Review, of Discourse of Dr. Dana, and the address of the Rev Wm. Meade, 140 of Rev. L. Bacon's plea and speech of P. Grattan, Esq. Gray's Travels North American Self Emancipation, (from Schoolcraft's travels,) Servants, christian conduct towards them, Speeches, Lieutenant Stockton's, G. W. P. Custis', Esq. Mr. Gurley's, Society, expenses of Soosoos, some account of Slave Trade, Slavery, extract from report on the abolition of 169 228, 263, 291 154 150 306 14 15 17 63 64, 305, 302 19, 371 62 272 285 307 308 279 29 247 380 286 the opinion of the General Assemby of the Presbyterian church AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. tive was instructed to "correspond with the President of the United States, for the purpose of obtaining a territory on the coast of Africa, or some other place not within the State, or territorial go serve as an asylum for such persons of colour as are now free, and may desire the same, and for those who may hereafter be emancipated in this commonwealth." It may be proper at the cominencement of our work, to give a concise history of this Institution. The objects proposed by this Society, had, long before its origin, attracted the attention and occupied the thoughts of several en-vernments of the United States, to lightened and intelligent individuals. As early as the administration of Mr. Jefferson, the Governor of Virginia, at the request of the legislature of that state, addressed a letter to the President, with enquiries concerning the best means of obtaining a territory for the colonization of free people of colour. The opinion expressed in reply was, that an establishment should be formed in Africa similar to that then existing in Sierra Leone. A short time before the organization of the Society, this subject was brought forward more prominently by Virginia, in certain resolutions adopted by her legislature, by which the execu But those operations which gave existence to the Colonization Society, are to be traced principally, to the thoughts and exertions of a retired, but eminent christian in New Jersey. For years had the condition of the free coloured population of our country, excited the compassion of the Reverend Robert Finley, and aroused the whole vigour of his intellect, to form plans for their relief. In the exiled children of Africa, this good man saw not merely the heirs to a wretchedness of men, the more I admire the virtue of those who devise, and with patience labour to execute plans for the relief of the wretched. On this subject, the state of the free blacks, has very much occupied my mind. Their number increases greatly, and their wretchedness too, as appears to me. Every thing connected with their condition, including their colour, is against them; nor is there much prospect that their state can ever be greatly meliorated, while they shall continue among us. Could not the rich and benevolent devise temporal, but to an eternal existence; not those possessing merely the virtues of natural and social affection, but also capacities for the high improvements and joys of an immortal state. In the prosecution of his object, Dr. Finley exhibited great disinterestedness and perseverance. In a report recently presented to our Board, by the Rev. George Boyd, and Dr. Ayres, we have been happy to find a more minute and interesting account of the exertions of this gentleman, than we had before seen, and which all must peruse with pleasure. "The Rev. Robert Finley, (at means to form a colony on some that time) residing at Basking-part of the coast of Africa, similar Ridge, in the state of New Jersey, to the one at Sierra Leone, which in the year 1816, began to disclose might gradually induce many free with freedom, to his friends and blacks to go and settle, devising to the public, the noble and bene-for them the means of getting volent scheme, in behalf of the free people of colour in the United States, which he had been for some time meditating, and which he prosecuted with his characteristic zeal and perseverance, until principally through his instrumentality, the Colonization Society was formed at Washington, in December, 1816. The following extract of a letter addressed to John P. Mumford, esq. of the city of New York, exhibits some of his early views and operations in regard to this matter: there, and of protection and support till they were established? Could they be sent back to Africa, a three-fold benefit would arise. We should be cleared of thenwe should send to Africa a population partly civilized and christianized for its benefit. And our blacks themselves, would be put in a better situation. Think much upon this subject, and then please to write me when you have leisure." "The subject in general which Mr. Finley had deeply considered, and the opinions of his friends whom he had consulted, furnished so much encouragement, that he The longer I live to see the resolved to make a great effort to Basking Ridge, Feb. 14th, 1815. DEAR SIR, ་་ He carry his benevolent views into in collecting people to the meeteffect. An important questioning, and in conciliating many, who was then to be decided-in what at first appeared opposed. place, and in what manner would proposed a prayer meeting for the it be best to commence active success of the undertaking; which operations, in pursuing the pro-was held, and in which he was earposed objects? In contemplating nestly engaged in prayer. Some this preliminary inquiry, and in were incredulous, and though they making additional preparatory ar- did not oppose, laughed, and ridirangements, he spent a considera- culed the thing altogether. When ble part of the fall of 1816. To- told of this, he remained unshawards the close of November, he ken in his purpose, and meekly re became determined to test the po- || plied, I know this scheme is pularity, and in some measure the from God." practicability of the whole system, The Institution in whose orgaby introducing the subject to pub-nization Dr. Finley had acted so lic notice, at the city of Washing-important a part, was only perton. The contemplated plan ap-mitted to bear public testimony to peared to him to be so vast in its his worth, by enrolling him among nature, and so difficult of attain-its Vice Presidents, when he was ment, the interests involved in it called from his christian labours to so numerous, extensive, and com- his eternal reward. plicated, that he was persuaded it could be carried into effect only by being made an object of national patronage. During the year 1818, the Rev. Messrs. Mills and Burgess, visited Africa, to acquire such information, as might facilitate the operations of the Board, and especially to ascertain at what point on the coast, land eligible for the location of a colony, might most easily, be obtained. On their passage to this country, after a very faithful and able discharge of the duties of their mission, the death of Mr. Mills deprived the world of one of the best and most useful of men. "Mr. Finley arrived in Washington about the 1st of Dec. 1816, and began immediately to make arrangements preparatory to a meeting of the citizens. He visited several members of Congress, the President, the heads of departments, and others. His heart during the whole of this time was much engaged, and he said he would cheerfully give, out of his limited means, five hundred dollars to ensure the success of the scheme. His conversation and zeal had a considerable influence but arriving at an unfavourable The Elizabeth sailed in 1820 with two agents for the United States government, the society's agent, and about eighty emigrants; season, and selecting for a tempo- the present sufficiently extensive; rary residence an unhealthy spot, including cape Montserado, which and experiencing the miseries of afford a site better adapted, percarelessness, indolence, and inhaps, to the purposes of a colony, subordination, too generally pre-than any other station on the valent among the colonists, the windward coast of Africa. To three agents and twenty-four setlers died in the course of a few weeks. This unfortunate expedition greatly discouraged the public mind. In 1821, Messrs. Andrews and Wiltberger on the part of the Society, and Messrs. Winn and E. Bacon the United States agents, proceeded to Africa with a considerable reinforcement of colonists; and in obedience to instructions, sought and obtained permission for the settlers to reside at Sierra Leone, until their negotiations with the with the natives might prove successful. this territory, since called LIBERIA, the colonists were immediately removed, and Dr. Ayres,. after superintending the earliest improvements of the settlement, returned to this country to make a statement of its wants, and obtain the requisite supplies. Before his arrival, however, Mr. J. Ashmun was on his way to Liberia with fifteen recaptured Africans, and thirty-five colonists. He received a commission of agency, under which he was to act, in case of the absence or death of Dr. Ayres. He arrived in time to prevent the extermination of the colony, which was repeatedly attacked by the Fruitless efforts were made by Messrs. Andrews and Bacon, to purchase land in the Bassa coun-natives (amounting at one time to try, but immediately after his return to Sierra Leone, the former died, and was soon followed by Mr. and Mrs. Winn into the heavenly world. Dr. Ayres was now appointed agent for the Society, and in company with lieutenant Stockton, of the United States schooner Alligator, proceeded with great resolution to effect the object of this Institution. After much perplexity and delay, the perseverance and ability of these two gentlemen were successful, and the natives ceded to the society a tract eligible, and for 1500.) in December, 1822. About |