waken them effectually. They are now determined to go themselves
to Africa; and the only questions with them are, in what way will
it be best for them to proceed? and what previous steps are
requisite to be taken? They think it necessary to spend some time
in study first. They both possess industry and abilities, such
as, with the blessing of Providence, would soon make them rich.
It is but two or three years since either of them enjoyed
freedom; and both have paid large sums for their families. They
now possess but little, except a zealous wish to go and do what
they can. Brother Lot has a wife, and several little children. He
has a place a little below Richmond, that cost him $1500, but
will probably not sell for more than $1000 at this time. Brother
Collin has a wife, a son 14 years of age, and a daughter of 11,
for whom he has paid $1300, and has scarcely any thing left. Both
their wives are Baptists; their children, amiable and docile,
have been to school considerably; and I hope, if they go, will
likewise be of service. Collin is a saddler and harness maker. He
had no early education. The little that he has gained, has been
by chance and peacemeal. He has judgment, and as much keenness of
penetration as almost any man. He can read, though he is not a
good reader, and can write so as to make out a letter. The little
knowledge he has of figures, has been gained by common
calculations in business. Lot was brought up on a farm; and for a
number of years has been chief manager among the labourers in the
largest tobacco ware house in this city. He has charge of
receiving, marking and shipping tobacco; and the circumstance
that he receives $700 a-year wages may help you to form an
estimate of the man. He reads better than Collin, and is in every
respect a better scholar. They have been trying to preach about
ten or eleven years, and are both about forty years of age.[23]

Cary had been licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church,
Richmond, and he exercised his talent every Lord's day among the
colored people on plantations a few miles from Richmond.[24] It was
not many months before he was the highly esteemed pastor of the
African Baptist Church in Richmond. As a preacher, Cary was not
polished, but "his ideas would sometimes burst upon you in their
native solemnity, and awak