I confess my trials, as I was called to witness these things.
Always a supporter of the Administration, and sincerely desiring
to labor with it, I had never uttered a word with regard to it
except in kindness. My early opposition to the Treaty of Annexion
was reserved, so that for some time my opinions were unknown. It
was only when I saw the breach of all law, human and divine, that I
was aroused; and then began the anger of the President and of his
rings, military and senatorial. Devoted to the African race, I felt
for them,--besides being humbled that the Great Republic, acting
through its President, could set such an example, where the National
Constitution, International Law, and Humanity were all sacrificed.
Especially was I moved when I saw the indignity to the colored race,
which was accomplished by trampling upon a fundamental principle
of International Law, declaring the equality of nations, as our
Declaration of Independence declares the equality of men.
This terrible transaction, which nobody can defend, is among the
“antecedents” of President Grant, from which you can judge how much
the colored race can rely upon his “heart-felt sympathy.” Nor can it
be forgotten that shortly afterward, on the return of the Commission
from this island, Hon. Frederick Douglass, the colored orator,
accomplished in manners as in eloquence, was thrust away from the
company of the Commissioners at the common table of the mail-packet
on the Potomac, almost within sight of the Executive Mansion, simply
on account of his color; but the President, at whose invitation he
had joined the Commission, never uttered a word in condemnation of
this exclusion, and when entertaining the returned Commissioners at
dinner carefully omitted Mr. Douglass, who was in Washington at the
time, and thus repeated the indignity.