Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/158

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press a stranger as to its wealth; nevertheless, there is more business done here than would seem from first entering the town. There are three saw-mills, two shingle-mills, two potash factories, three cabinet warehouses, four flour-mills, several iron foundries, three breweries, &c. It is a port of entry, and exports a large amount of lumber. This busy town contains a population of 6000,—2000 are coloured people, who seem to add their quota to its industry. One gun-smith, four cabinet makers, working on their own account and employing others, six master carpenters, and a number of plasterers. Three printers, two watch makers, two ship carpenters, two millers, four blacksmiths, one upholsterer, one sadler, six master shoemakers, and last of all the trades, a cigar maker.

Chatham is the head quarters of the Negro race in Canada. It has acquired considerable notoriety, even in the United States, because of the great number that settled there. The better class live in such houses as before described,—(two story frames, painted white outside),—numbers of their unfortunate brethren live in log houses, with gardens around them, well stocked with vegetables. They have here two day-schools, though not very well provided for; one has 80 pupils, the other 30. They seem to be under good training and instruction.—They probably have the largest, if not the best conduct-