Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-04
tFrom the Hartford Courant.l
American Agricultural Missionaries in
Palestine.

From the Hartford Courant.l
American Agricultural Missionaries In
Palestine.
Our readers may have heard from time to
time, through the newspapers, of the emIgra-
tion to the Holy Land of party of Ameri-
cans, with view to cultivate the soil, and
through these efforts to prepare the way for
more effectual missionary enterprise among
the wild Arabs, and poor agriculturists OF
that once luxuriant country. This party,
which, in reality, is a band of missionaries,
chose a spot in the plain of Sharon, near the
modern city of Jafia, the ancient Joppa, as
celebrated in old Jewish annals for it's beauty
and its trade, ms it is in our day for its COM
merce. This spot was selected on account of
the excellence of the land, its convenience to
good market and port, as well as to the
beauty and healthfulness of the situation.
When they first established tbems selves, the
Arabs were a little suspicious of them but
they soon found that through their superior
mode agriculture, they We're accomplishing
what their own people had failed to do, and
that q great benefit would result to them and
their country from protecting the strangers.
The Sheiks watched their progress with in
tense interest, and protected them from the
attacks of the warlike Bedouins who had been,
for ages, accustomed to plunder every stranger
whether friend or foe, who set foot in their
country; these Sheks who had demanded
6akshcesh, /. G. presents, or tribute to secure
their friendship, now manifested a deep in
terest in the success of the Americans. They
paid them friendly visits, and invited the
strangers to accompany them to their vii
lagos and camps many miles in the interior.
The Americans, unprotected by any escort,
save an Arab guide took the earliest oppor-
tunity to return the visits bf tie Arab Sheiks,
when they were kindly received by their
families and most Hospitality entertained
The Turkish Governor and authorities have
been alike pleased with the success of the
Americans, and seeing the good they were do
ing, and the example of industry they were
setting to the indolent Arab, Turk and Jew,
have extended them every aid and protection
which they required. The New York Eren-
ing Post contains q long and highly interest
ing letter from this mission, dated Feb ii,
1855, by which it appears that continued
success attends their labors, and that they
have now obtained legal transfer of the
lands they occupy from the owner, which has
This, it is said, is the deed first ever made
out to a Christian and foreigner in Jaffa.
The writer says:
" While we occupied land by lease only, a
number Of the principal and more intelligent
inhabitants when visiting us would frequent
ly urge us to settle more permanently among
them, and express doubts of our remaining,
remarking, that other foreigners are general.
ly satisfied with a residence of year or two
ut most. In the few days since our purchase,
we have received the kIndest assurances and
congratulations from neighboring landholders
and persons in authority former deca-
ring that our establishment in their vicinity
will greatly increase the value of their pro-
pcrty.
Mohammed Anal zee, one Of tho first exc
cutive officers of Jaffi, came out to make us
special visit to-day, to inform us that he
had particularly spoken to the new Pasha,
(this week arrived from Constantinople on
his way to Jerusalem,) y recommending us and
our object to him, who was so much in
terestcd that he determined to communicate
with the Sultan, with the design of securing
to us every privilege necessary in prosecuting
our benevolent work. We could hut feel
grateful to a Higher Power for this friendly
expression from such a quarter. Our visitor
again and again repeated, 'now you will re-
main with us and we shall work together,
as he looked over the plain toward Jaffa, at
the beautiful little mount on our land. lie
larniliarly related particulars respecting him
self and family, and requested medicine for
a serious difficulty with which he was af
hicted
AS we had dned at his house and knew
something of his luxurious style of living,
and disinclination for exercise, we proposed n
temperate diet and frequent horseback excur-
sions, which course his good sense evidently
approved. Our land lies about two miles
northeast of Jaffi, near the sea. A fine ele-
vation on its eastern side commands beauti-
full view Of Jaffa, its orange gardens and the
sea along the coast towards Mount Carmel.
1t has u level of good soil, three sides en-
closing the hill ; on the north, and west,
and south. The elevation is covered with
young grape vines, almond and apricot trees
there is also lourishing orchard of five
thousand mulberry trees on n portion of the
! level, which are here very valuable. Its area
contains about thirty-three acres. On ac-
count Of the trees and vines, and its nearness
to Jaffa, it is considered by good judges as
worth more than we have paid for it. The
expense of planting and culture of the trees
and vines has been estimated by our neigh
bors as equal to the whole sum. On each
side adjoining, good level land is now offered
| to US on moderate terms, and it would be
most desirable to secure it before it may be
! taken by others, to enlarge our farm suh'
GENTLY for wheat and barley, at least for the
consumption of our large family and work
ing animals. But this we have no prospect
at present of doing, as we shall first more
particularly need aid in building shelter
for ourselves and our laborers, before oul
time is out on our present leased Biarrah.' >
The plain of Sharon yields three harvests
year, the first without irrigation, tho two
others by the aid of water conducted to th'
roots Of the growing plants.
at is very hourishing season. Ou
wheat looks well, our barley in some place
begins TO head. In our garden We have now
Of excellent qualities, from which we gathe
daily, white and sweet potatoes, heets, rut
baga turnips, cabbage, peas, beans, and let
tuce in fine heads We have gathered ou
oranges and sold them in Jaha, but we hav
citrons and lemons still hanging on the tree,
The almond trees only are blossoming. w
have this week commenced planting whit
potatoes, Indian corn, cucumbers, squashes
tomatoes. egg plants, beans, &c, expectin
one crop before we commence raising waite
in May. The sick and suffering and destitut
are with us, and still claim much Of ou
time and service, and all We can spare frol
= our gardens and narrow store. The cases {
suffering among the sick and poor jews hay
increased the last month. They assure
that they have only received in Jaffa
pastres each (about 81 ,2S) from the gres
9 contributions raised abroad for their relic
The daily calls of this distress, and the n
. cessary expenses of our increasing agricu
= tural labor notwithstanding the severe econ
u my we endure, have so exhausted our limit
J means that we are greatly straitened in OF
u work yet we still trust in that Providenti
y love that has hitherto been manifested f
). our relief in the darkest hours of trial al
% privation.
u ------------------
:, The Z" EricssOn."
VI iCor,e.nondenoe If the Roston JuurnaI
!, Ngw YoRK, March "a