Voices of the People

Nova Scotia House of Assembly Petitions and Correspondence

23 March 1815

Letter from Seth Coleman to William Sabatier, relating the distressed situation of the negroes at Preston, their absolute lack of food, the wrong opinion that has been circulated about them, and asking that something be done to prevent them dying of starvation before summer. "I found in them a disposition to labour, and to help themselves, but the fact is they have nothing to do, I found but four men that had Families, that had imployment, others were making of Brooms or taking care of the Family, while the Mother was out to Seek a days work at Washing or Sewing on this Scanty pittance depended the subsistence of perhaps themselves and four or five Children. My feelings have been often hurt at the expressions of People who are ignorant of their Situations, they say Thievish Black dogs, they deserve this or they deserve that, I declare that considering their Ignorance I think them a Virtuous People," … "Place the same number of White People in the Sam Situation under all the disadvantages that those have had to incounter what would have been the report of them" … "Since the 8th of last month I have paid attention to the sick and Administered as Sparingly as possible to their Several Necessaties" …rice and molasses to the most and a little meat and fish to convalescents. "There appears nothing so satisfactory to them that I have ever given out as Indian Meal & Molasses it seems pleasing to them when I name it. Should the Governor be pleased to afford them Some Relief at this pinching Season, Meal can be had at our Mill in Dartmouth, or any other Supply he would bestow will be most greatfully received by Some of those Suffering People."

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 21 number 84