On August 16th, 1843, the Chronicle and Gazette published a request on behalf of Mr. Israel Lewis, “a coloured man,” who sought to “deliver a Lecture…for the benefit of the Wilberforce settlement” once a venue was found. The entry sought to spur enthusiasm for the event by recalling Mr. Lewis’ “well received” engagement from the previous summer, publicizing the donation of ten pounds from “His excellency”, and advertising two certificates from two prominent figures in the community.

The first certificate is dated August 31st, 1841. It is written by Dr. A. Dunlop, M.P.P for the County of Huron, and states:

“To the Benevolent and Human,

This may certify that I have been acquainted with Israel Lewis, a coloured man, for ten years. He was the first settler in the southerner part of the Huron District. He formed the settlement known by the name of "the Wilberforce Settlement," for the improvement of his Race. I cheerfully recommend him and his cause to the Friends of the long enslaved Africans.”

The second certificate is dated July 24th, 1843. It is written by ex-governor W. H. Seward, and states:

“I have favorable known Israel Lewis many years, and held him in high respect and esteem. For his own sake, for the sake of his unfortunate and oppressed race, for the cause of our Country and of mankind, I commend him and his benevolent enterprise to the favor of the wise and good.”[1]

Though it is exciting to read about people from the 19th century supporting discussions against slavery, the positive reinforcements in the Chronicle and Gazette are paradoxical. By constantly referring to the colour of Israel Lewis’ skin while promoting his good character, the entry and certificates imply that Mr. Lewis is only exemplary for someone of his race. This notion is furthered in another entry published by the Chronicle and Gazette three days later.

On August 19th, 1843, Mr. O.S. Fowler’s November 16th, 1840 account of Mr. Lewis is used to generate support for Mr. Lewis’ event. Fowler describes Lewis as an individual in a “very singular tear for one of his complexion, and a far better one as to intelligence and face, than one in thousands. He is never idle but always driving forward some important question.”[2] Mr. Lewis’ character is in constant negotiation with his race, a notion consciously or unconsciously spurred by the people who support him. On August 22nd 1843, Mr. Lewis presented his lecture at the Rear Street Chapel. It was a successful event, as evidenced by his intention to hold another lecture on the following Friday. The Chronicle and Gazette makes sure the public knows Mr. Lewis was and still is worthy of their support when they print his letter to Daniel O’Connel, ESQ, M.P. Mr. Lewis supported O’Connel because he believed O’Connel supported the British Empire. Even supposing that Lewis remained loyal to the crown only because of the “prospects” of freedom colonial lands would provide for the “coloured race”[3] , he is loyal to the crown, as were the majority of people in Kingston. These individuals were advocating for Israel Lewis as well as for freedom and equality all the while continuing to craft prejudicial ideas towards the oppressed. This perspective could be conclusive if all that was known about Mr. Israel Lewis was that he was “a coloured man” who wanted to give a lecture, however, there is more to Mr. Israel Lewis’ than what lies in these entries.

            The Wilberforce Settlement was founded in 1830 by a group of slaves (including Mr. Israel Lewis) who escaped from Cincinnati. Aided by Quakers in Oberlin, Ohio, they were able to buy “800 acres in Biddulph Township… from the Canada Company.” The settlement is named after British abolitionist William Wilberforce, and became one of the “earliest Negro colonies in Upper Canada.” In 1833 the settlement held thirty-two families, two schools and a sawmill. However, by the 1840’s, the settlement’s population began to decrease (Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario)[4]. It is in between the rising and declining years of Wilberforce that Mr. Israel Lewis’ troubles began.

Austin Steward’s Twenty-two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman: Embracing a Correspondence of Several Years, While President of Wilberforce Colony, London, Canada West details Israel Lewis’ relationship to those in and outside of Wilberforce Settlement, particularly in 1836. Chapter twenty-seven––categorized by the byline: “Our Difficulties with Israel Lewis” (Steward, 232) ––presents accounts of Israel Lewis’ behavior; below are excerpts from some of these circulars: 

“Wilberforce, U.C., March 28th, 1836

…we deeply regret the manner in which our friends in the States have been imposed upon by Israel Lewis; … we have received less than one hundred dollars of all the money borrowed and collected in the States. (Steward, 233)”

“New York, May 9th, 1836

The fact that many individuals in different sections of the country have long suspected the integrity of Israel Lewis, but possessing no authentic documentary evidence, they have been prevented from making an effort, to counteract his too successful attempts and those of his agents, in the collection of funds from the public, had induced us to transmit this circular.” (Steward, 232)

“New York, April 25th, 1836

…That this meeting deem it their imperative duty, to announce to the public, that in view of facts before them, Israel Lewis has abused their confidence, wasted their benevolence, and forfeited all claim to their countenance and respect.” (Steward, 234)

Further into the chapter, Steward provides more evidence supporting the claims in the circulars by recalling the comments Arthur Tappan made “through the press” about Israel Lewis. Steward called Arthur Tappan “one of the best and most respectable gentlemen in New York City” (235). He was an abolitionist who supported the Underground Railroad, and even created an organization called the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society where he served as the first president (1833-1840) (Brittanica). Tappan asserted “Israel Lewis was not a man to be fully relied upon in his statements regarding the Wilberforce colony” for “it would be doubtful” whether the money Lewis received for the “sick and destitute” settlers would be “applied according to the wishes of the donors” (Steward, 235). It is not known where the money Lewis earned went to, but it is clear that Lewis made a point of refuting Tappan’s claims. Lewis proceeded to file ‘a suit against Mr. Tappan for defamation of character; laying damages at… ten thousand dollars” (Steward, 235).

The suspicions surrounding Israel Lewis’ character never disappeared. Learning about the specific accusations after reading the several entries in the Chronicle and Gazette, undermine the prejudicial charges that could have initially been made towards the Kingston public. However, after looking at Steward’s book, even more questions arise: why did the Chronicle and Gazette support Israel Lewis? Who was the lecture truly intended for, especially if the Wilberforce Settlement did indeed turn it’s back on Lewis. How much did the public know? What happened between 1836 and 1843? Would it have been common to use certificates to advocate for a future performer ––regardless of their colour–– if said performer’s reputation was precarious in nature?

[1] Chronicle and Gazette, 16 August, 1843, 3.

[2] Chronicle and Gazette, 19 August, 1843, 3.

[3] Chronicle and Gazette, 23 August, 1843, 3.

[4] Information is from an Ontario Plaque detailing information about “The Wilberforce Settlement 1830” (Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario). 

Works Cited

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Arthur Tappan.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 19 July 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-Tappan.

“Chronicle and Gazette.” Chronicle and Gazette, 16 Aug. 1843, p. 3.

“Chronicle and Gazette.” Chronicle and Gazette, 23 Aug. 1843, p. 3.

“Lecture.” Chronicle and Gazette, 19 Aug. 1843, p. 3.

Lewis, Israel. Crisis in North America!: Slavery War, Balance of Power, and Oregon. Harrison, 1846.

Steward, Austin. “Our Difficulties with Israel Lewis.” Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman: Embracing a Correspondence of Several Years, While President of Wilberforce Colony, London, Canada West., Allings & Cory , 1992, pp. 232–235.

“The Wilberforce Settlement 1830.” Ontario's Historical Plaques, 4 May 2010, www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Middlesex27.html.