Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-28
For the Green Mountain Freeman.
CANADA MISSION.

CANADA MISSION.
MEssRs. demonstrating become interested
in behalf of the colony of sell-emancipated slaves
in Canada, wish, with your permission, to lay a
few facts respecting their situation before the read
ers ofthe freeman. AS intend to visit the colo
ny in the spring. may then give a more full ac
count Of it than am prepared to at present.
1t appears by the census taken near the close of
the year 1913, that the number of those who had
escaped from slavery, GncIuding their offspring,
who have been born since they arrived in Canada,)
amounted to 400. Probably 500 arrived there
during the year 1914, which would increase their
number to about 10000. They are mostly settled
in villages Oh the Northern shore of Lake Erie,
and the West shore of Lake Ontario, for distance
of more than 500 miles
The following extract is taken from the report of
the Mission for the year lS43
'In respect to their temporal interests, their con-
ditOn is more prosperous and hopeful than it has
been at any previous period. They have the hap
pness to live in a country, where, notwithstand-
ing the general prevalence of vulgar pre- udces
among the more ignorant and worthless of the
white population, the government is administered
with even and impartial hand, and the laws
make no distinction between the white citizen and
his black or colored neighbor MANY who
have been long enough in the province to acquire
n little property, are Withdrawing from the mental
and degrading emplOyments Of cities and villages
settling themselves upon government grants, and
other lands, which are fast becoming their own,
and are likely to prosper agriculturaliss. In
fertile and beautiful tract of country, called the
Queens Bush so miles north west from the head
of Lake Ontario, the dense forest is disappearing
from the presence of robust and enterprsing axe
men OfcoIor, and the wilderness rapidly becoming
fruitful field. 1913 families have settled there up
on 100 acres Of land each, making in all, 1O,800
acres now taken up, and the settlement is fast in
cfeasing. many of these families are in need of
clothing, and all in need of common school instruc-
ton, which is about to be furnished them. Many
others are setting their faces towards Dawn, on
the Sydenhaln River, for the purpose of ENJOYING
the benefit Of the Manual Labor Institute am
informed, that during the past year, about 1900
acres have been taken up at that place. We think
1t the wlsest course they pursue, to become the
successful cultivators of their own soil and not in
vain, advise them accordingly. In many other
parts OF Canada west, (the soil being fertile and
productive, and the climate mild and saIubrous,
and far more congenial with their constitutional
temperament as people, than is generally suppos-
ed,) they are settling, and beginning to thrive"
The following extract is from a letter from Rev
Hiram Wilson, directed to B. H. Fuller, Esq, Of
Stowe. 1t is dated
JUNE 2G, 1874.
81 rejoice to learn that the people of your place
feel deep and enduring interest in dhe sacret
cause of suffering humanity, and that they are dis
posed to enquire after the startled pilgrims o
America, who have come up to the refuge land
'out of great trlbuIationn
GA volume might be written upon the subject o
their past sut1erings, present condition, claims
prospects, &c The simple story of their suffer
nj ,I,o;, ,
Shores evincng as they do, an unconquerable low
OF Liberty, that would honor " ushngton,a Kos
ciusko, a William Tell, might afford loft
theme, for the orator or the poet, which, but TO
the degeneracy Of the times, would excite the ad
miraton Of the world Multitudes who hav
started for their feedom, have been arrested an
taken back again into bondage; while Others
choosing death rather than slavery, have falle
midway, on their nocturnal pilgrmages to the Ian
of promise; but thanks to Heavens Eternal KIM
thousands are now rejoicing in the blessed Boo
of Freedom, and their numbers are rapidly in
creasng.
Their enemies say, that the slaves if free, 'car
not take care of themselves They might bette
impeach the wisdom and goodness of the Gree
Jehovah, in respect to the fowls of heaven, til
- beasts of the field and the forest, and the fishes
the sea; and assuming greater benevoencc tina
God their Maker catch X cage them, lest forsootl
the poor creatures, in the full enjoyment of the
'i'Ni'O ClCHNulS, oHOulu Idll VI tuhllS CuIC
themsevesp Let poor fra man cease to libel III
workmanship of God; for, if irrational animal
from mere instinct, feed themselves prote
and nourlsh their young, much more can ration
man, who is made in the image of God.
The colored population Of Canada are in a hop,
tuI way of thriving and prospecting, though the
enter their asylum in a state of destitution, an
commence their existence, as children of freedom
to great disadvantage. Many of them are in nee
of cothing, bedding, &c., when they first arry
but what they most need is education. Havir
been denied the clamp Of life and knowledge
letters, so highly priced by enlightened people
they are truly objects of pity.t Those who. iii
job would be eyes to the blind, and feet to Il
n lame, and fathers to the poor, find among the
plenty to do, and good encouragement for doin
The work Of enlightening their minds elevate
their character, aid successfully counteractng t
horrible effects of slavery, is an arduous one, b
unlike sordid and selfish pursuits, it bears alo
with it rich reward. We need mo
teachers, male and female, but cannot for the pre-
ent introduce them, for the want of means"
Mr.. Wilson obtained funds in England, wi
which he has purchased 800 acres of land, and {