greatly his superior in
learning, especially excelling in logic and terse statement. We heard
him make a speech in 1865, which in force of reasoning, purity of
language, and propriety of utterance, was not unworthy of comparison
with a sermon of Bishop Thomson, or an address of George William
Curtis. As he was "a full-blooded Negro," he was a standing and
unanswerable proof that the race is capable of all that has
distinguished MAN. How much of history and progress could be crowded
in a memorial inscription for him! It might be something like this:
Born a slave in the country to which his grandfather was stolen away,
he competed, under the greatest disadvantages, with white men for the
prizes of life; attaining the highest intellectual culture, and a
corresponding moral elevation, his career commanded universal respect
in Europe and America, wherever he was known. He died the Minister of
the United States to a civilized nation in the land whence his
barbaric ancestors were stolen. To God, who "hath made of one blood
all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation" (Acts xvii: 26), be the glory. "How unsearchable are His
judgments, and His ways past finding out!"

* * * * *

EBENEZER D. BASSETT.

One of the ablest diplomats the Negro race has produced is the
Honorable Ebenezer D. Bassett, for nearly nine years the Resident
Minister and Consul-General from the United States to Hayti. He was
born and educated in the State of Connecticut, and for many years was
the successful Principal of the Institute for Colored Youth at
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a classical scholar and for proficiency
in the use of modern languages he has few equals among his race.

Returning to this country, after years of honorable service abroad, he
was promoted by the Haytian Government to the position of Consul at
New York City, and at present is serving the Republic of Hayti. As an
evidence of the high esteem in which he was held as an officer the
following documents attest:

(COPY.)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, }
WASHINGTON, October 5, 1877. }

EBENEZER D. BASSETT, Esquire, etc., etc., etc.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 529,
of the 23d August last, tendering y