Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-12-10

For the Green Mountain Freeman.
Tour among The COlored Refugees in
Canada West;
Performed in the months of September and October, 184C
BY ED. CYRUS PRlNDLE,
NUMB Err SIX.

NUMBER SIX.
Mr.. EDIToR:--Havng given to your readers gen
ero history Of my recent exploration among the sell
emancipated in Canada West, cannot wholly dismiss
the subject without indulging in such reflections as
have impressed me- derived from personal observation
and particular conversation with those who have been
with them for years. and who may be supposed to I'M
destand their wants and necessities much better than
entire strangers.
|. AS essential to their prosperity and indepen-
dence, regard it as Indispensable that the coored
people in the province should become the owners of
the SOIL In order to break down the unhaowed pre-
udlce that exists against this class of our fellow men,
it appears to me that two agencies must be employed
Education and the right of property. am not aware
that any people became distinguished, in the abb
sence of either much less of BOTH of these instrument
tates So fully was impressed with the Importance
of these benefits to our coored BRETHREN that every
suitable occasion called attention to them and urged
the possession of freehold wherever it practical
be But still my heart in no small degree sad
dened, when remembered that unless they were as
sisted it would be next to an mpossiblity for many
of them to make purchase of land.
1t has often been asserted that the British govern
mont gave each fugitive a lot Of wild land to settle
upon when in fact, did not find single instance Of
the kind and do not believe that such an one exists
in the whole Province. If they have real estate, thoy
purchase and pay for it. the same as others And
besides, wild lard is much dearer in Canada than in
the States. A small portion now in market might be
bought for $l60 per acre. but the most in market will
range at from So to S4 per acre. and from one fourth
to one third must be paid down. Now, how are these
terms to be complied with by those who arrive in Can
ada out of breath in running from slavery, WITH per-
haps, not whole garment upon them, and all the dis
abng habits of the slave system entaed upon them?
Some uncommon instances there are of individual eff
fort and calculations where the coored man has taken
up land and paid for it and others in fair way to
do the same. But these instances are exceptions to
general rule, and must not be made applicable to the
mass of the population. Not few have already been
elected from lands they had chosen because they
could not comply with the terms of purchase, and
ny others must meet similar fate soon, who are now
upon land which they would be glad to keep but can
not, unless aided by others. This, to many, is sad
picture of the poor ingve but is certainly shadow
unless something be done quickly for their relief
The whole of the Queens Bush is soon to be thrown
into the market and multitude of the colored people
must be driven from their chosen homes, unless they
can be aided in making the first payment for the lands
on which they have settled. Ten thousand dollars
loaned to these settlers at six per cent annual interest,"
would be of immense benefit to them at this time, and
would, think, be perfectly safe investment Could
but be instrumental in leading some of our Amer-
can philanthropiss to make such loan, should re-
gard as one of the most important acts of my life In
most instances, think ifthe first payment were made,
the colored people would pay the interest and meet
the other instruments as they should become due. This
plan, if it could be carried into effect is in my own
Judgment to be preferred before all others that have
been suggested ! would attach more Importance to
it than to one that should give to them land outright
as buying and paying for possessions will be much
better for the coored than giving to him the same,
since We should aim at creating the habits Of ndepen-
dence, in opposition TO fostering feeling of reliance.
2. Another important measure to be entered upon
by the friends of the thousands Of self emancipated III
Canada should be, to open schools in such numbers
WV"
mon education to the entire class AS things now are
the colored children are almost entirely excludes mol
by the force of colonial law but by the power of in
dividual prejudice and might The foregoing con
tains the great measures which my observations have
satisfied me are of most Importance to the Canada set
Elements For, in relation to religious privileges ant
church organizations, they quite ample, compared
9th m, bo Of Whr
preach are unearned men, but they know how to poln
sinners to Christ and what it is to enjoy the witness
salvation. In nearly all the settlements there are AZ
rican Methodist Episcopal churches, w esleyans anc
Baptsts and in them all, tolerable preachers.
g. Before dismiss this subject, feel it my duty tc
inform the friends of the fugves, of the number ant
relation of the missionaries in Canada West. Ant
this do that those who send their beneactions to Thu
destination, may understand how to direct them. II
begin with at Dawn, about 20 miles distant from De
troit. we find Rev. Miriam Wilson, and associated wit
him in teaching are, VIM. P. Newman, Miss ShePperc
and Mrs. Parker These individuals acting unde
the sanction and patronage Of the Canadian Mlssio
proper and, so far could learn they constitute
the aborers belonging to this mission IN the province
We next come to Amerstburgh, ID miles below DC
troit, and here we find Rev. Isaac ]. Rice Congrf
gationalist standing connected with no missionary Sc
ciety whatever, but relying upon individual donation
for supporting him in his work. The next place of in
portance to be mentioned, is, London, about l2O nile
from Detroit and so miles west Of Hamilton Th
has been the residence of Rev. ]. N. Mars the pa
year, and probably will be the post office address
his SUCCESSOR when he shall arrive. Miss Jarvis en-
Ployed in teaching in this places both she and Ma