The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-18

employed, and all so happy and energetic look
ing. There is compound corn mill attached,
but it was not in motion during my visit. Up
wards of 100 barrels Of pearl ashes were turned
out of their factory during the last eight months
The quantity of land at present clear and under
fence is S27 acres. There are, in addition, ZIG
acres chopped down, and ready for fall and
spring crops. There is a large quantity of
wheat sown this season, some $50 acres being
under crop. Three hundred and forty acres
are planted with corn, so with potatoes, 40
turnips. There is also a considerable quantity
of tobacco raised and it is said to be of a
superior quality.
The following is the financial statement of
the affairs of the Association, as given in the
report for the present year "The present
liabilities of the Association amount to
20, 944 1885, 3D. that is, to Government, for land
and interest E2,211 IS. 3d.; stockholders, for
instalments and interest, G733 l5s. Sd. The
assets amount to 1859 l2s. l0d. that is, for
land sold and interest thereon, E3, 1852 Is. lOd
land unsold, flS7 los. !; leaving balance of
assets, to meet the current or ordinary expenses
of the Association, of 1884 l3s. 3d."
In order to estimate Alright the progress that
has thus been made, it is necessary to observe
that the settlers have not been permitted to re-
ceive any extraneous aid. Most of them entered
the lands destitute of means, and having to rely
solely on their own labor for support. 1t is
wisely said that the spirit of independence will
thus be generated and, instead of those begging
customs which have tended to the ruin of other
places, habits of industry and frugality will
prevail. What the colored man needs, on his
arrival in Canada, is not so much money or
clothes as the means of earning both for him
self. OF course, temporary aid, in many cases,
| is absolutely necessary, but this is only for
periods of very limited duration. Mr.. King and
the committee, in conducting the affairs OF the
Association, act upon this principle, and they
do so wisely.
might say much more of similar encourage
ing character regarding this settlement, but
enough has been told to prove that under proper
management the black man is as capable OF
success, even in agricultural pursuits, as the
white one, and that the social and moral habits
of the Ethiopian, when properly directed, are
not inferior In any respect to those OF the Eu-
rorean. To the gentlemen who, in the spirit
of benevolence and philanthropy, originated
this Settlement, and to the Rev. William King,
who has so wisely and theoretically, and with
such unfagging ZEAL carried out their plans and
intentions, the public are largely indebted. So
long as the colored man resides amongst US, it
is of the utmost consequence to society that his
intellectual and moral faculties be cultivated,
| and that he be allowed the freest scope for the
| acquisition of physical good. BY helping him
to overcome the degrading and brutalizing eff
fects of his training while a slave, we thereby
not merely aid him in exhibiting to the world
that he is fitted for freedom, but do much to
hasten that day, which cannot be much longer
| deferred, when the bonds shall fall from the
limbs of the oppressed, and when all in every
land shall be put in the possession of those in
slienable, because Heaven-given rights, " the
right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi
7 ness" Of our visit to Buxton, and of the pleas
ant drive along the banks of Lake Erie which
we enjoyed On our return, we shall long cherish
many pleasing remembrances.