The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-11-09
RUNAWAY NEGROES IN CANADA.

There is very large body of in the northern States
who think oothng Of that contract in the federal constitu-
ton that fugitive slaves shall be delivered up but whose
philanthropy possibly may he such that they would not
desire to make the negroes exchange what they think
bad condition of life for In late number Of
the Syracuse IN W Star under the head of The Poor
Negroes in Canada we find the subjoned article We
commend to the careful perusa of the aboitonis but
at the same time without the least expectation that it
will secure from them the slightest aid and comfort
their miserable victims
" We advise pblanhropc abolition friends, if they
wish to learn the practical effects Of their policy visit
the negro settlements in Canada West During the past
year we have had occasion to visit the province repeatedly
and Chatham and Amerstburg ascetained facts
which, II generally known would, we think induce those
who rejoice in the escape Of slaves from bondage to extend
their sympathy to the poor beings after well as before
they the boundaryine. Let any aboionst spend
day or two in Chatham and Amherstburg, making
friendly inquiries among the negroes in regard to their
treatment by the resident whites (mos of whom Eng
lish and Irsh and he will find that with very few excep
tions the Canadians dislike the negroes, opposed
their further influx, regard them with jealousy ana almost
entirely withhold from them that friendly advice encour
apement pecuniary aud moral assistance of which they
had been assured before leaving the States.
/" In Chatham the condition of large majority of the
negroes is by satisfactory we had been led to
believe the accounts published in Boston and elsewhere
About one-third of the population blacks. From the
circumstances nader which the early gves were located
by the British government tue blacks look the
white settlers nterioper and the whites the other
hand consider the numerous blacks drawback upon
the prospects and prosperity OF the place denounce them
degraded immoral and thevs set and the chief cause
of the depressed value real estate in place which pos
natural advantages and might ultimately be-
come important inland city.
"The completion of the Great Western railroad on
which during the years 1852 and 1853 many of the blacks
employed has left superabundance of labor in
community where it cannot find suitable employment Du-
ring the building Of the railroad money plentiful
throughout Canada West but now comparatively scarce
"The generality of Canadian farmers viii not employ
coored aborers long they get white ones and
bnt few Of the blacks comparatively have the requise
and energy TO purchase and undertake the cuva
ton of land their account Although they rejoice in
having their liberty most Of them readily admit that they
not happy. A few doing well in different kinds of
business but most of them complain that in winter they
suffer severely from cold and want OF provisions, and in
fact do not feel home Many who are able and willing
work know what go at and idle away their time
in manner i'll calculated elicit the respect esteem of
their white neghbor The black settlers of Amherstburg
are no better the main than those at Chatham and
contributions of money food and clothing for the refugees
in either place will be very acceptable to them during the
approaching winter. But what the blacks at Chatham
especially most need and desire is active and compe
tent white direct their energies properly plan BUSH
ness TO Keep employed and protect their general in
terests in intercourse with the whites