Viewing page 82 of 102

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

158

acres of even land, in the centre of which stands a little white cottage, surrounded by every kind of fruit trees that the Island produces, besides vegetables of every kind, which we have raised since we have been here. Add to these, two cows, one calf, geese, ducks, and upwards of one hundred chickens, and I am certain you will agree with me, in saying our situation is truly pleasant. 

14. "On New-Years day, which is the anniversary of our Independence, we went to the parade, where the troops were assembled in the public square at an early hour-(after mentioning divers particulars, she concludes with saying,) at ten o'clock, the inhabitants with one accord, retired to their respective homes, without the least noise or tumult. Thus passed the day of Haytian Independence.- My parents join with me in love to you and Mr. Andrews, &c.

SERENA M. BALDWIN."
[These letters were written in a very fair intelligible hand, by a girl about fourteen years old.]

Extracts from letters of Charles W. Fisher, (formerly of Baltimore,) to his father, dated Cape Haytain, February 13th, 1825.

15. "You wish to know how I am likely to make out to live in this country.- I have received a plantation from the government, and find the soil good for tillage, and its productions good for food. We have plenty of vegetable food, though meat is not procured in such abundance here as in America. Many of the emigrants are dissatisfied on that account: they are impatient, and indulge in complaints, like the children of Israel, when in the wilderness, not knowing the good prospect that awaits them.- Every one that will patiently bear a little privation at first, can live here, and do well."
From the same, dated April 16th.

16. "I am in good health, and the production of my land is in good order, yielding coffee, corn, sweet potatoes

159
yams, banannas, oranges, pine-apples, cotton trees in abundance, and oil trees. I have 2000 bearing coffee trees, besides young ones, too numerous to mention. My plantation is eight miles from the City of Capy Hayti. I come to town every Saturday, to hear news from America, and the price of coffee. As soon as I get my coffee in, I shall send you a hundred pounds to try it."

NEW YORK AFRICAN SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
[Communicated to the Compiler.]

1. In the African School for boys, in Mulberry-street, a class has long been established, which is perhaps the only one of the kind in the city of New-York: it is composed of such boys as are the best behaved, and most advanced in their learning, say in arithmetic, as far as the Rule of Three. They are distinguished in school, by a medal suspended to the neck, on which are engraved the words, "Class of Merit."

2. This class has a regular meeting once a month, to transact business, and to hear the reports of standing and other committees. It is allowed one hour each session to conduct its business. Its officers are a Chairman, Secretary, Register, and Treasurer. The class by a cote, determine in what branch of learning a member shall excel, to entitle him to the chair at the next succeeding meeting- the teacher always deciding. I have seen some specimens of penmanship, map drawing, composition, both in prose and verse, the performance of those lads, the result of this laudable emulation.

3. The Chairman preserves order and decorum at the meetings of the class: the Secretary records, in a neat manner, their proceedings: the Register enters in his book the names, qualifications, character, and other particulars, of every member when admitted: and the 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-19 22:45:39 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-20 07:48:58