Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/728

 eluded articles of agreement and association for an emigrant aid society. The purpose of this association was declared to be "assisting emigrants to settle in the west." Under these articles of association, each stockholder was individually liable. To avoid this difficulty, an application was made to the general assembly of Massachusetts for an act of incorporation, which was granted. On the 21st day of February, 1855, an act was passed to incorporate the New England Emigrant Aid Company. The purposes of this act were declared to be "directing emigration westward, and aiding and providing accommodation for the emigrants after arriving at their place of destination." The capital stock of the corporation was not to exceed one million of dollars. Under this charter a company was organized.

Your committee have examined some of its officers and a portion of its circulars and records to ascertain what has been done by it. The public attention, at that time, was directed to the territory of Kansas, and emigration naturally tended in that direction. To ascertain its character and resources, this company sent its agent into it, and the information thus obtained was published. The company made arrangements with various lines of transportation to reduce the expense of emigration into the territory, and procured tickets at the reduced rates. Applications were made to the company by persons desiring to emigrate, and when they were numerous enough to form a party of convenient size, tickets were sold to them at the reduced rates. An agent acquainted with the route was selected to accompany them. Their baggage was checked, and all trouble and danger of loss to the emigrant in this way avoided.

Under these arrangements, companies went into the territory in the fall of 1854, under the articles of association referred to. The company did not pay any portion of the fare, or furnish any real or personal property to the emigrant. The company during 1855 sent into the territory from eight to ten saw-mills, purchased one hotel in Kansas City, which they subsequently sold, built one hotel at Lawrence, and owned one other building in that place. In some cases, to induce them to make improvements, town lots were given to them by town associations in this territory. They held no property of any other kind or description. They imposed no condition upon their emigrants, and did not inquire into their political, religious, or social opinions. The total amount expended by them, including the salaries of their agents and officers, and the expenses incident to all organizations, was less than $100,000.

Their purposes, as far as your committee can ascertain, were lawful, and contributed to supply those wants most experienced in the settlement of a new country.

The only persons or company who emigrated into the territory under the auspices of the emigrant aid society in 1855, prior to the election in March, was a party of 159 persons, who came under the charge of Charles Robinson.

In this party there were 67 women and children. They came as actual settlers, intending to make their homes in the territory, and for no other purpose. They had about their persons but little baggage; usually sufficient clothing in a carpet-sack for a short time. Their personal effects, such as clothing,