New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Up. HOWE ON THE REFUGEES FROM
SLAVERY


In the prosecution of his researches as member
of the "Freedmon's Inquiry Commission" the
suthor of this Report, DR.. Samuel Il. Howe OF Dos
Ton, devoted portion Of the last Summer to an ex-
animation Of the condition of the colored population
Of Canada West. The result of his inquiries is
here presented in narrative of remarkable interest,
exhibiting the history, physical and material condi-
ton and moral and religions status of the refugees
from Slavery in Canada together with variety OF
Intelligent suggestions i'll regard to their rational
and humane treatment, and their prospects of future
Improvement. The facts embodied in the Report
ere oftbe highest importance at the present moment
throwing a food Of light on the question, What
shall be done with the negroes, by an example Of
what twenty thousand have been able to do for
themselves.
The freedmen in Canada may be regarded as fair
specimens of the mass of our colored people They
represent the same proportion of African blood
from the pure negro to the oetoroon, and Others in
whom the dark shade grows fainter, and, until it
can be traced only in the fngernails Most Of
them have been slaves, or are the children OF slaves,
though many were born free. For manyycars they
have been nearly in the same condition as that in
which the recently freed slaves find themselves
In point of physical characteristics the colored
people Of Canada resemble those of the Middle
stes rather than those of the extreme Southern or
the extreme Northern States. They arc slightly
built, narrow chcsted, tight-inbed, mostly Of lynn,
phatie temperament, and with decided traces Of the
scrofdlous constitution. The statistics which have
been obtained the subject lead to the conclusion
that without fresh accessons of population from the
South, mulattoes would soon diminish in Canada.
The race, seen in that province is neither yigor-
ons nor prolific, not without vivaeity of tempera-
pent and activity Of intellect; but with constant
tendency to run down. The animal organism is
jess intense in its action than with the primitive
stock showing less power of resisting destructive
sgencies, less fecundi.y, and less longevity.
In the earlier period Of the migration, marriages.
between black men and white women, mostly Irish
q other foreign women were not uncommon but
marriages between white men and black women
we're very rare. The experience Of the Canadian
refugees furnishes reason for anxiety in regard
10 the analgamation of races in the United States
ON the contrary, every thing shows that with froc
dom and ali open field for industry, colored people
viii not seek relationship with whites, but viii fol-
low their natural tendencies and marry among
themselves
No candid observer win accuse tho oolored emf
grants in Canada of laziness They do not, indeed,
love to take moro than their share Of hard work,
nut in this particular they do not differ essentially
from white men. Their condition clearly proves
that they have no lack Of industry and thrift.
Thousands and tens of thousands of them have
iabored steadily for a livelihood, and have met with
abundant success There are no beggars among
them. They receive no more than fair proportion
of the public support. Although thcrc were not
wanting symptoms Of extreme poverty among the
newcomers, DR.. Howe came in contact with no
sueh utter destitution and want as may be found in
the lower walks Of lie in most countries. In sew
ersl towns, they pay handsome amount for public
taxes. Out of $50 taxpayers in Maiden, II are
eolored. The annual value Of property for which
they were assessed in 1868 was 81 ,253, on which
they paid s. ~ for each taxpayer. In Chatham,
they averaged about s. each in Windsor, about
"a Is; in Toronto, 800 coored Taxpayers paid
nearly $500
Tbesurest sign Of their thrift is the appearance OF
thor dwelling houses, farms, stocf, tools, end
other surroundings. Whether scattered about, or
collected in suburbs, their dwellings ere generally
superior TO those Of foreign cnigrants OF the labor
ing class. They are certainly many degrees better
than the negro huts upon slave plantations, which
MANY OF them formerly lived in; and i'll point o..
neatness and order, are indeed superior 70 the
cabins Of the poor whites and even of the small
ranters For the most part their houses are small,
tidy tenemonts, perfectly comfortable, and in good
repair; not filthy shaDtjes, with old hats sticking
ont of broken C9Fs. Many OF them are owned
by the occupanS fhey Lave little gardens, which
seeIn we'll cared for In the outskirts of Chatham,
and other large places, there are scores Of nice
small two-story houses, with garden lots, owned and
Inhabited by runaway slaves who came TO the
country without penny. In the internal arrange
rnen.s Of the household there is great docency and
comfort Separate rooms ere provided for cooking
eating, and sleeping, neatly furnished some with
carpets on the floors, and curtains in the windows
TIE tables decenty spread, end beautifully sup
pied 1t is clear that the colored refugees spend
more money upon their households than foreign
emigrants 90; they live better and clothc their
children better and this they say is thereason that
they do not lsy up 80 much as many IriSh and
Uermans
To this rule, Of course, tho 80, ,,. ,os.o,u.rt
~ FAMILIES, especially new corners,
I've crowded W in one room, but as coon as they
iave see%red the necesssres Of life they begin 10
initiate the older settlers, and 20 look for the com
forts. and by and by, for some Of the Injuries of
home. The condition of the house may generally
be regarded as On indication Of the time which the
refugee has enjoyed freedom. In ten years, the
.,;t II; a. como ,y;thout a rag OF clothing eYcept