_Canada is highly praised_--_The Vigilance Committee is implored to send
all the Fugitives there_--"_Farmers and Mechanics wanted_"--"_No living
in Canada for Negroes," as argued by_ "_Masters," flatly denied, &c.,
&c., &c._
So I ask you to send the fugitives to Canada. I don't know much
of this Province but I beleaves that there is Rome enough for
the colored and whites of the United States. We wants farmers
mechanic men of all qualification &c., if they are not made we
will make them, if we cannot make the old, we will make our
children.
Now concerning the city toronto this city is Beautiful and
Prosperous Levele city. Great many wooden codages more than what
should be but I am in hopes there will be more of the Brick and
Stonn. But I am not done about your Republicanism. Our masters
have told us that there was no living in Canada for a Negro but
if it may Please your gentlemanship to publish these facts that
we are here able to earn our bread and money enough to make us
comftable. But I say give me freedom, and the United States may
have all her money and her Luxtures, yeas give Liberty or Death.
I'm in America, but not under Such a Government that I cannot
express myself, speak, think or write So as I am able, and if my
master had allowed me to have an education I would make them
American Slave-holders feel me, Yeas I would make them tremble
when I spoke, and when I take my Pen in hand their knees smote
together. My Dear Sir suppose I was an educated man. I could
write you something worth reading, but you know we poor
fugitives whom has just come over from the South are not able to
write much on no subject whatever, but I hope by the aid of my
God I will try to use my midnight lamp, untel I can have some
influence upon the American Slavery. If some one would say to
me, that they would give my wife bread untel I could be Educated
I would stoop my trade this day and take up my books.
But a crisis is approaching when assential requisite to the
American Slaveholders when blood Death or Liberty will be
required at their hands. I think our people have depened too
long and too much on false legislator let us now look for
ourselves. It is true that England however the Englishman is our
best friend but we as men ought not to depened upon her
Remonstrace with the Americans because she loves her commercial
trade as any Nations do. But I must say, while we look up and
acknowledge the Power greatness and honor of old England, and
believe that while we sit beneath the Silken folds of her flag
of Perfect Liberty, we are secure, beyond the reach of the
aggressions of the Blood hounds and free from the despotism that
would wrap around our limbs by the damable Slaveholder. Yet we
would not like spoiled childeren depend upon her, but upon
ourselves and as one means of strengthening ourselves, we should
agitate the emigration to Canada. I here send you a paragraph
which I clipted from the weekly Glob. I hope you will publish so
that Mr. Williamson may know that men are not chattel here but
reather they are men and if he wants his chattle let him come
here after it or his thing. I wants you to let the whole United
States know we are satisfied here because I have seen more
Pleasure since I came here then I saw in the U.S. the 24 years
that I served my master. Come Poor distress men women and come
to Canada where colored men are free. Oh how sweet the word do
sound to me yeas when I contemplate of these things, my very
flesh creaps my heart thrub when I think of my beloved friends
whom I left in that cursid hole. Oh my God what can I do for
them or shall I do for them. Lord help them. Suffer them to be
no longer depressed beneath the Bruat Creation but may they be
looked upon as men made of the Bone and Blood as the
Anglo-Americans. May God in his mercy Give Liberty to all this
world. I must close as it am late hour at night. I Remain your
friend in the cause of Liberty and humanity,
JOHN H. HILL, a fugitive.
If you know any one who would give me an education write and let
me know for I am in want of it very much.
Your with Respect,