SOLON ROBINSON, 1849 257 



"Although wrapt in the darkest superstition and wor- 

 ship of idols, we look in vain for the honors and public 

 gratitude which other rude, though improving, nations 

 are wont to bestow upon departed heroes, legislators, and 

 authors of important discoveries in the arts." 



Because a few of the negroes among us do occasionally 

 exhibit bright intellectual qualities, many good philan- 

 thropists have been led to believe that the whole race 

 might be elevated to the same standard, and have come 

 blindly to the opinion that the first great necessary step 

 to bring about this wonderful result, will be to declare 

 them FREE, and insist that they are EQUAL to the white 

 race. 



Are these good but erring men aware, that there is 

 almost as much difference between the different tribes of 

 the negro race as there is between the blacks and whites ? 



For instance, the Jolofs seem to be almost a distinct 

 race of negroes, and have been a comparatively civilized 

 people from the era of their first discovery by the Por- 

 tuguese. 



"Those of Guber and Hausa, where a considerable de- 

 gree of civilization has long existed, are, perhaps, the 

 finest race of genuine negroes in Africa, unless the Jolofs 

 are such, and should be excepted." 



By slaveholders, the Coromantees are esteemed the 

 most intelligent and most capable of being taught; mak- 

 ing trusty and good drivers to urge on those of a more 

 sluggish nature; but very impatient and turbulent at be- 

 ing driven themselves. These negroes are of a dingy 

 copper color; their lips and high cheek bones, like the 

 North American Indians. Some of them will lay down 

 and die, rather than yield to be driven to work by the 

 whip. In their native land they are never kept as slaves, 

 on account of their sulkiness. 



The next in the scale of value, or perhaps they are 

 equal, are the Congos. They are tall, straight, bright 

 copper-colored, smooth skin, small round hands, and 

 make good imitating mechanics ; in that respect, like the 



