Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-06-20
CORRESPONDENCE.
JOURNAL OF REV. ]. G. AsPENWALL.
For the Freeman
LONDON, CANADA WEST, May 6, 1s42.

For the Freeman.
LONDON, CANADA WEST, May 6, 1912.
MEssRs EDIToRs.-On my way from Brant-
ford to this place, | passed by SincOe and Nor
wich, both OF which contained colored settle
inent of considerable size The one at Norwich
is mostly surrounded by Quakers. and is doing as
well if not better, than any other settlement in the
Province. That denomination seem determined
to befriend the oppressed colored man everywhere.
think that nearly half of those | have seen in
Canada, received aid and assistance from this
simple and Kind hearted people. They may not
equal some OF their neighbors in their professions
of fah,buI they are certainly 'rich in good works.
and they do not seem to become weary in well do
ing; for some ofthem have lately brought loads of
the hound-hunted pilgrims to this land of rest,
from great distance and at much personal ex-
pense.
| London is pleasantly situated on the River
Thames, IS miles west from the head of Lake On
taro; and contains over two thousand inhabitants.
A considerable portion Of the business part of tho
village was destroyed by fire last October, and
about one third of the remainder oft was burned
a few weeks since. The number of colored peo-.
pie here is about two hundred, mostly in very
comfortable circumstances, though some Of them
have lost their all by the fire. But as they lately
began the world for themselves with nothing. they
are better prepared to begin so again than those
who have never been in such trying Circumstance
es. They are mostly Methodists, and have pur-
chased very comfortable meeting house, lately
occupied by the British Wesleyans That de-
nomination Nf chr tha ,nost
ent piety and are altogether the most friendly to
the colored people Of any | have found in the
Province. Their preacher of this place, the Rev.
Ephrajm Evans, is one of the most talented men,
devoted christian and warm hearted aboIitionist
| ever saw. 1t seemed almost impossible to be
long in his company without being interested and
rrofited. lSpent several days with his excellent
family and am sure ! shall never forget their
kindness. Should others of our antsIavery friends
pass that way, they will find welcome and happy
home at his house.
The plank road from Hamilton to Port Stanley
| passes through this place. 1t ia over one hun
/ dred miles in length, and must have cost great
amount of money. The country is the most level
ever saw and The ravines either filed up or
bridged over. The plank three inches thick,
laid even with the top of the ground and covered
with little fine sand This makes altogether the
; best road ever travelled over. | took my carpet
bag in one hand, my cane in the other and started
on foot, real Paddy fashion, the way have trav-
! eled most of the time while in Canada; but after
walking some twenty miles, found that an offer
to take a seat on II cask of nails in common wug-
gon not to be despised, if the road was
r sy to walk on and as smooth as a house floor.
} The Wherefore settlement, which is by some
supposed TO contain the principal part of the col
ored population of Canada, is only ID miles north
from this village. This however is great mis-
take. There have never been more than twenty
five or thirty families there, and that number has
diminished nearly one hatf by removals, because
they failed obtain satisfactory titles to their
land What now remain there appear TO DO do
ing very we'll. 1t is said that a colored man by
the name Of Lewis obtained considerable money
in the States for that settlement, but did not rem
der IL proper account of his collections, and sued
them for his services. His conduct has been high
ly censurable, and the last heard Of him he was
in Jail at Kingston.