J. C. P. to Frederick Douglass, October 15, 1856

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS AT MC'GRAWVILLE.

NEW YORK CENTRAL COLLEGE, McGrawville, Oct. 15, '56.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—The friends of the slave in this place have recently had their zeal increased, and their faith strengthened, by a visit from FRANCES E. WATKINS, a colored young lady, not unknown to your readers, who has been lecturing for some time past in New England.

The people here, both citizens and those connected with the college, in their attendance upon Fremont meetings, had heard so much concerning the aggressions of slavery, that they seemed to have well nigh forgotten the victims of slavery; so much has it become a fashion this season to preach upon slavery without reference to slaves—"playing Hamlet with Hamlet left out." The visit of Miss Watkins was, therefore, opportune; her appeals in behalf of the poor suffering bondman himself, cannot soon be forgotten; their influence will be felt long after this excitement of the campaign shall have died away.

Miss Watkins gave two lectures, on the evenings of Saturday and Sunday, the 10th and 11th of this month. On Saturday evening she spoke by invitation of the Union Society of N. Y. Central College, Mrs. Harriet C. Armour presiding at the meeting. The audience, tho' small, listened with great interest, while the lecturer held up to view the cruel partiality of the American people, in denying liberty to the black man, while professing equality to the people of every other nation on earth.

On Sunday evening, a good impression having been made, and a wider notice of the lecture secured, the College Chapel was filled to overflowing. The speaker presented a picture of slavery as viewed from the stand-point of Christianity, closing by an appeal to the social affections of her audience for sympathy in behalf of the slave. Seldom has Anti-Slavery doctrine been presented more effectually. The whole effort was earnest and high-toned, and the impressions made, it is hoped, were deep and lasting.

Miss Watkins has much ability as a speaker, possessing a clear voice and good powers of articulation. There is no hesitation for words, and the language used is always appropriate, and sometimes chosen with fine rhetorical skill. She has certainly a taste and judgment in the use of figurative language, which a Lucy Stone, or an Antoinette Brown might have been proud

of, after going to college. With these gifts, and others no less important, Miss Watkins is truly an effective Anti-Slavery lecturer; and it is due to her that the value of her services be rightly estimated by the public at large, so that no second meeting shall be necessary to secure a full attendance.

May she long continue her zealous labor as in a high and sacred calling. The American slave will long need her services. J. C. P.