M[artin] R. Delaney to Frederick Douglass, August 7, 1862

LETTER FROM M. R. DELANY.

F. DOUGLASS ESQ, MY DEAR SIR:—Your Monthly in its present form of a periodical, being always preferable to me, is the best adapted as a political repository of events, of any paper in existence among the Anglo-Africans of America, therefore I send you the following items from the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of the 25th and 29th ult., as being so much to the point, and iterating my own oft expressed views, to merit preservation for future reference:

"The Washington correspondent of the Springfield Republican relates the following as the best thing he has heard of the President:

'Redpath came to tell the President that Geffrard, President of Hayti, would send a white minister to this country if Mr. Lincoln especially desired it. Hayti is so grateful said Redpath, for her recognition at your hand, that he was authorized to say that if you desired it as a favor, a white minister should be sent in stead of a colored one. Of course Hayti would prefer to send one of her own children, but she will be generous even to the prejudice against color! Mr. Lincoln turned drolly in his chair and replied: Well you can tell Mr. Geffrard that I shan't tear my shirt if does send a negro here! Isn't that reply Linconish enough through and through?"

THE SEQUEL.—There is a sequel to the story which we recently published regarding an interview between the President and Mr. Redpath. It seems that Redpath was fishing for the office of Minister for himself, and was very desirous that the President should prefer a whiteman.—Old Abe understood the manoeuvre, and so hinted that we could stand the darkey.

I would add a word here as an admonition to our people generally, and would, wish it were possible for the Haitien Government to profit by it—which is, that there is a prevailing error in regard to the relation of the blacks to the whites in the United States.

My knowledge and experience teaches me—and so do yours—that in all matters concerning our race exclusively, the people and government would generally prefer our claims to be mode by representations from among ourselves, to any second or third rate white man, such a would intrude themselves into positions for which neither nature nor, qualification fitted them.

And I say understandingly that the recent recognition of Haiti and Liberia, was due more to the presence of intelligent black representatives from Liberia, at Washington, than a thousand whites such as the one in the person of the foreigner intruded before the Government in behalf of Haiti. It is simply justice and due to our race at such a period, to make this record. If I have one great political desire more than another it is that the black race manage their own affairs instead of entrusting them to others.

For self-regeneration and the redemption of Africa, I am dear sir, most sincerely your old friend and co-laborer,

M. R. DELANY

Buffalo N. Y., August 7th, 1862.