Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-24

LETTER FROM REV. j. C. ASPEN WALL.
,Nessrs Editors Having completed tour Of
two months in Canada, which was taken for the
express purpose Of examining the situation Of the
sell.enancipated slaves in that province, perhaps
you will indulge me with few general remarks
upon thoif circumstances.
| cannot ofcourse state their number with much
detinitencss but those who have taken great pains
to ascertain this point make out about fifteen thou
sand, besides several thousand who were never in
slavery. They are much scattered in their situa-
ton bat a majority Of them are in the different
is supposed they have increased for some time
more than thousand per year.
There is rather greater variety in their circum-
stances than is generally supposed. Some, in eve
ry place visited, are in very independent circum.
stances; a few might he named who nre worth
from four to ten thousand dollars each, perhaps
more; but majority Of them are poor. This is OF
course the case with all the new coners, aud many
who have been there long enough to acquire some
properly, not having been brought up TO provide
for themselves, consume all they earn as they 90
along; and like every other people, there some
among them both vicious and idle They aympa-
thze much with each other in times of distress,
and some who otherwise would have become
wealthy have expended nearly their all in assist
ing the needy when they first arrive. The wealthy
ones like other wealthy people, generally looI;
out for themselves and pay but little attention to
the wants Of others.
Much assistance has been afforded the needy by
means of clothing, Sent from different parts Of the
| free States; though there has been considerable
draw back upon This article, by heavy duties. But
this impeachment is now removed. BY an act pass
ed at the last session of the Provincial Parliament
clothing intended for the benefit of the coored
people ismow admitted duty free. The teachers
have however come to the conclusion, aud doubt
not a Just conclusion, that they are most benefited
by supplying those that arrive from slavery with
clothing to last them until they are able to earn
and procure supply for themselves, and that
beyond this, except in cases of misfortune, doDa-
tons are most proftably applied for educational
purposes They have heeu led to this conclusion
from the extreme difficulty Of distributing to 9th
ers satisfactorily; and more especially from de-
sire to promote a spirit of industry and ambition
among them to provide for themselves. And there
is no great difficulty in applying clothing to this
purpose, and in way too that will assist them
directly in ohtaining an education, and at the same
time promote their pecuniary interests.
Probably not one in hundreds who arrive direct
Iy from slavery, know anything about reading or
writing. Still they ARE exceedingly anxious to
learn enough at least to read the Bible. But it is
no small task for grown people, especially those
who are passed middle life to learn to read. 1t
seems about as hard for them to learn the names
and sounds of the letters, and how to form them
into syllabes and words as for us to learn Tor
eign language. Buta large proportion of them
are young people, aud there are multitudes of
children who are as active, well behaved and eas
lily learned as auy class of children have ever
known. -.- IDea#a 3as E1. J.a gr
have had occasion to speak of the terrible pre-
vaence contemporaries in Oanudn before, but |
am happy TO say that the colored people are the
most temperate class found there A few are nd
diced to drunkness, but the great proportion of
them are strictly temperance men. On this point
their prospects are very fattering. Vi.
That part Of the people who are from the old
countries, generally treat the colored inhabitants
just about as they do others that is, according to
their conduct, without much regard to the color OF