From the Philanthropist.
Interesting Correspondence.
To the Hon. John Quincy Adams:
SIR: – We, the people of color, residents of the city of Columbus, Ohio, deeply touched with the result of the trial of the Amistad captives, and sensible of the efficiency of your philanthropic efforts in their behalf, desire to express to you the gratitude which, we think, every humane heart in this native land must feel. We, therefore, assembled to congratulate each other on the joyful event referred to, have
Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be rendered to the Hon. John Q. Adams for the example he has set this nation, in the deep interest he has manifested for the due administration of justice to the weak and defenceless, and that the Secretary of this meeting be directed to forward to the Hon. John Q. Adams, this resolution.
D. JENKINS,
H. JOHNSON,
J. BENNETT, } Committee.
Messrs. D. JENKINS, W. Johnson, and J. Bennett, committee of the people of color, residents of the city of Columbus, Ohio.
Washington, April 15th, 1841.
FELLOW-CITIZENS:
I have received your letter of the 30th of last month, together with the resolution of your constituent body communicated in it, and I pray you and them to be assured that I never received from any body of men a vote of thanks more grateful to my feelings, than yours.
My only regret is, that any effort for the administration of justice, whether to the rich or to the poor, to the feeble or to the strong, should be thought to deserve the thanks of any portion of the community. I hope and trust that the day is not far remote when justice will be universally considered as the common right of all, unconfined by any unjust and oppressive distinction of color or complexion.
Whoever shall contribute to that result will be entitled to my thanks as to yours, and, though I may not live to see the day, he has them, and my prayers for his success in advance. I am, with respect, your friend and fellow-citizen.
JOHN Q. ADAMS.