The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-07-23

clothing as they are OF food" As soon as
the paper containing the Appeal" reached
Chatham, steps were taken to get up a
public meeting to inquire into the state
ment. The following proceedings we find
in the Provincial Freeman" Of July I'd,
the editor Of which says They speak for
themselves; and as they embody the SEN
timents of the influential colored clergy of
the several denominations and their men,
bers, they may be said to be the senti-
ments of the colored people of the West"
PUBLIC MEETING IN REFERENCE TO
THE f'APPEAL"
A public meeting of the citizens of Chat
ham, was held in the Union Church, on the
10th instant, to inquire into the statement
made by the Rev. w. P. Newman, in
letter to the American Baptist" dated
June 9th, 1859, that number of colored
people in his locality were in such desti-
tute circumstances. as to be in a starving
condition.
j. G. Brown was called to the chair, ana
J. H. Harris was appointed Secretary.
The American Baptist" was produced,
and the letter above referred to read, and
remarks made by the Rev H. III. Haw-
kins, j. II. Harris, and others whereupon
a committee consisting of Rev. Ill. I'll.
Hawkins, Edmund Duncan, and J. H.
Harris, was appointed to proceed to the
township of Chatham, and learn from the
residents, and Elder Newman likewise.
whether or not starvation existed.
After collection to defray expenses, on
motion, the meeting adjourned, to meet on
the following Thursday, in the b. M. E.
Church.
Thursday, June 23d, 1859.
Pursuant to ad diournment, the mass meet
ing to investigate the Chatham Township
starving cases, met in the B. NJ. Z. Church,
Princess st. In the absence Of j. G.
Brown and J. Ii. Harris, Rev, S. r. Alex
ander was called to the Chair, and the Rev
S. Lowery was appointed Secretary.
After the object of the meeting being
stated by the Chairman, andthe letter in
question having been again read to the
meeting, on motion of Mr.. j. G. Richard
son, Elder I'll. IL. Hawkins, chairman of
the committee, proceeded to make YER
batim report of the facts ascertained in
their Investigations, followed by the sub
Joined written and verbal statements Of
parties in the locality, rebutting and con-
tuting every assertion made III the afore-
said letter.
Upon calling on Mr. Newman at Dawn,
for the purpose of making inquiry, and
getting him to show the committee the per-
sons suffering as stated in that neighbor-
hood, instead Of doing SO, or giving them
any information, he ordered the committee
to leave his premises, and before they had
given him statement of their business,
closed his door and left them.
Elder Hawkins then stated he had to
elicit facts as he could, and presented the
following statement from persons residing
in the Township of Chatham, as follows:
The Committee called on Mr.. hewitt
Wick, and read from the American Bap-
tist" the letter, or appeal for the " starv-
ing" in which his name is associated. He
said that he did not authorize Elder w.
P. Newman to write that letter, but did
give him ole for publication, asking aid,
only for school section No. /, in the Town
ship of Chatham, G.. w, but for no other
place, and that the letter in the Ameri-
can Baptist" is not true, it not being the
original one. He stated that he had to eat
fish, and wild green's that he cut from the
corners of his fence, and this he knew of
others who were in want; that he owned
50 acres of land, two yoke of oxen, and
eight head of hogs. He was asked how
many COWS he owned, but refused to give
any answer.
STATEMENT OF MRs. HOLLINswoRrH.-" Within
four DAYS we have passed from our store 1900 lbs.
| of meal and three barrels Of -four
STATEMENT OF Mas. INGE.-" Within two days
I have sold 1850 lbs Of corn meal and two bar
rels of -four pork, molasses, candles, tobacco,
boots and Shoes de-. all to colored people, but
three exceptions
Il hereby certify that I have sold one ton of
meal, six barrels of flour, and one Of pork in two
DAYS. Signed WM. TURNER.
Dresden, C. W, June DIST 1859.
a have sold to the colored people the follow
ing articles wearing apparel, dry goods and gro
ceres of all kinds, boots and shoes, in the Town
ships of Camden and Dawn.
Signed, ROBT. ANDERSON.
Dresden, June Dist, 1862
We called upon Peter Davis and after
few minutes conversation, we read him
the letter published in the American Bap-
tist of June 14th, informing him of the
death of his daughter from starvation
His reply was, " My daughter was sick
about two years; she died of consumption;
my neighbors administered to her necessi-
ties; was not able to employ doctor to
attend to her; if | had been able, think
she might have been living now, or longer
than she did; | have % acres of land paid
for, one yoke of young cattle, and two
shoats get three shillings cord for
cutting wood, but provisions are so high, |
can get such little for it."
Elder Hawkins stated that the people
were all doing well-nearly all owned
farms, and had cattle, sheep, horses, hogs,
&C., in abundance. They went to the
school, and found the children well clothed,
and all seemed genteel in appearance.
There had been several parties and pie