From the North Western Christian Magazine.

Condition of Fugitives in Canada.

  The following letter will be read with interest by every friend of the colored man. It is a plain unvarnished statement of the facts as they exist in Canada West, whither most of those who have been successful in their exodus from the land of slavery, have located themselves. Coming, as it does, from one whose character for veracity is above impeachment, and whose actual observation has afforded ample opportunity to form a correct opinion, it is a complete refutation of the base falsehoods so common in the mouths of those who are truckling for the favor of the slaveholder, "that the colored man cannot take care of himself. That the fugitives are in a forlorn condition in Canada, and would be glad to get back to their old masters again," &c. &c.

  The colored man asks no exclusive privileges in order that he may keep pace with his Anglo-Saxon neighbour. All that he desires is that the rights and privileges from which he is excluded may be granted to him, in common with the citizens of every other kindred, and tongue, and nation on the globe.

J.B.

ADRIAN, Mich., July 29, 1855.

  BR. BOGGS:—I returned home a few days since from Canada West, and having spent about a year as teacher among the Fugitives in that Province, I deem it a duty to correct that oft repeated assertion, that has become as common as household words through the North and South-among friends, as well as enemies—that the numerous, and almost daily accessions to the colored population in Canada, are producing great suffering among them. That they are starving and freezing to death in that colder climate. That those who have left the South, would gladly return to their former protectors, if practicable, &c. &c. To which we subjoin the following facts, (which may refute the above allegation,) obtained by visiting eleven different neighbourhoods of that class, and more than 150 families, in the year's residence among them, seeking out the poorest of their poor, as well as those in comfortable, and some even in affluent circumstances. We could give names of those who are from 12 to 20 years from Southern servitude, whose personal, and real estates are valued at from $20,800 to $30,000.

  We found but very few who could be classed among the "suffering." It is true, the sick, and afflicted are to be found among them, as well as elsewhere; and there too we find those of indolent and intemperate habits, with all of their attendant train of evils. But to allege these, as characteristic of that class, is an errant falsehood; utterly untrue. They are generally industrious, temperate, and law-abiding. Among the 60,000 who have left their "Old Kentucky Homes," "Old Virginia shores," and other slave states, there are fewer arrests, and comittals to prisons for misdemeanor than among the whites, according to their numbers, as reported by the officers of the different communities I visited. This speaks in unmistakable language to all, of their loyalty to the country and government of their adoption. They are fast improving themselves and children in education, and intelligence. My school was located in a new portion of the country, where almost all are settled on their own lands, and are telling by their works, that they are capable of taking care of themselves. The school consisted of between 70 and 80 different members; and not one dull scholar in that number; although the same disparity is found among them that exists in all other schools. In many places, they have organized Temperance Societies: and also Societies called the "True Band," the special object of which, is to remember their "Brother Joseph," by raising funds, to relieve the sick and destitute, on arriving at their shores. However, if health is enjoyed but little is needed for the new comer, as labor is in good demand, wages for men, are from $1 to 1.50 per day, the same per week for women; or for washing, ironing, house-cleaning, &c., 50 cts per day. The climate is mild, and healthy. Soil rich and productive, wheat from 20 to 40 bushels to the acre, and other grains in proportion. The finest Irish potatoes in market are grown in Canada. Sweet potatoes are cultivated there to some extent. A neighbour near my school raised some very fine ones last year, some of which weighed nearly two pounds. We will mention another product of that country, tobacco, which we would gladly have passed over, were it not for showing to the stranger the climate, by its heavy, and luxuriant growth. But we hasten from its sickening association, and pass on to some of the many delicious fruits that abound there, peradventure the nauseousness may be disguised. Apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, and grapes, (the three last mentioned fruits, and the first grow spontaneously)—are abundant. As to climate, very little difference is discernable, between that province and Michigan, Northern Indiana and Ohio. Springs are about two or three weeks earlier, in the southern portion of the two last mentioned states, and Kentucky; and two or three weeks later in New York, and other North Eastern states than in the larger portion of Canada West. But says one, if that country is so fine, labor, in such good demand, her citizens so willing to supply it, from whence arise those paradoxical reports? The reply is, from two sources. First those opposed to their self-colonization plan, cross over their Jordan, spend a few moments in glancing over new objects before them, the eyes of the stranger rest upon a few of the Queen's sable subjects, in their every-day working dress, and perchance there may be now and then one who may not present a very prepossessing appearance, for we do not pretend to say that there are no loungers among them, for if we should assume such a position, we should be compelled to prove their superiority to us in purity of moral character; as the drinking, thieving debauchee is too often found among the whites.

  A few months since I fell in company with four Kentucky slaveholders, while crossing on the Ferry from Detroit to Windsor, and returned with them on the second returning ferry-boat, giving a space of only 25 or 30 minutes on the Canadian shore. Said one to another of their number, as the boat pushes out into the River for Detroit, "These niggers over here in Canada don't begin to be as well off as ours at home." "No," was the ready response, "you wouldn't see our niggers looking like that one we saw standing on the bank?" Said another, "Did you see that wench packing water up that steep place from the river?" "Yes, but she had a fine dress on, though, hadn't she? After silently listening a few moments to these and similar remarks, I rejoined, "But I think you have not given yourselves sufficient time and opportunity to form a correct judgment, of the true condition of the fugitives in Canada. You ought to have remained over the Sabbath, and see them come out to their churches in their Sunday best; and then take a ride of 40 or 50 miles through their settlements, and see them hard at work, on their own well cultivated farms, before you consider yourselves possessed of sufficient data from which to judge the 60,000 self-emancipated slaves in Canada;" upon which, two of their number seemed to be wrought up to almost boiling heat. Said one, with sparkling eye, "If we are to judge from appearances, we have ample evidence of their miserable condition here. I know one thing, my niggers would make a fuss pretty quick, if they had to go looking like these in Canada." Said another rejoiner, "Yes, and so would mine. I tell you, they have some pride about them to keep themselves decent; and you will see them going about their work so cheerful, and happy, they don't look so dull and dauncy as these Canadian niggers do." "I suppose you are an abolitionist," added another, "I presume of the Harriet Beecher Stowe stamp." But I still persisted that their unfair prejudgment, that would probably be reported to thousands, with all the weight and sanction of eye-witnesses, was ungenerous.

  The second and last cause of false impressions, so prevalent, is the advantage some designing minds have taken over objects of need: (for they were much more numerous formerly than at present.) Cases of sickness, in destitution, which rendered them proper subjects of philanthropic aid, and these, to advance their own pecuniary interests, engaged, as well as the good and true, in the loud and long call upon the thousands whose hearts, like the good Samaritan, are always beating high, and warm, for suffering humanity, in any form, and in all places—which has militated against the general interests of the cause. Their greatest assistance is in establishing and keeping up schools among them.

L.S. HAVILAND.