Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-11-20
Anti-S slavery.
GIRO LAR.
BRITISH AMERICAN INSTITUTE AND
CANADA MISSION.

%stitution above mentioned, beg leave to bring be-
fore the Christian public a brief statement of its
condition and wants, as well as the mission with
which it is connected. This institute, which is
conducted on the manual labor system, especially
for the benefit of refugees from oppression and
slavery, has its location in the township of Dawn,
Canada West, at the head of navigation on the
Sydenham river, go miles North by East of
Detroit. Its site is commanding and beautiful,
and in the midst of fertile section of the coun-
try, where the climate is mild and healthy. and
in that part of the province which is the easiest
of access to the numerous emigrants from slave
ry. 1t has attached to it 300 acres of first Quail
ity land, held equally by white and colored trus-
tees, who are all British subjects. Sixty acres
or more have been cleared ofthe heavy timber,
and brought under cultivation, during the last
three years. A large school house, and several
dwellings of moderate dimensions, have been G.
rected and are now occupied a framed barn
was built the last year, and a pot ashery started.
During the present year, a brick building, 80 by
80 it., 2 stories high, the foundation of which
was laid last fall, has been erected and will soon
be completed and in use. Another building, of
hewn timber, % by "a feet, two stories high,
is. now in progress, and will probably be occu-
pied by the first of December next.
Our agent, Bro. Josiah Henson, who Iabored
assiduouously last winter and spring in New
England, returned in May with report of his
services and success highly satisfactory to the
committee. As the result of his agency, a pay
ment of 1920 has been made upon the last pur-
chase of 100 acres of land for the institution,
and the deed secured-its operations have been
sustained through the season, and its debts con-
siderably diminished. (He has spent most of
the summe itinerating at his own charges among
the colored people of Canada.) Our present
number Of scholars is over 80. Applications
for admission are frequent. We shall doubtless
have at least 100 scholars the coming winter,
and might have three times that number had we
accommodations for them.
The Institution is now in debt to the amount
of about $500, which is mostly due to the stew
ard and others Immediately concerned, for SER
vice rendered and monies advanced for its relief.
BY reason of the late spring frosts and sub
sequent drought, our crops have come short.
Had they been plentiful as usual we could hard
ly expect a supply, as the Institute is yet in its
infancy, in a new country, with small improve
ments, yet rapidly increasing in numbers. But
lately it has had important a%ccesions from the
house Of bondage, of those who promise fair for
usefulness, if educated. Several of these have
been hopefully converted to God in the midst of
a precious r%evival Of religion now. in progress in
in the Institution and community. At such &C
c%essions we rejoice, but our sympathies are
moved and our souls weighed down with sorrow
when compelled to turn away importunate APP
p%llcants for want of a shelter and the means of
subsistence. The principal labor for young
men in the winter season is chopping and clear
ing land, the fruits of which we cannot begin to
realise till the ensuing summer; yet every adj
vance made upon the surrounding forest tells TO
the future advantage Of the Institution by fur
nishing increased facilities for its expansion and
support. Hence such aid as may easily be fur
nished by generous friends at the West, in the
form Of produce, (freightage paid, to be ship
ped upon the Lakes and water courses to De
troit, Mich, care of Messrs. Gilet g. Desnoyers,
would be thankfully received also such i'm
PIGMENTS as axes, hoes, &c.
The Importance of our work can scarcely be
appreciated by those who have not by personal
observation, become acquainted with the condi-
ton of the colored people, and the cruel preju-
diccs Of a share of the white inhabitants. We
add that such is the restitution of the colored
people in the western portion of Canada, as re-
spects common school Institutions, that we fee
bound to act in their behalf We have resolved
to keep up intimate correspondence with oul
brethren in every part of the province, with the
view of supplying the destitute.
1t is proper here to allude to what has already
been made known, that it is a prominent ant
fondly cherished object of the Manual Labor In
stitute to rear up Teachers Of the right stamp
for the destitute and benighted poor. Thus &C
ting for the welfare of the refugees and theil
children generally, and in harmony with thu
committee of the Canada Mission Board in Roch
ester, N. Y, we earnestly solicit help for the de
%stitute, and would state that such means as ma,
come through the Committee above named. o
through any other channels, designated for TIN
support of common school, will be appropriate,
accordingly. This arrangement we doubt no
will meet the appreciation of all who feel an in
terest in the prosperity ofthe Canada Mission 6
for the more %effectual prosecution of the grea
E work before us, we have extended a call to
most devoted and untiring friend of the oppres
sed, who, it is hoped, will soon be associate
, with us to promote equally the interests of tn
! Institution and Mission which are indissolubl
e connected, We now ask the generous concur
4 renee Of Christian Philanthropists, with the ger
erous designs of heaven in the prosecution an
consummation of this good work, which seek
e the disenthrallment and elevation OF the de6pl
: injured race with which some Of us are connected
: In the fuIlness Of confidence and %fraternal sol
e citude, W. commend to the kind considerable
and sympathy of the Christian public, our believe
: : brethren Hiram Wilson and Josiah Henson,
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