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324 In the midst of his journalistic work he has found time to write several very interesting books, among the most prominent of which are "The Boy Doctor," "History of the British West Indies," "Future of the American Negro," "The Southland," "Africa, the Hope of the Negro," "Life of Toussaint L'Overture;" besides publishing "An Historical Chart of the Colored Race," and a volume of poems which has passed through several editions.

He is a fluent conversationalist, in both the French and Spanish languages. He has the credit of being one of the finest platform orators of his race in America, and takes an active part on the stump in state and national campaigns. In 1886 he made a tour through the principal cities of Canada, and lectured to large white audiences.

Mr. Benjamin is also a lawyer, having been admitted to the bar in Memphis, Tenn., in January, 1880. His experience as a practitioner has been varied, and the territory over which his legal services have been extended aggregate twelve different states.

In California he is very highly esteemed by both whites and blacks. The California Conference of the A. M. E. church, has elected him Presiding Elder, his jurisdiction comprising the states of California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. He is also General Financial Agent and Superintendent of the Connection's Sabbath-school on the Coast.

At the same time, the bench, the bar, the county and city officials of San Francisco, Los Angeles and all Southern California recommended him to the Congressional delegation, who, in turn, did so to President Harrison, for the position of consul to Antigua, West Indies. It being impossible to give him this particular appointment, the president offered him the consulship to Aux Cayes, Hayti, which he declined, preferring to remain at the editorial helm of his paper, The Sentinel.