mitted by all, and from the Board it shall receive constant and continued care and encouragement.

4th. Having these prominent and vital principles constantly in view, it will be the untiring effort of the Board to make Liberia a desirable home for the free man of color. To this class we address no argument to induce them to leave the United States. We have no entreaties to offer. We trust, in a short time, that facts will supersede the use of arguments, and an enlightened self-interest render all entreaties unnecessary. We say distinctly, we want none to go there but men and women of good morals, of industrious habits, and friends and members of the temperance cause. As far as we have the power, we will permit none of a different character to go. We express our deliberate judgment that, by carrying out these principles, Liberia will soon become a desirable home for the free colored man; and that, so soon as it becomes so, he will go there, in most cases, at his own expense. But, whether the plan for the issue of stock succeed or not, it is absolutely necessary that former contributions be continued, and even increased. To all the friends of the cause, the Board would present the subscription list so nobly commenced and patronized by that distinguished friend to the cause, GERRIT SMITH. They do earnestly entreat all their Auxiliary Societies to make an effort to advance the noble cause in which they are laboring with us. The Board would also most respectfully request all the Churches to take up collections on the day sacred to the freedom of our beloved country, in aid of an enterprise which carries with it blessings so rich and so great. To their Female friends, the Board are confident the appeal will not be in vain. Already has their beneficent example, in cherishing this sacred cause, given health and encouragement to all the efforts of its friends. A general effort is all that is wanting to advance the interests of the Institution onward to that high ground it is yet destined to occupy.

In conclusion, the Managers believe that the success and final triumph of the Colonization cause, under the blessing of Heaven, rest now with its friends. The Board are perfectly willing to leave it there. For themselves, they are not discouraged. Acting on the principles contained in this exposition, and availing themselves of the aids of past experience, they believe that the present crisis will pass away and leave their enterprise uninjured; and above all, they would look for, and rest upon, the blessing of Heaven, which, heretofore, has been so richly experienced.

By order:

R. R. GURLEY, Secretary.

JAMES LAURIE, President, pro, tem.

LETTER FROM GERRIT SMITH, ESQ.

PETERBORO, N. Y. MARCH 1, 1834.

MY DEAR FRIEND:-You will please hand the above check of $1,000 to the Treasurer of our Society. It is the first instalment on my late subscription to the proposed fund of $50,000. I send it in advance of its due time of payment, because I am aware that the Society is in great present need of help. As the money pressure continues to be so great, it is to be regretted that we did not take to ourselves more than sixty days for getting the subscription to this fund filled up. It will be filled up, however, I trust, in the course of the spring; and although, according to the terms of the resolution, under, which they subscribe, the subscribers will not be liable to pay, if the 60 days be overrun; yet I have no doubt that they will pay

just as readily as if the form of the subscription were absolute. There are already more than fifty subscriptions on the plan started a few years since, of obtaining 100 subscribers of $1000 each; and I believe that there is no case of the fifty, where the instalments have not been kept up; and, in several of the cases, the whole amount of the subscription has been advanced. The subscriptions on this plan were not to be obligatory, unless the $100,000 were subscribed; and yet we find that none of the subscribers have been disposed to avail themselves of this contingency. Nor may we suppose, that the subscribers to the proposed fund of $50,000, will be less generous. Why should they be? Or does not the Colonization Society deserve to be loved and to be helped as much now as it did formerly? In my poor judg ment, it is much more entitled to our support now, than it ever was at any former period. The Society has now, with the help of its friends and its foes, and in the school of its own experience, found out its faults. It is fast correcting these faults. It is adopting more judicious systems of operations, the leading elements of which are, an economical use of its means, and a strong christian love towards that class of people, who constitute the objects of the Society's regard. If our Society had always loved this oppressed, and therefore debased class of people, as, I trust, it will hereafter love them; if it had always thought more of ministering to their relief, than of conferring real or imaginary benefits on the white population of our country, and of indulging the wicked prejudices of that population; then would our Society have been, at this day, incalculably more prosperous than it now is; then would it have been dear to the free coloured people, instead of being, as, with too much justice it now is, an object of their jealousy. It is idle for our Society to think of accomplishing its plans, until it has the confidence of that people. But it will no sooner have this confidence, than its prosperity will be, and so also its blessings to that unhappy people will be, without limits. Let it, my friend, be our unwavering and religiously pursued policy, to create a happy and a christian home in Africa, for those of our free people of colour, who choose to go to it; and doubt not, that the attractions of such a home will be sufficient to draw from our shores, at least as many of this race as will be needed to establish, in the benighted land of their fathers, the principles of the gospel, and of our free institutions. Remember too, that those who appreciate, and are drawn thither by those attractions, give, in that very fact, abundant evidence of possessing the sound moral character, which we need to have all our emigrants possess: whilst, on the other hand, those whom we send there, may carry with them habits fraught with ruin to our settle

ments.

I regret to see by the newspapers, that there is a general impression that there has been a great waste of the funds of the Society. The impression is very erroneous; and I most lament it, because it does great and cruel injustice to the gentlemen, who, in the capacity of Managers of the Society, have rendered (many of them through periods of twelve to seventeen years) so large an amount of faithful and gratuitous services to the Society. These gentlemen are certainly far better entitled to thanks for their unpaid services in this cause of humanity, than to imputations on their judgment and integrity. It is good, however, for them to be often taught by the ingratitude of their fellow men, to look above for all their reward. In looking over the accounts of the Society, when I was last in Washington, I could see that, in some instances, there might have been, by a different procelure, considerable sums saved; but I was principally enabled to see this, by the light of that experience which the Managers now have, and which will guard them against a recurrence of similar losses. I have, however, no doubt, that, not only from the valuable stock of experience which the Board now possess; but still more from the business habits of several gentle

men who were added to the Board at our late meeting, the friends of Colonization may safely look for a very great improvement in the management of the pecuniary affairs of the Society. Among the acting members of the old Board, there were not enough gentlemen of such habits: and we have all come to learn, that, in the direction of our great benevolent institutions, no amount of talent and piety will supply the lack of business habits.

I regret also to find, that some of the friends of our Society, are frightened by the debt of 40,000, that we owe. Let them but consider the share, which the Society proposes to have in renovating Africa and in blessing the people of our own land; and they will not continue to believe, that so inconsiderable an obstacle as a debt of $40,000, will long be suffered to stand in the way of our progress. The good which the friends of God and man have in view, in their support of the Colonization Society, would make the removal of far greater obstacles to the accomplishment of that good, appear but a small undertaking.

I hope you are finding leisure to finish your Life of Ashmun. A copy of your life of that great and good man should be in the hands of every man who cares for Africa, or her outcast children amongst us. With great regard, your friend,

GERRIT SMITH.

Rev. R. R. GURLEY.

LETTER FROM HON. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN.

WASHINGTON, MARCH 15, 1834. DEAR SIR:-Enclosed, I send my annual subscription to your Society on Mr. G. Smith's plan: and I take peculiar satisfaction in giving this proof of my undiminished confidence in the plans and prospects of this benignant enterprise. With other friends of the Society, I was, at first, surprised by the developements of its pecuniary embarrassments, at the late annual meeting. But when the Report of the Managers explained the causes of these difficulties, my mind was relieved. It has been one of those adverse incidents which occur in every department of life; and instead of discouraging, should serve to animate us to greater zeal, and above all, to lead us to more humble dependence on the blessing of Him, without whose smiles, all efforts will be vain.

I am glad that you have fully and frankly spread your whole condition before the christian public. It will respond to your ingenuous course, with augmented confidence. I have no doubt that the Society will date this crisis as a new era in its history; at which, fresh impulses were imparted to its schemes of benevolence, and when large accessions of numbers to its patrons and amount to its resources, rapidly succeeded the temporary clouds that passed over it.

The debt of $10,000, which seems, to our opponents, to be so portentous, they may be assured, will be found of no serious moment. It will call up the friends of the Society to stand by it in this hour of its need; and I altogether mistake the principles and spirit of those friends, if a thousand channels of supply are not open, and this fountain of beneficence be not filled to overflowing. With great respect, Dear Sir,

JOSEPH GALES, Sen. Esq.

Truly your's,

THEO: FRELINGHUYSEN.

Treasurer Am. Col. Society.

LETTER FROM CAPTAIN VOORHEES, OF THE UNITED STATES' NAVY.

UNITED STATES' SHIP JOHN ADAMS,

Cape Montserado, Liberia, December 14, 1833. SIR, I have this day the honor to report having carried into execution, conformably to my instructions, the various orders intrusted to my charge on our homeward bound route from the Mediterranean..

We arrived at the anchorage, in the bay of Montserado, on the evening of the 9th. Piracy has not afflicted this quarter for some time; and the inhabitants at the settlements, living in undisturbed peace and tranquillity, seem to entertain very encouraging confidence in their future security. The place, however, is not as secure as its importance demands; neither is it free from the want of many necessaries. A small fort is requisite for the defence of Monrovia, and the entrance of the harbor of the Montserado; both these objects may be attained in constructing it on an excellent position afforded by a commanding eminence near the margin of the river. The protection of the anchorage in the bay, also requires a small fort, on the height of the Cape, to secure the shipping against piracy. A few guns are now mounted there, on old defective carriages, answering a temporary purpose; but previous to this, I have been informed some American and British vessels were plundered whilst lying at their anchors. And subsequently to these guns being mounted at the Cape, some attempts were again made, it is supposed, with a view to plunder, but a brisk fire being opened from the heights, had the desired effect-since which the shipping has continued unmolested.

The vessels to this place, together with their several calls during the present year, amount to about ninety in number, many of them foreign, as well as American, of which I have herewith the honor to transmit a list. Materials, such as various implements or tools for the use of mechanics, sail-cloth, cordage, copper sheathing, copper bolts, copper spikes and nails, varnish, tar, pitch, paints, paint oil, variously assorted for all sorts of buildings and repairs, are very seriously wanted in a small way. Also, a few large sized six or eight oared carvil-built boats. Many applications were made to me for indispensable articles, the want of which precluded some of these people, in a manner, from employment, and from attending to their necessary occupations; but, being deficient in almost every thing, in consequence of our long cruise, we were able to supply but little. We furnished them, however, with a small boat, (the ship gig) some sails, powder, and shot, a few carpenters' and blacksmiths' tools, and other articles (of all of which I have also the honor to transmit a list, receipted for by the Acting Agent of the settlement,) and which I trust will meet the approbation of the Department. Our arrival here has happened most opportunely for the emigrants daily expected from Norfolk.

It appears that their supply, or rations, of rice, has yet to be procured from the Kroo country; and, without this supply, they would, in a little time, be almost in a state of starvation; and the Government schooner, on which they are dependent to procure this article, could not proceed to sea for the want of sails, and some other necessary materials. This difficulty we have removed, and the vessel will be enabled, in good time, to procure the requisite supply. The importance of this settlement here is daily developing itself, in various ways, and is already felt as a refuge of security and hospitality, both to the oppressed natives and the shipwrecked mariner. Lately, a French oil ship was cast away to the South of Grand Bassa, where the crew, about twenty in number, were kindly received by the settlers at that place, and from which they safely travelled, uninterrupted, along the sea shore to Monrovia. Here the generous hospitality of the people of Liberia, (though with humble means, and at their own expense) prompted them to fit out a conveyance for the seamen by the Government schooner, in which they were carried to their own settlement of Goree, (which circumstance was the cause of the schooner having worn out her sails and being unable to proceed to sea, for the requisite supply of rice heretofore mentioned.) And on our arrival here, I found a French man-of-war barque, the commander of which had been despatched by the Governor of Goree, to express the thanks of his country to the people of Liberia, for the charitable services which they had rendered their countrymen. Monrovia appears to be in a thriving condition, and bears an air of comfort and neatness in the dwellings quite surprising. Several stone warehouses and stone wharfs line the banks of the river; others are building, which, with several schooners loading and unloading or repairing, afford an aspect and an air of business common to a respectable white population. All seem to be employed; good order and morality prevailing throughout. But cultivators of the soil are mostly needed here. A few mechanics might do well; such as ship-carpenters, blacksmiths, sailmakers, and boat-builders, masons and house-carpenters, &c. They should all, however, be bound in articles of agreement, previously to coming out, to do something towards the clearing and cultivation of the soil, for the space of a few years. Some sailors are also needed. Cultivation has been very much neglected, and this circumstance has operated greatly to the disadvantage of the place. A species of emigrants.arrive at times who are also very injurious to the prosperity and growth of the settlement. Idle, chey become paupers, and throw themselves on the charity of the industrious and frugal settler, who kindly gives relief, but who may, in time, also become a pauper, if this evil

be not guarded against. Some of the settlers have mentioned this matter to me, and have requested that I would place the circumstance in a clear light on my return home, not only for the sake of humanity, but also to save the Colonization Society great and unnecessary

expense.

They say "some of the emigrants who have been sent out to us, are soon, like the many paupers who have been sent out to the United States from Europe, objects for the poor house; but there is this difference between us and the people of the cities of the United States, we are not yet able to support more than our own families." Except in a few instances, this is too true. It appears, numbers of emigrants arrive unwilling to labor. Numbers, also, who would labor, during the half year period they are subsisted by the Society, are unable to do so on account of sickness, which all, more or less, have to suffer shortly after their arrival. And at the expiration of their six months' support, still sick, and thrown upon the charity of the community, they get dispirited, give up and die. Of this description of people, we may number those generally who have been recently emancipated.

There are, however, some creditable exceptions. From this, it would appear, that six months' provision is not sufficient for a settler, who comes without means. The country is fertile and productive of every variety of sustenance necessary to man, and no settler, however poor, with industry and frugality, after a year's support, need to be in want. An old settler, in comfortable circumstances, assured me, he had done all for himself by the sweat of his own brow; and that, too, under the disadvantage of having an axe in one hand to clear his land, and his gun in the other for self-protection, against the occasional attacks of the natives.

This difficulty, a new settler has not now to encounter; added to which, he has all the benefits resulting from a well-established town, composed of several hundred individuals. The recaptured Africans, five miles distant, settled at New Georgia, are spoken of in the most commendable terms, as industrious, frugal, and thriving, and capable of taking care of themselves. Amongst the products of the country, or those which may be produced, either in the neighborhood of Montserado, or at a distance in the interior, may be enumerated the sugar cane, rice, cassada, corn, plantains, bananas and sweet potatoes, coffee, indigo, dyewoods, ivory, and gold dust; the three latter of which may be obtained by barter, on advantageous terms, from the native traders of the interior. This opens a wide field for settlements and speculations, and will, at no distant period, be of vast consequence to American commerce and industry. The settlement must move onwards, and, with all its disadvantages, it appears a miracle that it should be in such a state of advancement. Idlers and persons incapacitated for freedom, should not be sent here at present, if it be desirable to benefit the free colored population from the United States, and, through their means, to regenerate Africa; but that class of them should be sent who know how to appreciate the rights of man, and who will not make an improper use of the blessings of liberty, equality, and freedom of social intercourse. Such persons of color, here, in the land of their ancestors, find a home and a country, and here only do they find themselves "redeemed, regenerated, and disenthralled." An intelligent old man, about 60 years of age, with whom I conversed, stated that he had been here about eighteen months, and was getting on cleverly for himself and family, "but that on no account would he return to the United States. It was true, he had not yet the luxuries nor the accommodations which he had been accustomed to in America, but the want of these were not to be brought into competition with his rights and privileges, as a man, in Liberia; for here only, in the consciousness of having no superior, did he feel himself a man, or had he ever known what it was to be truly happy.'

وو

The older residents of Monrovia, people of considerable experience and sound judgment, speak flatteringly of the policy of making a settlement at the mouth of the Junk river, a distance of about thirty miles to the south. It would form a connecting link with the settlements of Little and Grand Bassa, about as much further to the southward. The country is represented as exceedingly well suited for settlements; and the natives are frequently giving invitations to the people of Montserado to come and settle among them. From their representations, it is, perhaps, the most eligible situation along the whole coast; and, in little time, a valuable trade might be established there. The trade of Montserado with the interior, for the last year, has fallen off considerably, in consequence of the war between the native tribes about two hundred and fifty miles distant. They are all, however, in harmony with the settlers. Journeys are occasionally made amongst them, and an intelligent youth, about 19 years of age, son of one of the settlers, lately penetrated about two or three hundred miles into the interior. He represents the country, at about twenty-five miles from the sea, as rising into high and hilly land, with a very agreeable and pleasant temperature; the low flat land along the coast being covered with moderately sized trees and a thick underwood, difficult to penetrate, whilst that of the higher grounds abounds with large timber of various description, with scarcely a bush, and resembling, in some degree, beautiful cleared groves. He was treated with great kindness by all the chiefs and people throughout the whole course of his journey.

The settlers of Monrovia are desirous of having a person sent out to them as Chief Agent, as soon as may be practicable, the Chief Agent having left them lately for the United States. A person of some weight in years and sound discretion-not unlike Mr. SHALER, lately