CIRCULAR ADDRESS
TO THE FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR THROUGH-OUT THE UNITED STATES.
Countrymen, Friends, Brethren,—You are all, no doubt, aware of the oppressive and despotic measures which took place some years ago in the States of Ohio, and Illinois, and in several other States, by which all the colored inhabitants were driven from their homes, and thrust forth as wanderers upon the face of the earth. I am connected by ties of blood and otherwise, with those then unfortunate people. They relied, however, on the goodness of Almighty God, and were animated by the most ardent desire of redeeming themselves from bondage, for those who are in the legal condition of slaves in the States, are not the only slaves, but the free people of color, so called as it were in mockery, are slaves perhaps in a worse sense, from their legal disabilities, their rejection from society, and the utter contempt in which they are held by the whites. Animated by that desire, and that of procuring for themselves some security for the enjoyment of property, freedom, and religious rights, and perhaps by that of shewing to their oppressors, that being trampled upon only roused their energies; after making the necessary preliminary inquiries, a large body of them emigrated to Upper Canada. They were cordially received, protected, and admitted at once to all the rights of citizenship. Here they found the theoretical maxim of the American Constitution, that 'All men are born equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,' practically in existence—here no distinction of color, race, language, or religion, prevails to deprive a single individual of his civil and religious rights in the amplest sense. When they resided in the States they were taught to believe that theirs was the only free Government, the only country where republican principles were fostered. They were awakened from that dream, by the persecutions they suffered. We find, however, that under this limited Monarchy more real freedom and real republicanism exist than in a professed Republic. We are here, my Brethren, in all respects, upon an equality with the whites—we are as much entitled to our elective franchise as they are, and in a Court of Justice it is not inquired of what color a witness is, but whether he is worthy of credit.
Most of you, my countrymen, have been educated in the principles of liberty and equality. Do you find them exemplified around you? It is far from my wish, wherever you are not persecuted and oppressed, on account of your color, to estrange you from your native country; but if you are so persecuted and oppressed, here is an asylum, here is a refuge, where persecution and oppression, by reason of a different colored skin are wholly unknown. So far as so the civil and religious advantages we possess.
Now, as to the temporal: We are admitted to purchase lands in free and common soccage, without the slightest quitrent, and but a very moderate tax for highways, which may be paid by personal labor, and we are subjected to no other tax whatever. We have two extensive settlements, one named Wilberforce, and the other Colbornesburgh (the latter named by special permission after the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, Sir John Colborne, who has been a good friend to us.) There are tens of thousands of acres around, that may be procured at moderate rates and easy terms of payment; and we are daily receiving accessions to our number from various States of the Union by way of Buffalo and Amherstburgh, &c. I belong to the settlement of Colbornesburgh, and have had the honor of filling situations of trust and repute amongst my colored brethren. I was lately deputed by them as their Agent and Trustee to solicit subscriptions for the erection of a place of Divine Worship, and a School in Colbornesburgh, in which, through the blessing of God, I have been very successful, in both the Canadas, so that whoever hereafter joins us may depend upon enjoying the inestimable benefits of public worship, and of education for their children. In Quebec I received much encouragement from Lord Aylmer, the Governor in Chief, from the Reverend the Clergy of all denominations, and from the influential inhabitants. You will find, in the same paper in which this Address is inserted a copy of my petition to Lord Aylmer on that occasion; and such was the lively interest excited in Quebec that copies of that document were distributed from the pulpit by ministers of all persuasions, to their congregations.
Our settlement of Colbornesburgh is situated only 12 miles from the Guelph settlement of the Canada Land Company, a place which is rapidly rising to the rank of a city; Colbornesburgh is only 25 miles from the head of Lake Ontario, whence a navigable communication by the Great River St. Lawrence, and its tributary Canals, extends to the Atlantic Ocean, with innumerable and profitable markets between, for the disposal of the produce of these regions. Industry and enterprise will do wonders, and as there is no check upon them in this country to one set of men more than another, we, of African origin, have the path opened to us, as freely as it is to our white neighbors. Colbornesburgh is about 55 miles from York, the capital city and seat of government of Upper Canada, and 145 miles from the other colored settlement of Wilberforce. Though our two settlements are present separate, I believe there is a great likelihood, from my having lately met with Mr. Nathan Lewis, the Agent for Wilberforce Settlement, of both being united, which will form a bond of harmony and strength, that cannot fail to be of benefit to both.
Generally speaking, the country of Upper Canada, consists of excellent good land, with, of course, those exceptions that always occur, of occasional barren tracts, rocks and mountains, and swamps, but it will, on the whole, amply repay the toils of the husbandman, and enable him soon to lay up a store for the infirmities of age, the education of his children, and for the providing them with a future independence.
Countrymen, Friends, Brethren! I have no intercated motives for this address. We invite you to settle amongst us, because we ourselves feel happy and contented—if you feel happy and contented where you are, for God's sake remain there—but to those who are oppressed and miserable, on account of their degraded state in the different parts of the Union, we should be wanting in christian charity and humanity, were we not to point out to them the way we have followed ourselves, and invite them to partake of the benefits we ourselves experience.
Any further information that any individual may desire shall be willingly given in reply to a letter addressed to Mr. P. Brown, Colbornesburgh, Waterloo Post Office, Gore District, U. Canada.
Quebec, 28th September, 1832.
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The following Petition was presented to His Excellency Lord Aylmer, by Mr. Paola Brown, Agent of the African Settlement at Colbornesburgh, requesting aid to build a Church and School houses for the settlement, and met with the approbation of His Excellency. The object in view is respectfully submitted to the citizens of Upper and Lower Canada, and their aid requested.
To His Excellency, the Right Honorable MATTHEW LORD AYLMER, Knight Commander of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, Captain General, Commander-in-Chief, and Governor in and over, all the British Provinces of North America, &c. &c. &c.
The Petition of Paola Brown, of the Township of Woolwich in Upper Canada, one of the Trustees of the African Bethelite Society there located, and agent for the said Society, and on behalf of himself, and his colored brethren of that Society, Most humbly sheweth,
That many of your Petitioner's friends, relations, and brethren, were, as is notorious, expelled, driven away from, and prohibited to reside in, the places of their birth, of their early habits, and of their matured life, in the States of Ohio, Illinois, and other States of America, for no other reason than that it has pleased God Almighty to bestow upon them a different colored skin from their brethren of European descent.
That they sought refuge, found an asylum, and received protection, in the British Province of Upper Canada, where they have obtained lands, and where they endeavor to render themselves peaceable, loyal, and useful subjects, under a Government that assures to them their civil and religious rights, without distinction of race or color.
Being thus emancipated from the House of Bondage, under the yoke of which they lived in the free States of America, and worshipping the Deity of the Christians, with all humility and resignation, and that too in a country, in which all religions are permitted, they are desirous, for the observation of the particular tenets that have been inculcated on their minds, and in which they wish to educate their children, to erect a place of worship, and for education, there, where they are now settled.
That, unable to provide the pecuniary means for effecting this desirable object, they have appointed your Petitioner as their agent, and, along with others, as their Trustee, for procuring subscriptions. Such a subscription has taken place in Upper Canada, as your Excellency will perceive by the list herewith most respectfully submitted to your Excellency, at the head of which will be found the signature of His Excellency, Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada: and your Petitioner, on behalf of his brethren of the said African Bethelite Society, most humbly craves that your Excellency will be pleased to add your name to the said subscription list, with such a pecuniary consideration as to your Excellency may see fit.
Your Petitioner, and his African brethren, aforesaid, feel the more confidence in addressing your Excellency on this occasion, from your being the representative throughout the British Provinces of North America, of that Sovereign, and of that liberal nation under whose auspices they have found a city of refuge in the desert, for themselves and their posterity.
Your Petitioner, moreover, most respectfully hopes that your Excellency will be graciously pleased to admit him to a personal interview, whereby he may have a better opportunity of explaining to your Excellency the motives and objects of his mission.
And your Petitioner, together with his African brethren aforesaid will ever pray for the prosperity of the country of their adoption, and the personal happiness of your Excellency.
Quebec, 8th Sept. 1832.