cincinnati, owns a finely cultivated farm in
Mercer county, three hundred acres of adjoining land; and one near
Cincinnati.

Mr. John Woodson, of Jackson county, is one of the most successful
farmers in the State of Ohio. Having a large tract of land, he has one
of the best cultivated farms in the West, in a most productive state,
raising grains, fruits, and livestock. In the year 1842, his farm
produced that season, three thousand bushels of wheat, several hundred
bushels of rye, eleven hundred bushels of oats, large crops of corn,
potatoes, and other vegetables; large quantities of fruits, three
hundred stacks of hay, with a large stock of several hundred heads of
cattle on the place. Mr. Woodson has for many years, been a highly
respectable man in his neighborhood, and continues his farming interests
with unabated success.

Dr. Charles Henry Langston, of Columbus, Ohio, is also the proprietor of
a very fine farm of eleven hundred acres, in Jackson county, upon which
he has a white tenant. This gentleman is a surgeon-dentist by
profession, educated at Oberlin College, making his home in Columbus.

Robert Purvis, Esq., a gentleman of collegiate education, is proprietor
of one of the best improved farms in Philadelphia county, fifteen miles
from Philadelphia. His cattle consist of the finest English breed.

Joseph Purvis, Esq., of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, a gentleman also of
education and wealth, is an amateur stock farmer. Every animal on Mr.
Purvis' farm is of the very best breed--Godolphin horses, Durham cattle,
Leicestershire sheep, Berkshire swine, even English bull-terrier dogs,
and whatever else pertains to the blooded breeds of brutes, may be found
on the farm of Joseph Purvis. Mr. Purvis supplies a great many farmers
with choice breeds of cattle, and it is said that he spends ten thousand
dollars annually, in the improvement of his stocks.

Robert Briges Forten, also of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, is an amateur
farmer. Mr. Forten is a gentleman of fine education, a pure, chaste
poet, and attends to farming for the love of nature. He is a valuable
member of the farming enterprise in the country.

If such evidence of industry and interest, as has been exhibited in the
various chapters on the different pursuits and engagements of colored
Americans, do not entitle them to equal rights and privileges in our
common country, then indeed, is there nothing to justify the claims of
any portion of the American people to the common inheritance of Liberty.

We proceed to another view of our condition in the United States.

XVI

NATIONAL DISFRANCHISEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

We give below the Act of Congress, known as the "Fugitive Slave Law,"
for the benefit of the reader, as there are thousands of the American
people of all classes, who have never read the provisions of this
enactment; and consequently, have no conception of its enormity. We had
originally intended, also, to have inserted here, the Act of Congress of
1793, but since this Bill includes all the provisions of that Act, in
fact, although called a "supplement," is a substitute, _de facto_, it
would be superfluous; therefore, we insert the Bill alone, with
explanations following:--

AN ACT

TO AMEND, AND SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE ACT, ENTITLED, "AN ACT
RESPECTING FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE, AND PERSONS ESCAPING FROM THE
SERVICE OF THEIR MASTERS," APPROVED FEBRUARY 12, 1793.

_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled_, That the persons
who have been, or may hereafter be, appointed commissioners, in
virtue of any act of Congress, by the circuit courts of the United
States, and who, in consequence of such appointment, are authorized
to exercise the powers that any justice of the peace or other
magistrate of any of the United States may exercise in respect to
offenders for any crime or offence against the United States, by
arresting, imprisoning, or bailing the same under and by virtue of
the thirty-third section of the act of the twenty-fourth of
September, seventeen hundred and eighty-nine, entitled "An act to
establish the judicial courts of the United States," shall be, and
are hereby authorized and required to exercise and discharge all
the powers and duties conferred by this act.

SEC. 2. _And be it further enacted_, That the superior court of
each organized territory of the United States shall have the same
power to appoint commissioners to take acknowledgments of bail and
affidavit, and to take depositions of witnesses in civil causes,
which is now possessed by the circuit courts of the United States;
and all commissioners who shall hereafter be appointed for such
purposes by the superior court of any organized territory of the
United States shall possess all the powers and exercise all the
duties conferred by law upon the commissioners appointed by the
circuit courts of the United States for similar purposes, and shall
moreover exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred
by this act.

SEC. 3. _And be it further enacted_, That the circuit courts of the
United States, and the superior courts of each organized territory
of the United States, shall from time to time enlarge the number of
commissioners, with a view to afford reasonable facilities to
reclaim fugitives from labor, and to the prompt discharge of the
duties imposed by this act.

SEC. 4. _And be it further enacted_, That the commissioners above
named shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the
circuit and district courts of the United States, in their
respective circuits and districts within the several States, and
the judges of the superior courts of the Territories, severally and
collectively, in term time and vacation; and shall grant
certificates to such claimants, upon satisfactory proof being made,
with authority to take and remove such fugitives from service or
labor, under the restrictions herein contained, to the State or
territory from which such persons may have escaped or fled.

SEC. 5. _And be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of
all marshals and deputy marshals to obey and execute all warrants
and precepts issued under the provisions of this act, when to them
directed; and should any marshal or deputy marshal refuse to
receive such warrant or other process, when tendered, or to use all
proper means diligently to execute the same, he shall, on
conviction thereof, be fined in the sum of one thousand dollars to
the use of such claimant, on the motion of such claimant, by the
circuit or district court for the district of such marshal; and
after arrest of such fugitive by such marshal or his deputy, or
whilst at any time in his custody, under the provisions of this
act, should such fugitive escape, whether with or without the
assent of such marshal or his deputy, such marshal shall be liable,
on his official bond, to be prosecuted, for the benefit of such
claimant for the full value of the service or labor of said
fugitive in the State, Territory, or district whence he escaped;
and the better to enable the said commissioners, when thus
appointed, to execute their duties faithfully and efficiently, in
conformity with the requirements of the constitution of the United
States and of this art, they are hereby authorized and empowered,
within their counties respectively, to appoint in writing under
their hands, any one or more suitable persons, from time to time,
to execute all such warrants and other process as may be issued by
them in the lawful performance of their respective duties; with an
authority to such commissioners, or the persons to be appointed by
them, to execute process as aforesaid, to summon and call to their
aid the bystanders, or _posse comitatus_ of the proper county,
when necessary to insure a faithful observance of the clause of the
constitution referred to, in conformity with the provisions of this
act: and all good citizens are hereby commanded to aid and assist
in the prompt and efficient execution of this law, whenever their
services may be required, as aforesaid, for that person; and said
warrants shall run and be executed by said officers anywhere in the
State within which they are issued.

SEC. 6. _And be it further enacted_, That when a person held to
service or labor in any State or Territory of the United States has
heretofore or shall hereafter escape into another State or
Territory of the United States, the person or persons to whom such
service or labor may be due, or his, her, or their agent or
attorney, duly authorized, by power of attorney, in writing,
acknowledged and certified under the seal of some legal office or
court of the State or Territory in which the game may be executed,
may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person, either by procuring a
warrant from some one of the courts, judges, or commissioners
aforesaid, of the proper circuit, district or county, for the
apprehension of such fugitive from service or labor, or by seizing
and arresting such fugitive, where the same can be done without
process, and by taking and causing such person to be taken
forthwith before such court, judge or commissioner, whose duty it
shall be to hear and determine the case of such claimant in a
summary manner; and upon satisfactory proof being made, by
deposition or affidavit, in writing, to be taken and certified by
such court, judge, or commissioner, or by other satisfactory
testimony, duly taken and certified by some court, magistrate,
justice of the peace, or other legal officer authorized to
administer an oath, and take depositions under the laws of the
State or Territory from which such person owing service or labor
may have escaped, with a certificate of such magistracy or other
authority, as aforesaid, with the seal of the proper court or
officer thereto attached, which seal shall be sufficient to
establish the competency of the proof, and with proof, also by
affidavit, of the identity of the person whose service or labor is
claimed to be due as aforesaid, that the person so arrested does in
fact owe service or labor to the person or persons claiming him or
her, in the State or Territory from which such fugitive may have
escaped as aforesaid, and that said person escaped, to make out and
deliver to such claimant, his or her agent or attorney, a
certificate setting forth the substantial facts as to the service
or labor due from such fugitive to the claimant, and of his or her
escape from the State or Territory in which such service or labor
was due to the State or Territory in which he or she was arrested,
with authority to such claimant, or his or her agent or attorney to
use such reasonable force and restraint as may be necessary under
the circumstances of the case, to take and remove such fugitive
person back to the State or Territory from whence he or she may
have escaped as aforesaid. In no trial or hearing under this act
shall the testimony of such alleged fugitive be admitted in
evidence; and the certificates in this and the first section
mentioned shall be conclusive of the right of the person or persons
in whose favor granted to remove such fugitive to the State or
Territory from which he escaped, and shall prevent all molestation
of said person or persons by any process issued by any court,
judge, magistrate, or other person whomsoever.

SEC. 7. _And be it further enacted_, That any person who shall
knowingly and willingly obstruct, hinder, or prevent such claimant,
his agent or attorney, or any person or persons lawfully assisting
him, her, or them, from arresting such a fugitive from service or
labor, either with or without process as aforesaid; or shall
rescue, or attempt to rescue such fugitive from service or labor,
from the custody of such claimant, his or her agent or attorney or
other person or persons lawfully assisting as aforesaid, when so
arrested, pursuant to the authority herein given and declared: or
shall aid, abet, or assist such person, so owing service or labor
as aforesaid, directly or indirectly, to escape from such claimant,
his agent or attorney, or other person or persons, legally
authorized as aforesaid; or shall harbor or conceal such fugitive,
so as to prevent the discovery and arrest of such person, after
notice or knowledge of the fact that such person was a fugitive
from service or labor as aforesaid, shall, for either of said
offences, be subject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars,
and imprisonment not exceeding six months, by indictment and
conviction before the district court of the United States for the
district in which such offence may have been committed, or before
the proper court of criminal jurisdiction, if committed within any
one of the organized territories of the United States; and shall
moreover forfeit and pay, by way of civil damages to the party
injured by such illegal conduct, the sum of one thousand dollars
for each fugitive so lost as aforesaid, to be recovered by action
of debt in any of the district or territorial courts aforesaid,
within whose jurisdiction the said offence may have been committed.

SEC. 8. _And be it further enacted_, That the marshals, their
deputies, and the clerks of the said district and territorial
courts, shall be paid for their services the like fees as may be
allowed to them for similar services in other cases; and where such
services rendered exclusively in the arrest, custody, and delivery
of the fugitive to the claimant, his or her agent or attorney, or
where such supposed fugitive may be discharged out of custody for
the want of sufficient proof as aforesaid, then such fees are to be
paid in the whole by such claimant, his agent or attorney; and in
all cases where the proceedings are before a commissioner, he shall
be entitled to a fee of ten dollars in full for his services in
each case, upon delivery of the said certificate to the claimant,
his or her agent or attorney; or a fee of five dollars in cases
where the proof shall not, in the opinion of such commissioner,
warrant such certificate and delivery, inclusive of all services
incident to such arrest and examination, to be paid in either case,
by the claimant, his or her agent or attorney. The person or
persons authorized to execute the process to be issued by such
commissioners for the arrest and detention of fugitives from
service or labor as aforesaid, shall also be entitled to a fee of
five dollars each for each person he or they may arrest and take
before any such commissioner as aforesaid at the instance and
request of such claimant, with such other fees as may be deemed
reasonable by such commissioner for such other additional services
as may be necessarily performed by him or them: such as attending
to the examination, keeping the fugitive in custody, and providing
him with food and lodging during his detention, and until the final
determination of such commissioner; and in general for performing
such other duties as may be required by such claimant, his or her
attorney or agent, or commissioner in the premises; such fees to be
made up in conformity with the fees usually charged by the officers
of the courts of justice within the proper district or county, as
near as may be practicable, and paid by such claimants, their
agents or attorneys, whether such supposed fugitive from service or
labor be ordered to be delivered to such claimants by the final
determination of such commissioners or not.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13