Report in the Grand River Eagle on a Meeting in Grand Rapids

A report in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, on a meeting in Grand Rapids for the purpose to wait upon our neighbors the Hollanders, and inform them of our interest in their welfare, and also to acquaint themselves with the best and shortest route to the settlement of the colonists. Committee members reported that they arrived at the home the Rev. A. C. Van Raalte on July 22, at 5.30 p.m. They also met some recently arrived immigrants who were living in temporary booths of hemlock on the banks of the Black River. Van Raalte estimated that 1200 had arrived and that there would be 2000 before winter. All needed outside support for months until they could turn the forests into fruitful fields. A good road from Grandville to Holland was much needed. E. B. Bostwick was chair of the committee; the report is very sympathetic to the Hollanders.https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/vrp_1840s/1262/thumbnail.jp