Dorchester county--B. Jenifer, C. Sinclair, S. Green, Thomas Fuller, S.
Camper, J. Hughes.
Caroline County--Jacob Lewis, Philip Canada, John Webb.
Northwest Baltimore--Samuel B. Hutchings, David P. Jones, William White,
Francis Johns, John H. Walker, Cornelius Thompson.
Frederick County--Rev. William Tasker, Perry E. Walker, Joseph Lisles,
Robert Troby, Ephraim Lawson, Nicholas Penn.
Northeast Baltimore--Chas. Williamson, Rev. Darius Stokes, H. H. Webb, J.
Forty, C. Perry, Fred. Harris.
Hartford County--Daniel Ross, Henry Hopkins.
Talbot County--Garrison Gibson, Charles Dobson, Joseph Bantem.
There was considerable excitement among a number of 'outsiders,' opposed
to the meeting and its objects, who frequently assailed the delegates
coming to the Convention and a large number of whom, having come into
the room, were ripe for any further opposition they could exhibit.
The Dorchester county delegation having seen this state of things,
several of them arose and remarked that they did not think that their
presence here could be of any benefit, and they there proposed to
withdraw and go home. This announcement was received with applause, and
cries of "good" from the opponents of colonization.
A member from Kent county begged the delegates to stand firm in their
position, and the result of their labors would be of much benefit.
[Applause and hisses.]
John H. Walker of Baltimore, arose and read the circular calling the
Convention, which was to take into consideration the present condition
and future prospects of the colored race. He said they lived in the same
State that their fathers had lived in, but not under the same
Constitution--the new instrument not recognizing the colored people at
all. They were men, but not recognized as men. He alluded to the
legislation of the members of the Assembly, all of which resulted in
oppression to the colored race, each consecutive session. He desired
that the condition of the colored people should be considered by this
convention; that they should decide on what course to take. The circular
alluded to emigration to Liberia, or elsewhere, which he explained to
mean that they should examine all the places and see if emigration would
be beneficial. It was necessary for them to know the geographical
position and resources of the different countries--of their rivers,
mountains, harbors, climate, &c; and if the convention should determine
on any particular place for emigration, it was necessary to ascertain
all that would be wanted in such country. For one he intended now to
remain where he was, but if a better place could be found why he was
gone for it. The speaker was opposed at first, but finally gained the
attention of the audience, and was frequently applauded.
William Perkins, of Kent county, said he believed that much of the
opposition and excitement which had sprung up about this convention
within a few days, was caused by a report, falsely circulated, that the
Colonization Society had given $700 for carrying out certain objects
through its medium. He hoped that after the explanation that had been
given, the Dorchester county delegation would consent to remain.
A member from Dorchester county said that if they were assured that the
colored people of Baltimore desired them to remain, they would do so.
Their object was to consult for the good of the colored race.
Perry E. Walker, of Frederick, said, they had come here supposing that
the majority of the colored people of Baltimore were in favor of the
call of the convention. (Cries of "no, they are not.") He and his
associates had come to consider into the condition of their race--had no
other object in view.
Rev. Darius Stokes addressed the convention, the object of which, he
said, was to consult only in reference to the condition of the colored
people. They had been told for thirty years past of countries which were
better for them, but they had only to depend upon the representation of
others as to the truths of these statements. They were a people--the
colored people of the State of Maryland--who should consult about their
present condition and future prospects. He said their white friends were
getting tired of helping them, because they did not seem disposed, it
was alleged, to help themselves. He asked where were their schools,
orphan asylums? &c. As to going to Africa he was in favor of any man
going where he thought he could do better. (Cries of "good," "right,"
"that's it.")
P. Oilman (not a delegate), asked to be heard, and after a great deal of
confusion, got the attention of the audience, and spoke in opposition to
what Mr. Stokes had said. He remarked that he could not talk as well as
Stokes, but he could think as well, (laughter.) As for him, he came here
to put down and oppose this convention. [Cries of "good," and cheers
from the audience.]
Henry Zeddicks, of Frederick, said that they were here from pure
motives, to consult for their good, and was received with much favor by
the whole assemblage.
James A. Jones, of Kent, said he was decidedly in favor of
emigration--and emigration to Africa. They expected to be honored in
coming into the presence of Baltimore friends, but in this, the largest
city of the State, they found a great amount of confusion. In his
opinion, he believed that the colored man could never rise to eminence
except in Africa--in the land of their forefathers. [A voice--"Show it
in Africa."] He pointed to Liberia. He believed that Africa was the only
place where the colored man could expect to be a freeman. On taking his
seat he was hissed by the opponents of emigration.
The committee on nominating permanent officers, recommended the
following, who were accepted:
_President_--Rev. William Tasker, of Frederick; _Vice Presidents_--C.
Sinclair of Dorchester, Levi Rogers of Kent, E. Lawson of Frederick, S.
W. Hill of East Baltimore, Charles Dobson of Talbot, Francis Johns of
West Baltimore, and John Webb of Caroline; _Secretaries_, John H. Walker
of Baltimore, and Josiah Hughes of Dorchester.
Rev. Darius Stokes addressed the convention in an eloquent and fervent
style in reference to its objects.
James A. Jones, of Kent, said that since he had addressed the
convention, he had been informed that his head, if not his life, was in
danger if he left the room. He would therefore leave under the
protection of the police, and send in the morning his resignation.
Rev. Darius Stokes begged Mr. Jones to remain--that the young colored
gentlemen of Baltimore were not disposed to harm him. People had said
that they had met here to sell their rights and liberties, but they
would show them to-morrow that they only looked to their welfare and
interests. This was the first time a colored convention of the whole
State had ever assembled in the State--a remarkable era in their
history.
On motion of Mr. Stokes a committee of ten-were appointed to prepare a
"platform" for the convention. The following was the Committee:--H. H.
Webb, of Baltimore; James A. Jones, of Kent; Charles O. Fisher, of
Baltimore; B. Jenifer and Thomas Fuller, of Dorchester; Jacob Lewis, of
Caroline; Joseph Bantem of Talbot; Perry E. Walker, of Frederick;
William Williams, of Baltimore; and Henry Hopkins, of Harford.
The convention then adjourned till Tuesday morning.