Voice of the Fugitive (Sandwich and Windsor, ON1851), May 7, 1851, p. 2

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we hy VOICE OF THE FUGITIVE. wenn panna SANDWICH, CANADA WEST. aR AAAAAAAAAARD AAR AAR ARRAS AR ARAL Es WEDNESDAY, -MAY 7, 1851. HOMES FOR THE FUGITIVE SLAVES IN CANADA. Friends and fellow countrymen with whom we are identified in a common destiny, and whose hearts throb in union with ours upon the great question of equal rights in our na- tive land. It is well known to our readers that we have been writing a series of articles on what we conceived to be most needed among our people, who have taken refuge here from Aierican Slavery, and we ftel sat- : isfied from careful investigation that city and village life is subversive of the best interests eral, moral, intellectual and pecuniary im- provement, our children are here, taught as a general thing to aspire no higher than to be boot blacks, wash-women, wood-sawers, and table waiters--therefore we are not respected ---but let us leave such employment as far ee: be praticable,and turn into its agri- cultural whicliin itself commands respect.-- In our last paper there was many typograph- ical errors left uncorrected, and, especially in our article upon this subject--we therefore insert here a portion of the same corrected : We suggest the purchase of 20,000 acres of land here; in the most southern part of Canada,where every inch of timber, or bushel of ashes therefrom can be sold for cash. 2d. That said land should not be purchased all in one block,but scattered about in different set- tlements. 3d. That said land should not be divided up into larger tracts than twenty-five acre lots. 4th. That when deeded it should be done so as to secure it to the wife and children. 5th. That they should never have a deed for it until paid for. 6th. That an ef- fort should be made to raise a fund of $40,- 000 with which to pay for the land. 7th. That it should be held in trust by proper persons for the benefit of this people, and be cold out to them at cost, undercertain conditions. 8th, That hose conditions should be to promote education," morality, and industrial habits.-- 9th. That one third of all monies paid in for said land by actual settlers, should be appro- priated for the support of schools among them. This is about the way that the subject lies in our mind, while there is much room for im- proverment. Ts it practicable ? Would such an enter- prise not be a blessing to thousands of wan- dering refugees who have no means of self- support, and perhaps never will have without something of the kind isdone? This is what we actually need and what might be accom- plished for us in Jess than six months if our professed friends would only take hold of it. Is it asking too much of those who have help- ed to make the laws which have degraded us, now to give something to elevate us? Whosoever wishes to take stock in this bank of charity, let them send their names and the amount taey will give to Wm. Iar- ned, No 61 Johnst., New York, or to the Voice of the Fugitive at Detroit Mich., or Sandwich C. W. (with postage paid,) and when we get $20,000, pledged the subscrib- ers will be called on for the money,but before that time we trust that the matter will be made perfectly satisfactory to all who wish: to suport it. In order to make this sure,simple and plain we suggest that it be divided up into 8000 shares, at $5 each, or 4000 at $10, each, and then let those who are willing to lend a help- ing hand, subscribe, with the understanding that when the 20,000 is subscribed that pay- ment shall be made so that settlers may be taking up the land and improving it. Cororen Men or tar Unirep Sratns anp CanApa!--We call especially on you. in view ofthe subject what position will ye take? If the subject commends itself to your minds favorably will ye not support it? 'Why stand ye here idleall the day?" There is no permanent stopping place in the United States upon which the hunted fugitive can stand-- three millions and a half of our own brethren are in chains, the slave holders of the south with American colonization soceity are striy- ing to prevent us from settling in Canada, on the one hand, and to induce the free people of color to Africa on the other--was eve ofour Race inthis country. Itshuts out gen-| against agression until the last slave is free by the helpof a common Father? Or shall we like dastardly cowards submit without a struggle to the kidnapping law of the whites, and be dragged off into helpless bondage on the one hand, or bow in- submission to the American colonization scheme on the other? Friends and brethren there can be no mistake in the signs of the times, the question of sustaining ourselves in this country as fiee- man on the one hand, erpatialing or perpetual slavery on the other, is now brought to an is- sue, and we are to be tested. For one we are resolved not to retreat another inch, but to stand and fight the battle here, to hail with unspeakable joy the approach of every fleeing bondman from stripes and imprisonment to these shores,and to make this gornd attractive moral and intellectual culture. But to do by this effectually brethren we must be united, and with a God of justice on our jside, with an anti-slavery government over our heads, with the sympathies and prayers of all true christians with us, "one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight." SAME THING WILL BE DONE FO USIN ENGLAND. s We make the following extract from the Anti Slavery) Reporter of London, which shows that they are not ignorant of the disgraceful fuct, that over and above three millions of American born sons and daughters are held inthe United States as chattel slaves, bartered and sold in this (miss named) christian land in the public mraket places as articles of prop- erty, denied the sanction of marriage by law and the privilege of being taught to read the holy scriptures for religious instruction--and that the free states are now nothing less than a common hunting grouud for kidnappers,and soul hunters,who are backed up by the Fugi- tive Slave Law. Who could blameus for tak- ing refuge in Canada from under such tyran- ical laws? The following sentiments are truthful and Christ like--may they spread far and wide on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean,until the way is made possible for eve- ry refugee slave in Canada to "set under his own vine and fig tree where none can molest or make him afraid." "Tn addition to the large number of colored people previously congregated in Canada W., say from 25,000 to 30,000, upwards of 4,000 fugitives have sought refuge there since the land of freedom. 'To help them in their dis- tress is a Christian duty, and the Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society, Mr. Joan Scosuz, will be happy to receive special contributions for this purpose, from the friends of humanity and freedom in this country. : In the elevation, social, mental and moral, of the great mass of fugitives from slavery, in Canada, the Christian philanthropists of this country have a great work to perform; and an appeal will shortly be made to them to support an Institution, in a central position, established for that purpose, tie particulars of which will be communicated by circular. Its representative in this country is Mr. Josran Henson, a man, in every respect worthy of the confidence of the puplic, from his known character for the last twenty years, the high testimonals he brings with him to this coun- try, and his great and disinterested labors among his brethren; both as a minister of the Gospel, and as a practical philanthropist. We wish him all success in his truly Christian mission. KIDNAPPING IN CANADA. A fugitive slave by the name of Edmon's, escaped for his liberty to this province, some time in 1850, who after the elapse of several months retirement for the purpose of receiving some of his dear friends from the hands of their opppressors. His arrival in Ky., was as-unexpected as death itself to his friends who readily expressed their willingness to ac- company him back to Canada. They con- cealed him for several days while they were making some preperations for the flight, and at the same time it was whispered around the neighborhood among their confidential friends that this agent was there from Canada ; and the result was that he had many calls from his old friends,nine-tenths of whom were anx- lous to come away with him, until he had en- gaged to pilot to Canada some 25. Finally the time and place was agreed upon from where they should start on a certain Saturday night. Mr. Edmon's while lurking around a farm house for one of the party who was to start with him that night, overheard a conyer- there gq time in this country when the state of'| sation between him and his master which dis- our cause called more loudly on us for united closed to his mind the fact that they were all and persevering action than to-day! Let us betrayed by this slave. not forget that in "union there is strength," | »: Edmon's heard the slave's master tell him and that there is one free spot in North Amer- ica where the fugitive from slavery is free! to go and meet the company at the appointed time and place according to agreement, and not only according to the law of nature, but | that he would have a company of armed white the My one also. Shall we not plunt | men who would surround and take them all, firmly upon it and struggle unitedly oursely i this slave was to give a signal, however by Fugitive Slave Law, has come into operation, | and others are continually pouring into that | as which their precise whreabouts should be known, when they had all met together. Edmon's is a very large double fisted man posessing uncommon coporeal powers and he well knew then that there was no way to elude the fatal snare which was set for them, but to kidnap or slay the villain who had thus betrayed them. So Mr. Edmon's prepared himself with a rope and after informing a part of the company of what he was going to do, he waylaid this traitor in a dark skirt of wood and caught him, tied his hands fast behind him and told him that if he should offer to make the least alarm that death should be his portion on the spot. Taking a different rout to what they -had contemplated, they drove him tied before them to the river Ohio that night, over which theyjferried, and so on they marched him clear out to the Canada line with deadly weapons drawn 'over his guilly head, until they landed themselves safely on Brit- ish soil. Mr. Edmon's is now in the town- ship of Malden following agricultural busi- ness, some of his companions are with him and the reSt in Calechester, and the traitor, they made free by bringing here has repent- ed of his flagrant crime. FORTY NINE ARRESTED AND IN- DICTED. Not fuzitives from southern slavery upon whom the rays of moral and intellectual light has never shone--not in Canada, but in Mich- igan--not black but white men of property and standing, are indicted for the most crimin. al charges that human depravity could con- ceive of. The standard of morality and virtue among the colored population of that state is low enough, Heaven knows; and especially with those who have been so unfortunate as to be trained up in the school of southern slavery where itis a violation of statute law to be found teaching a slave to read the Holy Bible. Yet we rejoice that there is not one man: of color found identified with this organized band of land pirates in Michigan. We know not whether these persons are guilty or not, but some of the charges are as follows: " Counterfeiting,horse stealing,incediarism, burglary robbery, and the smallest. petty lar- ceny, were the sworn objects of this monstrous organization. One of their designs was to | blow i: track and cars by an ingenious torpedo, so arranged as to be fired by the lo- comotive, : oa while the passengers cars should be over it." The last two arrested were in Salem,-- Washtenaw county ,one of whom was a black- smith; for making and passing counterfeit coin. "On his premises they found about a peck spurious coin,of gold dollars,poorly executed, two different stamps of half dollars, very well executed, five franc pieces, and Mexican dol- jars. The coin was concealed in the bellows 'of his blacksmith shop. They also found buried in a coal heap, a very well executed die for half dollars, as good as we ever saw. The coin is rather light, otherwise it is well calculated te deceive; and we doubt not a large quantity of ithas been put in circulation LABORERS WANTED IN CANADA WEST. We learn from a private letter which was directed to a gentleman of 'this place, that labor is in great demand near Oxford, in the London district. - Elisha Hall Esq., has a con- tract of making plank roads, and has express- eda wish to give employment to as many as 20 coloredmen who are'needy. He will pay $10 in cash per month and have their wash- ing done,or $10,50with board and they do their own washing. Any person wishing employ here can address Mr. Hall, at Oxford, C. W. He lives 21 miles East of London,on the Ham- ilton road. We understand also that there is 200 la- borers wanted to work on tlte railroad near London, at $10 per month. : (> The call for a state anti-slavery con- vention in Michigan, which will be seen in another column, we hope will be responded to by our friends throughout the state ; for if ever there was a time when the trué friends of the fugitive should be awake to the cause of humanity it is now, and if ever there was a time in Canada, when the refugees needed instruction and sympathy itis also now. We hope to see an old fashion, soul stiring anti- slavery convention, the result of which may be seen and felt for many days, (<= Broom corn is a more profitable crop than oats--it yields abundant, as much grain to the acre which is quite as good feed for stock, while the straw can be worked up into brooms. |= The weather is quite cold here, yet. From the first of May to the 6th, there has been frost almost every night ; but the fruit is not yet killed. / ELECTION OF ane CHARLES SUM- Massachusetts has done honor to herself and the cause of freedom in electing Mr. Sumner tothe Senate of the U.S. It is em- phatically one the greatest triumphs of liberty over hunkerism that has taken place in that state since the political death of the late Dan- iel Webster who sold himself to "Hangman Foote. &c. for less than "thirty prices of sil- ver', to chase runaway slaves. Mr. Sumner is full six feet in height, a giant in intellect, celebrated as alawyer and No. 1 asan orator. But the. best of all he is a long tried and true friend of the slave,one who will never swerve from principle on the ground of expediency. Agitation is what has elected him, and may his life and health be preserved to agitate the U.S. Senate on the slavery question for the next six years to come. Mear Market in Sanpwicu.--We have here as nice beef as fat mutton, veal and pork, with every variety of as good quality of meats and at as cheap prices as can be exhibited in any village onthe other side of the River.-- We advise those who doubt the fact to cal} at Stoke's butcher shop on Bedford st., who slaughtered two pigs the other day overa year old which weighed 1022 lbs. (<= Our Temperance meetings are still interesting in Sandwich. At our next meet- ing a question is to be debated. Is the use of cider asa beverage, detrimental to the temperance cause? We say that it is, while a large majority are against us. STILL THEY COME. Almost every day we have men arri- ving here from the land of Slavery, and many of our oppressed brethren are moy- ing in from the northern and western states buying lands and ese in Ca- nada. oe [= The Canada Oak, is the title ofa new paper published in Sandwich by Alexander McKee, a copy of which we have just received. Its motto is 'hold fast to the mother soil." This feature of it we like much, and hope that it may live up to its own pledge. It is well executed with good materials on a large sheet. C. M. Clay is agitating the state of Ken- tucky on the subject of emancipation. The The great question seems to be what shall we do with them (the slaves) after they are emancipated? Weask what are they going to do without them? Who makes the cotton sugar &c., that supports the slave holders who are to lazy to work? Let them pay the laborers for their work and trust them like men and they. will.do weil. VesseLts Asnorn.--The following ves- sels are reported ashore on the Canada shore, near Buffalo: The schooners Al- vin Bronson, Havana, Sarah and Corne- lia, Patrick Henry, Ellen Stuart and Ri- alto, and the Brig Iroquois. The Lumberman is ashore near Silver Creek, having lost four hands. The brig Missouri, which left Toledo with a cargo of corn on Wednesday, was driven ashore on Raisin Point, in the gale of Thursday, She is reported to have four feet of water in the hold.--De- troit Free Press. Lorp Brovenam has deferred his in- tended visit to the United States for the present. He had previously announced from his place in the House of Lords his intention to come among usin the spring. [&=" We understand that Parliament sits in Toronto about the 20th of this month. 0< Over 400 miles of Railroad have been built in Indiana the past year. i William Lyon McKenzie has been elected member of Parliament for the county of Haldimand, Canada West. Sate or a Wartr Man.--It is stated in a letter from Rushville, Ill., that a white man, who was a blacksmith by trade, and having a wife and a large fam- ily of children was arrested lately on ac- count of inveterate habits of intemper- ance, and tried by jury as a vagrant. He was convicted, and the judge sen- tenced him to be sold at auction, for the term of jour months. Always do as the sun does--look at the bright side ofeverything. For while it is just as cheap, itis three times as good for digestion. The melancholy man don't relish even wedlock. The small-pox is raging with fearful violence among the Sioux Indians, of the upper Missouri; and is extending down the river among the Sacs and Foxes. Several hundred had already died of it. 'eh | ACALL TO THE FRIENDS OF HUv- MANITY IN MICHIGAN. Friends of the Anti-slavery cause : We propose to meet you in Conyen- tion, in the city of Detroit, on WED- NESDAY, THE 21st DAY OF MAY, 1851, at half past ten o'clock, A. M., to consider the moral,social, and pecuniary condition of the colored population of Canada West, whom this nation haye driven there, by stringent and inhuman laws; and to devise measures for their eleyation and self-support. As a people they are afflicted, degraded and oppress- ed ; and as we, the law-makers of the United States, have been the chief auth- ors of their poverty and degradation,chris- tianity, humanity and justice, therefore, require that we should extend to them the helping hand in their struggle to es tablish homes among strangers, whose laws protect them from the grasp of the American slave-hunters. Let there be a general turn-out to this meeting from all parts of tlie State by the true friends of humanity, who will consult upon the best means by which they can assist in the spiritual and physical elevation of this people. Natuan Power, A. L. Power, KE. P. Bennam, Cua's C. Foote, Mr. Borpven, W. Woopsury, J. C. Crarx, Ron'r Garpner, Joun GARDNER, R. Barns, Ina Cuase, \ Tatmon Frost, J. Hircucock, B. P. Foster, S. B. TreaDwE Lt, Lanson Witcox, Horace nasa \ Farmington. Commerce. Flint. Genesee. -- Jackson. White Lake. j Rosert Banks, Detroit. Ricwarp GorpEN, Rev. Mr. Swirt, Nankin. Dr. Kine, Grand Blanc. E. Fisu, Birmingham. Lenanp Green. Joun THAYER, ¥ ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Columbus, Ohio, April 30, 1851. Dear Frienp Binn-- Your Voice comes to me, and I love to peruse its columns, coming as it does from our brethren who were in bonds and who now need all but as much sym- pathy as when "in bonds."' I like yours and friend, Foote's sug- gestions as to what should be done for the fugitive if Canada. I think the Bri- tish Government might be influenced to make a grant of land, but such a grant would be too far north. The lands on which the fugitive settles should be as far south as possihle. But I must leave the details of this matter to other people, and drop this note merely to say, I will pay One Hundred Dollars, in four quar- terly payments, on demand, so soon as some efficient plan of operations is adop- ed, The slave has but little to hope from this land of Chains and Compromises. I fear we are a doomed nation. ' Our sin will find us out," and the God of the 6pppressed Ailtbe avenged, Amer- ican Fathers may well tremble in view of the inheritance they are leaving for their children. Nothing more at pres- ent. > Yours in haste, WM. B. JARVIS. [= Who will be the next to follow this worthy example? Where are you, anti- slavery friends? Do let us hear from you on this subject--let your light shine so that others may see where you stand. 'Dirricuttigs with Mexico.--A des- patch from Washington states that a for- mal complaint has been made by the Mexican Government in relation to the. Indian outrages, on the frontier of Mex- ico; against which, by the terms of the Treaty with Mexico, the United States agreed to protect her. Congress having failed at the late session to make appro- priation asked by the War Departnen for the duty, the service has not been performed; and Mexico now refuses to ratify the Tehuantepec Treaty, unless the provisions of the Treaty of Peace are first fulfilled. It is asserted that the re- turn of Mr. Webster to the Capitol was hastened by the occurrence of this diffi- culty. *

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