University of Virginia Library

February 5, 1857 from William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor

In haste I drop you these few lines
to inform you of my health, and family, we are all
well and enjoying the blessings of kind heaven. We
left Norfolk on the 8th, of Decr. and we were 45 days
on our tedious passage from Hamilton roads to Roberts
port Grand Cape Mount, were we stop to land some
of our immigrants who were destined to the place,
and during the voyage, there was none sick of any
disease only sea sickness which of course we were
not accustom to in no way, before our arrival
at the above named; all well and fater than they was
before in thier life, and all arrived at Monrovia in
the beautiful Receptacle[1] which was brought out
by the Rev. John Seys some months hence in good
spirits and sound; except myself, wife Susan , and Mary
Douglass my daughter, Thos. Scott , David Scott, Chas.
Twin , Phil Twin , Geo. Walker , Hugh Walker, Jr.,
Winzer Walker , Wilson Coleman , Washington Coleman
Martin Coleman, Allen Coleman, Young Barrett
Maria Barrett, Isabella Johnson, Chas. Barrett ,
Dick Barrett , John Mickey , and Washington
Mickey , all these I have mentioned[2] leave the ship
Mary Caroline Stevens, on the 28th day of
January for this place, which is about 46 miles
which is only few hours travel, 15, of us arms our mus
kets and march in the roads from White Plains near
Millsberg to our destined home here we arrived safe

and sound; and we are all here provided for by
the Rev. John Seys our excellent Agent who came
out here for that purpose; and we think could find
no better man for that experiment, no how in the world,
who is acquainted with the natives fashion and cus
toms, and have already prepare us a loving and fine peo-
ple; and everything is suitable to our taste in every respects
and condition. We have meetings in the week on the
Sabbath and also Sabbath school; and in the week
day school is for us, which is taught by Mr. John A.
Claode a native of this country who have been reared
up by the good missionary Society some years back
who ever thought we would find such a one as this young
man is in the midst of civilized people O may God give him
grace to teach those who has arrived here late; this school
is taught in our receptable as there was no school house
has been built for that purpose, but I hope by the
assistance of God we shall put up one for school
and also will answer for worshipping. I cannot say any
thing now about the people until I hear from them again
but when I left them they were all well and good
in spirits; as for the country I am very much disap
pointed to see what beautiful country it is. I dont
think there could be any better country found
for our colored race any part of the globe, and when we
come to behold the natural fruits hanging on our
beautiful shady trees, its makes my heart to re-
joiced within me; and I almost exclaim O God thou
has hidden many things from the eyes of man, on this this side of the shores and, now we are able we are
to see it for ourselves which we have heard of
for many years past and gone, but you may
assumed that we are long way behind the people of this country for thier in
genuity they can make an excellent country cloths which of
course I did not expect to see such in the land. I have
seen an excellent African cotton which is of the best
quality it can be raise by any one if they only
prepare a place for it. We find everything good for
eatable and also that to make man happy
in this world, but most every thing is dear for to buy.
My dear Doctor Minor as you fail in given us
the list of our tools it was difficult to get it
of from the ship, but we have done the best
we could and have divided them according to
our ability, for you assured we found very a
ble for our wants, and we are very thankful to you
that you did procure these things for our means, that
we are now have the pleasure to say to you what
we stand in need off, and we will say that by
the Mary Caroline Stevens, when she returns in
March we all will remember you all in our pray
ers to God, especially your family in preference
fromand all the rest, they all remember their love to
every body, and all are well and have not had any sick
ness since our arrival in this mount, and if all meet
up with good luck we will unite to all in that neigh
borhood.