I am inclined to the opinion that, like thousands of people of the same class, their identity with the colored race has long since ceased and that they have been absorbed by the white race, as I firmly believe will be true of the great mass of colored Americans.

It is to prevent any embarrassment growing out of the probability of this condition that has actuated me in not making public the names of the parties in question.

No good could come of the disclosure, and much harm might follow.

I can, however, most positively assure the public that this is not a fiction,--that it is not a mere picture that is painted from the vividness of my imagination, but that the story as related in all its details is based upon actual occurrences.
With this one exception, Secretary Lamar retained in office every clerk whose name appeared on the list that I gave him.

They were not only retained throughout the Administration but many of them were promoted.
It can be said to the credit of Secretary Lamar that during his administration very few changes were made in the clerical force of the department for political reasons, and, as a rule, the clerks were treated with justice, fairness and impartiality..