"BLACKS AND MULATTOES
"On the 14th April, seventy of this description of persons, in one
company emigrated into and settled within Lawrence county. They were a
part of a stock of slaves emancipated by the last will of a Mr. Ward,
late of Pittsylvania county, Virginia, deceased. Those unfortunate
creatures have little or no property of value--many of them ragged and
dirty. It was expected that such a number together, in such condition
would hardly, in Ohio, find a place where to lay their heads; yet so far
from meeting with obstacles, facilities to settlement were extended to
them. All of them have found places, and many of them have already
obtained security as the law requires; and probably the balance will
within twenty days. The writer of this note would censure none for acts
of kindness to this unfortunate class of persons--yet as he regards the
moral character and welfare of society, he cannot view these rapid
accessions without some degree of alarm."--_The Ohio State Journal and
Columbus Gazette_, May 3, 1827.
Some years later there was established in Mercer county another colony,
which because of its connection with friends in Cincinnati, then promoting
the settlement of Negroes on public land, became the most promising of
the colored communities in Ohio. Sketching the history of that county,
Howe says:
"In the southern part of this county is a colony of colored people,
amounting to several hundred persons. They live principally by
agriculture, and own extensive tracts of land in the townships of
Granville, Franklin, and Mercer. They bear a good reputation for
morality, and manifest a laudable desire for mental improvement. This
settlement was founded by the exertions of Mr. Augustus Wattles, a
native of Connecticut, who, instead of merely theorizing upon the evils
which prevent the moral and mental advancement of the colored race, has
acted in their behalf with a philanthropic, Christian-like zeal, that
evinces he has their real good at heart. The history of this settlement
is given in the annexed extract of a letter from him.
"'My early education, as you well know, would naturally lead me to
look upon learning and good morals as of infinite importance in a
land of liberty. In the winter of 1833-4, I providentially became
acquainted with the colored population of Cincinnati, and found about
4,000 totally ignorant of every thing calculated to make good
citizens. Most of them had been slaves, shut out from every avenue of
moral and mental improvement. I started a school for them, and kept
it up with 200 pupils for two years. I then proposed to the colored
people to move into the country and purchase land, and remove from
those contaminating influences which had so long crushed them in our
cities and villages. They promised to do so, provided I would
accompany them and teach school. I travelled through Canada, Michigan
and Indiana, looking for a suitable location, and finally settled
here, thinking this place contained more natural advantages than any
other unoccupied country within my knowledge. In 1835, I made the
first purchase for colored people in this county. In about three
years, they owned not far from 30,000 acres. I had travelled into
almost every neighborhood of colored people in the State, and laid
before them the benefits of a permanent home for themselves and of
education for their children. In my first journey through the state,
I established, by the assistance and cooperation of abolitionists, 25
schools for colored children. I collected of the colored people such
money as they had to spare, and entered land for them. Many, who had
no money, afterwards succeeded in raising some, and brought it to me.
With this I bought land for them.
"'I purchased for myself 190 acres of land, to establish a manual
labor school for colored boys. I had sustained a school on it, at my
own expense, till the 11th of November, 1842. Being in Philadelphia
the winter before, I became acquainted with the trustees of the late
Samuel Emlen, of New Jersey, a Friend. He left by his will $20,000,
for the "support and education in school learning and the mechanics
arts and agriculture, such colored boys, of African and Indian
descent, whose parents would give them up to the institute." We
united our means and they purchased my farm, and appointed me the
superintendent of the establishment, which they call the Emlen
Institute.'
"In 1846, Judge Leigh, of Virginia, purchased 3,200 acres of land in
this settlement, for the freed slaves of John Randolph, of Roanoke.
These arrived in the summer of 1846, to the number of about 400, but
were forcibly prevented from making a settlement by a portion of the
inhabitants of the county. Since then, acts of hostility have been
commenced against the people of this settlement, and threats of greater
held out, if they do not abandon their lands and homes."--Howe's
"Historical Collections of Ohio," pp. 355-356.
Coming to Shelby county the same historian did not fail to mention a
settlement of prosperous Negroes who were keeping pace with their white
neighbors.
"In Van Buren township is a settlement of COLORED people, numbering
about 400. They constitute half the population of the township, and are
as prosperous as their white neighbors. Neither are they behind them in
religion, morals and intelligence, having churches and schools of their
own. Their location, however, is not a good one, the land being too flat
and wet. An attempt was made in July, 1846, to colonize with them 385 of
the emancipated slaves of the celebrated John Randolph, of Va., after
they were driven from Mercer county; but a considerable party of whites
would not willingly permit it, and they were scattered by families among
the people of Shelby and Miami who were willing to take them."--Howe's
"Historical Collections of Ohio," pp. 465-466.
This effort at colonizing so many Negroes in the State of Ohio led to much
discussion. There arose an anti-free Negro party which sounded the alarm
against such philanthropy and undertook to frighten all blacks away. The
sentiment of such alarmists may be obtained from the following:
"By the following letter from a gentleman on a tour through Virginia to
the editor, it will appear that we are to have a colony of free negroes
(no less than five hundred) planted in our adjoining county. Much as we
commiserate the situation of those who, when emancipated, are obliged to
leave their country or again be enslaved, we trust our constitution and
laws are not so defective as to suffer us to be overrun by such a
wretched population:
"'Richmond, Va., May 10, 1819.
"'_Dear Sir_:--Since my arrival in this county I have understood that
a large family of negroes, consisting of about five hundred, have
lately been liberated and are to be marched to Ohio, and there
settled on land provided for them agreeably to the will of a Mr.
Gess, who formerly owned them. There are persons now engaged in
collecting the poor miserable beings from different quarters and
driving them like cattle to Goochland county, from whence they will
take up their line of march to Ohio. I am told that they are perhaps
as depraved and ignorant a set of people as any of their kind and
that their departure is hailed with joy by all those who have lived
in their neighborhood. Ohio will suffer seriously from the iniquitous
policy pursued by the States of Virginia and Kent. in driving all
their free negroes upon us. The people of Ohio are bound in justice
to themselves to adopt some counteracting measure. Many people here
are of the opinion that we may be compelled to introduce slavery in
Ohio in self-defense, and they appear to be gratified that we are
suffering many of the evils attending it, without (as they call it)
any of the benefits. I have been gratified to tell them what I
believe to be true--that nineteen twentieths of the people of Ohio
are so opposed to slavery that they would not consent to its
introduction under any circumstances; and, although they commiserate
the situation of those who have been liberated and compelled to
abandon their country or again be made slaves, yet in justice to
themselves and their posterity they will refuse admittance to such a
population.
"'Your most ob't., "'A. T.'
"(Editor) We understand from a respectable authority that 270 of said
negroes have landed at Ripley and are to settle near the center of Brown
county on White Oak, the residue of 500 to follow soon
after."--Quillin's "The Color Line in Ohio," pp. 28-29 and _The
Supporter, Chillicothe_, June 16, 1819.
In view of this alarm aroused by the so-called Negro invasion the Ohio
colonizationists availed themselves of the opportunity to set forth their
plan as the only solution of the problem. The following articles are
interesting.
"NEW STYLE COLONIZATION
"It seems that our old friend Gerrit Smith is anxious to form a colony
of colored people in the State of New York. It is not known that he pays
the expenses of any to get to that happy spot, but he certainly offers
them a share in the property of earth, when they arrive. Some have
thought his effort in this respect, another proof of his great
liberality. Perhaps it is--but of the character of those lands we know
nothing. The _Journal of Commerce_ seems to understand the subject from
the following, which we cut from a late number:
"'_Bounty of Gerrit Smith_.--Some of the newspapers are eulogizing
this once sensible man, because he is giving away deeds in any number
to colored men, of forty acre lots of his vast tract in Hamilton
county. The considerations in the deeds are as follows:
"'"For and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to me, in hand
paid, and being desirious to have all share in the subsistence and
happiness, which a bountiful God has provided for all, has granted,
sold, etc."
"'If the negroes do not run away from the bears and wolves and
climate and sterility of Hamilton county, with more anxiety than they
ever did from Southern slavery, then we do not understand their
character. We do not blame the negroes for getting their liberty if
they can, but to make them take farms in Hamilton county, is too bad.
The wild beasts up there will rejoice in a negro settlement among
them, especially at the beginning of winter.'
"Had Judge Leigh taken the Randolph negroes there, they might have fared
as well as they have done in Ohio, and certainly he could have gotten
the land much cheaper!
"After all, 'there is no place like home!' And there is no 'home, sweet
home,' for the colored man, but in Liberia!"
--_The African Repository_, XXII, 320-321.
"FREEDOM IN A FREE STATE
"Facts are almost daily transpiring which show the immense importance of
colonization. Among them, none are more conspicuous than those which
come to us from the free States. If the colored people cannot enjoy
freedom in a free State, what can they do? Where shall they go? Here is
a fact:
"_Randolph's 'John'_.--We are told by the _Lynchburg Virginian_, that
John, the well-known and faithful servant of the late John Randolph,
who, with the emancipated slaves of his master, went to Ohio, and
were there treated by the citizens in a manner of which our readers
have been apprized, has returned to Charlotte with the intention of
petitioning the legislature to allow him to remain in the
commonwealth. He says, they have no feeling for colored people in
Ohio, and, if the legislature refuse to grant his petition, he will
submit to the penalty of remaining and be sold as a slave--preferring
this to enjoying freedom in a free state.
"We have been repeatedly asked, why do you not send those slaves to
Liberia? To this question we reply, we have had nothing to do with them,
and have reason to believe that they have been prejudiced against going
to Liberia. And in addition to this, it is now very doubtful whether
they have money enough left to take them to Liberia; and it would be
impossible for us, in the present state of our finance, to give them a
free passage and support them six months after their arrival.
"We have been informed that many of the rest of them would come back to
Virginia, and be slaves, rather than remain in Ohio, _if they could get
back._ And yet they are now free and in a free state! But what does it
all amount to?
"Suppose western Virginia and northern Kentucky, were tomorrow to
emancipate their slaves, what would become of them? They could not
remain in those states. They must remove. Where shall they go? To Ohio,
most easily, and as there are more Abolitionists in that state than any
other, more hopefully! But would they be admitted there? Where then
shall they go? Let those who can, answer these questions. In view of
them, and such like, the scheme of colonization rises in magnificence
and grandeur beyond conception.
"This then is the time to aid this scheme, that when these thickening
events shall turn the tide into Liberia, there may be strength and
intelligence enough there to receive it!"
--_The African Repository_, XXII, 321-322.
(From the Colonizationist)
THE RANDOLPH SLAVES
"Plattsville, Wis.,
"August 22, 1846.
"_Bro. Gurley:_--I have observed from time to time, with the deepest
interest, the course pursued by the citizens of Ohio toward the
emancipated slaves of the late John Randolph of Virginia.
"I had repeatedly remarked in my lectures, as stated in the 'Eleventh
Annual Report of the Indiana Colonization Society,' that when slaves
were emancipated in the south, and by the laws of those States (as is
the case with most of them), they are forced to leave and not permitted
to remain in any State south, to go into the north; those northern
States would reject them, and leave the slave the alternative, to choose
between returning into bondage or emigrating to Liberia. In other words,
Liberia offers the only retreat for the slave from bondage, where he is
required to leave the south. The free States, may, for a short time,
tolerate the migration of a few colored people among them from the
south. Especially among the Abolitionists, where they are allowed to
have the satisfaction of abducting them from their masters. But if the
master comes and offers them, and especially in large numbers, they will
be refused.
"On my way to this place, I met with a citizen of Indiana, formerly of
Virginia, who gave me some singular facts on this subject. There is
living in Ohio, said he, a worthy citizen, a Mr. G., a native of
Virginia, who, after a residence there of some eight or ten years,
returned to Virginia, on a visit to see a brother who still remained in
the 'Old Dominion.' Mr. G. gave his brother an interesting account of
the prospects and policy of Ohio, with which he was much pleased. The
Virginia brother remarked to Mr. G. that he found his slaves a great
burden to him and requested him to take them all to Ohio and set them
free! 'I cannot do it,' said Mr. G. 'Why?' asked his brother. 'The
citizens of Ohio will not allow me to bring 100 negroes among them to
settle,' said Mr. G. 'But,' said he, 'I can put you upon a plan by which
you can get rid of them and get them into Ohio very easy. Do you take
them to Wheeling and there place them on a steamboat for Cincinnati, and
speak of taking them to New Orleans; and while you are looking out for
another boat, give the chance, and the Abolitionists will steal the
whole of them and run them off, and then celebrate a perfect triumph
over them. But if you take them to the same men and ask them to receive
and take care of them, they will tell you to take care of them
yourself.'
"The case of the Randolph slaves proves that Mr. G. was right, and that
the view presented in our annual report is a just one. Mr. Randolph
emancipated his slaves, and as they could not remain in Virginia, they
were to be sent to Ohio--there they are not allowed to settle, and must
now return to bondage, or go to Liberia.
"As yet the burden of embarrassment of a mixed population of blacks is
scarcely felt in the north, as it must be soon; for just as emancipation
goes on in the south, they must increase in the north, unless our plan
and policy prevails. I cannot say that I regret to see a test of these
practical truths. For facts speak out loudly to prove the correctness of
the best system of policy on these subjects. Had Mr. Randolph's slaves
been allowed to remain in Ohio, they would have been a downtrodden and
oppressed people for all time to come. If they go to Liberia they will
be FREE in every sense of the term.
"B. T. Kavanaugh."
--_The African Repository_, XXII, 322-323.
"THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
"The undersigned, having been appointed agent of the American
Colonization Society, for the State of Ohio, to solicit funds to aid its
operations, begs leave to call attention to the statistical facts, in
reference to the position which this State occupies, in relation to the
free colored population of the United States, and the interest which she
has in sustaining the Republic of Liberia.
"From 1790 to 1810, the increase of the free colored population of the
United States, was at the average rate of near 6 per cent. per annum.
The average increase of the slaves has been a little over 2½ per
cent. per annum, or exactly two and sixty-hundredths. The census tables
for the whole period up to 1840, indicates that the natural increase of
the free colored population is somewhat less than that of the slave. I
shall suppose it to be 2½ per cent. per annum. The excess of increase
over 2½ will, therefore, represent the emancipations. In applying
this rule, it appears that the work of emancipation must have been
actively prosecuted from 1790 to 1810.
"From 1810 to 1820 the rate of increase was _reduced_ to a little less
than 2½, or exactly two and forty-seven hundredths per cent. per
annum. This indicates that emancipation had ceased to swell, in any
appreciable degree, the number of free colored persons, unless we are
forced to admit that there is _greater mortality amongst freedmen than
slaves_. This cessation of emancipation was _before the organization of
the Colonization Society_. It is supposed to have been caused by the
conviction that emancipation upon the soil had wrought but little change
in the colored man's condition. The sympathies of good men were
therefore awakened in behalf of the colored man, and colonization
proposed and adopted, as the best means of securing to him the social
and political privileges of which he was deprived. The establishment of
an independent republic, including a population of 80,000 souls, with
foreign exports to the value of $100,000 a year, and the introduction of
civilization and Christianity in Africa, with all their attendant
blessings, furnishes an answer to the question of the success of the
scheme.
"The period of the greatest popularity of the Colonization Society, was
from 1820 to 1830. During this time, the increase of the free colored
population reached to nearly 3 per cent. or a half per cent. per annum
over the natural increase. But from 1830 to 1840, the period when the
Society had the least popularity, the increase was but a very small
fraction over _two_ per cent. per annum, being two and eight hundredths,
indicating that fewer bondmen had been liberated than during any other
period. Indeed, the _decrease_ was so great as to reduce the rate of
increase _more than a half per cent. per annum below the natural
increase of the slaves_, and furnished an argument in favor of the idea,
that freedom in this country is unfavorable to the longevity of the
colored man. From all these facts, we may infer that colonization, while
its object has been to benefit the free colored man, has not been
unfavorable to emancipation.
"But colonization has not removed the 450,000 free persons of color from
our country. They remain as _a floating body_ in our midst, drifting, as
the census tables show, hither and thither, as the effects of _climate_
at the north, or _foreign emigration_ at the east, or _prejudice_ at the
south, repel it from those points. It is an interesting subject of
investigation to watch the movements of the colored population, and
ascertain where they are tending and whither they will find a resting
place.
"In 1810, in the eastern States, they commenced a movement from north
towards the south; and in 1820, began to diverge westward, through the
most southern of the free States, and penetrated into Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois. From 1830 to 1840, Pennsylvania alone retained her natural
increase, while the other eastern and northeastern free States, and also
the eastern and southeastern slave States, all lost, or repelled, the
greater part of their natural increase, and some of them a considerable
portion, besides, of the original stock. But where have these people
gone? That is the question which deeply interests Ohio. The census
tables furnish the solution.
"From 1810 to 1840, the colored population of Ohio has been increasing
at the average rate of 20 per cent. per annum. The increase for the ten
years from 1830 to 1840, was 91¼ per cent. Supposing the emigration
into Ohio since 1840 to have been no greater than before that period,
her present colored population will be 30,000. If to this we add that of
Indiana and Illinois, allowing their increase to have been at the same
rate, these three States will have a population of near 50,000 colored
persons, or _one ninth of the present free colored population of the
United States._
"Ohio, therefore, cannot remain inactive. _She must do something._ These
men should have all the stimulants to mental and moral action which we
ourselves possess. But I shall leave to wiser men than myself the task
of devising _new_ means to secure this object, while I go forward in my
labors for the _only one_ which has yet been successful in securing to
any portion of the colored people their just rights.
"The Colonization Society has in its offer, generally, more _slaves_
than its means will enable it to send to Liberia. Without a large
increase of means, therefore, the Society cannot send out many _free
persons of color_. Three fourths of the emigrants heretofore have been
liberated by their masters, with a view of being sent to Liberia.
"Perhaps it is well that events should have been thus ordered. If
slaves, when emancipated and instructed, and made to taste of the sweets
of liberty, and to feel the responsibilities of nationality, can
establish a prosperous and happy republic, and exert such an extended
moral influence as to accomplish infinitely more in removing the
greatest curse of Africa, the slave-trade, from a large extent of her
coast, than has been done at an expense of more than a hundred millions
of dollars, by the fleets of England and France, _it reflects the
greater honor upon the African race_, and may serve to stimulate the
free people of color of this country, to make the effort to join their
brethren in a land of freedom.
"In addition to sending emigrants to Liberia, it is of the utmost
importance that the Society _should purchase the greatest possible
amount of territory, at the present moment_, and thus enlarge the sphere
of influence which the republic exerts over the natives, and put it
beyond the power of the nations, adverse to her interests, to
circumscribe her in the noble efforts she is making for the redemption
of Africa.
"In this connection, it may be proper to say, that the gift of _one
dime_ from each one of the 100,000 inhabitants of Cincinnati, or $10,000
would probably purchase _fifty-six miles square of territory_ or more
than _two millions of acres of land as good as that of Ohio_. Now,
suppose a gift of such value were offered to the colored people of the
city, or of the State, on condition that they would take possession of
it and organize _a State Government for themselves_, and be admitted as
one of the members of the new republic, who will say that they should or
would reject the offer? Who will say that it would not be more safe and
wise to emigrate to Africa than to Canada, Oregon, California or Mexico?
But the decision of this question of right belongs to the colored people
themselves. If the _foreign emigration_ continues to roll in upon us,
the subordinate stations in society, in the west also, as is the case
already in the east, will ere long be chiefly occupied by foreigners,
and the colored man left, it is to be feared, without profitable
employment. Dear as is the land of one's birth, if men's interests can
be better promoted by a removal, the ties of country and kindred are
bonds easily broken. The spirit of enterprise which characterizes the
present age, if we do our duty, will in due time animate the intelligent
colored man, as it is now stimulating the white race, and if he cannot
secure equality of condition here, will prompt him to go where he can
obtain it.
"Total number of emigrants up to January, 1848.... 5,961
Number of communicants in churches in 1843,
were, of
Americans........... 1,015
Captured Africans..... 116
Converted heathen..... 353 in all............... 1,484