[3] As a teacher, he deliberately chose a "cautious and circumspect" bearing, keeping his relationships with students strictly professional.

[11] He chose work that was considered honorable and held high standards, and the professional respect that accompanied his position aided his civil rights goals.

[5] In Boston he met Signor Mariano Perez, a Spanish musician and "clever performer on the guitar.

[5] Another music teacher for Holland was Simon Knabel, a member of Ned Kendall's Brass Band.

[3] The area had adopted a liberal attitude toward African Americans, which had resulted in a large number being free.

[3] Slavery was becoming based on the concept of racial inferiority, and the presence of successful, free African Americans contradicted this.

[15] As an adult, between 1848 and 1854, he acted as an assistant secretary and member of council at National and State Negro Conventions.

[8] He also worked toward establishing a free-black colony in South America, acting as secretary for the Central American Land Company.

)[10] He spoke of his own music in terms of European excellence, teaching the "correct system" to fret the strings on the guitar, as done by "the best Masters of Europe.

[8] When the Freemasons would not accept African Americans into their society, or recognize the free-black Prince Hall Masons, he corresponded with masonry groups in Europe, seeking support and recognition there.

[2] He gained recognitions from Masons in several European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Hungary) and two from the Americas (Peru and the Dominican Republic).