Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-09-10
THE FUGITIVE SLAVES OF CANADA
WEST.

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The Cleveland correspondent of The Anglo
african, writes rs Follows, under date Of August
18th:
"The Colonial Government Of Jamaica, l aave
reason to believe, will very soon appoint James
Stanley, esq, OF this city agent for the emigra-
ton of colored laborers to that island from Canada
and the United States. The arrangements arc 70
be made under the immigration act of 1858 which
provides for the payment of passages and a stipu-
lated SUN per diem for three years. The success
of all such enterprises depends greatly upon the
character of the immigrants 10 be obtained, and as
every friend Of humanity has more or less sympa-
thy for the fugitive slaves in Canada, a brief sketch
of their history in this connection cannot fail to
be of the highest interest.
Twenty years ago, the number of colored resi-
dents in Canada West was 3,400. There are now
more than 10000. In 1910 there were a few set
tiers near Dawn and around Malden-some Of
them old slaves manumitted by the war of 1912,
and owning a fow acres of ground given them by
the Crown for their services in that war under
rocumsoh. In 1916, at Dawn, their first steam
mill was built, and the still lingering educational
institution at that place had Gourished and failed.
But in four months after the passage Of the Fugi-
tive Slave Act OF 1850, 10000 emigrants poured
into tho province. Crowds gathered upon the from
tier. The Government barracks were thrown open
for their use; but many, unable to find shelter
therein, illuminated the ed shore with the fires
Of their camps. Each boat up the River Thames
carried as many as could stand upon its decks, and
hundreds hurried to leave the frontier through the
woods on foot.
The few generous colored settlers received
them as best they could, and dozens found q rest
ing place on the floor of a single room. Their for
mer employments as servants were sought for, but
found not. Prejudice had, happily, closed her
door against them as such, and there was no work
for the needy but to chop cord wood and Gear the
forests. Many were ~city-bred, but they were driv-
en- to it. and the result was, they found this em-
ployment so much more independent that they be-
came utterly disguised with their former pursuits,
and declared that they would never more be me-
mails for any man or people. A new life seemed
open for them their spirits revived, and each
man stretched his nerve TO become the possessor
of land. The King Settlement, of some $4,000
acres, was speedily taken up, despite the opposi-
ton with which they met from prejuiiced whites.
From that time they have steadily progressed,
increasing in numbers, in wealth, and in intelli-
gence. Their acres of land are now numbered by
the hundred thousand. They are practical far
mers, and have churches, schools, physicians, and
editors. They sway the elections in those differ.
ent counties, and are, altogether, laying q more
solid foundation for the next generation than is
being laid by the colored people of any State OF
Province outside of the tropics. But the ANAL
territory over which they shall WELD an influence
to all puissant, lies west of Lake Ontario and
north Of 430 30/ of north latitude. North of thi.
they are affected with the asthma, and the sea
sons are exceedingly disagreeable. East of thi,
the lands are already too high-priced to be Dough
by penniless immigrants.
at is therefore conclusive, though they have
prospered thus far hey ond all precedent, theil
prosper ity is limited. They want more lands
where it is not quite so cold. They need to be
identified with the ruling element of the country
in which they live. Finally, God has provided
Canada as a place of refuge and temporary asylum
for the oppressed, hard-driven, and hunted Africo.
American, where, s,lEreliant ard superior to cir
cumstances. be may demonstrate his industry and
his capability of i'm provement preparatory to COM
handing in genial chimes that position among the
nations of the earth which is fast being recogni.
zed as his inevitable destiny"