And had the Americans taken Mexico, no people would have
flocked there faster than the colored people from the United States. The
same is observed of California.
In conversation, in the city of New York, a few weeks ago, with a
colored lady of intelligence, one of the "first families," the
conversation being the elevation of the colored people, we introduced
emigration as a remedy, and Central America as the place. We were
somewhat surprised, and certainly unprepared to receive the rebuking
reply--"Do you suppose that I would go in the woods to live for the sake
of freedom? no, indeed! if you wish to do so, go and do it. I am free
enough here!" Remarking at the same time, that her husband was in San
Francisco, and she was going to him, as she learned that that city was
quite a large and handsome place.
We reminded her, that the industry of white men and women, in four
years' time, had made San Francisco what it is. That in 1846, before the
American emigration, the city contained about seven hundred people,
surrounded by a dense wilderness; and that we regretted to contrast her
conduct or disposition with that of the lady of Col. Fremont, a daughter
of Senator Benton, who tenderly and indulgently raised, in the spring
after his arduous adventure across the mountains, and almost miraculous
escape, while the country was yet a wilderness, left her comfortable
home in Missouri, and braved the dangers of the ocean, to join her
husband and settle in the wilderness.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219