Oliver Johnson
"That there are a number of palpable errors in this book, is true; which occurred by a neglect to furnish me with a revision proof sheet, the whole of the present edition being struck off, before I got to revise it, all of which has been ordered to be corrected in the plates, and will stand corrected in the next issue.
"But the object of your remarks evidently has been to disparage me, and endeavor to injure the sale of the book, especially among the colored people, upon whose ignorance you presume and take advantage by your position, which but furnishes a striking proof of your Negro hate, in common with many of your less pretending fellows. There is not an intelligent colored man nor woman in the country, except the most miserable, servile and tool, but will indignantly repel this bare faced insult.
"You also charge me with egotism, which is but a prejudicial sneer at a black man, for daring to do anything upon his own responsibility; and is in keeping with Mrs. Stowe's ridicule of Hayti, which you very adroitly avoid in your apology for the objectionable portion of her work, in reply to the manly note of that fearless advocate of his race, Robert Purvis. There is not one word, which to an unprejudiced mind, will be tortured egotism.
"As to your judgement upon my style and taste in composition, I utterly disregard; but under the circumstances, the attack was cowardly, I therefore despise your sneers and defy your influence."
To former friend, Oliver Johnson, editor of the "Pennsylvania Freeman," April 30, 1852, in response to a review in Johnson's newspaper of MRD's pro emigrationist book, "The Condition and Elevation of the Colored People." Johnson wrote: "The manner in which the author uses his material deprives the work of all value. We could wish that for his own credit and that of colored people, it had never been published." (Ullman, pp. 147+148)
