\«3l GIass_JLAM. ^^'^ or A STATEMENT OF FACTS RESPECTING THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, /7V AND THE COLONY AT LIBERIA BY THE MASSACHUSETTS COLONIZATION SOCIETY SECOITD EDITIOIT. ^' U.S.A. PRINCETON, N. J. PRINTED IJYWM. d'hART. 1831. ADVERTiSEMErsT. Most of the facts in the following pages have been copied from a pamphlet recently published by the Massachusetts Colonization Society with especial reference to the Fourth of July. Thry are intended for the use of clergymen and all others who may be willing to address public assemblies in behalf of the American Colonization Society, but who have not leisure to collect authentic information respecting the plans and proceedings of that Society. A similar pamphlet was published the last year at Andover, Mass., and was productive of much good to the cause Immense benefit has already resulted from Fourth of July addresses on this subject. A flood of light has thus been ppured upon the forlorn condition of our colored population; and liberal contributions have been made for their relief. On the last anniversary almost 11,000 dollars were collected — a sum sufficient to transport 550 emigrants to Liberia. Will not clergymen of all denominations throughout the land, stand pre- pared, either on that day, or on the Sabbatli precedmg or following, to plead in then- behalf? If there be a single enterprise of this age, combining all the motives which can move the heart of man, it is that which looks to the well- being of the African? Justice and mercy, obligation and interest, the voice of humanitv within us, the voice of eternal justice from the heavens, the cries of two millions of suffering men in our own land, the claims of six'y millions in Africa, for whom Christ died — all speak to us with an earnestness, which cannot without guilt be disregarded. A proposal has been made to the public through the medium of many res- pectable periodicals, that the neglected claims of Africa be presented lo the children of Sabbath Schools throughout the land on the approaching Fourth of July. We hope this proposal will meet with universal approbation. — Should the youth of our nation thus assemble to bestow their sympathies and their charities upon these children of want and wretchedness among us, would tlicy not carry through life a disposition to cherish kinder feelings towards the African race? Besides, one tent from every Sabbath School Scholar in the United States wonld amount to more than 6,000 dollars. ? STATEMENT OF FACTS. Formation ajid object of the Socicti/. This Society was foiiiiecl at Washington, December 1S16. It owes its origin principally to tlie philanthropic efforts of General Mercer of Virginia, the Rev. Dr. Finley of New Jersey, the Rev. S. J. Mills, and a few others of a kindred spirit. " The object to which its attention is to be exclusively directed, is to promote and execute a plan of colonizing (with their own consent) the free people of color residing in our coinitry, in Africa, or such other place as Congress shall deem most expedient." [Article 2d of the Constitution.] Number of AuxUiary Societies. In Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Jerse}^, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, auxi- liary State Societies have been formed. Besides these about two hundred County and Town Auxiliaries have been reported. Income of the Society. It has hitherto had no assistance from the General Government : yet its annual reports exhibit a gradual increase in the sums received! in eight years, from 1821 to 1828 inclusive, the amount of donations was $82,164 72. During the )'ear 1829 tlie receipts anuounted to $20,295 61 And in 1830 the amount received was $26,573 51 . Patronized hy Legislatures and Distinguished Men. The Legislatures of fourteen States have passed resolutions ap- proving the object of the Society, and reconnneuding a system of foj-eign colonization. These States are New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delawaie! Maryland, Virginia. Georda. Tennessee. Kentuckv. Ohio and Indi' 4 ana. The Legislature of Lousiana have the same muler consider- ation. Estahlishmenl of Uie Colony. In December, 1821, Dr. Eh Ayres, with Captain Stockton, of the United States Navy, purchased the whole of Montserado, and a most valuable tract of land on the river of the same name. The first settlers arrived at the Colony in June, 1822. In this year Mr. Ash- mun took charge of the Colony as Agent. To his zealous and per- severing efforts is the Colony greatly indebted for its prosperity and success. He died at New Haven, August 1828, exhausted with the toils and fatigues he had endured, in giving strength and stability to the infant setdemcnt. Dr. Richard Randall succeeded him. Dr. R. died soon after his arrival. Dr. Mechlin is the present agent. The population of the Colony is about 2000. Favorable Location of the Colony. Cape Montserado lies in about the sixth degree of north latitude. The first purchased territory presents the form of a tongue of land, twelve miles in extent. In 1825 Mr. Ashmun purchased of the natives an extensive and fertile tract of country, extending nine miles on the coast, from the Montserado to the St. Paul's, and in- definitely in the interior. The Montserado is three hundred miles in length. The St. Paul's is a noble river half a mile wide at its mouth; its waters are sweet, its banks fertile, and it is connected with Mont- serado by Stockton creek. To the original territory additions have been made, as the growing wants of the Colony, actual, or anticipa- ted, required. The country thus obtained, embraces large tracts of fertile land, capable of yielding all the rich and varied products of the tropics ; possessing great commercial advantages, with an extent of sea-coast from one hundred and fifty to two hundred miles, and en- joying a salubrious climate, well adapted to the negro constitution, and not so fatal to that of the whites as many thickly peopled parts of the United States. » The location of Monrovia is the most deliglitful that can be im- agined."* Fertility of the Soil. The colonists themselves, in an address to the free people of color in the United States, August 1827, say, " A more fertile soil, and a more productive country, so far as it is cultivated, there is not, we believe on the face the earth. Its hills and its plains are covered '■'" Dr. Randall's Letter, 1828. with a verdure which never fades. The productions of nature keep on in their growth through all the seasons of the year. Even the natives of the country, ahnost without farming tools, without skilly and w ith very little labor, make more grain and vegetables than they can consume, and often more than they can sell." " We have no dreary winter here, for one half of the year to consume the produc- tions of the other half. Nature is constantly renewing herself, and constantly pouring her treasures all the year round into the laps of the industrious." "The extent of fertile land is capable, with very moderate indus- try, of supporting a gn a' increase of popidation, not the one hundreth part of that we have passed over being made any use of whatever."* "The lands on both sides of Stockton creek are of the very best quality, being a rich, light alluvion, etiual in every lespect to the best lands on the southern rivers of the United States."t AgricuUure of the Colony. Animah. — "We have," says Mr. Ashinun, in 1827, "horses, cattle in abundance, sheep, goats in abundance, fowls, ducks, geese, guinea fowls, swine in plenty. Fish nowhere found in greater abundance. " Fruits, — Plantains, bananas in great abundance, limes, lemons, tamarinds, oranges, soiuso'p, cashew, mangoe, twenty varieties of the prune, guava, pawpaw, pine apple, grape, tropical peach and cherry. " Vegetables. — Sweet potatoes, cassada, yams, cocoa, ground- nuts, arrow root, egg plant, ocra, every variety of beans, and most sorts of peas, cucumbers, pumpkins. " Grains. — Rice, Indian corn, coflee of an excellent quality, pep- per of three varieties, of which either is equal to the Cayenne, millet and Guinea corn." Commercial Advantages. Francis Devany, sheriff of the Colony, an emancipated slave w^lio went to the Colony seven years ago, testified before a committee of Congress, May 1830, that he had accumulated property to the amount of $20,000, and that Waring, another Colonist, had sold goods to the amount of $70,000 in a year. Two of the Colonist's own vessels, both of which would be engaged in commerce with this country, but for w^ant of a national flag. They now export chiefly dye-woods, hides, ivory, gold, pa!m-oil and rice. They receive in exchange, cotton cloth, tol)acco, |K)wder, and arms. The nett profits on the two articles of dye-wood and ivory, passing through the hands of the settlers at Liberia from Jan. 1st 1826, to * Tuckey's E.xpedition to the Congo, p. lOn. f Dr. Randall- 6 June 15th, 1826, was ^30,786. Eight vessels traded to the coloii\- lioni Pliiladelphia last year, one bearing a cargo woitli $25,000. Mew- York Daily Advertiser. Climate. " 1 am much pleased," says Dr. Randall, " with the climate, lo- cation, fertility, and population of Liberia. The climate is, at this season, [December 28,] most delightful. It is not very warm durino- the day, and at night it is cool enough to sleep with comfort under a blanket." " I consider the town of Monrovia quite as healthy as any of our southern cities, and the other settlement on the Stockton and the Saint Paul's, have even a better reputation for health. I am the more convinced, from all I see and hear, that with proper precautions, and even modeiate prudence, emigrants may come fiom any of the northern States, with but little risk from the effects of the climate. " What has proved so very destructive to the new comers is expo- sure to the sun — carelessness during sickness, both as it regards diet and exposure."* "After examination and reflection, T honestly think that the cli- mate presents all those obstacles which are the natural productions of a tropical soil, uncleared and uncultivated, but that they will yield to proper precautions ; and that nothing can prevent the con- summation of your wishes, but limited means, bad counsels, or feeble efforts."! " In the early j^ears of the colony, want of good houses, the great fatigues and dangers of the settlers, their irregidar mode of living and the hardships and discouragements they met with, greatly helped the other causes of sickness, which prevailed to an alarming extent, and was attended wilh great mortality. But we look back to those times as to a season long past and forgotten. Our houses and cir- cumstances are now comfortable — and for the last two or three years not one person in forty from the middle and southern States has died from the change of climate."1: Mr. Ashnum remarks, " I will only say of the healthiness of Montserado, that no situation in Western Afiica can be more salubii- ous. The sea air does all that can be done for it in this climate. One peculiarity is, that the night air is nearly as pure as any other." Gover-imieiit. ■' Our laws are altogether our own ; they grew out of our circum- stances ; are formed for our exclusive benefit, and administered either * Mr. Russwnrni's letter, 1829. f Captain Stockton's Letter totiic Committee of the Colonization Society, .Tiilv, 1821. + Address of the Colonists, 1827. 7 i,v olVicevs 01 our own appointment, or sucli as possess our eontidence. \Ve have a judiciary, chosen from among ourseh^es ; we serve as iurors in the' trial of others ; and are liable lo be tried only by juries of our fellow citizens, ourselves. We have all that is meant by liberty of conscience ; the time and motle of worshipping Gotl, as prescribed us in his word, and dictated by our conscience, we are not only free to follow, but are protected in following.''* '= What my sensations were upon landing, I can hardly describe. This town, (Monrovia) contains double the number of houses I ex- pected. The colonists appear to be thriving. You here behold colored men exercising all the duties of officers, which you can scarcely believe, many fulfilling their important trusts with much dio-nity. We have a republic in miniature, 't Literary Advantages. From the settlement of the colony, the interests of education have been promoted as far as circumstances would permit. In 1827, six schools in successful operation. The Managers of the Society, in ac- cordance with the wishes of the colonists, have recently determined to adopt more vigorous measures, to secure the education of every child in the colony. A permanent school house is to be immediately erected in each of the colonial towns, Monrovia, Caldwell, Millsburg. A newspaper has been estabhshed at Monrovia, entitled "The Liberia Herald.' It is conducted with great spirit, by Mr. Russxvamn, one of the colonists, and a late graduate of Bowdoin College. Ileligious state of the Colony. There is at the present time, a Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyte- rian society in the colony. The Missionary Society of Basle, Switz- erland, has three missionaries in the Colony. Divine service is regularly attended on Sunday paud on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Sunday schools are also well attended. Several men of color are now preparing to go out as ministers and teachers, under the patronage of the Protestant Episcopal Missionaiy Society of the United States. The colony if prospered, is destined to exert a very happy influence in spreading Christianity and civilization over the whole continent of Africa. Many tribes in the vicinity are earnestly desirous of re- ceiving religious instruction. One of them numbers a population of 125,000, speaking the same language. Four tribes, with their kings, have put themselves under the protection of the colony. Other tribes wish to avail themselves of the same privilege. The colony is rapid * Address of the Colonists. t Extract from Mr. Russwurm's Letter, November, 1829. 8 ty exiendiug its iiiHuence over all the tribes in the interior. One hundred children, from the neighboring clans arc attending school at Liberia . Means of defence. The colonists have organized six volunteer companies, containing 500 men. They have twenty pieces of cannon, and small arms enough to ec[uip a thousand men. A fort has been erected, and, though still in an imperfect state, has already afforded protection to an English vessel from the pursuit of a pirate. Progress of the l^ciety and Colony during 1830. One State and about 99 County and Town Auxiliary Societies, were formed during the last yc ar. The income of the parent So ciety during the same period, exceeded that of any former year, by more than six thousand dollars. Four ships, with 315 emigrants, one hundred and ninety-eight of whom were emancipated slaves, arrived at the colony during the year. Three of tliese ships were sent out at the expense of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society. In the city of New- York great interest has been awakened in be- half of the objects of the Society. The memlDers of one Church in that city have resolved to send to the colony fifty emigrants annually. The Liberia Herald of Feb. 6th, 1831, says : '• The changes which have taken place in the colony, during the publication of the Herald, (one year) are perhaps among those most worthy of notice. Every thing has improved — our agriculture, our commerce, have each shared in the blessing. Monrovia has almost assumed a new ffarb, and should things continue to prosper as they have, our town will certainly present the most desirable residence to a stranger, of any on the coast of Africa. In Monrvoia alone, the number of comfortable stone and wooden buildings erected during the year, are 55 and if we take into consideration that Caldwell, Mills- burg, and the recaptured towns have shared equally in this prosperitj^, we have abundant reason to be thankful for the shoM'crs of mercy I hat have been extended to our infant colony." Statistics of the Slave Trade. History. Slaves were sent by the Portuguese to Spanish Ameri- ca in 1502, and transported in great numbers by Ferdmand V. of Spain in 1511. The first slaves were brought to this country m a Dutch ship in 1620. Slavery, with all its attendant evils, was en- tailed upon this country by the English Government, agamst tlie earnest remonstrances of the colonists. AbolUlon of the Slave Trade. In 1807, it was enacted by Parliament, that no slaves should be imported into the British dominions after March 1808. In the same year Congress passed an act prohibiting the further introduction of slaves into the United States. The governments of Great Britain and the United States have declared the slave trade piracy, and those engaged in it, on conviction, are to suffer death. By the efforts of Great Britain,the Dutcli, Spanish, Portuguese, and Brazihans have by law forbidden the traffic. France has denounced it. and Austria declared, that the moment a slave touches an Austrian ship, he is free. Sweden has declaied, that those citizens who engage in it shall not enjoy the protection her laws. Several of the provinces in South America have enacted severe laws against the traffic, and also prohibited slavery in theii* dommions. The Slave Trade is, notwithstanding', carried on as extensively as ever. Dr. Philip, a distinguished missionary at the Cape of Good Hope, estimates themumber annually exported at 100,000. In 1823 Mi'. Ashmun wrote from the Colony, that at least, 2000 slaves were annually exported from capes Mount and Montserado. In 1824, the African Institution reports 120,000, as the number exported from the coast, and presents a detailed list of the names of two hundred and eighteen vessels, believed to be engaged in the trade during that year. In 1827, one hundred and twenty-five vessels sailed from Cuba to Africa for slaves. Within the last eleven years, 322,526 slaves have been imported into the single port of Rio Janeiro, that is an average of 29,320 annually. On the 6th of Sept. 1830, the British cruiser Primrose captured a Spanish ship of twenty guns and a crew of 150 men, having on board j^ve hundred and ffty-fve slaves from the coast of Africa. During three weeks of the last summer no less than 7iine hundred slaves from the interior of Africa were shipped from Galinas. The British squadron on the coast captured during 1830 four slave ships, and received intelligence of six others which were hovering about the coast. One of these slave ships had on board 561 slaves, of all ages, and both sexes, confined together in a state of nudity, under a deck just three feet in height ! Colonies will put an end to the Slave Trade. That no more has been done towards effecting this object in the neighlx)rhood of Libeiia, is owing to the comparative feebleness of the colony. The case is different with respect to the English colony, at Sierra Leone. The native chiefs of Sherbro district, throusrh their B 10 Of eat desire to be shielded fiom the ravages of the slave-irade, have pre sented one hundred miles of coast, southward of Sierra Leone, to the colony. It is stated that all the coast in the vicinity of that place has been cleared of the slave-factories and slave vessels. Here, then, is an object of vast importance. Twenty or thirty colonies would put an end to the accursed trade. Several of the native chiefs in the vicinity of the Liberian colony, are ready to enter into arrangements to this effect. Number of the colored Population, mid rate of increase in the United States. According to the last census the number of slaves in the United States, amounted to - - - - 1,538,123 Do. of free persons of color . . _ - 233,530 Total, 1,751,653 Reckoned at the rate of three per cent, per annum, the yearly increase of the slaves amounts to - - 46,000 The yearly increase of free negroes at 21 per cent. 6,000 Total, 52,000 The census of the present year will probably show a black popu- lation, considerably above 2,000,000, and a corresponding ratio of increase. Expense of transporting to the Colony. From the actual experience of those who have akeady been sent to the colony, it is ascertained that the whole expense is twenty dol- lars for each individual. The whole expense of transportmg the yearly increase as at the last census, would amount to $1,040,000. On supposition that a vessel makes two voyages in a year, it would be reduced one half. And this sum would be still further reduced by embracing opportunities of incidental employment of ships engaged in trade on the coast. Slavery a great National Evil. The evil is national, and has already become so inveterate by age, and enormous in its growth, as to require the energies and resources of the entire nation to check it. Moral condition of the Colored Popidation. The African race, all the land over, are debased in their moral 11 character, and the vast majority of them sank as low in moral de^ gradation as we can well conceive it possible for human beings to be. in the 7nids1 of civilization, refinement and Christian in- stitutions. The great reason of this moral degradation, is, that they are placed beyond the reach of those moral motives, which, form the characters of white men ; such as, aspirations after wealth, power, reputation, and a share in the common blessings and privlieges of society. — The slave cannot expect wealth, because he labors not for himself, but for another, — neither the bond nor the free black can expect power, — because the exercise of his power, here, can never rise higher than to a very little influence over his companions in degradation. He can derive but little moral stimulus from the hope of ac- quiring a reputation, because the learning of a Plato — or the piety of an Apostle — or the retined manners of a courtier would not place him on a level with the white man. Since, then, their is so much tendency to depress the character and morals of our colored population, does not this consideration bring home a strong appeal to the heart of every Christian and Christian master, to impart re- ligious instruction to them either orally, or otherwise, as circum- stances may make it proper. The proportion of crime committed by the colored population is strikingly exhibited in the following tables, taken from the Report of the Prison Diciphne Society of 1827. In Mass. In Conn. In N. York, In N. Jersey la. Pen a. Thus it appears that the number of Convicts among the colored population in proportion, to their number is in some States, 18 times as many as among the whites, and even in N. Jersey, where there is the least ditference, it is 6 times as great. These remarks, and these statistics are still more applicable to the free blacks, in the slave holding States. The free blacks are there placed midway between freedom and slavery. They feel neither the incentives and stimulants of the one, nor the restraints of the other; and they are alike injurious by their example to every other class of society. They are not only sunk to the common level of the slave in moral degradation, but are often much below him in point of poverty and suflering. Virginia, atthe census of 1820, had 40,000 free blacks, but not~'200 out of this 40,000 were owners of land, though Virginia, as every body knows, is purely an roportion of white Popu- Froportion of Colored Popu- Ratio of crimes lation Sent to Prison. lation Sent to Prison. Blark3 to White?. 1 out of 1955 1 out of 140 14 to 1 1 out of 3423 1 out of 205 IG to 1 1 out of 2760 1 out of 253 11 to 1 ', 1 out of 5140 1 out of 833 6 to 1 1 out of 3298 1 out of 181 IG to 1 12 agricultural State. Precisely the same calculation is true in respect to the free blacks of Maryland. Nothing has contributed more to retard the operations of the Colonization Society than the mistaken notion that it interferes di- rectly with slavery. This objection is rapidly vanishing away and many of the slave-holding states are becoming efiicient supporters of the national society. In the Senate of Louisiana during its last session resolutions were adopted expressive of the opinion that the object of this Society was deserving of the patronage of the Gene- ral Government. An enlightened community now see, that this Society infringes upon no man's rights, that its object is noble and benevolent — to remedy an evil which is felt and acknowledged at the north and south — to give the free people of color the privileges of freemen. The free colored population are becoming more interested in the objects of this Society. Hundreds from North Carolina and Virginia now stand ready to emigrate to Liberia by the earliest op- portunity. The Managers of the Society at their last annual meeting, " Resolved, That encouraged by the kind Providence which has thus far forwarded their efforts, they will immediately commence arrangements for obtaining the necessary funds, and sending to Liberia within the present year, six vessels from different ports in the United States, on the first days of May, July, September, No- A'ember, January and March," Auxiliary Societies may he formed. Auxiliary Societies collect and diffuse information, afford a pro- per organ of communication with the Parent Society, and combine the wisdom of age, and the ardor of youth, in the accomplishment of a common object. It may be safely affirmed that the people of Vermont would not have aided the cause with one third part of the contributions, without a State Society, which they have with one. The State Societies, in several instances, have called forth valua- ble speeches and reports. Congress may he Memorialized. To the powers and resources of the general government, the Colonization Society have ever been locking. That Congress have a right to appropriate funds for this purpose, hardly admits of a doubt. By the constitution they may appropriate monies " for the common defence and general welfare." What object would pro- mote the genera! welfare more than to bless and save our colored 13 population ? Was the purchase of Louisiana and Florida a worthier object? Was the voting $10,000 a year for Indian civilization? Was the reUefof the distressed inhabitants of Caraccas? Was the appropri- ation of large sums for the Cumberland Road? But Congress has alrea- dy in etft'ct, sanctioned themeasure, by employing the navy indefend- ing the Liberian Colony. Committees in Congress have repeatedly- presented favorable reports Fourteen SUnte Lei>islafures have instructed their Senators, and requested their Representatives in Congress to lend it their support. Free Colored Population demand our sympathy and attention. They have claims upon us which ought not to be disregarded ; their condition is now overlooked to a most deplorable extent. When assistance is afforded, il is frequently afforded as a matter of condescension, and not at all with a spirit of kindness and Christian affection. We ought to take immediate and efficient measures to bring all their children within the influence of schools and religious instruction. There are noble minded men and women in every town, who will take more pleasure in instructing a class of colored, than of white children in Sabbath Schools. The time has fully arrived when systematic and vigorous mea- sures should be adopted to educate colored youth for school teach- ers, physcians, and ministers, either to remain in this country, or to go out to Africa. A fair experiment has never been made- There are difficulties in the way, but they are not insurmountable. Se- veral promising colored youth in New England are now desirous to acquire an education. The following notice appeared on the cover of the last African Repository : All collections or donations may be trasmitted by mail, to Richard Smith, Esq. Treasurer, Washington City, or to the' Treasurer of any of the State Societies. The Treasurers of State or other Auxiliary Societies, with whom collections may be deposited, will please send to us the names of all clergymen by whom the collections were taken up, that they may be early supplied with the Repository. All com- munications relating to the general interests of the Society, or the Editorial Department of the Repository, to be directed to R. R. Gur- ley, Secretary, Washington. Those relating to the pecuniary con- cerns of the Repository, to James C. Dunn, Georgetown, D. C. \* Gerrit Smith,^ Esq. of Peterboro', N. Y., has proposed to raise $100,000, for the Society in ten years, by securing 100 subscribers, who will pay $100 annually, during that time. Thirty-four per' s.ons. and Associations have adopted the mex\.stu-e aUeadv. ^i \f:!^ All clergymen who take up contributiong for the Colonizanou Society, are entitled to receive a copy of the African Repository — the valuable monthly periodical of the Society, gratis. *^* Donations and contributions, may be forwarded to Richard Smith, Esq. Treasurer American Colonization Society, Washington; Isaac Mansfield, Esq. Treasurer, Massachusetts Colonization So- ciety, Boston; Rev. Asa C'ummings, Portland, Maine; George A. Kent, Esq. Treasurer New Hampshire Colonization Society, Con- cord ; Hon Jeduthan Loom is, Tieasurer Vermont Colonization So- ciety, Woodstock ; or Rev. Chester Wright, Secretary, Montpelier ; Seth Terry. Esq. Treasurer Connecticut Colonization Society, Hartford. ^w /% LEJa'l2