African Colonization. 
 
 
 AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE 
 
 FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING 
 
 OF THE 
 
 mencaii (Kfllmmatmi forietn 
 
 HEED IN 
 
 Washington, D. C., January : 9, 1869, 
 
 BY 
 
 Hon. Joseph J. Roberts, 
 
 President of Liberia College, and formerly for eight years President of the 
 
 Liberia Republic. 
 
 A anch jDffice 
 
 OP THE 
 
 AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 
 Room No. 2 4 Bible H o n s e , 
 NEW YORK CITY- 
 
 Rev. JOHN ORCUTT, Secretary. 
 

 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
African Colonization 
 
 AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE 
 
 FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Jottman CMflimatiKni 
 
 HELD IN 
 
 Washington, D. C., January 19, 1869, 
 
 BY 
 
 Hon. Joseph J. Roberts, 
 
 President of Liberia College, and formerly for eight years President of the 
 
 Liberia Republic. 
 
 fr . J3ranch JDffice 
 
 OF THE 
 
 AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, 
 Roo in No. 24 Bible H ouse, 
 
 MOW YORK CITY. 
 
 I 
 
 t 
 
 Rev. JOHN 0RCUTT, Secretary. 
 
ADDRESS 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. JOSEPH J. EOBEHTS, 
 
 Ex- 1* resident of the I'rpublic of Liberia. 
 
 Mu. President : An annual meeting of the American Colonization 
 Society can nevefr fail, I prosumo, to bo an occasion of deep interest to 
 the friends of an enterprise so eminently philanthropic in all its purposes, 
 and particularly grand in its design to introduce the blessings of civiliza- 
 tion and Christianity into the waste places of long-neglected and deeply- 
 degraded Africa. On thou ) occasions, while the attention of the managers 
 of the affairs of the Society is specially drawn to a review of the labors 
 and results of the year immediately preceding, and to the adoption of 
 additional measures deemed desirable or necessary to the further prose- 
 cution of the undertaking, the minds of its patrons instinctively revert 
 to the great objects originally contemplated by the enterprise, and a 
 review of the progress that has been made in their definite accomplish- 
 ment. And in turning their thoughts to these on the present occasion, I 
 think there can be no question that, notwithstanding the stern opposition 
 encountered from certain quarters, in consequence of a total misappre- 
 hension of the true policy and objects of the Christian promoters of 
 African colonization, and tho embarrassments and discouragements 
 which have occasionally arisen from other causes during the progress of 
 tho enterprise, the friends of the cause have great reason to-day for con- 
 gratulation and thankfulness at tho wonderful success which has so far 
 attended their efforts — a success, I dare say, far beyond the most san- 
 guine expectation of those distinguished philanthropists who first gave 
 form and impulse to a scheme which, though surrounded by many diffi- 
 culties and apprehensions, they hoped and believed would, under Divine 
 Providence, eventuate in good and great results to a people they earnestly 
 desired to benefit. 
 
4 
 
 The scneme of African colonization is the offspring of a great Chris- 
 tian idea, which, more than half a century ago, fixed itself in the minds 
 of Drs. Finley and Thornton, Gen. Charles Fenton Mercer, Elias B. Cald- 
 well, Francis S. Key. and other kindred spirits, who deeply deplored the 
 oppression to which the people of color were subjected in this country, 
 and feeling profoundly impressed with the importance of devising some 
 plan by which the condition of a part of this people might be immedi- 
 ately and radically changed, and in such a way as to create a reflex 
 influence which would produce a salutary effect upon — as then existed — 
 the abominable institution of American slavery. Hence the organization 
 of the American Colonization Society, which you, Mr. President, and the 
 Board of Directors here present to-day. represent. Those pure and dis- 
 interested men, with a wise forethought which penetrated far into the 
 future, contemplated with earnest solicitude the accomplishment of designs 
 in respect to Africa, no less gigantic in their proportions than important 
 in their results; and it is not surprising that irresolute minds questioned 
 the ability of any mere private association to fulfill so great an under- 
 taking. 
 
 The programme of the founders of the American Colonization 
 Society, as I have always understood it, and which, as far as I know, 
 has not been departed from, was : 1st. To establish on the shores 
 of Africa an asylum where such of her scattered children as might 
 choose to avail themselves of it would find a free and happy home ; 
 and in this connection they would fairly test the capacity of the 
 African for self-government and the maintenance of free political 
 institutions. 2d. That through the instrumentality of a colony thus 
 established, composed of men who had themselves been the victims 
 of cruel servitude, additional facilities would be afforded for the extirpa- 
 tion of the slave trade, then rampant, with all its attendant horrors, at 
 nearly every prominent point along that Western coast. 3d. By means 
 of Christian settlements, in the midst of that barbarous people, to intro- 
 duce the blessings of civilization and Christianity among the heathen 
 tribes of that degraded land. 
 
 These were grand conceptions, embracing nothing less than the 
 founding of an empire with negro nationality', and the redemption of a 
 continent from pagan superstition and idolatry. Of course, a work of 
 such magnitude required large material resources and suitable men as 
 emigrants, to conduct it in a manner promising successful results. We 
 can, therefore, readily imagine the serious misgivings which must have 
 weighed heavily on the minds of those good men when they engaged in 
 an enterprise necessarily involving, in all its details, so many apprehen- 
 sions as to the future. But they were men of great faith and energy, 
 fully imbued with the spirit of their mission in behalf of humanity and 
 
5 
 
 religion, and, therefore, hesitated not to commit the success of their 
 undertaking to the direction and support of an all-wise Providence. 
 
 But it is not my purpose on this occasion to trace the history of tho 
 American Colonization Society, either in regard to the opposition it has 
 encountered, or the sympathy and care by which it has been fostered and 
 sustained during its long years of agency in promoting the civil, social, 
 and religious interests of Africa. The work of colonizing a people, under 
 the most favorable auspices, has always been attended with many difficul- 
 ties and discouragements; and, in the case of this Society, dependent 
 entirely upon voluntary, individual contributions for the means of prose- 
 cuting its enterprise, and also considering the remoteness of the country 
 to which its efforts were directed, it could not be otherwise than that its 
 progress in colonizing would be slow and peculiarly difficult. Neverthe- 
 less, with unfaltering perseverance, the Society has pursued its course, and 
 has already effected an amount of good that entitles it to the confidence 
 and generous support of the Christian public. And yet, even now, it is 
 sometimes asked : “ What has African colonization accomplished ? Have 
 tho labors, the sacrifices, and the means which have been expended pro- 
 duced such results as should satisfy the public mind of its practical utility 
 and probable ultimate success ?” These questions, to be sure, may not be 
 regarded as impertinent on the part of those who are really ignorant of 
 the history of African colonization, and what has actually been accom- 
 plished under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. And as 
 these questions have been put to me more than once during my present 
 visit to the United States, I don’t know that I can do better than to avail 
 myself of this occasion to present a brief statement of the rise and 
 progress of Liberia under the auspices of this Society, and then I shall 
 be content to allow those who seem to be in doubt as to the utility of Afri- 
 can colonization to settle the question in their own minds as to whether 
 the colonization enterprise is entitled to their confidence and support or 
 not. 
 
 As soon as practicable after the formal organization of the American 
 Colonization Society, and the necessary preliminary arrangements 
 towards planting a colony in Western Africa had been concluded, steps 
 were taken for sending forward the first company of emigrants to organize 
 a new civil society on that distant, barbarous coast. Therefore, early in 
 the year 1820, eighty-six persons, from the States of Pennsylvania, Vir- 
 ginia, Maryland, and New York, assembled in the city of New York, for 
 the purpose of embarking upon this new and perilous enterprise. It was 
 a profoundly anxious time, no less with the patrons of the Society than 
 with the emigrants. The friends of the Society were deeply concerned in 
 regard to the suitableness of the men about to be employed in so great 
 an undertaking, and where so much depended upon the adaptability of 
 
t 
 
 the materials thus engaged for the foundation of a new civil and political 
 superstructure. Doubtless their hopes and fears were about equally 
 balanced. On the part of the emigrants, as often related to me by Rev. 
 Elijah Johnson, the most prominent individual of the company, their 
 feelings wore greatly excited by conflicting emotions, which swayed to 
 and fro between the present and the future. They were about severing 
 all the ties of early associations, and many of them lea-sung comfortable 
 homes for a far-off land, wholly unbroken by civilization, and presenting 
 but few attractions — other than liberty dwelt there. They, therefore, 
 resolved to fleo a country which repudiated their manhood, and closed 
 against them every avenue to political preferment ; and, with their lives 
 in their hands, they determined to brave, not only the perils of the sea, 
 but every other danger and inconvenience consequent upon settling in a 
 new and heathen country, where they might establish for themselves and 
 their children, and, peradventure, for future generations, a home, under 
 governmental institutions, free from all the trammels of unequal law and 
 unholy prejudices. These were true men, stout of heart and firm of 
 purpose, and, in the sequel, proved themselves equal to the responsibili- 
 ties they had assumed, and fulfilled the most sanguine expectations of 
 their patrons and friends. 
 
 Our Christian pioneers — like the Pilgrim Fathers just two hundred 
 years before, when about to embark from Delft Haven, in search of a 
 more dcsirablo homo in the new world — by solemn and appropriate 
 religious services, committed themselves and their cause to the protect- 
 ing caro of Almighty God ; and, having completed all their arrangements 
 for the voyage, sailed from New York on board the good ship “Elizabeth,” 
 on the Gth day of February, 1820, and, in due time, were landed on the 
 coast of Africa, at the British colony of Sierra Leone. For obvious 
 reasons, it was not contemplated to incorporate these emigrants with the 
 inhabitants of this British colony ; and, therefore, early measures were 
 taken to remove them to Shcrbro Island, about one Hundred and twenty 
 miles south of Sierra Leone, where it was proposed to purchase lands 
 from the native chiefs, and organize a settlement, with the view of car- 
 rying out the original plans of the Society. This location, however, 
 proved to be exceedingly insalubrious, and in a short time, many of the 
 settlers were prostrated by disease. Having encountered hero many 
 difficulties and hardships, and finding their numbers greatly reduced by 
 deaths, the place was abandoned, and the survivors removed to Fourah 
 Bay, within the precincts of Sierra Leone. This first attempt was, of 
 course, discouraging, but tho emigrants faltered not in their purpose ; 
 and, being joined at Fourah Bay, in March, 1822, by another company 
 of pioneers, a second effort was determined upon at Capo Mesurado, 
 which had, in the meantime, been selected and purchased by Captain 
 
7 
 
 Stockton and Doctor Ayres —a location much more commanding and 
 eligible than the first, and, I have often thought, the very place of all 
 others on that coast, designed by Providence as the starting point of our 
 settlers. And in January, 1822, the colonists landed, and occupied a 
 little island, comprising about three acres of land, near the entranco of 
 the Mesurado liiver. This island, during its occupancy by the colonists, 
 was the scene of many stirring incidents, and several, as appeared to the 
 colonists, providential deliverances ; wherefore, in commemoration of 
 these, it bears the name of “Providence Island.” 
 
 They had been but a short time on this island, when the foreign 
 slave dealers, who were then conducting a large business in slaves at the 
 Cape, became convinced of the danger to which their trade was exposed 
 through the influence of the colonists, incited the natives to hostilities 
 against the new comers ; and, without any previous intimation, they 
 found themselves cut off from all communication with the main land, 
 whence they drew their only supply of fresh water. In this emergency, 
 they were providentially relieved by the kindness of a friendly chief, 
 who conveyed to them stealthily, at night, a sufficient quantity of water 
 to supply their pressing demands ; and this he continued for several 
 weeks. At this critical juncture, their public warehouse, with nearly all 
 their stores of provisions and merchandise, was consumed by fire, and 
 their utter ruin seemed now inevitable. But a remarkable incident, 
 occurring a few days after, greatly contributed to their relief, and, pos- 
 sibly, saved the little settlement from total destruction. A Spanish slave 
 schooner, in charge of an English prize crew, bound to Sierra Leone, was 
 unaccountably stranded in the harbor, but a short distance from the 
 island ; and the commanding officer, having saved a large portion of 
 the ship’s stores, readily supplied tho colonists with several articles 
 pressingly needed to replenish their almost-exhausted means of sub- 
 sistence. 
 
 After a while, through tho intervention of a friendly chief, a partial 
 reconciliation with the natives was effected, and tho colonists availed 
 themselves of the opportunity, April 25th, to gain a lodgment on Capo 
 Mesurado, where they placed themselves, as speedily as possible, in tho 
 best state of defense their means would allow. Tho natives, however, 
 urged on by the slavers, appeared still threatening in their demeanor. 
 The Society’s agents, under the conflicting aspect of things, became hopo- 
 lcssly discouraged, and proposed the abandonment of the enterprise, and 
 the return of the emigrants to the United States. But our old hero, 
 Elijali Johnson, was not so moved ; and, remembering something of the 
 history of the difficulties and hardships of tne early settlers of Plymouth 
 and Jamestown, and feeling that by perseverance and patient endurance 
 they, also, might succeed, answered : “ No ; I have been two years 
 searching for a home in Africa, and I have found it, and I shall stay 
 
8 
 
 here.” In this determination the whole company, as though moved by 
 some divine impulse, heartily concurred. Nevertheless, their situation 
 was extremely perilous ; the natives had again suspended all intercourse 
 with them, leaving them in a painful state of apprehension and suspense. 
 They knew, however, in whom they trusted, and upon whose strength 
 they might rely. The arrival in tho harbor, pending this uncertainty, of 
 a British man-of-war, was particularly opportune, and doubtless delayed 
 an attack upon the settlement, which, as was afterwards learned, had 
 been concerted. T]ie commander had an interview with the chiefs, and 
 strongly remonstrated against their course towards the settlers. They 
 listened sullenly, and replied evasively. The commander then tendered 
 to the colonists a small forge of marines, to aid in their defense, in case 
 of need, and, at the same time, suggested the cession of a few feet of 
 ground, on which to erect a British flag during his sojourn; but this, 
 Elijah Johnson, then in charge of the colony, declined, for the reason, as 
 he stated, ‘ ‘ that it might cost more to pull down that flag than to whip 
 the natives.” However, the services of the marines were not brought into 
 requisition. Thus matters continued, when, on the 9th of August, the 
 hearts of the settlers were cheered by the arrival of another small com- 
 pany of emigrants, with the intrepid and self-sacrificing Jehudi Ashmun, 
 who entered immediately on the duties of his office as agent of the Amer- 
 ican Colonization Society. Mr. Ashmun, having carefully surveyed the 
 situation, pushed forward with great energy the defenses of the settle- 
 ment, and in tho meantime, exerted every possible effort to reconcile the 
 natives. The slavers, however, becoming more intent upon the purpose 
 of ridding themselves of neighbors so inimical to their traffic, assembled 
 a council of chiefs, and, by most inhuman artifices, so excited their 
 cupidity as to induce King George, Chief King of the Dey tribe, to declare 
 his intention of sacking and burning the settlement. 
 
 Intelligence of this declaration, and of the preparations being made 
 for carrying it into effect, reached the settlers, through a friendly native, 
 who, at great personal hazard, found the means of advising them from 
 time to time of what was going on. Our brave pioneers, with breathless anx- 
 iety, awaited the impending struggle, when, at early dawn, on the morn- 
 ing of the 11th of November, about eight hundred warriors, with deafen- 
 ing whoops, fell upon them with great fury. They were met, however, 
 with steady fii’mness, and repulsed with considerable loss. The colo- 
 nists again breathed freely in the hope that their most serious troubles 
 were now fully ended. But not so. King George, with great secrecy, 
 collected another and greatly augmented force, intending to surprise the 
 settlement on all sides, and thus make the settlers an easy prey. Hap- 
 pily for them, their good fortune in this oxtremity failed them not. Bob 
 Grey, an influential chief of Grand Bassa, whom King George had 
 attempted to enlist in his second attack, and who knew all his plans, con- 
 
9 
 
 veyed to Mr. Ashmun timely information of all George’s arrangements, 
 and even named the day on -which the attack would likely be made. 
 
 Now, another very serious embarrassment presented itself. In the 
 last fight the settlers had expended a largo portion of their ammunition, 
 especially powder; and how and where to obtain an additional supply cf 
 this needed article were questions of the deepest concern. No trading 
 vessel had \isited the harbor for some time ; and despair began to dispel 
 hope, when relief came in a very remarkable manner. During night, 
 while an English trading vessel was passing the Cape, the attention of 
 the master was attracted by frequent reports of musketry on shore, which 
 seemed to him singular at so late an hour, and, wishing to learn the 
 cause, turned and entered the harbor, and, in the morning, ascertained 
 that the natives had been indulging, through the night, a grand war- 
 dance — usual on such occasions when preparing for war. Unobserved 
 by the natives, a sufficient supply of powder was obtained from this 
 vessel. 
 
 The dreaded time, as advised by Bob Grey, having arrived, sure 
 enough, during the night of the 1st of December 1822, the native troops 
 occupied positions on three sides of the settlement, as they supposed, 
 unobserved ; and in the gray of morning rushed, like so many demons, 
 upon the almost defenseless stockade. But the colonists, with unflinching 
 courage, notwithstanding the fearful odds against them, defended them- 
 selves bravely; and after a desperate conflict of several hours, found them- 
 selves again wonderfully preserved. I say wonderfully, because on this 
 occasion the colonists seem to have exerted superhuman strength and 
 powers of endurance, for there were only thirty -five effective men opposed 
 to a host of not less than fifteen hundred native troops. Some of the 
 soul-stirring incidents and acts of real heroism on that memorable day 
 would, I presume, if mentioned here, scarcely be credited. 
 
 A day of thanksgiving was proclaimed, which the colonists strictly 
 observed in prayer and praise to Almighty God for His wonderful deliv- 
 erance. 
 
 But King George and his slave-trading prompters were not yet sat- 
 isfied. He again consulted his “ gree-grees,” and being again reassured 
 of success, he determined on another attempt ; and to place success this 
 time beyond peradventure, he would employ a force sufficiently large 
 to overwhelm and destroy the colony, without the possibility of escape. 
 "With this view, he sought to engage the services of King Boatswain, 
 of Boporo, the most powerful and dreaded chieftain in that region. At 
 his invitation, King Boatswain, with a large retinue of warriors, made a 
 visit to King George, which was protracted several days, causing the 
 colonists extreme anxiety. King George, however, could present no just 
 ground of complaint against the colonists therefore, Boatswain not only 
 condemned his unprovoked enmity toward them, but, in very decided 
 
10 
 
 terms, announced his determination to protect them in their new home. 
 King Boatswain then called on Mr. Ashmun, informed him of the re- 
 sult of his interview with King George, and assured him of his friend- 
 ship. Neiter Mr. Ashmun nor King George mistrusted King Boatswain's 
 sincerity, and very soon a good understanding was established with all 
 the surrounding tribes. 
 
 Now was settled definitely the question of a permament asylum. Liberia 
 was established. Emigration increased ; intercourse and trade with the 
 natives also increased ; new settlements were formed ; and in a few 
 years the colony assumed an importance which secured to it several im- 
 portant immunities. 
 
 Yet many hardships and serious embarrassments had to be encoun- 
 tered. The unhealthiness of the climate was a formidable enemy; and 
 the slave-traders along the coast ceased not their tamperings with the 
 native cheifs to incite them to acts of hostility against the colony. 
 
 But the time arrived when the colonists found themselves in a situation 
 sufficiently advanced, not only to frustrate the machinations of these 
 fiendish plotters, but to put in execution also their own long-cherished 
 purpose of doing all in their power to extirpate a traffic which, aside from 
 the extreme cruelties of the middle passage, had, for many years afflicted 
 Africa with all the attendant consequences of war, rapine, and murder. 
 
 On the execution of this purpose the colonists-entered with a hearty 
 good-will ; and, besides efficient service rendered from time to time by 
 foreign cruisers then employed in suppressing the slave-trade on that 
 coast, the slave barracoons at Mamma Town, Little Cape Mount, Little 
 Bassa, New Cestors, and Trade Town, were demolished, and thousands of 
 slaves liberated, solely by the power of the little Commonwealth ; and 
 there was no relaxation of this purpose until every slaver had been ex- 
 pelled from the whole line of coast now comprehended within -tlie*territo- 
 rial jurisdiction of Liberia. 
 
 During these years, all that related to the public welfare and general 
 progress of the colony received proper attention. The Society’s agents 
 devoted themselves assiduously to the Govermental interests of the colony^ 
 and the colonists to their respective industrial pursuits, with a zeal and 
 activity truly commendable. 
 
 As immigration increased, new points of the coast were selected and 
 occupied. {Settlements were formed at Junk River, Grand Bassa, Sinoe, 
 and Cape Palmas; and soon a lucrative legitimate trade began to develop 
 itsoll between the colonists and the natives 
 
 In the meantime, the religious and educational interests of the people 
 were not only :ot neglected, but every possible means were employed to 
 extend and. improve these ; and it is with feelings of profound gratitude 
 I allude to the met that Liberia is to-day greatly indebted to the several 
 Missionary Societies of tho United States for the timoly and efficient 
 
11 
 
 efforts made in behalf of colonists and natives to advance these essential 
 interests ; and I shall hope that these Societies will continue their Chris- 
 tian offorts until Africa, poor degraded Africa, shall bo wholly redeemed 
 from her present state of cruel barbarism. 
 
 Under tho fostering caro and political guidance of the American Colo- 
 nization Society, Liberia continued to advance in. all her important 
 interests. Her territorial limits increased by purchases from native 
 ^ chiefs, who were glad to place themselves and their people under the 
 protection of the Colonial Government. A profitable trade, in African 
 products, along tho Liberian coast, soon attracted the attention of enter- 
 prising merchants in Europe, and in the United States ; foreign vessels 
 made frequent visits to Liberian ports ; and for many years this commer- 
 cial intercourse was reciprocally remunerative and harmonious. But the 
 timo came when certain British traders repudiated the right of the Colo- 
 nial Government to require of them the payment of custom duties on 
 merchandise landed at points where, for centuries, British merchants had 
 been accustomed to trade ; and also claimed to have purchased from the 
 natives, with tho perpetual right of free trade, certain tracts of land, for 
 trading purposes, before the territories embracing said tracts were pur- 
 chased and brought within the jurisdiction of Liberia. The Government, 
 of course, declined to recognize these demands as paramount to its polit- 
 ical authority, and therefore continued to enforce its revenue laws. These 
 traders invoked the interference of British naval officers serving on the 
 coast ; these offices, after unavailing remonstrances, submitted the ques- 
 tion to the British Government ; that Government demanded a full con- 
 cession of the immunities claimed by British subjects. A long and per- 
 plexing correspondence ensued between British naval officers, acting 
 under special instructions from their Government, and the Colonial 
 authorities. Her Majesty’s Government maintained that, as the Amer- 
 ican Colonization Society, composed of mere private individuals, possessed 
 no political power, and of consequence could delegate no such power to 
 others ; and as the levying of imposts is the prerogative of a sovereign 
 power only, and as Liberia had no recognized national existence, she 
 must, therefore, desist from all interruptions to the free intercourse of 
 British commerce. And the Liberian authorities were given distinctly 
 to understand that this decision would be enforced by tho British navy. 
 
 Under this emphatic announcement, but one alternative remained open 
 •to tho colonists, and this involved questions of the gravest importance, 
 which awakened in Liberia, as well as on the part of its friends in this 
 country, most serious reflections. For two years or more, the subject was 
 under constant and earnest consideration; when, in January, 1846, the 
 American Colonization Society, by a formal vote, recommended that the 
 colonists “take into their own hands the whole work of self-government, 
 and publish to the world a declaration of their true character as a sov- 
 
12 
 
 ereign independent State.” The following October, the colonists also 
 voted to dissolve their political connection with the Society, and to assume 
 the entire responsibility of government, with independent sovereign power. 
 A Constitution, adapted to the new order of things, having been adopted, 
 by delegates assembled in Convention for the purpose, July 26, 1847, and 
 duly ratified by the people the following September, the Government was 
 thus reorganized, and entered, with some misgivings to be sure, upon its 
 new career and increased responsibilities. 
 
 Its recognition by other Powers now claimed the earliest attention, and 
 without delay measures were taken to this end by soliciting of foreign 
 Governments an interchange of friendly national relations. And, within 
 a year after the new organization, England, France, Prussia, and Belgium 
 had acknowledged the independence of the new Republic ; and shortly 
 afterwards treaties of friendship, amity, and commerce were concluded 
 with the two former. 
 
 In the meantime, the domestic affairs of the country had progressed as 
 satisfactorily as might reasonably be expected. Several matters of dispute 
 between native chiefs were adjusted and settled ; public improvements 
 were extended ; agriculture and commerce increased ; and the people had 
 steadily advanced in all the essentials of civilized life. Nevertheless, in 
 the midst of this evident progress, many difficulties and embarrassments 
 had to be met and overcome. Occasional predatory incursions of the 
 natives had to be checked and sometimes severely punished by the mili- 
 tary power of the Government ; and foreign traders also, particularly 
 British, caused the Government much trouble and annoyance. But, in 
 the order of a beneficent Providence, all were successfully accomplished, 
 and the majesty of the laws eventually maintained. 
 
 From the beginning, the people of Liberia, with a commendable zeal 
 and firmness, pursued a steady purpose towards the fulfillment of the 
 great objects of their mission to Africa. They have established on her 
 shores an asylum free from political oppression, and from all the disabil- 
 ities of an unholy prejudice; they have aided essentially in extirpating 
 the slave-trade from the whole line of her Western coast ; they have 
 introduced the blessings of civilization and Christianity among her heathen 
 population ; and I may also assume that by their entire freedom from all 
 insubordination or disregard of lawful authority, and by their successful 
 diplomacy with England, France, and Spain, on matters involving very 
 perplexing international questions, they have indicated some ability, at 
 least, for self-government and the management of their own public affairs. 
 
 An d just here — as I find that exceptions are pretty generally taken in 
 this country to the exclusion of whites from all participation in the Govern- 
 ment of Liberia — I may remark that this provision in the organic law of 
 the Republic was not prompted by any feelings of prejudice against white 
 men, but was desirable more especially for the reason that the colonists 
 
13 
 
 would retain in their own hands the whole control of the Government 
 until they should fully demonstrate the problem as to their ability to 
 conduct the affairs of a State. And, Mr. President, this, I suppose, may 
 now be accounted as settled. The Republic of Liberia is now a fixed 
 fact, with all the elements of free institutions and self-government, em- 
 bracing within her territorial limits, at the present time, about six hund- 
 red miles of sea-coast, and an interior over which she may readily ac- 
 quire an almost unlimited jurisdiction whenever she shall bo prepared to 
 occupy it. Within her political jurisdiction is a population of' not less 
 than six hundred thousand souls. Of this number fifteen thousand emi- 
 grated from the United States and other civilized countries ; about four 
 thousand recaptured Africans, and the remainder aboriginal inhabitants, 
 and of these, hundreds have been hopefully Christianized, and many have 
 become, in their civilized habits, so assimilated to the Americo-Liberians, 
 that a stranger would not readily on the streets discriminate between 
 them. 
 
 In the four counties of the Republic are thirteen flourishing civilized 
 towns and villages, with their churches, school-houses, and comfortable 
 dwellings ' many of these constructed of stone and brick, and not only 
 imposing in their external structure, but actually possessing all the neces- 
 sary comforts and many of the conveniences of modern times ; and reflect 
 much credit upon the industry and enterprise of their occupants. 
 
 The developments of agriculture and commerce are no less conspicuous. 
 The agricultural settlements, especially along the banks of the rivers, 
 present most encouraging prospects. Besides an increased and steadily 
 increasing production of all minor articles, sugar and coffee (to the growth 
 of which the climate and soil are admirably adapted) are being exten- 
 sively cultivated ; and large quantities of both are now T annually exported 
 to foreign markets. 
 
 Commerce has more astonishingly increased. I can remember when 
 not more than thirty or forty tons of palm-oil, and perhaps as many tons 
 of cam-wood, could be collected in a year, for export, along the whole line 
 of coast now embraced in Liberia. The last year, though I have not at 
 hand the official statistics, I may 6afely say, not less than six hundred 
 tons of cam-wood, twelve hundred tons of palm-oil, and two hundred tons 
 of palm-kernels were included in the exports of the Republic. And 
 these articles of commercial enterprise and wealth are capable of being 
 increased to almost any extent. 
 
 Ship-building for the coast- wise trade has become quite a business in 
 each of the counties. Last year three Liberian vessels, of foreign build, 
 were dispatched for Liverpool with full cargoes of palm-oil, cam-wood, 
 and ivory. 
 
 I could heartily wish that the cause of civilization and Christianity, 
 among the aboriginal tribes of that country, had advanced with equally 
 
14 
 
 rapid strides as that of commerce ; nevertheless, much real good has 
 been accomplished in that direction also. Devoted missionaries from the 
 United States have labored earnestly, many of them even sacrificing 
 their lives in efiorts to promote the Christian welfare of that people. 
 Among the Amerieo-Liberians their Christian civilization has always 
 been an object of deep solicitude. And it is a source of peculiar 
 satisfaction to know that the Christian efforts in their behalf havo not 
 been fruitless. It is no uncommon thing even now, and all times a most 
 pleasing spectacle, to see so many of these people, once the blind victims 
 of heathenish superstition and idolatry, bowing side by side with their 
 Americo-Liberia brethern at the same Christian altar, and worshippino- 
 the only true God. Nay. even more, there are now native Christian 
 ministers and teachers in Liberia who are laboring successfully in the 
 cause of Christ. Most of these native ministers and teachers, members 
 respectively of the several Christian denominations, are men of see min gly 
 deep piety, and very respectable acquirements and talents. If time per- 
 mitted, I might particularize several of these, as well as other native 
 converts, who, as citizens of the Republic, have distinguished themselves 
 for usefulness, not only in the ordinary walks of life, but also in official 
 positions under the Government. I may, however, allude to a single 
 case : that of a nativo gentleman, who, about twenty-five years ago, then 
 a heathen lad. was admitted into a Methodist mission school at Monrovia, 
 where he received the first impressions of civilization, and acquired the 
 rudiments of an English education ; and who is now an acceptable mem- 
 ber of the Liberia Annual Conference, and an influential member of the 
 Legislature of the Republic. And yet, Mr. President, there are those who 
 inquire, “What has African colonization accomplished Well, my own 
 conviction, confirmed by many years’ experience in nearly all that relates 
 to colonization and Liberia, is, that African colonization has accomplished 
 a work unparalleled, as far as my knowledge goes, by anything in the 
 history of modern times. 
 
 I rejoice to meet here to-night so many distinguished Christian 
 philanthropists who, for these many years, have devoted much of their 
 time and substance to this noble enterprise ; and 1 may be pardoned, I 
 trust, in expressing the sincere satisfaction it affords me in seeing present 
 at this meeting that old, devoted, and self-sacrificing friend of Africa 
 and of African colonization, the Rev. R R Gurley who, by his burn- 
 ing eloquence, in the days of his early manhood, and at times when this 
 great Society seemed to languish under depressing discouragements, 
 would stir the hearts of Christians in its behalf, and kindle there a flame 
 of generous benevolence which would give new life and energy to tne 
 great undertaking ; and, still more, not content to rely wholly on the 
 testimony of others in regard to the actual condition of the infant colony, 
 and to satisfy himself more fully as to its future prospects, he visited 
 
15 
 
 Liberia several times, and on two occasions was enabled to render im- 
 portant service to the little Commonwealth. I am happy to say that the 
 people of Liberia to-day entertain towards our good friend, Mr. Gurley, 
 sentiments of the highest regard and esteem ; and, I may also add, to- 
 ward this Society, feelings of profound gratitudo. But, Mr. President, 
 I was about to say that these long and tried friends of African coloniza- 
 tion entertain no doubts as to the immense benefits conferred upon 
 Africa through the instrumentality of this Society, and who can now look 
 back with profound satisfaction upon the cheering results of their individ- 
 ual efforts in the cause of God and humanity. 
 
 So much then for the past and present of Liberia. So far, God has 
 graciously vouchsafed to her on occasions of threatened danger and 
 extreme peril, deliverances which no human forethought or mere human 
 power could possibly have averted or rescued her from. He has won- 
 derfully sustained and prospered all her essential interests. What, then, 
 may we not hope and reasonably expect as to the future ? My own 
 convictions are that Heaven has great things in store for Africa, to be 
 conferred doubtless through the instrumentality of Liberia. 
 
 While Liberia is emphatically the offspring of American benevolence 
 and Christian philanthropy, and while the friends of African colonization 
 have great reason to bo proud of its achievements, it is no less clear in 
 my mind that the colonization enterprise was conceived in accordance 
 with a Divine purpose, looking to the redemption and elevation of a 
 people long enchained in the shackles of cruel barbarism. And, if this 
 be so, Liberia is evidently designed to a glorious future ; and that it is 
 so, her past history seems clearly to indicate, for we find there so many 
 evidences of Divine favor we are forced to the conclusion that Providence 
 lias not done so much for nothing. And besides, in the ordinary course 
 of human affairs, there seems to me no reason whatever why Liberia may 
 not continue to prosper, and go on to distinguish herself in all that 
 adorns civil society and tends to national greatness. 
 
 The country possesses certainly all iho natural advantages common 
 to most other countries, and in the means of animal subsistence, perhaps 
 superior to any other. I am aware that this beneficence of nature may 
 bo regarded as a very questionable advantage, as it sends greatly to pro- 
 mote indolent habits. But this, I may safely say, no country in the world 
 better remunerates labor, and especially the labors of the husbandman, 
 than Liberia. 
 
 The interior presents a country inviting in all its aspects : a fine 
 rolling country, abounding iD streams and rivulets; forests of timber in 
 great variety, abundance, and usefulness ; and I have no doubt ^quite 
 salubrious, being free from the miasmatic influences of the mungrove 
 swamps near the coast. 
 
 The commercial resources of Liberia, even at the present time, 
 
16 
 
 though scarcely commenced to be developed, are of sufficient importance 
 to induce foreigners, American and European, to locate in the Eepublic 
 for the purposes of trade. And I verily believe the agricultural and 
 commercial sources of wealth in Western aud Central Africa are far 
 beyond the most carefully studied speculations of those even who are 
 best acquainted with the nature and capacity of the country. The 
 development of these will continue to progress, and must, in the very 
 nature of things, secure to Liberia great commercial importance ; and 
 this will bring her citizens into such business relations with the peoples 
 of other portions of the world as will insure to them that consideration 
 which wealth, learning, and moral worth never fail to inspire. 
 
 With what rapidity Liberia shall progress in her future career is 
 a question involving several considerations; and, doubtless, the most 
 important among these is a strict adherence by her people to the 
 principles of true Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who disposes 
 all things according to His own will. Of course, much also depends upon 
 additional help from the United States to aid in advancing still more 
 rapidly the civilizing and Christianizing her present aboriginal popula- 
 tion, and so prepare them for greater usefulness as citizens of the Re- 
 public ; and this work shall go on penetrating into the interior, until 
 other heathen tribes shall bo brought within tlio scope of Christian civil- 
 ization and incorporated in the Eepublic, thus forming an African nation- 
 ality that will command the respect of the civilized world. All this I be- 
 lieve to be entirely practicable. I believe Heaven designs that Africa 
 shall be redeemed ; that the light of the Gospel of Christ shall shine 
 there ; that her great natural resources shall be developed ; that she 
 ■shall take rank with other States and Empires ; that she shall have a 
 literature and a history. Is there any reason why all this may not come 
 to pass ? I trow not. Liberia has already made rapid strides — now in 
 treaty relations with thirteen foreign Powers, including the United States. 
 Then, surely, wo have every reason to hope and believe that a kind Prov- 
 idence will continue to watch over all her interests, and that her future 
 career will be equally progressive. 
 
 I know, Mr. President, you believe the Divine decree, that “ Ethiopia 
 shall stretch out her hands unto God doubtless all Christians believe 
 this. Would, then, that Christians throughout these United States, and 
 indeed all Christendom, fully appreciated the responsibility they are un- 
 der to aid in the fulfillment of this inspired prophecy ; then, surely, this 
 Society, under whose auspices so much is being dono toward the further- 
 ance of that grand event, could not fail to receive that sympathy and sup- 
 port necessary to the efficient prosecution of an enterprise which promises 
 so much real good to Africa- 
 
The subscriber, as Secretary of the American Colonization Society at 
 Washington, D. C., came to New York in April, 18G7, by invitation, to 
 labor in behalf of said Society ; and, finding encouragement, his labors were 
 continued, with some necessary interruptions, through the year. During 
 the latter part of this period, valuable assistance was rendered in the work 
 by Hon. G. P. Disosway, Secretary of the New York State Colonization 
 Society. 
 
 With a view to obtain an expression of feeling from some of the 
 leading friends of the cause in regard to a continuation of this agency in 
 / the State, a paper was prepared and circulated for signatures — of which 
 
 the following is a copy : 
 
 New Yotsk, May, 1868. 
 
 The undersigned, gratified at the success of the efforts made in this 
 State during the past year by the American Colonization Society to awaken 
 a new interest in the cause of African Colonization, and believing the 
 plan that has been adopted to be the best that can be pursued, desire said 
 Society to continue its agency in the State. It is also our earnest wish that 
 Hon. G. P. Disosway be retained as Secretary of the State Society, to 
 co-operate with the parent Society’s agency in its efforts for the further 
 promotion of the great and good cause. 
 
 MOSES ALLEN’, 
 BENJAMIN I. HAIGHT, 
 HIRAM KETCH CM, 
 GARDINER SPRING, 
 ALMON MEKWIN, 
 WILLIAM J. R. TAYLOR, 
 T. RALSTON SMITH, 
 
 J. H. BROWNING, 
 
 JOHN STEWARD, 
 
 JOHN A. STEWART, 
 
 J. S. LORD, 
 
 WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, 
 ERASTUS CORNING, 
 JOHN SXIKFEN, Jk., 
 JOSEPH HOLDICH, 
 
 JOHN N. McLEOD, 
 
 S. D. DENISON, 
 ZACHARY EDDY, 
 
 H. K. BULL, 
 
 H. K. CORNING, 
 
 HENRY YOUNG, 
 AMBROSE K. ELY, 
 
 S. 1RENAUS PRIME, 
 
 J. D. WELLS, 
 
 ELBERT S. PORTER, 
 
 A. A. CHURCH, 
 WILLIAM BLACK, 
 NICHOLAS D. HERDER, 
 H. G. MARQUAND, 
 
 R. M. OLYPHANT, 
 
 D. S. GREGORY, 
 
 JAMES C. HOLDEN, 
 
 E. 0. COOK, 
 
 DUNCAN CAMPBELL, 
 
 J. W. HARPER, 
 
 S. B. STEWART, 
 
 THEODORE L. MASON.