Hamilton, C. W., August 9th, 1856.
MR. WM. STILL: — Dear Friend: — I take this opportunity of
writing you these few lines to inform you of my health, which is good at
present, &c. * * * *
I was talking to you about going to Liberia, when I saw you
last, and did intend to start this fall, but I since looked at the condition of
the colored people in Canada. I thought I would try to do something for their
elevation as a nation, to place them in the proper position to stand where they
ought to stand. In order to do this, I have undertaken to get up a military
company amongst them. They laughed at me to undertake such a thing; but I did
not relax my energies. I went and had an interview with Major J. T. Gilepon,
told him what my object was, he encouraged me to go on, saying that he would do
all he could for the accomplishment of my object. He referred to Sir Allan McNab, &c. * * * * I
took with me Mr. J. H. Hill to see him — he told me that it should be done, and
required us to write a petition to the Governor General, which has been done. * * * * The
compsny is already organized. Mr. Howard was elected Captain; J. H. Hill, 1st
Lieutenant; Hezekiah Hill, Ensign; Robert Jones, 1st Sergeant. The company’s
name is, Queen Victoria's Rifle Guards. You may, by this, see what I have been
doing since I have been in Canada. When we receive our appointments by the
Government. I will send by express, my daguerreotype in uniform.
My respects, &c. &c.,
ROBERT JONES.
SOURCE: William Still, The Underground
Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 272
