Uriah Boston to Frederick Douglass, April 20, 1855

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

POUGHKEEPSIE, April, 1855.

FRIEND DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—Allow me to present a few thoughts with regard to the position always held, as far as I know, by Ethiop, and recently taken, as I think, by Communipaw. I allude to their position of preserving and maintaining African identity of the colored people of the United States. Did I not know personally, "Ethiop" and "Communipaw," I should suspect that they were colonizationists in disguise, urging the colored people to preserve their identity with the African race, that thereby the propriety and necessity of African colonization might be made to appear most plain to all men, without dispute and without contradiction. This would so appear, 1st; because if the colored people are in fact Africans, what business, it may be asked, have these 3 millions of interior degraded Africans here in the United States, trying to mix themselves up with 24 or 30 millions of whites?—You cannot mix nationalities, nor can you mix black and white; and if you could mix black and white, what benefit could possibly result to either party, while each would preserve its identity. But "Ethiop" and "Communipaw" would not have the colored people imitate nor mix with the whites. They would have them contend with each other.—Just think of it! Three millions of Americans—for what? Why, for the rights of American citizens, politically, socially and religiously. What an idea that is. I desire to have no part in such a contest. I hope no one desires it. It would be more fatal to the colored race than the brace and daring charge of the British Light Brigade at Balaklava. Nay, more, the foolish daring of the British Light Brigade would be justly considered an act of wisdom, compared with the conduct of 3 millions Africans charging 24 millions Americans on the ground selected by the Americans themselves. One such change would result in the annihilation of the African Brigade, with no prospect of recruits.

The true policy, in my opinion, for the colored people to pursue is, lessen the distinction between whites and colored citizens of the United States. We are American citizens by birth, by habit, by habitation, and by language. Why, then, wish to be considered Africans. "African churches"—African schools will do, while nothing better is to be had. These will do very well in Africa, but not in the U.S. The presumption with most people is, that no man is a proper citizen of one certain country, while he claims at the same time to be the citizen of any other country. It therefore seems out of place, and reasonable to claim to be Americans, and at the same time claim to be Africans. Common sense would seem to dictate, that if we are American citizens, then we are in our own country of right; but, on the other hand, if we be Africans, then surely our country is Africa. For my part, I claim to be an American citizen, and also claim to be a man. When I claim to be anything else, I trust I shall evince my bravery and wisdom by taking my proper place, whether it be in Africa or elsewhere. "Colored Americans" willl do in the United States, but "Africans" never. I shall be greatly mistaken if the free colored people of this country shall consent to be packed and labelled for the African market, by "Ethiop" and "Communipaw."

URIAH BOSTON.