In the next Congress it was again introduced by Mr. Sumner.
A letter from William C. Nell, of Boston, well known for his volume on “The Colored Patriots of the Revolution,” shows how a single individual suffered under this discrimination of color.
“Please accept my sincere thanks for your efforts to remove the disqualification of color in mail-carrying.
“Mr. Phillips conveyed to me the substance of information imparted by you, to wit, the postponement of the bill in the House. To me the disappointment is heavy, presuming said action to be a finality, at least for this session, and the next one is not likely to be as liberal.
“I never had more desire or more need of chances to earn money than now, and never were my opportunities so small.”
The existing law was general, and Mr. Nell could not be a letter-carrier in Boston.