Report of free Coloured People of Baltimore visit to British Guiana and the Island of Trinidad in January 1840.

Report of the visit of Peck and Price to Guiana and Trinidad

A little-known fact of the historic connection between Baltimore Maryland USA and British Guiana.

Below is a report by Messrs Nathanial Peck and Thomas S. Price who were appointed at a meeting of the free colored people of Baltimore that was held on November 25, 1839, to determine the advantages to be derived by Colored People migrating to British Guiana and Trinidad.

The report described Peck and Price departing for Georgetown British Guiana on December 21, 1839, and arriving on January 21, 1840. Peck and Price enquired about the cost of living, wages, employment, availability, and cost of land, also several other areas that would impact migrants.

They departed Guiana for Grenada on Tuesday, March 10, and arrived on Thursday, March 12, where they spent four days. They then transferred to a smaller ship for the voyage to Trinidad, arriving on Tuesday, March 17.
During their stint in Trinidad, they described "we did not see as many advantages as we had witnessed in Guiana, yet this island possesses many advantages over the United States, for the industrious man of colour."

They departed Triniday Monday, March 23, arrived in St. Thomas US Virgin Island on Sunday, March 29, then sailed from St. Thomas on Tuesday, March 31, 1840, arriving in Philadelphia USA on April 11, 1840

In summarising the preferences for migration Peck and Price chose Guiana over Trinidad.

 

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