[Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman by Austin Steward]@TWC D-Link bookTwenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman CHAPTER XXXVII 19/37
E.Peck and myself, both are willing to aid you in your noble enterprise,--and may others feel the same disposition.
But as we have families and friends, who look to us for support and protection, it is proper that we should have your personal pledge to save us from embarrassment. We know your character _well_, and we have also great confidence in Israel Lewis, and the others engaged with you,--but none of them are so thoroughly known to us as yourself. Our asking for your personal pledge, does not arise from any fears that the note will not be paid; but as it was signed to aid you, we think it proper that you should respond by guaranteeing that we shall not be injured. I accordingly copy the note in question, and write a guarantee which I wish you to sign and hand to my brother. I feel much anxiety in regard to your progress; in your forming schools; religious and temperance societies; and in your taking every measure to elevate the unfortunate colored man who may go to your colony for protection and improvement. Very Respectfully Yours, LYMAN A.SPALDING. AUSTIN STEWARD. Lockport, N.Y.
1831. * * * * * FROM THE CONVENTIONAL BOARD, PHILADELPHIA, PA., TO A.STEWARD. MR.
AUSTIN STEWARD, Wilberforce, U.C., Esteemed Friend:--I am charged by the conventional board, to inform you that at the last session of the general convention, you was duly elected their _General Corresponding Agent_, for the Wilberforce Settlement and parts adjacent.
Respectfully and in an official capacity, would I ask you to accept the appointment. And in pursuance of the said appointment, the board would be happy to have at least a monthly correspondence from you, on all such matters as may, in your opinion, be thought conducive to the prosperity of the settlement, the elevation and future happiness of the free people of color. In particular, we would wish you to give as accurate an account as possible, of the number of settlers; the number of acres as purchased; at what price; what number are improved and under culture; what number of houses or tenements are in the Settlement, &c., &c. What are your present prospects in regard to crops; your political advantages or disadvantages. We would also respectfully ask you to inform us, what number of settlers might emigrate there each year, without injuring the Settlement.
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