Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-05-10
4 Letscr from PafestIne IN Refer.
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rrespondence Of the Chicago Evening Jour al
JArFs Palestine. Mar. II. 1867.

/ Correspondence Of the Chicago Even NJ journal
JArFx. Palestine. Mar. II, 1867.
Prom Mcssina d.e journey to this
/ city is Dy way - Alexandria. In
Egypt. The4expea,se is about three
hundred and fifty francs. @5
My first visit, after arriving here,
was to the Arnerfcsn colony recently
located in Jata. The accounts in the
various newspapers Of America and
T England in regard 70 the condition
of this colony have been Of such a
character a. to attract much attention
ilthreug. our the cistiiscd world. Mr..
Seward; ;~etsri Seciwssxy Of State, has
recently appointed an agent to come
here and make . thorough examina-
ton into the affairs and prospects Of
the colony. This agent tRey. Mr..
Bidwcll, of the Eclectic Magazine,
New York, was fellow passenger
with me from Egypt He seems to
be we'll qualified for the work he has
undertaken. In company with Mr..
Bidweil and others, ] called upon Slr
Adams, the President of the colony.
heard him preach in the evening, and
learned enough of the situation and
prospects OF the people to justify q
brief article in regard to them. and
the strange opinions which have led
so many 20 leave the land Of their
birth and emigrate to this far of
country.
+ The colony number. abont Teo per
sons, old and young. The majority
of the members express themselves
entirely satisfied with their situation
and prospects. But a very respect
able minority are decidedly in favor
of returning TO America. At the
meeting last night ? vote was taken
by Mr., ,Bidwell on these two questions:
ist. Are you satisfied in regard to
your situation here 2" The vote was
unanimous one in the Affirmative.
"2d. Do any Of you wish to return ~
AL votedno but one. This execution
vas pale-faced and decidedly intel
lectualIooking woman. She, in &C
ceats sad and plsintiye, said, II wieh
to go home to America. = I conSess
the word hosas sounded strangely
sweet 70 ne. and nay sympathies are
decidedly With the lone sister. Mr..
Adams and all with whom I have
eonversed, are Of the opinion that the
colony will be success. Religiously,
they believe that Christ's government
will be established 10 Palestine, and
that the whole land will enjoy pros
perity and glory unparalleled u his
tory. They say that they have had
an abundance to eat and drink during
their sojourn here, and nov have
about three hundred acres under cul-
tivation, which bid fair to produce a
large yield Of corn. wheat, potatoes,
and the necessaries Of life. Four
adults and seven children have died
aince the colony settled here.
The colony have built quite num-
Der of houses, having brought the
lumber all the way from Maine. A
three-story hotel is now being erected
h the village. and is well under way.
All the members speak in the highest
terms Of the kindness Of the Turks
and Arabs to them, and in very
strong terms Of the unkindness Of the
American e-Consul at yaffa.
But my donkey is at the door for
Jerusalem, and ! must close. l know
that this is . poorly written letter,
but, | have been urged by so many in
America to write in regard to the
Jaffa colony that I could not do other
wise; and while condemning my pen
manship, just remember that many
get nesv vous when within thirty miles
Of Jerusalem. Yours,
ss,i s s JAMES p. SaNroRp.