ANNALS OF CLEVELAND

192
CLEVELAND NEWSPAPER DIGEST JAN. I TO DEC. 31, 1838
Abstracts 1211 • 1212
NEGROES (Cont'd)
been informed that Israel Lewis, the pretended governor of the Wilberforce
colony, is again here in this village seeking funds for continuation of
his project, I consider it a duty lowe to myself and to the community
to lay a few facts before the citizens of Cleveland.
At the time Lewis was last here, a dear friend of mine, the Reverend
Mr. K., a gentleman of high standing of the city of Rochester, N. Y.,
was staying at my house. This gentleman had at the time expressed some
doubts as to the propriety of giving anything to Lewis for charitable
purposes, as the colony had less than 1000 acres of land paid. for, were
divided among themselves, were morally loose and had no schools for their
children. Even their original patrons, a wealthy group of New York men,
had withdrawn their assistance.
The foregoing statement led me to personally inquire into their condition.
About five months ago, I talked to an old acquaintance who had
lived near the colony for four or five years. He confirmed everything
that my friend from Rochester had said. (7)
1211 - H&G Aug. 29: 2/2 - In a letter to the editor, Israel Lewis, now
in Portage county, Ohio, says: "In looking over your valuable sheet of
the 21st, I noticed a communication signed 'A Citizen of Cleveland, '
respecting the Wilberforce Colony, which is untrue and unjust."
Sir, I do not charge you with dealing unjustly by us, as you have been
our friend; but, Sir, I wish "Mr. Citizen" to give the public his name,
through your paper, and confine himself to facts.
Now, "Mr. Citizen," meet me fairly, and I shall not back out.
I shall be in Cleveland in a few weeks and I hope to have the pleasure
of knowing who "Mr. Citizen" is.
I again state that the assertions made against the Wilberforce Colony
are nothing but the work of prejudice against the principles of the colony,
there or anywhere else. It has been the business of some men to embarrass
me all they could for the last three years with the intention of breaking
up the colony. (10)
See also Slavery
NEWSPAPERS
1212 - H&G Feb. 2; ed:2/3 • Richard Adams Locke, an Englishman, author
of the celebrated MOON HOAX, is now editor of a penny Van Buren paper in
New York, called the NEW ERA.
"He exerts all his powers of invention for his now employers, and makes
up round robins for the party, which are as purely lies as his moon story,
but by no means as plausible. The party no doubt find it convenient to
have such an unscrupulous liar to quote from, as we see that all manner
of lies for the party are copied and credited to the N. Y. ERA." (2)