The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-01-01
Paul CuRee.

Iaui OlllSC'
The first emigration of colored people
from the United States to Africa was
conducted by Paul Cufice, IN 1915.
Capt CuI'ce was the youngest son of
John Cuilee, whom avarice had dragged
from his home in Africa and sold into
slavery; but who, by good conduct and
perseyerlng industry, obtained his iree>
dom. lie afterwards purchased farm
and having married cue OF the native
Indians, brought up respectable family
of ten children, on one ofthe Elizabeth
Islands, near New Bedford, Mass.
Mr.. c. died in 1913, when Paul was
about II years Of age, leaving widow
and six daughters to the care Of Paul
and his brothers. Though he had no
learning but what he had received from
the hand of friendship, yet he gained a
considerable degree of knowledge in
arithmetic and navigation. OF the lat>
ter he acquired enough in two weeks, ii
is said, to enable him to command his
own vessel in voyages to our Southern
States, the West Indies. England, Rus
sia and Africa. The beginning Of his
business was in an open boat but by
prudence aud perseverance, he was al
length enabled TO obtain good sized
schooner, then brig, and afterwards Il
ship.
In 1906 he owned ship, two brigs,
and several small vessels, besides cons
siderable other property.
Feeling, in early life. desire of ben
efittina his fellow men, he made use Of
such opportunities as were in his power
f r that purpose. Hence, during the Sc
verify of winter, when he could not pur-
sue his usual business in his boat, lie
employed his time in teaching nayiga>
ton to his own family, and to the young
men of the neighhorhood. He even
built school-house on his own land and
at his own expense, giving the free use
o! it to his neighbors.
For a long time his mind had been af-
lected with the degraded condition of
his African brethren. After mature re-
llc,tion and observation, his thoughts
turned to the British settlement q, Sierra
Leone In 1915, fading lis property
sufficient to warrant the undertaking, he
embarked in his own brig. manned eu-
tirely by persons of color, aud sailed to
the land of his furefathers. VI hile a,
Sierra Leone. he was treated with great
kindness by the governor and the prIn'
cipal residents, and he proposed 20 them a
number Of Improvements. From thence,
he sailed to England where he met with
much respect ani attention. This mis-
sion Of inquiry was entirely at his own
expense-a sure indication that it was
prompted by genuine bcnevClence.
lie was very desIrous on reaching this
country of returning TO Africa, bat was
prevented by the occurrence of war be-
tween England and America.
In 1915, however, just year before
the formation of the American Colon-
zation Society, lie made preparation aud
took on board his brig thirty eight per-
sons-ihrty of whom he carried graz
tutously at an expense Of $3,000-and
after voyage Of iily-fve days from
Boston arrived safe at Sierra Leone
His stay there was about two months,
and when he took leave, particularly OF
those whom he had brought over. it was
like father leaving his children. lie
reached New Bedford in due season,
and while making arrangements for a
third voyage he was seized with tie
complaint which terminated his labors
and his life. lie died in the autumn Of
1916, in the fl;y.ninih year of his age,
leaving an estate valued at so, ,000.
Captain CuGee was a mau of the
strIctcst integrity, modest YET dignIlied
in his manners, OF a feeling and liberal
Laart ,,uili- s,,rttob aud ,.oli ,nr,oJ &C.,
the business Of The world, His acquaIn-
lance and friendship were valued bv
many of our hest citizens. lie was a
member of the Society of Friends -
Colonization UcaH
NOVEL ExPERIMENT--This morning
the operators on the O'ReiiIy Western