BUCHANAN
Extract of a Letter from Rev. A. P. Davis
In reply to questions proposed by the Secretary, among
other things, brother Davis observes:
You ask, “what is the condition of the people &c., &c.”
The condition of the native African as a general thing is
distressingly low. They are as a general thing industrious and
provident in regard to their temporal wants. In these they are in the
lead of many who profess to be under the influence of civilized
life.
When, for instance, it is the time to clear and plant their
farms, they cannot be induced to neglect them for money nor price,
though exceedingly fond of money (goods.). They are not slack in
efforts as it relates to their future state, but their efforts are wrongly
directed. They are perfect slaves to superstition and idolatry, and
therefore labor hard and steal, to obtain money, to apply to
senseless puiposes. They seldom steal from each other, but when
and wherever they can from the white man. By this name all
foreigners are meant. It is understood and taught among them as a
law, when they or their children enter the employ of the white man,
they must invariably steal from him, or they are not considered
smart. Their views of a future state, embrace two distinct places,
and one is for the rich and honorable, and the other the poor and
contemptible. The reward of the former is the enjoyment of a
world inconceivably rich and productive; the region pure; no
sickness, hot sun, nor cold weather, a state in which they will
associate with greater men and better society arising from the fact
that they were rich and honorable here, and that slaves are to serve
them there; that they are to be known and respected as
distinguished war men and &c. But, the low and contemptible,
whom they consider so from their being poor, are bound to an
opposite state, barren soil, scorching sand, and to wander in a
desolate wilderness. Another idea in connection with this is, they
believe that if they die rich, in their way of estimating riches, they
will have no difficulty in returning to this world through some
respectable person, as they are true believers in transmigration;’
while the poor from their dejected state are compelled to wander
without dwellings or places of rest; and if they return to this world
at all, it is through a monkey or some other wild animal &c.
