Unit 4: Black Immigration to Canada and Black Contributions to the Building of the Canadian Nation

SYSTEMATIC EMIGRATION AND COLONIZATION
On the 5th of August I left Liverpool, and arrived at Boston on the 19th, and proceeded to Canada, to make all the necessary arrangements for the removal of such of its coloured population who might desire to accompany me to Trinidad. The same motives which had led me to espouse the Emigration of the unemployed labouring classes from the United Kingdom to Canada, induced me to advocate, still more strongly, the voluntary removal of the coloured population from Canada to the West Indies. Sir Henry MacLeod, after several conferences with me on the subject, appointed me the agent for that purpose in Canada, on behalf of Trinidad. The present anomalous condition of the coloured people in British North America, and of Canada in particular, the certainty of the serious declension of West India property, and diminution of West India produce, without a very large addition to the labourers in those Colonies, equally conspire to render this Emigration one of great national interest and importance. Their numbers in Canada, at the present time, scarcely fall short of 20,000, and they are annually increased by the successful escape of many fugitive slaves from the United States. They abound principally in the Western District, where a strong and unconquerable aversion on the part of the white inhabitants is felt to them on many grounds. In making their escape from slavery they encounter incredible hardships, great privations, and run the most imminent risk of capture. They have to travel through many hundred miles of hostile territory, sleeping in morasses, caverns, or in trees, during the day, and pursuing their journey in the night. But few females accompany them; thus amalgamation, and sometimes outrage, has heightened the prejudice with which they are viewed by the white people. Further, they occupy that field in the Western District of Canada, which its inhabitants have always desired to reserve for their poor and industrious fellow-subjects from the British Isles. Mr. Hiram Wilson, a person from the United States, who has devoted himself for years past to the improvement of the coloured population in Canada, gave the following answers, in 1839, to a series of interrogatories forwarded to him from Andover, in the United States:--- 4. "Do they settle promiscuously among white inhabitants, or in villages by themselves? --They are located in settlements by themselves in many parts of the province, and are also scattered among the white inhabitants. The most populous settlements are in the Western District, near the head of Lake Erie. In that part of Canada which is the most southerly point, they are very numerous, and rapidly increasing. In the London District there are two settlements, besides a considerable number in and around the village of London. One of these settlements is called the Wilberforce colony. It is situated sixteen miles west by north of London. Though much has been said about the Wilberforce colony, it has never flourished, and is now inferior to several other settlements. The population is not over 100. Immense sums of money have been collected for the benefit of that colony; but unfortunately it has fallen into perfidious hands, and is worse than lost. Large numbers are scattered abroad in the Niagara and Gore Districts, partly in settlements, partly in villages, and partly interspread through the country. In the Home District they are quite numerous, particularly in and around Toronto. There is quite a large settlement of them in the county of Simcoe, seventy miles from here, where the Government		granted them lands of the best quality for one shilling per acre. Large numbers have enlisted in the military service. Queen Victoria has a regiment in the province divided into companies, and stationed at different military posts, for the protection and defence of the country. 5. "Is there much prejudice among the inhabitants; if so, in what forms is it exhibited?--In some parts of the province, particularly along the frontiers, the coloured people are considerably annoyed by the same inhuman prejudice which is most shamefully prevalent in the States. Where 'old country people' have the ascendancy, and consequently the moulding of customs and manners, there is not the same prejudice to disturb them. Prejudice against colour exhibits itself on this side, musch as it does in the United States; but even where it is the strongest, the coloured people have the satisfaction of knowing that the laws are equal and impartial, and that they stand upon the same broad platform of natural and constitutional rights with those of the florid hue. 6. "How does the climate agree with them, and do they look upon Canada as their permanent residence?--The climate agrees with them. They are generally a vigorous, athletic, and healthy people, except in some cases where their constitutions have been impaired previously to their entering the country. Generally they do not regard this country as their permanent home, unless slavery should be perpetuated in the southern States. Should a general emancipation, for which they long and pray, take place, the majority would soon speed their way back to the embrace of their brethren and kindred at the south. It is to be remembered that this afflicted people have, in most cases, broken away from cruel oppression, and at the same time sundered the dearest ties that bind human beings together; hence it is natural to suppose, that if their grievances and civil disabilities were removed, and they could enjoy unmolested what the American Declaration declares to be the inalienable rights of all men, 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness', with rare exceptions, we should see them making, if possible, greater speed to the south than they ever have northward. I have long been familiar among these self-exiled ones, and do not doubt their readiness to return to their kindred and country, as soon as their safety and the restoration of their rights would permit. 7. "In what business do they chiefly engage?--They have generally been bred up to industrious habits, and are ready to turn their hands to any employment by which they can gain an honest livelihood. Considerable numbers are engaged in mechanical pursuits... I, therefore, crave your earnest attention to what I have to advance on this subject. You know, and sensibly feel, the extent of prejudice which has been imported from the United States into this province; how effectually it has debarred every individual of your colour from holding any situations in the Church, at the Bar, in the Magistracy, in the Senate; how frequently it has excluded you from the public schools, exposed you to popular violence, led to the surrender of some of your body, claimed by the adjoining republic, and interposed every obstacle to the admission and enjoyment of those social and political privileges on which your welfare essentially depends. Frequently driven from the public conveyances both by water and by land; separated from the white community, equally in places of public worship and public amusement; there appears no possibility of your making any advancement in this province, or removing the universal prejudice against yourselves.
`Arguments invoked to encourage Black emigration from Canada to Trinidad mid-1800s.`

[

| Page 7 |

]
[ Home | TOC ]