The Colored inhabitants of Connecticut assembled in Convention in 1849, to devise means for their elective franchise; a gentleman present reports the following extract:—"A young man, Mr. West, of Bridgeport, spoke with a great deal of energy, and with a clear and pleasant tone of voice which many a lawyer, statesman, or clergyman might covet, nobly vindicating the rights of the brethren. He said that the bones of the Colored man had bleached on every battlefield where American valor had contended for national independence. Side by side with the white man, the black man stood and struggled to the last for the inheritance which the white men now enjoy, but deny to us. His father was a soldier Slave, and his master said to him when the liberty of the country was achieved, 'Stephen, we will do something for you.' But what have they ever done for Stephen, or for Stephen's posterity?" This orator is evidently a young man of high promise, and better capable of voting intelligently than half of the white men who would deny him a freeman's privilege.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The Rev. Dr. Harris, of Dumbarton, N. H., a Revolutionary veteran, stated in a speech at Francetown, N. H., some years ago, that on one occasion the regiment to which he was attached was commanded to defend an important position which the enemy thrice assailed, and from which they were as often repulsed. "There was," said the venerable speaker, "a regiment of blacks in the same situation—a regiment of negroes fighting for our liberty and independence, not a white man among them but the officers—in the same dangerous and responsible position. Had they been unfaithful, or given way before the enemy, all would have been lost. Three times in succession were they attacked with most desperate fury by well-disciplined and veteran troops, and three times did they successfully repel the assault, and thus preserve an army. They fought thus through the war. They were brave and hardy troops."

The anecdote of the Slave of General Sullivan, of New Hampshire, is well-known. When his master told him that they were on the point of starting for the army, to fight for liberty, he shrewdly suggested that it would be a great satisfaction to know that he was indeed going to fight for his liberty. Struck by the reasonableness and justice of this suggestion, Gen. S. at once gave him his freedom.

VERMONT.

Barnet, May 20, 1851.

Dear Sir:

In August 16th, 1777, the Green Mountain Boys, aided by troops from New Hampshire, and some few from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, under the command of Gen. Starks, captured the left wing of the British Army near Bennington. Soon as arrangements could be made, after the prisoners were all collected, something more than seven hundred, they were tied to a rope, two and two, and one on each side. Gen. Starks called for more rope.

Mrs. Robinson, wife of Hon. Moses Robinson, said to the General, I will take down the last bedstead in the house, and present the rope to you, with one condition. When the prisoners are all tied to the rope, you shall permit my negro man to harness up my old mare, and hitch the rope to the whippletree, mount the mare, and conduct the British and tory prisoners out of town. The General willingly accepted of Mrs. Robinson's proposition. The negro mounted the mare and thus conducted the left wing of the British Army into Massachusetts, on their way to Boston. * * * *

Gen. Schuyler writes from Saratoga, July 23, 1777, to the President of Massachusetts Bay, "That of the few continental troops we have had to the Northward, one third part is composed of men too far advanced in years for field service—of boys, or rather children, and mortifying barely to mention, of negroes."

The General also addressed a similar letter to John Hancock, and again to the provincial Congress, that the foregoing were facts which were altogether uncontrovertible. * * * * * *

Your Humble Servant,

Henry Stevens.