Colonization Correspondence 1823

[folder title] Andover Theological Seminary Society of Inquiry Colonization Committee: Correspondence, 1823 (2/2)

Boston Septr 4 1823 My Dear Sir, Your anxiety is before this relieved by noticing in the papers a contradiction of the dis{illegible} of account from Montserado. I have just passed 2 hours with Capt Wightmore the Commander of the Brig Oswego. By him I learn that he landed the passengers at Montserado 61 in number all in health on the 25th of May. Found all the former Colonists well except 2 or 3 who had been wounded in the attack of the natives. The passengers went immediately to work to build houses. For about ten days they were all taken sick with the African fever. The Capt. Left the Cape on a trading cruise & returned about the 18th of June.\ He found the company he carried out sick but many of them the Doctor said well out of danger. Capt. Wightmore sailed from Montserado on the 21 of June. At that time 5 had died among whom was the famous Abel Hurd a colored man & a great traveller sent out by the Society to explore the Niger. I am going to prepare a report from

-minter taken from the {illegible} for the papers which will appear in his name. He is quite ill & has been for a long time. He says Dr Ayres is sick. A Shuman also poorly. 1. The fort or Castle is not destroyed. The roof not being on in season the heavy rains havemade a break in the wall, which will be repaired. Capt SS thinks white men cannot live in Africa. He says the land is very fertile the site a good one for a colony but the blacks are lazy. I wish to have all of their work done but the Croomen {illegible} government has been good for nothing. Dr Ayres immediately set about a reform but is so sill as to be able to write only a few hours at a time. I will only state one fact more - as it is an important one. Capt SS says the southern blacks are much better for Colonists than those from the free states. Behave much better & are far more industrious. I think we must not give up the enterprize. but I doubt the expediency of sending a cargo of negroes from N. England. I hope you will go to New haven & do what you can to lay a foundation for obtaining aid from Ct. When you got to N. Haven if you do not find the review in the Spectator I hope you will send me an abstract of it as soon as may be, to be embodied in an address to the worshipping assemblies of New England. I think too you would prepare the address yourself - Meantime do write immediately to the Ex. Com. or to Gurley & let them know that I must have a commission from them forwarded immediately to Boston suitable to be read in public if they mean to have me do anything for them. May our Heavenly Father bless you and Dear Sir & prosper the cause in which we are engaged. Yours very affectionately Chester Wright

yours very affectionately, Chester Wright for he

Sept. 4. 1828 Wright Notes from Africa

L. Leonard Bacon Theol. Seminary Andover Ma.

Georgetown Sept 5 1823

My Dear Sir,

We have just received letters from Africa. The Colony may be considered as prosperous. The Emigrants who sailed in the Oswego were all visited with sickness after their arrival, & owing the unfavorable season, & to peculiar & unavoidable exposure, eight deaths have occured five adults & three children. Dr Ayres expected & predicted this attack of disease, & writes since its prevalence that his opinion of Africa remains unchanged.

His plan for the government of the Colony appears to be efficient & wise He has determined to deny rations to all in health after the first of November after a division of lots, the people will be allowed to cultivate them, one half