the Minutes, was adopted:
That Dr. Martin R. Delany, of Chatham, Kent Country, Canada West,
be a Commissioner to explore in Africa, with full power to choose
his own colleagues.

III

HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

In the winter of 1831-32, being then but a youth, I formed the
design of going to Africa, the land of my ancestry; when in the
succeeding winter of 1832-33, having then fully commenced to study,
I entered into a solemn promise with the Rev. Molliston Madison
Clark, then a student in Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg,
Washington County, Pennsylvania, being but seventeen miles from
Pittsburgh, where I resided (his vacations being spent in the
latter place), to complete an education, and go on an independent
and voluntary mission--to travel in Africa--I as a physician and he
as a clergyman, for which he was then preparing.

During these vacations of about seven weeks each, Mr. Clark was of
great advantage to me in my studies, he being then a man of
probably thirty years of age, or more, and in his senior year (I
think) at college.

This design I never abandoned, although in common with my race in
America, I espoused the cause, and contended for our political and
moral elevation on equality with the whites, believing then, as I
do now, that merit alone should be the test of individual claims in
the body politic. This cause I never have nor will abandon;
believing that no man should hesitate or put off any duty for
another time or place, but "act, act in the _living present_, act,"
_now_ or _then_. This has been the rule of my life, and I hope ever
shall be.

In 1850, I had fully matured a plan for an adventure, and to a
number of select intelligent gentlemen (of African descent, of
course) fully committed myself in favor of it. They all agreed that
the scheme was good; and although neither of them entered
personally into it, all fully sanctioned it, bidding me God-speed
in my new adventure, as a powerful handmaid to their efforts in
contending for our rights in America.

* * * * *

In 1854, at the great Emigration Convention in Cleveland, my paper,
read and adopted as a "Report on the Political Destiny of the
Colored Race on the American Continent," set forth fully my views