Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-12-03
THE FIRE L NJ AN .
For the Green Mountain Freeman.
Tour among the ColOred Refugees in
Canada WeS!;
Performed in the months of September and OCTOBER 1876
BY ED. CYRUS PRINDLE
MUM Err FIVE.


Mr.. EDIToR:-After spending the Sabbath in Lon
don, in the manner described in my last Bro Rice and
myself started for the Queens Bush, on Monday the
28th of September. This location is at present excit-
ing more attention than any other in the Province.
Our route was somewhat circutous in order to find
good roads. We were informed that, in direct line
from London, this place could be reached ia travelling
GO miles; but the road is not passable except in win
ter and we had to travel all of hundred in seeing
our friends in the settlement BY making the most of
our time, we arrived within fourteen miles of Miss
Coburns on the 2nd night and found comfortable en-
ter'ainment in the family of kind Duchman. From
this place the roads were pretty much in state of ma
ture, ana we left our horse and wagon and tried rav-
cling in apostolic style. And by laying off our coats
and putting best foot forward we were successful
in reaching the mission house about 10 o'clock A. NJ
the Both We foand Miss Coburn engaged in build
ing new school house, of logs, and with the same
materials charging her own residance--ivng, while
these improvements were going on in log shop, with
the earth for her floor, and the furniture Of the work
shop &c for embeshug her residence.
The Queens Bush so called is made up of two
W" HSH9i NClloICy anu CCl' IIOtl lulG
ton of the inhIbtants, was informed there were
$3.50 persons in this location and full one half of them
colored; most of whom have felt the horrors of A.
mercan slavery. The land, yet, has not come into
market but is expected to be sold in the course of this
fall or winter. The soil is productive, and being roll
ing the water is good and it will he free from those
periodical diseases to which the more western sections
of the province will be bjected This settlement
lies about 60 miles from the city of Hamilton, and
from so to 100 from Toronto. Two good streams pass
through these townships, the Canstotl and Kanqkaig.
These streams furnish fine mill seats which, at no dis
tant day, it is hoped, will be occupied; the in
habitans compelled to 60 for accommodations from
Is to 90 miles.
We remained from Wednesday noon till Friday
morning in the Bush, and were greatly refreshed by
this visit Of observation among the devoted rissiona-
ries we found in this section Of the CANADIAN field In
addition to Miss Coburn, there are Messrs. Kirkland,
Brooks and Denslow, all of whom both teachers
and preachers as opportunity and ability permit
Here found some who were aided to freedom by
the heroic Torrey, and his rame is pronounced with
mingled feelings of veneration and sympathy by all
this class of freed ones, wherever found them.
There is much of rompnce thrown over descriptive
missions; and to be feared that some have entered
upon the mission field more from the impulses Of
strongly excited passions, than the deep convictions of
fully counting the cost. But of one thing am quite
sure-that let one 90 to the Canada mission and take
their fare and labor with those who are in tat self
exiled region, and if they not made of the right
material, they will find cogent for com
ing away. No one can visit the Queens Bush, Lon
don, Dawn, Amersburgh, &c. aud not be impressed
with an affecting conviction that if there class OF
iaborers in the mission field who constra ned by
the love of Christ they are to be found in Canada
West among the coored people who have fled from
our Republican despotism to enjoy monarchcal free
dom. In some instances they have beens reduced as
not to know where the next meal is to come FROM and
yet hey were looked to for furnishing the destitute ones
among the fu9itives. And even now, speak within
bounds, when say that our poorest congregations al
ford comfortable support to our ministry than
any of the missionaries saw in Canada receiving
But they labor not in vain in the Lord. A good rev
val has been going on i'll the Queens Bush since some
time in September, in which all denominations are
sharing. On meeting colored man, soon after VT
entered the Bush, who informed US OF the interesting
times they were enjoying, he qulnty remirked thu
General Jesus ruled in tn It Bush at that tme and that
as the devil had done them much injury while il
slavery they did no; intend to show him any lavo
now but give him hard run.
Having enrined in this place as long as our limit
ed time would allow we left on Frdiy morning 70
Hamilton, which place we reached on Saturday, nea
night. While on our way from the Bush we called tt
visit colored brother, Levi Carroll one of the fou
hundred whom Torey aided to freedom before gon!
to his reward Carol was from Washington city anC
was the slave of widow Culver, who, he says is rich
and yet she has sold three of Carols brothers ant
one of his sisters No wonder Carol should make
desperate effort to flee from such widow is thi
one, and that the noble Torrey should give him tn
generous aid that he might need to consunmate hi
purpose. He left the seat of the SHAREHOLDERS
GOVERNMENT in June l842, and his wife in Angus
following Poor fellow. In June last he inflicted
wound upon his knee and inflammation set in, and i
July he had to have his leg amputated that he is
cripple for life But there is enough left of the bod
to contain the soul, and he hopes to be able to men
and make Shoes so to obtain living We lei
with him little practical sympathy, but could onl
afford the widows mite from our own limited means.
Hamilton is situated at the head OF Lake Ontario
and is an Incorporated city, hlving fine buildings, ma
ny advantages, and plenty of whIskey, and an abur
dance of people, high and low, to drink it, There ar
two coored congregations in the pI'ce, rcan, N
scopal and Baptist. Not few of the families
'olored friends are doing WE'LL and are IN bushes
that promise them the means Of comfort