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In: Travel Writing·History - Other·History - Modern (1750+)
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #22118.
The work is an official record of the Niger Valley Exploring Party, authored by Martin Robison Delany, a prominent African‑American physician and activist. It opens with a fervent call to “men and brethren” urging colored people to convene in Cleveland, Ohio, in August 1854 to discuss emigration as a means of securing equality, unrestricted rights, and political sovereignty. The opening pages lay out the purpose of the National Emigration Convention, the strict criteria for attendance, and a detailed roll‑call of delegates from dozens of states and Canadian provinces. From there the narrative shifts to a chronological account of the conventions, the formation of a national board of commissioners, and Delany’s own lifelong ambition to explore Africa, interwoven with minutes, resolutions, and contemporary newspaper excerpts that illuminate the political climate of the era.
The text is written in a formal, nineteenth‑century prose style, marked by long, declarative sentences, rhetorical flourishes, and extensive use of italics for emphasis. Its voice is that of a determined activist‑scholar, blending reportage with persuasive argument. Readers with an interest in antebellum African‑American history, the early black nationalist movement, or the origins of emigration debates will find it a valuable primary source, while those drawn to vivid historical documentation of political organization and early Pan‑African thought will appreciate its detailed, earnest tone.
The opening · free to read
MEN AND BRETHREN: The time has fully come when we, as an oppressed people, should do something effectively, and use those means adequate to the attainment of the great and long desired end--do something to meet the actual demands of the present and prospective necessities of the rising generation of our people in this country. To do this, we must occupy a position of entire equality, of unrestricted rights, composing in fact, an acknowledged necessary part of the ruling element of society in which we live. The policy necessary to the preservation of this element must be in our favor, if ever we expect the enjoyment, freedom, sovereignty, and equality of rights anywhere. For this purpose, and to this end, then, all colored men in favor of Emigration out of the United States, and opposed to the American Colonization scheme of leaving the Western Hemisphere, are requested to meet in CLEVELAND, OHIO, TUESDAY, the 24th day of AUGUST, 1854, in a great NATIONAL CONVENTION, then and there to consider and decide upon the great and important subject of Emigration from the United States.
No person will be admitted to a seat in the Convention, who would introduce the subject of Emigration to the Eastern Hemisphere--either to Asia, Africa, or Europe--as our object and determination are to consider our claims to the West Indies, Central and South America, and the Canadas. This restriction has no reference to personal preference, or individual enterprise; but to the great question of national claims to come before the Convention.
All persons coming to the Convention must bring credentials properly authenticated, or bring verbal assurance to the Committee on Credentials--appointed for the purpose--of their fidelity to the measures and objects set forth in this call, as the Convention is specifically by and for the friends of Emigration, and none others--and no opposition to them will be entertained.
The question is not whether our condition can be bettered by emigration, but whether it can be made worse. If not, then, there is no part of the wide spread universe, where our social and political condition are not better than here in our native country, and nowhere in the world as here, proscribed on account of color.
We are friends to, and ever will stand shoulder to shoulder by our brethren, and all our friends in all good measures adopted by them for the bettering of our condition in this country, and surrender no rights but with our last breath; but as the subject of Emigration is of vital importance, and has ever been shunned by all delegated assemblages of our people as heretofore met, we cannot longer delay, and will not be farther baffled; and deny the right of our most sanguine friend or dearest brother, to prevent an intelligent inquiry into, and the carrying out of these measures, when this can be done, to our entire advantage, as we propose to show in Convention--as the West Indies, Central and South America--the majority of which are peopled our brethren, or those identified with us in race, and what is more, destiny, on this continent--all stand with open arms and yearning hearts, importuning us in the name of suffering humanity to come--to make common cause, and share one common fate on the continent.
The Convention will meet without fail at the time fixed for assembling, as none but those favorable to Emigration are admissible; therefore no other gathering may prevent it. The number of delegates will not be restricted--except in the town where the Convention may be held--and there the number will be decided by the Convention when assembled, that they may not too far exceed the other delegations.
The time and place fixed for holding the Conventions are ample; affording sufficient time, and a leisure season generally--and as Cleveland is now the centre of all directions--a good and favorable opportunity to all who desire to attend. Therefore, it may reasonably be the greatest gathering of the colored people ever before assembled in a Convention in the United States.
Colonizationists are advised, that no favors will be shown to them or their expatriating scheme, as we have no sympathy with the enemies of our race.
All colored men, East, West, North, and South, favorable to the measures set forth in this Call will send in their names (post-paid) to M. R. DELANY, or REV. WM. WEBB, Pittsburgh, Pa., that there may be arranged and attached to the Call, five names from each State.
We must make an issue, create an event, and establish a position for ourselves. It is glorious to think of, but far more glorious to carry out.
REV. WM. WEBB, M. R. DELANY, H. G. WEBB, THOS. A. BROWN, JOHN JONES, R. L. HAWKINS, SAMUEL VENERABLE, JOHN WILLIAMS, A. F. HAWKINS, S. W. SANDERS, JEFFERSON MILLER, Pittsburgh, Pa.; REV. A. R. GREEN, P. L. JACKSON, J. H. MAHONEY, G. HARPER, JONATHAN GREEN, H. A. JACKSON, E. R. PARKER, SAMUEL BRUCE, Allegheny City; J. J. GOULD BIAS, M.D., REV. M. M. CLARK, A. M. SUMNER, JOHNSON WOODLIN, Philadelphia; JAMES M. WHITFIELD, JOHN N. STILL, STANLEY MATTHEWS, New York.
This Call was readily responded to by the addition of names from other States, which appeared in subsequent issues.
At the Convention, which according to the Call sat in Cleveland successively on Thursday, 24th, Friday, 25th, and Saturday, 26th of August, 1854, the following States were represented: Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Virginia, and the Canadas; the great body consisting of nearly sixteen hundred persons. W. H. DAY, Esq., editor of the Aliened American, entered the Convention, and the Chairman invited him forward, offering him the privileges of the Convention, stating that wherever colored people were, William Howard Day was free--whether or not he altogether agreed in sentiment on minor points; and the Convention unanimously concurred in the invitation given.
Mr. Day subsequently proffered to the Convention any books or documents at his command for the use of that body.
The following permanent Institution was established:
ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
_Central Commissioners, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania_--M. R. DELANY, President; WM. WEBB, Vice-President; THOS. A. BROWN, Treasurer; EDW. R. PARKER, Auditor; CHAS. W. NIGHTEN, Secretary; PROFESSOR M. H. FREEMAN, A.M., Special For. Sec.; SAMUEL VENERABLE, ALFRED H. JOHNS, SAMUEL BRUCE, PARKER SORRELL.
_Committee on Domestic Relations._--SAMUEL BRUCE, Chairman; SAMUEL VENERABLE, CHARLES W. NIGHTEN. _Financial Relations._--THOMAS A. BROWN, Chairman; PARKER SORRELL, ALFRED H. JOHNS. _Foreign Relations._--REV. WM. WEBB, Chairman; M. R. DELANY, EDW. R. PARKER. Special Foreign Secretary. PROF. MARTIN H. FREEMAN, A. M. _State Commissioners._--_Massachusetts_--WM. C. NELL, Boston; C. L. REMOND, Salem. _New York, Buffalo._--JAMES M. WHITFIELD, J. THEODORE HOLLY. _Ohio, Cincinnati._--AUGUSTUS R. GREEN, PHILLIP TOLIVAR, Jun. _Michigan, Detroit._--WILLIAM C. MUNROE, WILLIAM LAMBERT. _Kentucky, Louisville._--CONAWAY BARBOUR, JAMES H. GIPSON. _Missouri, St. Louis._--REV. RICH'D ANDERSON, REV. JORDAN BROWN. _Virginia, Richmond._--RICHARD HENDERSON, JOHN E. FERGUSON. _Tennessee, Nashville._--ELDER PETER A. H. LOWRY, CHARLES BARRATT. _Louisiana, New Orleans._--JORDAN B. NOBLE, REV. JOHN GARROW. _California, San Francisco._--HENRY M. COLLINS, ORANGE LEWIS.
NOTE.--The names only of the Central Commissioners are here given, the others being re-elected as chosen in 1856, at Cleveland.
At an Executive Council Meeting of the Board, September 1st, 1858, the following resolution, as taken from the Minutes, was adopted: That Dr. Martin R. Delany, of Chatham, Kent Country, Canada West, be a Commissioner to explore in Africa, with full power to choose his own colleagues.
In the winter of 1831-32, being then but a youth, I formed the design of going to Africa, the land of my ancestry; when in the succeeding winter of 1832-33, having then fully commenced to study, I entered into a solemn promise with the Rev. Molliston Madison Clark, then a student in Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania, being but seventeen miles from Pittsburgh, where I resided (his vacations being spent in the latter place), to complete an education, and go on an independent and voluntary mission--to travel in Africa--I as a physician and he as a clergyman, for which he was then preparing.
During these vacations of about seven weeks each, Mr. Clark was of great advantage to me in my studies, he being then a man of probably thirty years of age, or more, and in his senior year (I think) at college.
This design I never abandoned, although in common with my race in America, I espoused the cause, and contended for our political and moral elevation on equality with the whites, believing then, as I do now, that merit alone should be the test of individual claims in the body politic. This cause I never have nor will abandon; believing that no man should hesitate or put off any duty for another time or place, but "act, act in the living present, act," now or then. This has been the rule of my life, and I hope ever shall be.
In 1850, I had fully matured a plan for an adventure, and to a number of select intelligent gentlemen (of African descent, of course) fully committed myself in favor of it. They all agreed that the scheme was good; and although neither of them entered personally into it, all fully sanctioned it, bidding me God-speed in my new adventure, as a powerful handmaid to their efforts in contending for our rights in America.
In 1854, at the great Emigration Convention in Cleveland, my paper, read and adopted as a "Report on the Political Destiny of the Colored Race on the American Continent," set forth fully my views on the advantages of Emigration.
Although the Call itself strictly prohibits the introduction of the question of emigration from the American Continent or Western Hemisphere, the qualification which directly follows--"This restriction has no reference to personal preference, or individual enterprise"--may readily be understood. It was a mere policy on the part of the authors of those documents, to confine their scheme to America (including the West Indies), whilst they were the leading advocates of the regeneration of Africa, lest they compromised themselves and their people to the avowed enemies of the race.
The Convention (at Cleveland, 1854), in its Secret Sessions made, Africa, with its rich, inexhaustible productions, and great facilities for checking the abominable Slave Trade, its most important point of dependence, though each individual was left to take the direction which in his judgment best suited him. Though our great gun was leveled, and the first shell thrown at the American Continent, driving a slaveholding faction into despair, and a political confusion from which they have been utterly unable to extricate themselves, but become more and more complicated every year, _Africa was held in reserve, until by the help of an All-wise Providence we could effect what has just been accomplished with signal success_--a work which the most sanguine friend of the cause believed would require at least the half of a century.
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