Gerritt Smith's Donation

Gerritt Smith's Donation. Mr. Smith has executed 2000 deeds of Iand, of forty acres each, to as many poor colored men. 1000 deeds more are in preparation. The whole amount of land to be conveyed is about One Hundred and Twenty thousand acres. All the lands are in New York. A magnificent gift, bestowed on those who have little or nothing but their gratitude with which they can make remuneration. - The persons to whom the grant were mode were selected by a committee appointed by Mr, Smith, and were chosen especially with reference to their good character and sobriety. It has been said that the lands were not very valuable. - This may be true of many portions; yet whatever of value there was Mr. Smith freely gave. A recent storm on the Gulf of Mexico has nearly destroyed Key West, which is situated at the outlet of the Gulf. Many lives were lost and nearly all the buildings in the place. The water was five feet deep in the streets, running at the rate of six miles an hour. There are not more than 6 out of 600 houses, but are blown down or unroofed. The loss to the government alone is estimated at $200,000.