J. C. G. to Frederick Douglass, December 30, 1856

FOR FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER.

WM. J. WATKINS AT TROY.

TROY, N. Y., December 30th, 1856.

MR. DOUGLASS:—We have just received the benefit of a visit from your co-laborer, W. J. Watkins.

The meeting possessed many points of interest; it was a meeting that begat serious thought on the part of all present; it was entirely divested of that light, trivial feature that distinguishes so many of our public meetings. Mr. Watkins had evidently something to say, and when he had finished, he stopped, rara avis.—He told us our faults in a manly, dignified manner, and the appropriate remedy, without any of that manoeuvreing and claptrap to suit stupid prejudice, which my soul abhors. The meeting showed its appreciation of his effort by hearing him attentively and respectfully, ten or twelve subscribing for the paper at the close of the meeting.

You naturally ask what we are doing here in Troy? Some "standing still to see the salvation," others eating and drinking and still others bound for the other side of Jordan with a rush, without any very distinct idea of either doing good or getting and enjoying good in this world, for they hope they have treasure where neither moth nor rust corrupt; what's the use of disturbing the serenity of their meek souls; they have slept too long and soundly on that idea, and have been the recipients of many opiates; he who rouses them from napping had better be careful lest he meet a bear robbed of her whelps. And there is yet a respectable number in Troy, who look at things from a more rational point of view. These are engaged in Lyceums, reading circles, &c., and have large investments in the U. G. R. R.; and these are they in the section of the State, who keep alive the interests of the Suffrage Question, and from these more than twenty years ago, went the first petition for the exercise of the franchise on the same ground that others enjoy it; and these like the old guard of Napoleon, are ready to act with any one who will show them a feasible way.

In the educational departments we have had some decided progress during the last year, and hope to do better in the future. We are sadly off in respect to tradesmen or mechanics; out of a population of seven hundred, we have but one man, and he a carpenter, that sustains himself by his trade. This is not because there is no disposition to employ colored mechanics, but simply because they are not here. A few weeks since we dispatched to Canada, in one

company, the following mechanics who would have done us great service could they have remained—a blacksmith, a carpenter, an engineer, a shoemaker, and a machinist.

Public opinion here is perhaps more tolerant of the colored man than in many other parts of the State; but alas! it is far from what it should be considering the number of our churches, and the length of our faces.

In respect to wealth, we possess little—do not compare favorably with cities of our size—$15,000 will cover all the real estate in Troy, though quite a number a property holders in different parts of the State who own no real estate in Troy.

There is a good degree of industry among our people; their occupations are of an humble character, but they show a commendable dilligence. In point of morals, I believe we are far ahead of the whites, that is to say, we commit no murders, arsons, rapes, drink very little rum, commit no burglaries, steal a little sometimes, a chicken, or a half-peck, or a ham—nothing of any great value. Compared with our white population as a whole, (I make no exceptions,) we are ahead. In business tact, education, we are far behind, we must pull up.

I do not wish to bore you with a long letter, so I will stop, and say something on the subject of our means and modes of living at a future time.

J. C. G.