Wilson, Hiram [Autograph Manuscript, concerning Colored Refugees in Canada, Boston, April 12th, 1860] Quarto, 4 pages, old folds and creases, some minor paper loss at fold joints, some browning to paper else in good legible condition. Important manuscript account, of approximately eight hundred words, of the status of escaped African-American slaves who traveled to Canada by way of the Underground Railroad. Wilson, one of the fifty Lane Theological Seminary Students, who left that institution in 1834, gives an account of the condition of the former slaves in Canada from the establishment of his own mission among them in 1836. Wilson states that at the time he established his mission there were "10,000 colored people in Canada, which number has increased to 40,000." Wilson gives a brief history of the missions in Canada, the efforts to educate and care for the refugees, spread of religion among them, the outward emigration of former slaves from Canada, a list of British supporters, and a list of missions in Canada. "The modus operandi consisted in the proclamation of the gospel in every part of Canada West where they were to be found & in the introduction of teachers in their settlements & places where they were numerous… much was done for the temporary relief & comfort of the strangers who were continually coming in & much valuable information was received from them, as to the secrets of the prison house from which they fled & published by the Anti Slavery Press." "The teachers for Canada were drawn for several years from Oberlin Ohio & from the Oneida Institute N.Y. There was for many years an imperious demand for schools specially for the colored people, which necessity has for many years been happily obviated by the general system of Education in the province which has been matured & liberalized and embraces all the colored youths in common with the white children. Thousands have been taught to read in the land of refuge, whose fathers & mothers in the South, were debarred the privilege by laws & usages which were revoltingly wicked & cruel - subjecting those who dared to teach them how to spell the word liberty or the precious name of Jesus to fines & stripes & imprisonment." "A large proportion of the adult population & many of the youth have been hopefully converted and are reconed [sic] Evangelical Christians. Many interesting seasons of revival have been experienced in different parts of Canada since the mission was commenced. A considerable number have emigrated from Canada to the West Indies, some to Australia some to California, some to British Columbia & a few are about to emigrate to the Berubah Country in Western Africa, under the auspices of the African Civilization Society, & many very many who have come up out of Slavery have we believe gone to Heaven by way of Canada." "Missions have been established as follows 1st At Toronto in 1838 Rev. Hiram Wilson & wife missionaries who removed to Dawn in 1842 & was there joined by Rev. Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom) and Rev. Elias Kirkland. Rev. J. Henson continues at Dawn & Hi Price: USD 4,500.00 other currencies   order no. 725    inquire

(To order this book, press this button)

Read the ABAA Code of Ethics

offered by: Michael Brown Rare Books 4421 Osage Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA P: Michael Thomas Brown Tel. (215) 387-9808 Fax (215) 387-9808 E-mail:  Internet: www.mbamericana.com Americana: Books, Pamphlets, Broadsides, Manuscripts & Ephemera 17th-19th Centuries. # Catalogues: 4 per annum * By appointment only CONDITIONS OF SALE Terms and Conditions of sale: All items are guaranteed to be as described. Items may be returned within ten days of receipt. Payment must accompany order. Unless other arrangements are made, all invoices are due upon receipt. Institutions and libraries will be billed. The usual trade discounts are extended to dealers upon a strictly reciprocal basis. As usual a telephone order is advised to reserve any item of interest. Shipping is generally done via UPS; please give a street address when you order. Please add $ 4.00 to cover shipping and handling expenses for the first item ordered, after which please add $ 1.00 per item. International shipping will be billed. Additional books may be found on the internet at www.abebooks.com & www.bookavenue.com We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express Cards.    search our database...