The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-10-02
From the Contraband Mission,
TYLER HOUSE, Sept. IS, 1868.

DEAR CALEDoNIAN: Of the world, out
side, and far off, We Of the Tyler House Mis-
sion know but little. Quite a number of
little items Of war news we have first learned
through Vermont papers. Though within
two miles or so, of Fortress Monroe,
and though personally acquainted with MAJ
Gen. Foster, yet of his recent trips South
was first informed by the CALEDOSIAN, but
afterwards more fully from the lips of the
General himself, who, on Wednesday of this
week, in company with Gov. Andrew of
Mass, and some o.her gentlemen of note
l:.ade Us cali at the Tyler House. BY the
way, we like Gen. Foster. If he is not Il
maf, every inch of him, he IS not what he
appears to be. Should the war scoa close
We ca not dtny that he has doue his country
coed service, and should it long continue and
his lie be preserved, he is destined opine
to renLer still further anL perhaps more "a
liable service than hitherto. Coming up to
ls from down Ssrth, some were suspicious
that he would be no friend to rs, our uni
:orn, or the col1red people. But thus tar
ne has certainly appeared to ue true frienI
to u and o,ir mission and its ohiec.s, and as
tor ourselves, w are not particala: apprehen-
siye OF his e;er rowing himself otherwise.
And though he sees perhaps more clearly
than some. the faults of the colored people,
and very likely does not regard them as by
education or by nature, a ts better than the
whites, yet their general welfare, comfort,
Improvement and elevation he really seems
to have at heart. nd hence the reasons in
part at least, Gf his interest in rs and our
work. Besides, he is Of himself plsnrins
with reference to the welfare of the c1lore4
people, anl should his plans he carried out.
and his purposes executed, not more than a
year OF tSo cin pass before large tract of
country al about Hampton. bat especially
,..rlh. west and southwest of i. will be set
tied over by the colored people with their
neat little cabins, each family controlling
from one to twenty acres. according to their
ability and disposition TO cultivate. And
then, SAYS the Gen, the whole TERRITORY must
be laid out in school, districts. after the I1n
kee style; and the schoolu,a ms must BE
there and if the people cannot furnish places
for tie schools will, and if no other places
for the schoolma ms can be found where they
will be comfort ,ble, will build houses for
them myself Now whether he really intend
ed to pledge himself 20 do all this Or not, he
evidently spoke as he te,, aud in his remarks
expressed his views Of what ought TO be
done. And who is there that can devise a
more excellent way? What better can be
done with these hitherto down-trodden and
oppressed people? Is not this the way to
make them what .hey shold be, selt-relant
intelligent ana st to occupy the places which
! they are destined by and Dy 10 cccupy as a
part Of the free people of great and free
nation-our mission restored, not as it was,
but as it should be But, before this can be-
these poor people must be aided to a consid-
cradle extent by their friends North. Many
now with US. just out of slavery, having left
all behind for the sake of freedom. are poor
miserably SO. Our hearts ache to witness
t.is desitu,ion and consequent sutfering-
Tvs or three hundred articles OF clothing
jut from tn. North, Mrs Stone has within
i tew days distributed, thereby making many
hearts glad. Bat what is this little compar.
ed with all the wants of thr.. thousand
Please ask Cur triesds il oil Caledonia II
strd us clothing, bedding. Ne. in ary guam
,ity al of almost any quality, care OF Wm
+, Whiting, 81 john St, y. Y, aul muci
ooiise. Yours truly,
j. T. SrOEE.