s to answer as receptacles sufficient to shelter from one
hundred and fifty to two hundred persons, I have therefore
extended the duties of Mr. Benson so as to embrace that object. I
was led to this course from the following considerations.
_First_, from the productiveness of the Millsburg lands and the
fewness of their inhabitants. I know if Mr. Ashmun were present,
it would be a principal object with him to push that settlement
forward with all possible speed, and that for this purpose, he
would send the emigrants by the first two or three expeditions to
that place. I think that those from the fresh water rivers, if
carried directly after their arrival here, up to Millsburg, would
suffer very little from change of climate. _Second_, the
fertility of the land is such a temptation to the farmer, that
unless he possesses laziness in its extreme degree, he cannot
resist it; he must and will go to work. _Thirdly_, it is
important to strengthen that settlement against any possible
attack; and though we apprehend no hostilities from the natives,
yet we would have each settlement strong enough to repel them.

I am happy to say, that the health, peace and prosperity of the
Colony, I think, is still advancing, and I hope that the Board of
Managers may have their wishes and expectations realized to their
fullest extent, with regard to the present and future prosperity
of the Colony.

Gurley, _Life of Jehudi Ashmun_, appendix, pp. 156-158.

Letter to the treasurer of the Massachusetts Baptist Education
Society:

Sir,

Here is a mite enclosed for your society. It is part of the
proceeds of a cotton field, for benevolent purposes. I helped to
plough the ground, plant, hoe, pick, gin and pack the cotton with
my own hands. A part of the proceeds is for the Colonization
Society. My servants would shew their large white teeth, when, to
encourage them to do their work well, I informed them that this
cotton was designed to be a means of enlightening their brethren
in Africa. Don't you think that Christians by and by, will act
more like stewards with the property God has given them? I think
it better to give now and then a mite, which the Lord may have
bestowed upon me, to advance his cause, than to lavish it on
profligate and dissipated sons. Will not G