.

Robert had succeeded in learning to read and write tolerably well, and
had thought much over the condition and wrongs of the race, and seemed
to be eager to be where he could do something to lift his
fellow-sufferers up to a higher plane of liberty and manhood. After an
interview with Robert and his wife, in every way so agreeable, they were
forwarded on in the usual manner, to Canada. While enjoying the sweets
of freedom in Canada, he was not the man to keep his light under a
bushel. He seemed to have a high appreciation of the potency of the pen,
and a decidedly clear idea that colored men needed to lay hold of many
enterprises with resolution, in order to prove themselves qualified to
rise equally with other branches of the human family. Some of his
letters, embracing his views, plans and suggestions, were so encouraging
and sensible, that the Committee was in the habit of showing them to
friendly persons, and indeed, extracts of some of his letters were
deemed of sufficient importance to publish. One alone, taken from many
letters received from him, must here suffice to illustrate his
intelligence and efforts as a fugitive and citizen in Canada.

Hamilton, C.W., August 9th, 1856.

MR. WM. STILL;--_Dear Friend_:--I take this opportunity of
writing you these few lines to inform you of my health, which is
good at present, &c. * * * *

I was talking to you about going to Liberia, when I saw you
last, and did intend to start this fall, but I since looked at
the condition of the colored people in Canada. I thought I would
try to do something for their elevation as a nation, to place
them in the proper position to stand where they ought to stand.
In order to do this, I have undertaken to get up a military
company amongst them. They laughed at me to undertake such a
thing; but I did not relax my energies. I went and had an
interview with Major J.T. Gilepon, told him what my object was,
he encouraged me to go on, saying that he would do all he could
for the accomplishment of my object. He referred to _Sir Allan
McNab, &c._ * * * * I took with me Mr. J.H. Hill to see him--he
told me that it should be done, and required us to write a
petition to the _Governor General_, which has been done. * * * *
The company is already organized. Mr. Howard was elected
Captain; J.H. Hill, 1st Lieutenant; Hezekiah Hill, Ensign;
Robert Jones, 1st Serge