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supply all their wants. Many of the women who have been em-
ployed as field hands by their masters do not understand the
first rudiments of house-keeping ; they have never learned to sew,
nor to cook, nor to observe cleanliness in their persons or houses.
The art of providing, and spending their money with judgment
and economy, is almost unknown among them, and like impulsive
children, many spend their earnings in haste upon whatever
strikes their uncultivated fancy. __

The proposal to send out a portion of the clothing to be vt
up by the recipients, thus. promoting a disposition to work for
themselves, has been acted upon by the Women’s Association,
and our agents, to whom we have forwarded made up-garments,
have been encouraged to offer them for sale at such prices as fall
within the means of the purchasers, thus further encouraging a
feeling of independence. ‘The establishment of stores, at which
the necessaries of life are sold at cost, has been found a most
useful means of benefitting these people, guarding them against _
the evils to which they are subjected in dealing with mercenary
and unprincipled sutlers.

As already adverted to, the establishment of an Agricultural
Colony under our exclusive control, has from the first been a
leading idea with some of our members, and a committee has had
the subject under consideration. ‘The course pursued so advan-
tageously by Friends in their intercourse with the Indian tribes
has been looked upon as a precedent to be followed in our efforts
for the good of the African race. |

We are aware that, in carrying out these suggestions, difficul-
ties are presented at every step, but as we stand ready to embrace
every right opening for labor, we hope to be made useful in ex-
tending the hand of help towards this suffering people. To do
so will require some sacrifice, a unity of feeling and of action,
and a generous liberality on the part of those who have the
means and disposition to contribute liberally of their substance,
as the Lord has blessed them.

The question which has presented itself so impressively to all:
who will feed these hungry, clothe these naked, lift the veil of ig-
norance which covers their minds, and direct their industry into
channels leading to accumulation and thrift ? would seem to come
with peculiar force to the members of the Society of Friends,