In this work, the terms “colored” and “negro” have been used indiscriminately, but I have made the more extended use of the former, since the type of the pure negro is rarely met with. The race is so hopelessly mixed that it is difficult to arrive at a clear definition, and the term “colored” will probably serve as well as the awkward phrase, “persons of African descent.”
Of the original African type few traces remain, and the race is largely a cross between the African and the white male; for no considerable crossing of negroes with white females has ever taken place. The instances where white women have married colored men are very rare and the few cases that occur cannot possibly have affected the traits and tendencies of the race. On the other hand, the infusion of white blood, through white males, has been widespread, and the original type of the African has almost completely disappeared. A small settlement near Mobile, Ala., a few years ago was asserted to have preserved the purity of the race: but I am informed by Dr. D. T. Rogers, the health officer of Mobile, that this is no longer true. It is therefore a question of great importance to know what influence, favorable or otherwise, the infusion of white blood has had on the physical, moral and mental characteristics of the race. It is of further importance to ascertain, if possible, whether there is a decided tendency towards a mixture of the two races, and if so, whether this tendency is in the direction of lawful marriage or of concubinage and prostitution.
Frederick L. Hoffman, “The Race Traits and Tendencies of the American Negro,” Publications of the American Economic Association, Volume 11, Numbers 1/3 (Jan. – Mar. – May, 1896): 177-178. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2560438.