Transcription of the PETITION of THE COLORED PEOPLE: To the School Committee of the City of Boston, entered in the record July 1849

GENTLEMEN:—We the undersigned, Parents of children, guardians and others, citizens of Boston, constitute a portion of the community who are excluded from the privilege of common School instruction for those children who are identified with us in complexion, in the various districts where we reside. A number among us have more than once made application to members of your Honorable Board for the admission of our children to the District Schools, but are refused, on the ground that there is an “exclusive School ” for Colored children to which there is no objection. To this School, every intelligent person among us are ready to bear a direct testimony in opposition. Among some of the reasons why we are opposed to it, are these:—It is a great inconvenience on account of the scattered state of our residences—lt is an obstacle in the way of common rights—It secures to the child of the Foreigner a privilege that is denied to the native Bostonian—It holds up a barrier against a portion of the people, “solely on account of color,” and encourages the worst of influences in the community. In no other place, in this Commonwealth, do we find “exclusive Schools ” in existence; all children in the respective cities and towns meet together at the several places for School instruction.  The results, you are well aware, are not unfavorable to a similar experiment in this City.

In relation to the present Teacher (Mr. Wellington) in that School, we have not the slightest dissatisfaction. We do not hold him responsible for the thin attendance or the lack of interest in the studies of the pupils.  We consider him fully competent and able under ordinary circumstances to give the highest tone of character to a Public School.  His case finds not a precedent in the State—having charge of a number of pupils who feel that indignation against the injustice which consigns them to that School or none, it is impossible for him to succeed as he would happily do.  These pupils are every day witness to the agitation among their parents and guardians relative to the School.  A great number among us have pledged ourselves never to countenance or encourage such a system of partiality and injustice.

In regard to the recommendation of a colored man, as Principal in that School, we hail the circumstance an attempt to quiet our efforts against its dissolution.  We do, therefore, regard with suspicion and as unworthy of confidence, any individual who is identified with us, that will suffer himself to be a tool to suit the wishes of those who are opposed to the full enjoyment of our rights.

As all good citizens should, we ask to be placed in possession of common rights.  Open the doors of our District Schools and let in those who are “hungering and thirsting” for instruction.  We ask you to ABOLISH THE SMITH SCHOOL, and erect on its site if need there be for more Schools, a School free to all the children who reside nearest to it.  And as it is our duty and our right, we will ever pray.

Signed by Jonas W. Clark and 201 others.

Boston, July, 1849

Source: Petition of the Colored People to the School Committee of the City of Boston, entered in the record July, 1849

(Document 3.7.9 )