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BIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 REV. ROBERT EINLEY, D. J)., 
 
 OK BASKING lU D G E , N . J . 
 
 SECOND EDITION, ENLARGED. 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 ACCOUNT OF IIIS AGENCY AS THE AUTHOR 
 
 OF 
 
 ALSO 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE SLAVE TRADE; 
 
 A VIKW OF OUR NATIONAL POLICY AND THAT OF GREAT BRITAIN TOWARDS 
 
 LIBERIA AND AFRICA. 
 
 WITH AN APPENDIX, 
 
 REV. ISAAC V. BROWN, A. M 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 JOHN ^Y. MOORE, 195 CHESTNUT STREET, 
 
 1857. 
 
^^A\ 
 
 ,y6t 
 
 Eatered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S56, by 
 
 ISAAC V. BROWN, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern 
 District of Pennsvlrania. 
 
 HENBY B. ASHMEAP, BOOK AND JOB PRISTER, 
 George Street iilun c Kleveiith. 
 
PREFACE TO FIllST EDITION. 
 
 An intelligent gentleman, in the congregation of Basking 
 Ridge, many years ago, while contemplating his beloved pas- 
 tor, in the midst of his ministerial labors and successes, made 
 the following declaration : " Were I ambitious, I would 
 rather be Robert Finley than Ceesar or Bonaparte. 
 
 And truly his character was so exalted and pure, his life so 
 conspicuous and useful — his transactions so judicious and 
 important, and his name so dear, that forming, in this transi- 
 tory world, a memorial of his excellence, is an act, not less of 
 justice to him, than of kindness to ourselves. Few men have 
 recently appeared on the stage of life, more truly and deeply 
 devoted to the interests of Christ's kingdom and the good of 
 mankind ; few men have been so early in life, so prominently 
 and so indefatigably engaged in enterprises of benevolence 
 and piety ; few men have performed so many labors in the 
 church, and enjoyed so great a harvest of success in the divine 
 service, as Dr. Finley. There are therefore but few, whose 
 claims upon the church and upon the world, for posthumous 
 reo-ard, are so clear and so strong as his, and there have re- 
 
IV PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 
 
 cently been few whose lives and characters are so well calcu- 
 lated to instruct, to animate and profit others. 
 
 It was under the influence of such sentiments respecting Dr. 
 Finley, that the resolution, to attempt preparing a biograph- 
 ical view of his character and life, was first formed. The 
 narrow limits, then contemplated, have been insensibly and 
 unavoidably surpassed : — that which was originally expected 
 to make a pamphlet, or, at most, a small 12 mo. has been ne- 
 cesssarily enlarged and put in the form of an octavo. In the 
 course of the narrative, the names of several deceased minis- 
 ters of the gospel rose into view, who are still remembered with 
 interest by some, and who deserve the tribute of recollection 
 and respect which is here paid to them. 
 
 Dr. Finley was so earnestly devoted to the business of edu- 
 cation in all its degrees and relations, that in order to illus- 
 trate fully his views and transactions in regard to that subject, 
 as well as others, it was thought expedient to introduce in the 
 form of notes at the close of the volume several essays or dis- 
 cussions, on topics incidentally connected with the narrative.* 
 
 With regard to the manner in which the work has been ex- 
 ecuted, the writer would observe that he is fully sensible of 
 the correctness and force of the remark : — 
 
 ^^ Difficile est proprie comnninia dicere." 
 
 Nevertheless he has dared to disregard an injunction of the 
 same high classic authority : — 
 
 " Scepe stylum vertas iterum, quce digna legi sint Scriptiwus." 
 
 Having enjoyed neither much leisure, nor good health, du- 
 ring the period in which the manuscript, of the following 
 
 * These notes are omitted iu the present edition. 
 
PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. V 
 
 memoirs &c. was prepared, he has not pleased himself, and 
 cannot therefore, expect very extensively to please others. — 
 His great object has been to draw a true character, rather than 
 a handsome portrait — to make an honest and useful, rather 
 than a splendid volume — to place .correctly before our view- 
 that high, 
 
 " Exemplar vitce morumqite," 
 
 which this deceased man of God uniformly exhibited while 
 among us — and thus, to render to the Heavenly Father a de- 
 serving and lasting tribute of praise for the signal manifesta- 
 tions of his grace, which we behold in the life of his servant. 
 
 On the whole, if this volume shall be found to record events 
 and to detail transactions conducive to the honor of God, to 
 human improvement and Christian comfort ; — if it shall, in 
 some small measure furnish materials to assist others, hereaf- 
 ter, in forming a connected and expanded view of the church 
 of Christ, and of divine beneficence and grace to men ; — if, by 
 exhibiting the ardent and unwearied exertions of this distin- 
 guished and excellent servant of the Lord, it shall be instru- 
 mental in strengthening the resolutions and exciting the zeal 
 of survivors, to follow him in his pious and benevolent career, 
 to repair the loss which is sustained by his lamented removal, 
 to preserve from failure and carry to perfection the plans of 
 benevolence from the prosecution of which he was suddenly 
 withdrawn, the end of this publication will be accomplished. 
 And to make it productive of these happy results, may the di- 
 vine benediction rest upon it ! 
 
 Lawrenceville, N. J., January 7, 1819. 
 
 1* 
 
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 
 
 The first Edition of the Biography of the late Rev. Roliert 
 Finley, D. D., of Basking Ridge, New Jerse3% and afterwards 
 of Athens, Georgia, having been disposed of, and requests fre- 
 quently presented since, for copies of the work, the author, 
 now proposes, to meet the demand in the following sheets. 
 Since the first issue circumstances have so greatly changed, as 
 to require some modification, in the work. 
 
 So much has been said and written on the subject of the 
 origin of the American Colonization Society, frequently pre- 
 senting obscure and conflicting statements, that additional 
 light seems to be demanded. The writer, having, from the be- 
 ginning, known familiarly and fully as a witness and partici- 
 pant, the facts and details which gave rise to the Society, — 
 feels it to be due to himself — to his deceased friend. Dr. Fin- 
 ley — to their native State, New Jersey — to the Colonization 
 Society, now existing — and to the public at large — to furnish 
 a more minute account of the preliminary steps observed in 
 bringing forward and ushering into being, this Society for the 
 colonization of the free colored people of these United States, 
 on the coast of Africa. 
 
Vlll PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 
 
 The Society having grown into an institution of great mag- 
 nitude, so as to afford an interesting promise of a decided and 
 growing influence in promoting the great and benevolent ob- 
 ject for which it was established — we cannot doubt that the 
 feeble monument, here erected to perpetuate the name and 
 character of the prime leader and agent in this highly benev- 
 olent organization, will be held dear by multitudes now living 
 and by many more, who will soon succeed them on the stage 
 of life. 
 
 Most of what was added to the first edition of this work, at 
 its close, supposed to possess considerable interest at that time, 
 is now omitted, or transferred to other volumes, chiefly to pre- 
 serve this, from undue extension — instead of which an Appen- 
 dix, is now added, containing interesting intelligence, repect- 
 ing the African Coast and the Colony of Liberia. 
 
 ISAAC Y. BROWN. 
 
 Tbenton, March, 1S56. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page. 
 
 View of James Finley, father of Robert — Robert's birth 
 and early education — Enters college — Success there — 
 First serious impressions — Graduates, commences teach- 
 ing — His success — Invitation to Maryland — Assumes 
 charge of an academy at Allentown, N. J. — Makes a 
 profession of religion — Invited to teach in Charleston, 
 South Carolina — Extracts from his diary there. 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Returns to Ncav Jersey — Commences the study of theology — 
 Is made tutor in Princeton College — Notes from his 
 diary there — Licensure to preach — Ordination at Bask- 
 ing Ridge — His marriage — Origin and progess of his 
 school — Immediate benefit of his ministry — An awaken- 
 ing experienced — Mr. Finley's account of this great 31 
 event — His great efforts. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Mr. Finley's exertion to retain the Bible as a school book — 
 Is elected a trustee of Princeton College — A new excite- 
 ment in his parish — Appointed to preach the missionary 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 sermon before the General Assembly — Appointed as a 
 delegate to the General Association of Connecticut — A 
 very interesting scene at Basking Ridge — Mr. Finley 
 labors in Sussex County and other places — He and Rev. 
 Geo. S. "WoodhuU originate the Bible Class system in 
 churches — Doings of Presbyterian Synod — General As- 
 sembly in regard to it — He introduces it into his par- 
 ish — Divine blessing follows — Youth awakened. G4 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Mr. Finley's tour through his large parish — His health be- 
 comes impaired from excessive labors — Account of the 
 early and progressive thoughts, plans and doings, pre- 
 paratory to the formation of the American Colonization 
 Society — Notice of the African Synodical School — Mr. 
 Finley's letter to John P. Mumford, Esq. — His journey to 
 Washington. 86 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The organization of the Colonization Society in Congress 
 Hall, Dec. 21st, 1816 — H. Clay presided— His speech — 
 E. B. Caldwell's address — John Randolph's — Reso- 
 lutions — Adjourned meeting — Constitution adopted — 
 Officers appointed — Dr. Finley's health improved. 103 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 Arrives at Philadelphia — Operations there — Establishes an 
 auxiliary society in Trenton, New Jersey — Received an 
 invitation to settle there — Declined — Capt. Paul Cuffee's 
 Letter — Letter of E. B. Caldwell and others — Copy of his 
 thoughts on colonization, afterwards published. 121 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 Rival claims to the authorship of colonization stated — 
 Notice by Dr. Alexander in his Colonization History, etc. 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 rage. 
 Letter from Corporation of the University of Georgia — 
 
 Gov. Earlj^'s communication — Mr. Finley accepts the in- 
 vitation — Resigns his pastoral charge — His Trusteeship 
 at Princeton — Receives the degree of D. D. — Takes leave 
 of a Avceping church — Sails from Ncav York. 1 56 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 On the 16th of May arrives at Savannah — Account of his 
 passage — Correspondence — First impressions — Views of 
 the College at Athens — First measures — Labors in the 
 village — In the college — First commencement — Attends 
 Presbytery — Dr. is taken sick. 175 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Death occurred on the 3d of Nov. 1817 — Transactions of 
 trustees — Letters of Correspondence. 207 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Character of Dr. Finley — Revievs^ of his past course — No- 
 tice of his sermons — labors — Death — Letter of Rev. P. 0. 
 Studdiford, former pupil of Dr. Finley, giving his early 
 thoughts and present recollections of him. 225 
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 
 A brief History of the Slave Trade — Early connection of the 
 English and other nations with the traffic — Sierra Leone — 
 "West Indian experiments of the British to apprentice 
 slaves, 1833 — To emancipate, 1838 — Failure — Their 
 course towards colonization — Free labor and slave labor 
 contrasted — British connection with them — Relations of 
 the United States with the same — Great importance of 
 Africa to England and to the United States, as a vast 
 field for free labor — Notices of Liberia — Her progress — 
 Her connection with us — Her necessities — Her difficul- 
 ties — The interest of the United States, to extend a 
 
xii ^ CONTENTS. 
 
 prompt and vigorous helping hand to Liberia — to the 
 work of Colonization and missions. 249 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Biographical Notice of Rev. James Caldwell, father of Mrs. 
 
 Finley. 283 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I. On Liberia. • 299 
 
 IL Notice of New Jersey Colony in Liberia. 333 
 
B I G R A r II Y 
 
 REV. ROBERT FINLEY, D.D. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 View of James Finley, father of Robert — Robert's birth and 
 EARLY Education — Enters College — Success there — First 
 Serious Impressions — Graduates — Commences Teaching — His 
 Success — Invitation to Maryland — Assumes Charge of an 
 Academy at Allentovyn, N. J. — Makes a Profession of Reli- 
 gion — Invited to Teach in Charleston, S. C. — Extracts from 
 his Diary there. 
 
 Mr. James Finley, father - le subject of tlils 
 narrative, "was born in Glasgu\>', Scotland, A. D. 
 1737. Before be reached his eighteenth year, reli- 
 gion took a powerful hold of his mind. It pleased 
 God, early to lay him low, and to hold him long un- 
 der deep convictions and apprehensions, in a state of 
 suspense and anxiety, so awful as nearly to break the 
 power of hi.:; reason and the vigor of his frame. At 
 the set time, God revealed himself in mercy to this 
 convinced and mourning sinner, inspiring hope and 
 gladness, where guilt and horror had lately reigned. 
 Through life, he often spoke of the sore conflicts he 
 2 
 
14 BIOaRAPHY OF DU. EINLEY. 
 
 then endured, and declared his full belief, that, though 
 painful for the present, they had been good and salu- 
 tary, working out to him, more abundantly, the 
 2?eaceahle fruits of righteousness. 
 
 Mr. Finley was trained to the business of a yarn 
 merchant, in his native city. In the prosecution of 
 this employment, he supplied himself with materials, 
 by attending the fairs of the surrounding country, 
 where the commodities in which he dealt, were exhi- 
 bited for sale in great abundance and variety. On 
 account of his superior ability and fidelity in his pro- 
 fession, he was promoted to the ofiice of superinten- 
 dent, and discharged the duties of inspector of the 
 yarn factories in Glasgow and its vicinity. 
 
 He became, very early, acquainted with the Rev. 
 John Witherspoon, who was then an eminent minister 
 of the Gospel, exercising his pastoral functions in the 
 town of Paisley, about six miles distant from Glas- 
 gow. So warm was his regard for Mr. Witherspoon, 
 that he frequently left the church, to which he was 
 attached, in his native city, and walked to Paisley, 
 on Sabbath days, to attend the ministrations of his 
 admired friend. His attachment to him became un- 
 usually sincere and strong. He admired him as a 
 preacher of the Gospel : he rejoiced at his efi*orts to 
 restore pure Presbyterian government in the Church 
 of Scotland : he sympathized with him in the strug- 
 gles and persecutions he encountered in his attempts 
 thus to set aside the corrupt and oppressive system 
 of patronage^ which had been imposed upon the 
 people. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 15 
 
 Dr. Witherspoon warmly reciprocated the respect 
 and affection of his pious and excellent friend. Af- 
 ter accepting the Presidency of Princeton College, 
 and emigrating to America, A. D. 1763, he invited 
 him to come over and settle in the same place. Mr. 
 Finley yielded to this solicitation, and with his wife, 
 whose maiden name was Angres, landed at New York 
 in 1769. At Princeton, the intercourse and familia- 
 rity commenced in Scotland, were renewed, and con- 
 tinued till terminated by the death of the illustrious 
 President, A. D. 1794. In this village, Mr. Finley 
 pursued with diligence and respectability the mecha- 
 nical occupation of weaving, for which his employ- 
 ment in Scotland seemed, in some measure, to qualify 
 him. Here, also, he occupied for many years, the 
 office of ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. He 
 was an eminently pious and exemplary Christian. 
 His faculties of mind, naturally strong and active, 
 had been long and earnestly employed on the noblest 
 subjects. His memory, strongly retentive, w^as richly 
 stored with a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and 
 of human life ; and his zeal and engagedness in reli- 
 gion being uncommonly lively and uniform, he was 
 truly an instructing and interesting companion, and a 
 highly useful and valuable member of society. Many 
 wise and good men sought his company and fre- 
 quented his house to be edified by his intelligent and 
 pious conversation, and to be animated in ways of 
 piety, by his fervent prayers and glowing zeal. 
 
 During the struggles of the American Colonies for 
 liberty and independence, Mr. Finley manifested that 
 
IG BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 he had, indeed, adopted this as his country. He was 
 a warm and decided advocate and supporter of the 
 American Revolution. He was employed as clothier 
 to a brigade of American troops, and held this office 
 while the English were in possession of Princeton. 
 He continued at home during this period, and had 
 constant intercourse with several British officers who 
 quartered in his house, without incurring the charge of 
 indifference to the cause of the colonies, on the one hand, 
 or making himself peculiarly obnoxious to the enemy, 
 on the other. He suffered much in his temporal in- 
 terests, in the result of this agency, by receiving 
 almost the whole of his compensation, for revolution- 
 ary services which he had rendered, and private 
 moneys which he had expended, in the currency of 
 the provinces, when it had sunk to almost nothing. 
 This was peculiarly afflicting to him, inasmuch as by 
 misfortunes in his native country, his pecuniary cir- 
 cumstances had become much reduced and his pros- 
 pects of reinstatement very dubious. 
 
 While residing at Princeton, Mr. Finley corres- 
 ponded for many years with David Dale, Esq.,'^ the 
 
 * The following sketch of this distinguished and excellent man 
 is taken from the Assembb/s 3Iissionari/ Magazine for the year 1806, 
 page 341 : 
 
 "Died at Glasgow, on the lUh current, in the 68th year of his 
 age, David Dale, Esq., of Rosebank, late one of the magistrates of 
 that city. The character of this good man comprehended in it so 
 many points of excellence, that only an imperfect outline of it can 
 here be given. He had not enjoyed the advantage of a polished 
 or liberal education ; but this want was compensated by a large 
 share of natural sagacity and sound sense, by an accurate and dis- 
 
BIOURAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 17 
 
 honorable Bailiff of the district he had inhabited in 
 Scotland. Epistolary intercourse with that distin- 
 guished and excellent man, was continued after Mr. 
 Finley's decease, by his son Robert. It is a subject 
 of deep regret that the letters of this correspondence, 
 very valuable and interesting on many accounts, can- 
 not be obtained. 
 
 Mr. Finley visited Dr. Witherspoon frequently and 
 affectionately towards the close of his life, and at- 
 
 criminating knowledge of human character, and by a modest and 
 dignified simplicity of manner, which secured to him universal 
 respect and attention. A zealous promoter of general industry 
 and of the manufactures of his country, his schemes of business 
 were extensive and liberal, conducted with singular prudence and 
 perseverance, and, by the blessing of God, were crowned with such 
 abundant success, as served to advance his rank in society and to 
 furnish him with the means of that diffusive benevolence which 
 rendered his life a public blessing, and shed a lustre on his charac- 
 ter that has been but too rarely exemplified. Impelled by the 
 powerful influence of that truth which he firmly believed and zeal- 
 ously taught, constrained by the love, and animated by the exam- 
 ple of his blessed Master, his ear was never shut to the cry of dis- 
 tress. His private charities were boundless, and every public 
 institution which had for its object the alleviation or prevention of 
 human misery, in this world or the world to come, received from 
 him the most liberal support and encouragement. For, while the 
 leading object of his life was the diffusion of the light of truth in 
 the earth, he gladly embraced every opportunity of becoming, like 
 the patriarchs of old, ' eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame,' 
 and of causing ' the widow's heart to sing for joy.' In private 
 life, his conduct, actuated by the same principles, was equally ex- 
 emplary ; for he was a kind parent, a generous friend, a wise 
 and faithful counsellor, ' a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, 
 sober, just, holy, temperate.' And noAV, having thus occupied his 
 talents, he hath ' entered into the joy of his Lord. Mark the per- 
 fect and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' " 
 
 2=5= 
 
18 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 tended him with peculiar kindness and faithfulness as 
 a friend, in his last sickness. Soon after the death 
 of Dr. Witherspoon, he resolved to spend the residue 
 of his days in the society of his sons, Robert and 
 Alexander, and accordingly moved to Basking Ridge, 
 the place of their abode. His age, his infirmity, his 
 circumstances altogether had become such as to re- 
 quire filial attention and kindness. And here, while 
 this patriarchal friend of God received the respect and 
 veneration of all around him, he enjoyed the most 
 affectionate and faithful attention of his sons, resid- 
 ing near him, and especially of his son Robert, whose 
 circumstances enabled him to indulge all his filial 
 fondness, by providing for his beloved and declining 
 parent every thing necessary for his ease and com- 
 fort. 
 
 At Basking Ridge, Mr. Finley was elected a mem- 
 ber of session, and faithfully discharged the duties of 
 ruling elder in that congregation. His personal ap- 
 pearance, his established reputation, his considerable 
 knowledge, his ardent piety and unblemished deport- 
 ment, all contributed to render him a peculiarly suit- 
 able person to fill that station. He was tall, erect 
 and slender — his features were strong and prominent 
 — his head was whitened with years — his whole as- 
 pect was peculiarly grave, dignified and solemn. 
 These circumstances, associated with uncommon intel- 
 ligence of mind and sanctity of character, gave great 
 respectability and interest to his frequent perform- 
 ances in the religious societies uniformly held, and in 
 the occasional raeetino;s of the cono;re<]i;ation, in the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 19 
 
 absence of their pastor, where he generally assisted. 
 His prayers, on these occasions, were remarkable 
 for comprehensiveness, for weighty matter, and for 
 profound devotion. 
 
 When death appeared to be drawing near, he con- 
 templated his dissolution with great calmness and 
 satisfaction. On being asked, when apparently near 
 his close, how he felt, he replied, "Just as I wish to 
 feel!" When almost exhausted, he intimated a de- 
 sire that all his relatives, in the vicinity, should be 
 assembled around his bed, that he might take a last 
 view of the only objects on earth which he considered 
 dear to him, and commit them to God. And after 
 being gently raised up by his son Robert, he cast his 
 eyes complacently round upon the interesting group, 
 and raising them towards heaven, feebly whispered 
 "It is done," and sweetly expired, in the seventy- 
 second year of his age, in the full and joyful hope 
 of a glorious immortality through Jesus Christ. 
 
 Such men are the salt of the earth ! the light of 
 the world ! How happy to be a Christian ! How 
 inestimable the privilege and blessing of being de- 
 scended from such a parent ! 
 
 Robert Finley was born at Princeton, New Jersey, 
 A. D. 1772. He was very early instructed in the 
 elements of the English language, and in his eighth 
 year commenced the study of the Latin, in his native 
 village. The salutary effects of early parental in- 
 struction and care were soon discoverable in him. For 
 a youth of his age, he was uncommonly grave and 
 judicious in his deportment. After passing, in a 
 
20 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 short period, through the hands of a number of 
 teachers, it was happily ordered that he should here 
 become a pupil of Mr. Ashbel Green, the same gen- 
 tlemen who was afterwards President of the College 
 of New Jersey. At this period, Mr. Green was a stu- 
 dent in college, and the studies of his class not being 
 sufficient to occupy the whole of his attention, by the 
 advice of Dr. Witherspoon, he spent half his time in 
 teaching the grammar school, which was then under 
 the doctor's superintendence. "While this arrange- 
 ment contributed to increase the classical accuracy 
 and general respectability of the youthful instructor, it 
 had a tendency, no less happy, to advance the interest- 
 ing pupil in his academic course, and to lay the foun- 
 dation of that pre-eminence, in this important depart- 
 ment of literature, to which he rose in after life. He 
 was observed by his teacher to be a youth, consider- 
 ing his age, of much more than ordinary stability of 
 character, closeness of application, and penetration 
 of mind. He was not satisfied, at this early period, 
 with devoting the usual hours to study, but frequently, 
 in leisure seasons, he waited on his teacher, in his 
 private apartment, to obtain from him, more fully, 
 the explanations and aids which he found necessary, 
 to enable him successfully to prosecute his prescribed 
 daily course. 
 
 In the eleventh year of his age, he was admitted 
 into the college as a member of the freshman class. 
 Mr. Green having, at the commencement preceding, 
 received his first degree in the liberal arts, and having 
 been subsequently elected tutor in college, here again 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 21 
 
 found -with pleasure, placed under his personal in- 
 struction and management, the lad who had the year 
 before been his pupil in the grammar school. In the 
 sophomore class, during the year following, the same 
 relation subsisted between this respectable teacher 
 and promising scholar. The means and opportuni- 
 ties thus enjoyed by Mr. Finley, to become thoroughly 
 acquainted, with the Greek and Latin languages, 
 which were the principal subjects of study in the two 
 lower classes of college, were as good as could have 
 been desired. And experience has abundantly proved, 
 that he was an apt and successful student, making 
 such improvement, as to reflect honor on his princi- 
 pal instructor, and to secure the reputation of emi- 
 nence in this branch of science. 
 
 About the time of his entering the junior class in 
 college, he gave evidence that God had visited him 
 in mercy, and impressed his mind deeply with a sense 
 of the importance of religion. It was even hoped by 
 his fond and anxious friends, that he had experienced 
 a gracious change, and passed from death unto life. 
 Modest and distrustful, he did not view his spiritual 
 state in so favorable and satisfactory a light as others 
 did, with whom he conversed on this interesting sub- 
 ject. He halted, and continued in painful suspense 
 for a considerable time ; but God, having begun this 
 good work, carried it on unto perfection. 
 
 Although the mathematical, philosophical, and 
 belles lettres studies, with which the junior and senior 
 classes are chiefly occupied, were somewhat above the 
 years and capacity of our young student, yet he ap- 
 
22 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 peared through the whole of his collegiate course, 
 respectable for scholarship, as well as deportment : 
 and he was admitted to the degree of bachelor of 
 arts, by the trustees of the college at Princeton, in his 
 sixteenth year. 
 
 Having thus early finished the course of his educa- 
 tion, a question of great importance was now to be 
 decided ; how he should be employed. Dr. Wither- 
 spoon, the friend of the father, was also the friend 
 and adviser of the son. During the first winter after 
 leaving college, Mr. Finley was employed, under the 
 superintendence of the venerable president, as teacher 
 of the grammar school. Here he began to manifest 
 that peculiar talent for the government and instruc- 
 tion of youth, which he afterwards exercised and dis- 
 played, in several stations, in a manner so highly 
 reputable to himself and useful to the public. 
 
 A considerable number of the pupils, farther ad- 
 vanced in years than the teacher, 'w^ere irregular and 
 insubordinate in their temper and manners. Mr. 
 Finley proceeded with energy to introduce order and 
 establish discipline in the institution. The elder por- 
 tion of the youth manifested a refractory temper, re- 
 sisted his regulations, and, on being urged to comply, 
 broke out into open rebellion, in hopes of intimida- 
 ting the youthful instructor, and constraining him to 
 connive at their idle and disorderly habits. He main- 
 tained his authority with dignity and firmness, sus- 
 pended the refractory, and referred their case to Dr. 
 Witherspoon, under whose superintendence he acted, 
 and under whose guardianship most of the young men 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF Ull. FiNLEY. l:o 
 
 were placed. Dr. Witlierspoon, being informed of 
 these circumstances, visited the school ; investigated 
 the whole matter ; pronounced his full and decided 
 approbation of the measures and conduct of Mr. Fin- 
 ley ; established the influence of his young friend, by 
 the whole weight of his own dignity and authority ; 
 compelled the disorderly to make suitable acknow- 
 ledgments, and to return submissively to their studies, 
 under the very system against which they had re- 
 volted. 
 
 After some time spent in this employment, Mr. 
 Finley was invited to take charge of a respectable 
 seminary in the State of Maryland. With a view of 
 complying with this invitation, he visited that State ; 
 but Providence frowned upon this arrangement. Just 
 as he reached the place of destination, the academy 
 was destroyed by fire, and his prospect of employ- 
 ment and usefulness there, entirely blasted. He re- 
 turned immediately to his native place, and accepted 
 an invitation to teach the academy at AUentown, 
 New Jersey. The Presbyterian congregation exist- 
 ing there, was then under the pastoral care of the 
 Rev. Joseph Clark, through whose instrumentality 
 Mr. Finley was obtained to teach the academy. 
 
 Mr. Finley's mind had been very seriously exer- 
 cised upon the subject of religion, already, more than 
 two years. His impressions increased with his grow- 
 ing age and maturity. During the time now spent 
 in AUentown, his pious exercises and inquiries were 
 brought, by Divine Grace, to a happy result. The se- 
 rious public discourses and pious conversation of Mr. 
 
24 BIOGRAPHY OF I>R. FINLEY. 
 
 Clark, were peculiarly blessed to his spiritual interest 
 and comfort, so that now, in his seventeenth year, he 
 entered into covenant with God, made a profession of 
 his faith, and was admitted to commune with the 
 church, in the Lord's Supper. 
 
 While in this situation, he was solicited to under- 
 take the business of instruction in the city of Charles- 
 ton, South Carolina. Although he was young and 
 inexperienced, the contemplated place of employment 
 remote, the station conspicuous, and the labors ardu- 
 ous, yet he yielded to the request, and ventured him- 
 self into the society and service of strangers, trusting 
 in the protection and care of his Almighty Friend. 
 Here he was kindly received and entertained. His 
 services at Charleston were highly acceptable to the 
 public and honorable to himself. The acquaintances 
 which he formed with families of distinction, and the 
 attachments he conciliated during his residence in 
 that city, were useful to him through life ; and, pro- 
 bably, opened the way for his receiving, a few years 
 before his death, a call to undertake the pastoral ser- 
 vice, there, with a provision corresponding with the 
 wealth and liberality of the southern people. He en- 
 joyed the society o^nd kind attentions of several highly 
 accomplished, pious and excellent families, who were 
 heard to speak of his visits and conversation in terms 
 of high approbation and satisfaction. The amiable, 
 intelligent and heavenly-minded consort* of the Rev. 
 Dr. Keith, of that city, took a deep interest in Mr. 
 
 * Mrs. Keith Avas a daughter of the venerable Dr. James Sproat, 
 of the eity of Phihidelphia. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIXLEY. 25 
 
 Finley, invited him very frequently and affectionately 
 to her house, enjoyed much of his company, and bore 
 a strong and pleasing testimony in favor of his good 
 sense, great prudence, and humble piety, at this early 
 period. 
 
 A few extracts from a very brief diary, which he 
 kept while teaching in the city of Charleston, un- 
 questionably for his own exclusive use, will serve to 
 confirm the estimate of his piety, made by his friends 
 around him, and to illustrate further, his religious 
 character at this time : 
 
 "November 28th, 1791. — As I began school this 
 morning in Charleston, after praising God for pre- 
 serving mercy, I prayed for divine assistance in my 
 whole duty ; for the spirit of grace and supplication ; 
 for repentance and reformation : in the evening, for a 
 blessing on the Church, and my Princeton friends in 
 particular ; to be preserved from the corrupt notions 
 and fashions of the world ; and to live altogether to 
 the glory of God, in humility and godly sincerity. 
 
 " 30th. — Rose between six and seven, thanked God 
 for preserving mercy, prayed for the presence of the 
 Lord through the day, for much of his love — after 
 breakfast, for his direction in the business of the day 
 — at noon, for the influences of the Holy Spirit, and 
 for the church — for the same at night ; prayed for 
 preparation for the table of the Lord ; for a blessing 
 on the church, and the pardon of sin ; for protection ; 
 for faith and humility ; for the prosperity of Zion, 
 that I might live as a Christian. 
 . " December 1st. — I got up after six and blessed 
 
2G lilU(jlKAPllY or DK. Fl>iLEY. 
 
 God for liis mercy in preserving me through the night ; 
 prayed to be guided by the Holy Spirit ; for help to 
 discharge the duties of the day as becomes a Chris- 
 tian : in the evening again I prayed for a blessing 
 at the church and on the church ; for my absent 
 friends ; that the Lord would forgive my sins and 
 show me them forgiven, that I might praise him. 
 
 " 9th. — This morning I returned thanks for the 
 mercy of the night past ; prayed for much of the 
 presence of God through the day. After breakfast, 
 prayed for wisdom from above to direct me in all 
 things. At noon, in the evening and at night, prayed 
 that as I had resolved, if it should please the Lord, I 
 would engage in the ministry, I might not be drawn 
 from it by the world ; prayed for pardon and accep- 
 tance through the blood of Jesus ; for the scholars, 
 that they might be restrained from sin ; for boldness 
 in the cause of Christ ; did at no time forget my ab- 
 sent friends and the interest of Zion. 
 
 " Jan. 1, 1792. — Being the beginning of the year, 
 I confessed my sins and prayed for pardon. Li the 
 morning was very unconcerned, but blessed be God 
 my heart was somewhat warmed ; renewed engage- 
 ments to be for the Lord. Pride struggling much in 
 my heart about dress, I resolved to add nothing to 
 it of superfluities, as powder, ruffles, nor to be running 
 after the fashions, till the desire of them should arise 
 from love to God — and if I dine out on the Sabbath,* 
 I attend the worship of God. So help, oh ! Lord. 
 
 ^ Dining out rvt all on the Sal))j:ith day, may be thought inconsis- 
 tent with religious duty, and in general, doubtless is so. But to form 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FTNLEY. 27 
 
 " 2(1. — I rose about seven this morning, returned 
 thanks for the mercy of the night past, prayed for 
 the divine presence through the day, prayed six 
 times to be cleansed from my sins, for all my friends 
 that we might all grow in grace and be comforted by 
 the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 " 3d. — This morning felt in a good frame of mind, 
 but it did not continue — the world got possession ; 
 wrote a letter to my brother and sister on the sub- 
 ject of religion. 
 
 " 4th. — This day I paid a visit to Mrs. Tennent, 
 with whom I had some pleasant religious conversa- 
 tion ; returned thanks for the mercy of the Lord in 
 this respect. 
 
 '' 5th. — This day had very much reason to com- 
 plain of the absence of every holy affection, and that 
 the world had taken so much possession of my whole 
 soul ; prayed to be delivered from all this and to 
 have my heart renewed and every heavenly grace 
 implanted. Amen, Lord. 
 
 " February 2d. — I prayed much to be prenared 
 
 a just estimate of this resolution, it must be considered that Mr. 
 Finley had no family, "whose good order might be interrupted by 
 his absence, and that the families where he dined -were probably 
 of a religious character, and the conversation with such friends 
 would be at once pleasing and profitable : and that he here made 
 it a fixed point that this social intercourse should not prevent his 
 attendance on divine worship in the after part of the day. Proba- 
 bly, longer experience and more reflection, would and may have 
 changed the resolution into this — I will not dine out on the Sab- 
 bath unless called to it, in the course of Divine Providence, by 
 some peculiar and evident necessity or duty. 
 
28 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 for the celebration of the supper of tlie Lord, to have 
 my sins forgiven and a comfortable assurance of my 
 interest in Christ Jesus. But in the evening, through 
 attachment to company, I very much neglected the 
 time of prayer. 
 
 " 3d. — Prayed to have my heart prepared for every 
 duty ; but still there was much folly in me, and I got 
 no comfort from the ^Yord of God. May the Lord 
 have mercy on me ! 
 
 " 4th. — I prayed this day much for the Holy Spirit 
 of God to direct me, and to prepare me to sit at his 
 table ; visited Mr. Hollingshead, and blessed be God, 
 in conversation, enjoyed much satisfaction about re- 
 ligion ; confessed my sins, unbelief, dislike to duty, 
 wandering thoughts, hardness of heart, want of love 
 to God, sinful passions, neglect of the Scriptures ; 
 plead for pardon through Jesus ; laid my wants and 
 necessities before the Lord, and prayed to have them 
 supplied from his fullness. 
 
 " 5th. — This day I sat to commemorate the dying 
 love of Jesus at his table ; confessed my sins, and I 
 trust had them forgiven, and had my heart somewhat 
 inflamed with divine love, and felt desirous for the 
 glory of God. Took comfort from Hebrews, * For ye 
 are not come to Mount Sinai,' &c. The Lord was 
 very merciful to me, and blessed be his name for- 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 " August 20, 1792. — I was somewhat earnest in 
 prayer to-day, for the destruction of sin and for the 
 quickening of languishing graces ; yet in the evening 
 indulged lively and too many loose thoughts mingled 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 29 
 
 with pious desires. Oh Lord, transform me into thine 
 
 image. 
 
 " 23d. — I went to society, and being there put to 
 prayer, I was at a loss till the Lord gave me words, 
 and he gave me just as I had need. 
 
 " 2oth. — I attended upon religious duties with 
 much pleasure to-day, and I hope with some profit. 
 
 '^26. — I spent this Sabbath with much satisfac- 
 tion, and in earnest prayer for my soul and for the 
 kingdom ofZion: yet there was some folly mixed 
 withal. Lord, I am vile. 
 
 "2Tth. — I felt grateful to-day for mercies, but 
 through much of it, religion was dull. Oh Lord, if 
 not for thy mercy I am undone forever. 
 
 " September 21st. — I spent this morning in read- 
 ing and a form of prayer, but my mind was full of 
 the world ; yet I trust I was a little strengthened 
 by the morning sermon. The afternoon, however, 
 would condemn me, had I never lived another. I 
 was truly dreadfully stupid, unconcerned, and hard 
 hearted. Nothing but free grace can save me. 
 
 "22d, 23d, 24th. — These three days were much 
 like all the rest of my life, full of sin and great in- 
 iquity ; the spirit truly warring against the flesh, and 
 the flesh against the spirit, and the latter with but 
 too much success. 
 
 " 26th. — This day w^as to me much more pleasant 
 than yesterday. There were many seasons in which 
 my soul cried out for God ; but my heart was full of 
 anxiety and tossings, with respect to the world and 
 my returning home. It pleased the Lord to bring 
 
 3* 
 
oO BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Mr. S to see me a few minutes, that my heart 
 
 might be stirred." 
 
 The preceding extracts from several successive 
 months of Mr. Finley's diary, during the time spent 
 at Charleston, manifest a deep, humble, and uniform 
 sense of sin and guilt ; a constant and vigilant atten- 
 tion to his inmost thoughts and exercises of mind ; a 
 disposition to deny himself, and to resist the fashions 
 and the allurements of the world ; a thorough per- 
 suasion of entire dependence upon God for all good 
 things, and ardent desires after his communion and 
 likeness ; a spirit and habit of prayer and supplica- 
 tion for personal sanctification, and for the prosperity 
 of religion in the world. The whole is expressed in 
 that simple manner which was natural to him. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Returns to New Jersey — Commences the Study op Theology — 
 Is MADE Tutor in Princeton College — Notes of his Diary 
 there — Licensure to Preach — Ordination at Basking Ridge 
 — His Marriage — Origin and Progress of his School — Imme- 
 diate Benefit of his Ministry — An awakening experienced — 
 Mr. Finley's account of this great work — His great efforts. 
 
 Having resolved to devote himself to the service 
 of God in the ministry of his Son, he became very 
 desirous now of placing himself in a situation where 
 he could more successfully prosecute the studies pre- 
 paratory to that sacred office. For this purpose, in 
 the autumn of 1792, he relinquished his lucrative 
 and laborious station in Charleston ; returned to his 
 native place ; resumed the instruction of the gram- 
 mar school at Princeton ; and commenced the study 
 of theology under the superintendence of the vener- 
 able President* of Nassau Hall. His age and ma- 
 turity, his classical accuracy and general improve- 
 ment, had now become such that he advanced with 
 uncommon facility and advantage in the course pre- 
 
 * It was a happy circumstance in the order of Providence, that 
 he was enabled to enjoy the instructions of Dr. "Witherspoon, a 
 philosopher and divine, probably, inferior to no man, in regard to 
 accurate, profound, and extensive views, on every subject of theol- 
 ogy and ecclesiastical history, of civil government and liunian 
 rights. 
 
32 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 scribed bj his judicious and distinguished theological 
 instructor. 
 
 Mr. Finley's peculiar capacity for the government 
 and instruction of youth, having been rendered strik- 
 ingly manifest, he was very soon transferred, with 
 universal approbation, from the grammar school, to 
 the office of tutor in college. This promotion was 
 effected through the united influence of Dr. Wither- 
 spoon, president of the college, and of the Rev. Dr. 
 Samuel S. Smith, "^ vice-president, upon whom the 
 chief management of the institution had devolved, in 
 consequence of the advanced age and growing in- 
 firmities of his illustrious father-in-law. In the ca- 
 pacity of tutor, Mr. Finley continued some time, 
 laboriously discharging the duties of that office, and 
 closely applying himself to the several subjects and 
 exercises assigned him, as a student of theology. In 
 this arduous and responsible station, his vigilance 
 and fidelity rendered him both popular and suc- 
 cessful. 
 
 Through the whole of this period, the realities of 
 religion appear to have exercised a powerful influ- 
 ence over his feelings and views. That the reader 
 may judge of the state of his mind, a few extracts 
 from his diary, which Avas continued at this time, will 
 here be inserted. The record does not ascertain the 
 
 * Mr. Finley -was frequently heard to speak, with peculiar satisfac- 
 tion, of the important advantages he derived iu the latter part of 
 his term of study, from the instruction and attention of Dr. Smith, 
 who was then fast approaching the decline of his usefulness and 
 splendor. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 33 
 
 particular year in which it was written, but exhibits 
 satisfactory internal evidence, that it was made while 
 he was tutor in college. 
 
 " September 1st. — This day was another Sabbath. 
 It pleased God that I heard a sermon, from Psalm 
 xc. 12 — ' Teach me so to number my days,' &c., 
 which was the means of warming my affections, and 
 raising my desires after God. I felt my misery, 
 that I am so chained down, and so easily engaged in 
 in every vanity and folly. 
 
 " 2d. — I was engaged in hard study ; wrote part 
 of a sermon, during which time my heart was warmed 
 and engaged. Prayer seemed pleasant, and I fre- 
 quently sent ejaculations ; conversed a while with 
 Mr. H , and said to him what I could 
 
 " 3d. — Was very much engaged in study, and also 
 my mind was pleased in religious exercises, though I 
 have it too much to lament, that I cannot love the 
 Lord more, and serve him with a more animated zeal. 
 
 "4th. — Thought early of God and religion this 
 morning, even at rising. Studied hard, and with 
 success, until breakfast ; shortly after, was shocked 
 with a report that a young acquaintance, F. Stone, 
 was hurried untimely to the tomb, by a contagious 
 disease ;'^ which ought to have made me tremble ; at 
 
 * This contagious disease was the velloAV fever, -which ai)peared 
 in Philadelphia, for the first time, after a long interval, in August, 
 1793. In the course of about three months, in that year, this 
 dreadful disease swept off" nearly five thousand of the inhabitants 
 of that city, was generally considered as extremely infectious, and 
 spread the utmost alarm over the continent. In this year occurred 
 the case to which Mr. Finlcy refers in his diary. Mr. F. Stone, a 
 
34 BIOGRAPHY or DR. FTNLEY. 
 
 length, however, it set me to prayer, that my evi- 
 dences might be brightened for eternity, and I pre- 
 pared to go, if called. 
 
 " 5th. — I pray often and earnestly to-day, that I 
 might have my evidences brightened for eternity. A 
 few of us met and united in prayer, that the destroy- 
 ing angel might be stopped, and the plague arrested 
 in its course, and that it might be well with me. 
 
 " 6th, 8th. — My mind was much taken up with my 
 prospects, these days. I thought it probable I should 
 die immediately, and prayed earnestly that my views 
 might be made clear for eternity. 
 
 " 9th. — I was still anxious, lest I should be in- 
 fected with this fatal disease, and I prayed earnestly 
 that I might be prepared for death, whenever it 
 should appear. 
 
 " 10th, 11th. — I was by no means so much engaged 
 these days, either in study or religion, being exceed- 
 ingly hindered in my room by company. On Wed- 
 nesday, however, I had a very serious and profitable 
 
 conversation with Mr. C. S , and on the 11th, 
 
 with Mr. R. Russell, upon the necessity of keeping 
 close to our duty, wherever we may be, and dis- 
 covering to each other the fallacy of our excuses, and 
 the unreasonableness of our neo-lect, as it arises from 
 want of resolution or from coldness. 
 
 young gentleman from the South, who had been in the college, 
 having been engaged in the study of the law in Philadelphia, 
 during the prevalence of the fever, came on to Princeton, was 
 taken ill, and soon died. The disease was then considered as a 
 sort of plague, and several of the students had had intercourse with 
 Mr. Stone in his illness, without being aware of the nature of his 
 disease at the time. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FJNLEY. 85 
 
 " 12tli. — This day was not a profitable clay to mc ; 
 my mind was too much impressed with some of the 
 affairs of life, so that I forgot our meeting on Thurs- 
 day evening. 
 
 " loth. — Was a pleasant day to me ; my mind was 
 in a calm and heavenly state ; all seemed to be peace 
 and harmony, and prayer was much my delight. 
 
 " There was but little variation in the state of 
 
 my mind ; and though I prayed earnestly at the times 
 of prayer, yet my mind through the day was either 
 engaged about the world, or possessed with a languor, 
 •and too much stupidity. In the evening I retired 
 with my friend, Mr. Russell, to the wood, where, how- 
 ever, I did not enjoy much of the presence of God, 
 as I fear. 
 
 " My mind was anxiously engaged in the law- 
 ful pursuits of the world, which, however, became un- 
 lawful by excessive application, so that my mind seemed 
 to forget that I was made for immortality. The cares 
 of office engrossed much attention in the night. 
 
 " It was a good day for me, and I was enabled 
 
 to rejoice ; the sermon was blessed to me, in the eve- 
 ning, and at society in college, I had engagedness of 
 mind, and was enabled in some measure to forget the 
 world, and desire to live unto the glory of God alone. 
 
 " 19th. — My mind was still engaged in religion, 
 though not so much as yesterday. I was perplexed 
 and troubled about my business in the college. 
 
 " 20th. — Was convicted to-day of calling on God 
 only, or chiefly, when surrounded with trouble. My 
 soul began to groan to return to its rest, but could do 
 
36 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 nothing more than groan ; could get no clearer views 
 of the evil of sin, of the holiness of God, or of my 
 own need of salvation. Felt a grievous loss, and 
 knew it was the presence of the Lord, hut could not 
 find my way to him again. 
 
 " My heart was pained this morning, for the 
 
 absence of Him alone who can comfort the soul : I 
 was often engaged in prayer, but seemed not to feel ; 
 hut in the afternoon, in conversation, my heart grew 
 warm, and I enjoyed myself considerably. 
 
 " This day being the Sabbath, I prayed that 
 
 God would manifest himself unto his people ; that his 
 power in converting souls might be felt ; prayed par- 
 ticularly for those who had in any measure been 
 awakened at Princeton lately ; that they might be 
 brought on in the heavenly road. At sermon my 
 thoughts were too much wandering. Prayed in the 
 evening for the rising generation ; read an account 
 of great conversions in New England, by which my 
 heart was somewhat warmed. Blessed be the Lord." 
 
 On the 16th day of September, A. D. 1794, and 
 in the twenty-fourth year of his age, Mr. Finley was 
 licensed to preach the Gospel, by the Presbytery of 
 New Brunswick, under whose care he had prosecuted 
 and completed his trial studies. He entered the min- 
 istry at a suitable age, and commenced public life 
 with some peculiar advantages. The business of 
 teaching, to which he devoted so considerable a por- 
 tion of time, after leaving college, was followed, im- 
 mediately, by many important benefits, and produced 
 results very useful to him through his whole life. His 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 37 
 
 knowledge of human nature was by these means greatly 
 enlarged ; his acquaintance with prominent characters 
 and human life considerably extended ; his scholar- 
 ship improved and illustrated ; his vigor of mind and 
 habits of application strengthened ; a practical talent 
 was thus early acquired ; and his whole character was 
 in a considerable degree formed and established. 
 
 Mr. Finley spent a few months after licensure, in 
 preaching to the congregations within the bounds of 
 the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and especially to 
 those destitute of pastors. At the stated meeting of 
 Presbytery, in April, 1795, the vacant congregation 
 of Basking Ridge, which had shared his visits and 
 services, through the preceding winter, presented a 
 call for his pastoral labors, and urgently solicited him 
 to undertake the work of the ministry among them. 
 The call being found in due form, was put into the 
 hands of Mr. Finley, who declared his acceptance of 
 it. According to previous appointment, the Presby- 
 tery met at Basking Ridge on the 16th day of June, 
 1795, and on the following day, solemnly ordained 
 him to the work of the Gospel ministry by prayer and 
 the imposition of hands, and installed him pastor 
 of that congregation. The ordination sermon was 
 preached by the Rev. James F. Armstrong, the Rev. 
 Gilbert T. Snowden presided in the laying on of the 
 hands of the Presbytery ; and a solemn and impres- 
 sive charge to the newly ordained pastor and to the 
 congregation assembled, was delivered by the Rev. 
 Joseph Clark. 
 
 The congregation at Basking Ridge, embracing a 
 - 4 
 
38 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 district of country about ten miles square, and quite 
 thickly populated, presented a field for ministerial la- 
 bors, extensive and arduous. But the pastor"^ whom 
 they had chosen was adapted, in a peculiar manner, 
 to their circumstances and character ; and the event 
 proved that he was sent to them in " the fullness of 
 the blessing of the Gospel." The congregation hav- 
 ing been vacant for a considerable number of years, 
 in consequence of unhappy dissensions which existed 
 in its bosom, had experienced a great dearth of the 
 word and ordinances of God, and become weary of 
 their destitute and afflicted condition. This, together 
 with a recollection, still lively in the minds of many, 
 of the advantages formerly enjoyed, under the min- 
 istry of the pious and venerable Mr. Kennedy, filled 
 the hearts of the intelligent and reflecting people with 
 great desire to enjoy again the stated means of grace. 
 And considering the painful disagreement, and utter 
 unsuccessfulness which had attended some former at- 
 tempts to realize this great Christian privilege, it was 
 esteemed a propitious circumstance, and a token of 
 
 ^ The following anecdote, which has been obligingly furnished, 
 relates to a subject of great importance, and appears calculated to 
 "be useful. For some time after Mr. Finley's settlement at Basking 
 Ridge, he boarded with one of the members of the session of this 
 church, who was a very serious and judicious man. " Mr. Finley 
 arose very early one morning^ saddled his horse, and was just start- 
 ing to attend some appointment, when the elder asked him if he 
 was going before morning prayers. Mr. Finley said he believed so. 
 The elder replied, he might stand in need of them before night. 
 The reproof was seasonable. Mr. Finley returned and went to 
 prayer, and often said, the admonition came sensibly home to him, 
 and had an operating influence on his life." 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 39 
 
 Divine approbation, that great unanimity and satis- 
 faction prevaJled among this numerous people in the 
 choice of a pastor which had now been made. His 
 manner of preaching from the beginning was pecu- 
 liarly plain and edifying, and in a considerable degree 
 dignified and earnest. 
 
 He commenced his ministry and continued in the 
 practice of writing his sermons, until unexpected and 
 frequent calls to preach and to perform pastoral ser- 
 vice, compelled him gradually to dispense with this 
 labor and at length to relinquish the use of written 
 discourses altogether. The congregation manifested 
 peculiar respect and attention to the character and 
 ministry of their pastor ; and his labors were very 
 soon followed by a visible improvement in the state 
 of the church and in the manners of the people. 
 
 In May, 1798, Mr. Finley was united in marriage 
 to Miss Esther Caldwell, a daughter of the Rev. James 
 Caldwell,"^ who was for twenty years the zealous and 
 beloved pastor of the Presbyterian congregation at 
 Elizabethtown, New Jersey. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Finley's settlement at Basking 
 Ridge, he was induced to undertake the instruction 
 of a small number of boys, some of whom were to be 
 prepared for business, the greater part for college. 
 Thus was laid the foundation of a school, which be- 
 ca,me permanent, and which for popularity, usefulness 
 and real excellence during twenty years, it is believed, 
 has been surpassed by no classical seminary on this 
 
 * For a biographical view of this highly respectable minister of 
 the Gospelj and his tragical end, see the close of the volume. 
 
40 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 continent. In the commencement of this business, 
 Mr. Finley contemplated principally giving agreeable 
 and useful employment to that portion of his time 
 which he could spare from more sacred duties and the 
 gratification of a few respectable individuals,* at whose 
 request it was undertaken, without embracing in his 
 view the extent to which it was carried or the length 
 of time which it was continued. His small company 
 of pupils, consisting of about ten, were taught at first 
 for some time, in a part of his own dwelling house. 
 After the room thus occupied became too small, a 
 convenient building was erected by the neighborhood 
 for the accommodation of the growing number of 
 scholars, and after a few years, when the increased 
 collection of students demanded still more room, a 
 capacious and sightly edifice was built, in part at his 
 own private expense, but principally by means of 
 liberal contributions from a number of intelligent, 
 wealthy and public-spirited gentlemen, residing in the 
 city of New York. 
 
 Several circumstances conduced to the success of 
 this institution. It was put in operation at a time 
 when grammar schools were less numerous in the 
 State of New Jersey than at present. Mr. Finley 
 admitted a considerable number of the youth into his 
 
 * The most conspicuous of these gentlemen were Dr. Geoi'ge 
 Logcan, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, who committed to Mi'. Fin- 
 ley, at first two sons, afterwards a third; Col. John Bayard, of 
 New Brunswick, who placed a grandson under his care ; Hon. 
 Henry Southard, Mr. Alexander Kirkpatrick, Mr. Lindsly, and a 
 few others, members of his congregation, who increased the number 
 and importance of the school by adding to it, each a son. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 41 
 
 OAvn family, near his person, and under his constant 
 observation. From Mr. Kennedy's having superin- 
 tended a similar institution, in the same place, the 
 peojole had become sensible of the advantages of such 
 an establishment to the neighborhood, and disposed 
 to encourage the seminary, and to facilitate all its 
 operations. The situation was esteemed healthful, 
 and the terms of accommodation were made reason- 
 able. In addition to these circumstances, Mr. Fin- 
 ley's thorough experience and established reputation, 
 as a teacher and disciplinarian, strongly attracted 
 the public attention and confidence. The impression 
 which he had recently made in Charleston, South 
 Carolina, while teaching there, induced many wealthy 
 and respectable citizens in tl^at region to entrust their 
 children to his able instruction and faithful guardian- 
 ship. 
 
 From Virginia and Maryland, gentlemen of dis- 
 tinction furnished him with many agreeable and pro- 
 mising students. But in general, during its last years 
 his school was composed of boys from the cities of 
 New York and Philadelphia, and from his native 
 State. The aggregate of scholars in this institution 
 was often very great, for years in succession. The 
 number of its pupils, originally restricted to twenty- 
 five, sometimes exceeded forty. So far did the ap- 
 plications for admission surpass the capacity for 
 accommodation, that the institution might justly 
 have been denominated a " select school." 
 
 Mr. Finley superintended the institution with great 
 fidelity, and personally inspected with vigilance all 
 
 4* 
 
42 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 its ordinary operations from its first establishment till 
 his removal* from Basking Ridge. 
 
 It was his practice, for many years, to spend some 
 hours, generally in the morning of every day, in the 
 academy, directing the studies of the youth and assist- 
 ing the tutor in all his labors. Being himself accom- 
 plished as a scholar, energetic in all his movements, 
 possessing a peculiar talent to forward boys rapidly 
 in their course of improvement, and his assistants be- 
 ing generally selected with great care, and promptly 
 and assiduously taught to enter into his views and 
 to follow his example, the plan of education pursued 
 was calculated to make sound classical scholars, and 
 to implant in the pupils' minds, principles and habits 
 of subordination and good morals. 
 
 On account of the acknowledged pre-eminence of 
 his capacity for government, very untractable and 
 turbulent youth were at times committed to his care, 
 
 ■^ The labors of his extensive pastoral charge ; his disposition 
 for quiet uninterrupted study ; his agricultural predilection, and 
 especially the trouble and anxiety to himself and family, arising 
 from so much attention to the school — from the necessary respon- 
 sibility to the public for its success, from participating in its daily 
 instruction and care — and firom boarding a considerable number 
 of the scholars, made him ardently wish at one period to withdraw 
 from that charge. Accordingly, by his invitation and request, the 
 management of the seminary was transferred to Mr. David Eng- 
 lish, a gentleman of amiable manners and fine scholarship, who, 
 for a few years, conducted the affairs of the institution in a very 
 reputable manner. After Mr. English retired from this laborious 
 occupation and returned to Georgetown, where he had before re- 
 sided, the whole weight of the academic establishment devolved 
 again on Mr, Finley. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 43 
 
 for the purpose of reformation as well as of instruc- 
 tion. This frequently afforded an opportunity, and 
 created a necessity for the exertion of all his mas- 
 terly powers. The insidious and artful could not 
 escape his deep, persevering, and irresistible scru- 
 tinies. The most hidden disorders and crimes, he 
 would, by some means* detect and bring to light, 
 often to the astonishment of the perpetrators. 
 
 Nudavit, ca^cumque domus scelus omne, retexit. 
 
 His disposition and manners towards the studious 
 and amiable, were kind, condescending, and affec-. 
 tionate beyond expression. He would sometimes 
 
 ■^ In one instance considerable mischief had been committed, at 
 lyght, in the vicinity of the village. A small house had been 
 stoned, some of its glass broken, and its inhabitants very much 
 frightened. No charge was alleged against any particular indi- 
 vidual. It was not even perfectly certain, that a student of the 
 academy had been concerned in the transaction. Mr. Finley, how- 
 ever, when informed of the circumstances, determined to ascertain 
 who had perpetrated the deed. In a silent, and unobserved man- 
 ner, and with much address, he made all possible search and con- 
 tinued his investigation for several days. No evidence, direct or 
 circumstantial, that Avould criminate any one, could he collect. 
 Yet he thought he knew the characters of the citizens and of his 
 students so well that he could tell who had done the mischief, and 
 he resolved on this ground to pursue the following course. In the 
 afternoon of a subsecjuent day he attended in the academy, and 
 towards the close of the business of the day, passing near the boy 
 he suspected, he stooped down and whispered in his ear — " If you 
 go to-night and repair the damages done to that house the other 
 evening, making proper acknowledgments to the people who live in 
 it, nothing further will be done in the business." The fellow was 
 perfectly amazed, made no reply, but as soon as the school was 
 dismissed, performed what was demanded, and the affiiir was 
 settled. 
 
44 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 enter into free and familiar conversation with them, 
 on various common topics. In his walking excur- 
 sions over his farm and through the contiguous parts 
 of the congregation, he would invite some one or 
 more of the youth, at leisure seasons, to accompany 
 him. On the way, he sometimes exercised the ac- 
 companying pupil, by proposing English sentences to 
 be ' Latinized, or false Latin to be rectified. This 
 kind of treatment was very useful to the scholar, and 
 it attached him exceedingly to his teacher. But the 
 idle, the insubordinate, and the vicious, he treated 
 with rigor, sometimes amounting to real harshness 
 and severity ; according to the good old Persian and 
 
 classical system KTtav^acJt /xh ye xai rtar'fpfj iiotj Gui^po- 
 
 avvrjv ixvjxavujvTaixdc Si8aaxa%oi rtaiacv aya^a ^a ^piata. 
 
 His aspect was naturally stern and commanding ; 
 and he could assume a countenance, voice, and man- 
 ner truly terrific. He often presented himself to the 
 indolent and refractory, with a dark and menacing 
 contour — wxtt loixuti. It was his uniform determina- 
 tion to accomplish what he attempted in regard to 
 every youth committed to him, to make him a scholar 
 and a good boy if practicable, in the most easy and 
 agreeable manner, peaceably if possible, energeti- 
 cally if necessary.* 
 
 The general system of discipline he pursued, was 
 enforced among the whole mass of the pupils with 
 
 ^ After a considerable exercise of discipline among the boys in 
 the academy, at a certain time, 3Ir. Finley humorously observed 
 to a friend — " They uill find out after all that I wont quite kill 
 tlicm." 
 
BIOGRAPHi' OF DR. FINLEY. 45 
 
 great uniformity and impartiality. No scholar was 
 exempted from his regular duties, or permitted to 
 pass without the just punishment of his offences, from 
 foolish favoritii^m or low policy, nor were any pun- 
 ished through caprice or passion. The government 
 was not sometimes relaxed into injurious indulgence, 
 and sometimes screwed up into ill-judged strictness, 
 but conducted with a firm and steady hand. This 
 impartiality and uniformity did not, however, pre- 
 vent his employing a variety of methods to effect his 
 purposes with the same or different individuals, at the 
 same time, or at various periods. On the contrary, 
 in answer to the question, " What ways do you make 
 use of in your school ?" he once replied, " All ways, 
 sir." By this reply he intended, no doubt, that he 
 employed all the variety of methods which reflection 
 suggested, or experience pointed out, and which his 
 judgment approved, to spur on the indolent, check 
 the presuming and subdue the refractory, to interest 
 the dull, animate the desponding and encourage the 
 timid, to awaken emulation, to cherish right disposi- 
 tions and confirm good habits. He made use of great 
 exertion and care to impart to his pupils correct ideas 
 and impressions of morals and religion, and to render 
 them judicious and orderly in their manners and de- 
 portment. A determination to bestow particular 
 attention on this branch of education, was manifested 
 by him at an early period in the progress of his semi- 
 nary. During the last ten years of its operation, 
 more especially, he reduced his views and regulations 
 on this subject to perfect system, and uniformly as- 
 
46 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 signed to the scholars at the close of the week, a reli- 
 gious exercise to occupy their attention on the Sab- 
 bath, and to be exhibited on the evening of the Lord's 
 Day, or at the opening of school the next Monday- 
 morning. The nature and extent of this religious 
 study, varied with the age, improvement and capa- 
 city of the pupil. Some were required to learn the 
 catechism, but the greater part recited on prescribed 
 portions of the Word of God.''' At the same time, 
 
 * The facility, propriety and advantage with which the Bible 
 may be introduced into academies and boarding-schools, both male 
 and female, as a Sunday study to be recited Sabbath evenings or 
 Monday mornings, are so obvious, that teachers, superintendents 
 and trustees of all institutions of this kind, ought, without delay, 
 to make this a fundamental regulation and indispensable obser- 
 vance. The youth who assemble in these seminaries are those, in 
 general, who are destined to fill high and influential stations in 
 society, who, from their education, rank and employment, are likely 
 to have a material agency in forming the opinions and regulating 
 the manners of others, and of establishing, in a considerable de- 
 gree, the general character of society. The plan commonly pur- 
 sued in such institutions, of assigning, on Saturday, only the usual 
 lesson for Monday morning, leaves the pupil at entire discretion, 
 with regard to the subject which is to occupy his thoughts on the 
 Sabbath, excepting only the short period to be spent at church. 
 With far the greater part of youth, this is a certain and immense 
 sacrifice of precious and sacred time. Taking into view the extent 
 of the period usually spent in acquiring the elements of an educa- 
 tion in any literary establishment, one lesson each week, on some 
 chapters of the Bible, could not fail to secure to every scholar, of 
 ordinary capacity and application, a most valuable acquaintance 
 with biblical history and evangelic truth in general. What a vastly 
 important addition is this to the instructions usually communicated 
 in private and public seminaries ! When we consider, also, the 
 moral improvement which ordinarily accompanies or proceeds from 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 47 
 
 Mr. Finley watched and observed, as far as possible, 
 the private conduct of his boys, and frequently took 
 opportunities to counsel and direct such of them as ap- 
 peared to him, not deserving of censure, but in need 
 of paternal caution and advice in regard to their 
 moral deportment. 
 
 On the whole, this institution was highly respecta- 
 ble, and very extensively useful. A considerable 
 number of men from several States in the Union, 
 who received the elements of their education in its 
 bosom, are pursuing professional occupations, and 
 filling distinguished stations in society, promising in- 
 creasing honor to this seminary and to the name of 
 its founder, rej)utation to themselves, and usefulness 
 to their country. 
 
 Important benefits began immediately to result 
 from Mr. Finley's ministerial labors at Basking Ridge. 
 Old divisions and animosities disappeared, and the 
 people became of one heart and one mind. Habits 
 of attending closely and seriously on the public and 
 stated means of grace, were revived. The congrega- 
 tion began to improve in Gospel knowledge and dis- 
 cipline. Through the divine blessing, pleasing addi- 
 tions were made to the church, from year to year. 
 A general amelioration was visible in the whole as- 
 
 the acquirement of sound Christian knowledge, how interesting 
 does this subject become ! — how great and manifest the proba- 
 ble advantage of pursuing this course ! — how pleasing the reflec- 
 tion to a conscientious, faithful teacher, that while he is imparting 
 to his pupils the elements of human science, he is furnishing them 
 with the means of becoming, through the blessing of God, wise to 
 salvation. 
 
48 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 pect of society. And a way appeared to have been 
 prepared, through the superintending care and gra- 
 cious influence of God, for that peculiar and joyful 
 visitation of power and mercy "from the presence of 
 the Lord," which was experienced there in the eighth 
 year of Mr. Finley's ministry ; producing most pre- 
 cious and lasting eifects among that people, and lively 
 emotions of pleasure, through the church in general, 
 in every part of our country. 
 
 But although the foundation was undoubtedly thus 
 laid for the important event which soon followed, 
 there was nothing discoverable in the state of the 
 congregation, immediately previous, that pointed out 
 its near and glorious advent. A powerful and happy 
 awakening and revival had been experienced, a short 
 time preceding, in the congregation of Morristown, 
 then under the pastoral care of the Rev. afterwards 
 Dr. James Richards, without being attended with a 
 simultaneous excitement in the adjacent congrega- 
 tions or surrounding country. Indeed, notwithstand- 
 ing the external attention and order which had been 
 exhibited, and the salutary influence of the stated ad- 
 ministration of the divine ordinances which had been 
 witnessed there, it was manifest that the life and 
 power of true piety were but little felt, and that reli- 
 gion, in its essence and spirit, was at a low ebb. 
 Coldness and indifierence appeared to have pervaded 
 the church in general, throughout the whole State. 
 In this district, however, one auspicious symptom ap- 
 peared : while the church slumbered, her pastors were 
 awake. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 49 
 
 An association had been recently formed, more 
 especially by the ministers of those congregations 
 now embraced by the Presbytery of Jersey,* the ob- 
 ject of which was to perform preaching tours through 
 their respective congregations, in succession, by two 
 or more ministers in company. This evangelizing 
 system had been pursued for a number of weeks, and 
 a considerable impression made, through the Divine 
 blessing, on a neighboring congregation, when Mr. 
 Finley, by invitation, participated in these labors of 
 love, and was touched with a holy spark from heaven, 
 which soon animated and enkindled a great propor- 
 tion of the people of his charge. 
 
 A brief representation of this revival,-\ which took 
 place during the year 1803, was sent, by Mr. Finley, 
 to the Committee of Missions of the General Assem- 
 bly of the Presbyterian Church, in a letter addressed 
 to the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, chairman of said com- 
 mittee, and by them published in the General Assem- 
 bly's "Missionary Magazine," vol. 1st, page 553. 
 As the communication here referred to gives a cor- 
 
 * This ecclesiastical body was originally called the Presbytery 
 of New York. In October, 1809, that part of it which lay in the 
 city of Xew York and its vicinity, was set ofi" by an act of the Sy- 
 nod of New York and New Jersey, and constituted a new Presby- 
 tery, with the name of the Presbytery of New York. The remain- 
 ing- part, situated in the State of New Jersey, was permitted to 
 retain the records, and to proceed as usual, under the new appel- 
 lation of the Presbytery of Jersey. 
 
 t The term revival is here used according to its ordinary accepta- 
 tion, to signify an extensive out-pouring of the Divine Spirit, and 
 a powerful awakening among sinners. 
 
60 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 rect, unadorned and solemn account of this impor- 
 tant event in the Church of Christ, and as this maga- 
 zine is not generally possessed through the country, 
 it appears highly proper that this authentic and inter- 
 esting detail should be inserted here at full length. 
 
 " Extracts from a Letter received from the Rev. Robert Finley, at Basking 
 Ridge, New Jersey, Dec. 23d, ISO-l. 
 
 "When the present year commenced, it found us 
 in a profound sleep, with regard to our everlasting 
 concerns. All was still, nor was there a voice heard. 
 The valley of the son of Hinnom was full of dry 
 bones. Yet the day of deliverance was at hand, and 
 at this midnight the cry was preparing, " the bride- 
 groom Cometh, go ye out to meet him." The clergy 
 of the Presbytery of New York, had now for a month 
 or two been engaged in preaching from church to 
 church, after the example of the Lord's disciples, who 
 were sent out two by two. A serious attention to 
 religion had also been excited in one of the adjoining 
 churches. In the month of February I was invited 
 by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, pastor of the church at 
 Mendham, to meet the brethren Avho were to visit his 
 people about that time. I complied, and saw a large 
 assembly eagerly bent on hearing the word of life. 
 I saw no extraordinary appearances, and in my own 
 soul felt no inward refreshings, I then learnt what 
 I have felt much more sensibly since, " that it is not 
 of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth," but 
 " that every good and perfect gift cometh down from 
 the Father of Lights." Being invited to unite in the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 61 
 
 exertions that were making by the clergy, in favor of 
 religion, I gladly accepted, and met for the first time 
 with the brethren, on the first Tuesday of February. 
 The assembly to which they preached was neither 
 large nor solemn. But while making an address on 
 the expostulation of Jesus, " why stand ye here all 
 the day idle," there was imparted to my soul a sen- 
 sation and a view which I hope was worth the world. 
 I knew not what it was, and hardly what it meant. 
 It was a dark night, but it seemed like the beginning 
 of the light of heaven. The returning day brought 
 my heart again to the same subject. I felt like one 
 who had been bewildered, and was just awakening to 
 the hope of deliverance from the maze. Towards 
 evening my feelings came to a point, and I began to 
 think of the afflicted captives by the streams of Baby- 
 lon. Their mighty attachment to the beloved city 
 was understood, and its fallen walls were mourned 
 over. The remainder of the week was spent in eager 
 lockings for the Sabbath. When the Sabbath arrived, 
 the day was stormy and tempestuous, so that new 
 discouragements were excited. There had been many 
 fine days and crowded assemblies, when there was no 
 heart to speak, no agonizing desire to awaken and 
 rescue men. And now, when the desire was intense, 
 and the resolution superior to all fear of man, the 
 people were kept at home. It was of Him whose 
 counsels may not be challenged. Only about twenty 
 persons attended the church. Of these about one- 
 third were professors, and of the remainder there was 
 not one who was not laid under solemn conviction of 
 
52 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 sin. It now brings to my remembrance the army of 
 Gideon, which was reduced before it could gain the 
 victory. The subject of discourse was that day, "the 
 night is far spent, the day is at hand." How lite- 
 rally true did the Lord nov,^ make it thus to be with 
 regard to us. A good portion of the few of that day 
 are now in union with the church, and none of them 
 have turned back to folly as yet. that the gra- 
 cious Lord would prevent the curse of Chorazin and 
 Bethsaida from coming upon them ! The vibration 
 of the stroke upon these few hearts, was more widely 
 felt than could have been expected. On the evening 
 following, there were about forty young persons 
 assembled for their improvement in music. Their 
 teacher did not attend ; and, under the awe of the 
 preceding day, a few of them desired a discourse. It 
 was given them from the words, " what is thy re- 
 quest?" It appeared to be from the Lord, that the 
 teacher did not come. Several persons were this 
 evening awakened to a consideration of their ways ; 
 and when they were dismissed, it was delightful to 
 observe that they went away with remarkable deco- 
 rum and solemn silence. It seemed as if every heart 
 had received a portion, the nature of which was yet 
 to be opened up. It was natural and agreeable to 
 duty to keep these things to myself and ponder them 
 well, to see if the Lord was in very deed in them. 
 Nearly the whole who were present on that occasion, 
 are now members of the church. 
 
 " On Tuesday of this week, the Rev. Messrs. Kol- 
 lock and Thompson, in their circuit, visited my church 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 53 
 
 for the first time : and they appeared to be sent in 
 the fullness of the blessing of the gospel. The people 
 attended generally, and seemed as if they were in 
 expectation that something of an interesting nature 
 would take place. It has since been seen that im- 
 pressions before made, were much deepened, and that 
 various persons were newly awakened from their long 
 sleep. The Lord had now prepared his means for 
 producing a great and sudden sensibility, on the sub- 
 jects of the soul and eternity. A few persons from 
 Mendham, who were seriously seeking for eternal life, 
 continued during Tuesday night in this vicinity, and 
 next morning came to converse with the ministers at 
 my house. As they approached, whoever beheld 
 them, seemed to look upon them as persons that had 
 received a call to prepare to meet their God. I was 
 asked whether I would be willing to meet with a few 
 that evening : being much indisj)osed, I declined. 
 Notice notwithstanding was given of a meeting, and 
 when, contrary to my expectation, I attended, judge 
 of my joy and wonder, when I saw a large assembly 
 in solemn and weeping silence. Wherever I turned 
 my eyes, I observed anxiety and tears. The difficulty 
 of beginning an address was only equalled by the 
 difficulty of leaving off. A perfect silence was dif- 
 fused throughout, till we were separating, when two 
 young persons who w^ere particular for their intimacy, 
 met each other from different parts of the house, and 
 seeing their mutual situation, fell into each other's 
 arms, with a momentary emotion, which was widely 
 felt. It was now evident to all that there was much 
 
54 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 room for hope and prayer. We therefore appointed 
 to meet on Friday of the next week, at the academy. 
 You may suppose, sir, that the Sabbath was looked 
 for with an ardent desire. It was one of the most 
 stormy days I ever saw. Notwithstanding this, we 
 had a considerable assembly, who resembled Mr. 
 Bunyan's pilgrim, when putting his hands on his ears, 
 he began to run, and cry "Life! life! eternal life !" 
 In company with brother Richards, I took a preaching 
 tour this week, (second week of February) and left 
 my people until Friday morning. I had a most 
 pleasant tour, though it was the severest weather we 
 had this winter. In my absence, the almost instan- 
 taneous death of one of my most respectable people, 
 greatly increased the number and depth of the con- 
 victions. A large assembly collected at his funeral, 
 and the very silence that reigned, (for there was no 
 service) seemed to be blessed by God to the further- 
 ance of the work. The evening of the day on which 
 I returned, was our first regular meeting for prayer. 
 The report had by this time spread through the 
 congregation that there was a serious awakening in the 
 neighborhood of the church; so that notwithstanding 
 the darkness of the night and badness of travelling, 
 there was a large assembly. A discourse was preached 
 without any thing remarkable, except a very fixed 
 attention. When the general round of exercises was 
 gone through, it was made known that any who wished 
 might depart, but that a few words would be addressed 
 to those who were supposed to be awakened by the 
 Holy Spirit. No one departed. An address w^as 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 55 
 
 then made, as above mentioned. "When the awakened 
 being summoned "to come out and separate," there 
 was, in the twinkling of an eye, a suppressed cry 
 from, 'it is supposed, not less than fifty persons. That 
 I may be understood, I mean by a suppressed cry, a 
 cry resembling that which weeping children utter, 
 when they are forbidden to weep aloud. I leave you, 
 my dear friend, to conceive the sensations that must 
 have been awakened, in a case like this, in the bosom 
 of a minister. Absorbed and lost in wonder, joy and 
 praise, we forgot the time, and passed the hour gene- 
 rally prescribed by prudence. The first thought of 
 passing time presented us with the hour of eleven. 
 This is a solitary instance ; and whether under these 
 circumstances, it can be excused or not, I cannot tell. 
 But of this I am certain ; it was a night to be remem- 
 bered among a thousand. It might be counted upon 
 as certain, that in the space of twelve days, from the 
 first Sabbath till now, one hundred persons wer^ 
 • brought under deep convictions. 
 
 " On the next Sabbath, each neighborhood was 
 desired to institute societies for prayer ; and four or 
 five of them were attended each week with preaching. 
 " On the third week of February, there was nothing 
 remarkable till Friday evening, in a distant part 
 of the congregation, where there was weeping and 
 lamentation which threatened disorder. It was occa- 
 sioned by the accidental collection of a number of 
 those most afi"ected into one corner of the house. By 
 advice it was immediately reduced to silence. This 
 was a time of amazement to many hard and wicked 
 
66 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 persons, and it then seemed as if they woukl all bow 
 with one accord. But while men slept, an enemy was 
 permitted to sow tares, and for a season the heavenly 
 plant was choked. In other distant parts of the 
 congregation there did not promise any thing of a 
 harvest for some time. It might have been two 
 months, which brings us to the month of May, before 
 the work appeared in a powerful and general manner, 
 in the southern part of the congregation. It then 
 appeared tb seize on nearly every heart. About this 
 time I saw the only bodily affection (as it is called) 
 that ever came under my observation. It was a case 
 of a young woman who might be classed with the 
 Gallios in religion. During the greater part of 
 the discourse, she appeared utterly unconcerned. 
 Towards the close, her countenance changed and fell 
 visibly, and in a moment. . She began to pant like 
 one asthmatic, shed for a minute a flood of tears, and 
 *^Yhen these were stayed, the panting increased, and 
 she seemed to approach to suffocation. Her hands* 
 were cold and considerably convulsed. Without the 
 least confusion she was removed into another room, 
 where she was nearly alone, and where she could 
 hear, for she was unwilling to be taken from the house. 
 I have been more particular on this last point, because 
 it is probable some misrepresentations have been made. 
 About midsummer, a similar solemnity began to ap- 
 pear in the western part of the congregation; and 
 also in that part where it was mentioned the tares 
 were sown, there was a precious and most acceptable 
 reviving. In every quarter had there now been a 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. f)/ 
 
 truly heavenly shower, excepting in the east. There 
 were droppings indeed as from the skirts of a majestic 
 cloud, which lightened on some few of the most dark- 
 ened and malignant, and a sure hope enlightened and 
 sweetened their souls. 
 
 " When we were almost in despair of this portion 
 of our dear people, about the month of November we 
 were animated with a delightful prospect. On a cer- 
 tain evening very dark and rainy, not more than forty 
 persons attended. But so far as information has been 
 obtained,^there scarcely was an individual who was 
 not greatly affected, either with joy or anxiety. Some 
 very hardened persons wept bitterly, and some very 
 young persons were tenderly moved. The renewal of 
 something like this has been very refreshing in the 
 same place since that time, from which we are looking 
 with humble hope for a little harvest. It had often 
 seemed to me almost the sole cause of a minister's 
 grief, that men could not be made to awake. But 
 now, when there were so many excited to a serious 
 consideration, there was an anxiety called up in my 
 mind which had been unknown before. While the 
 immortal soul stood hesitating between life and death, 
 and there was a jeopardy every hour, lest temptation 
 should prevail, or death close all opportunity, you 
 may well suppose they were viewed with an earnest 
 eye. Every human excitement was put before the 
 heart; but experience gave evidence that conversion 
 was no less a work of God^than conviction. There 
 were none who were made to taste very speedily of 
 the joy of their Lord. In about five or six weeks, 
 
58 BIOGRAPHY or DR. FINLEY. 
 
 however, there were some who began to hope that the 
 Lord had graciously revealed himself to them. But 
 these soon lost their hope, and were plunged more 
 deeply than ever into sorrow, and overwhelmed more 
 than before, with a sense of their sin and helplessness. 
 Those who continued longer before obtaining faith 
 and.hope in the mercy of God, appeared more steady 
 from the beginning of their joy. Yet the former did, 
 for the most part, recover again and stand more firmly 
 than at first. In the course of four months we received 
 into the communion of the church, with mixed joy 
 and fear, sixty-four persons. Others continued a 
 longer or a shorter period, as it pleased Him who is 
 the truth and the life. I was happy beyond expres- 
 sion, when constantly mingling with the people, to 
 find here and there springing up new plants of our 
 heavenly Father's planting. 
 
 "In the month of October the church again opened 
 her joyful bosom and admitted fify-six more to its 
 communion. In the manner of conviction there was 
 but little variety. The general grief was sin, and 
 particularly the sin of forgetting God. The Lord 
 brought to their remembrance his own expostulation, 
 "If I be a father, where is mine honor?" — Grief for 
 this sin seemed to be augmented from finding that by 
 nature their hearts loved idols : they were still inclined 
 to follow them. Thus were they taught, we hope, 
 that conversion was necessary, and that it must come 
 from God. The Lord was very gracious in this, that 
 though the conviction was very sharp with many, yet 
 I have met with no instance that bordered on despair. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 59 
 
 When the Lord had said, "thou hast destroyed thy- 
 self," he seemed to add, "but in me is thy help 
 found." As the manner of conviction bore a strong 
 affinity in nearly all ; so their manner of expressing 
 their hopes of acceptance with God, had a very great 
 uniformity. There were a very few who in the hour 
 of deliverance, felt such a remarkable animation of 
 the pleasing and dutiful dispositions of the heart, that 
 they seemed to rest too much on the change of their 
 feelings and less on the great atonement. And there 
 was one and only one instance, of a person whose 
 experience was of the visionary kind. While the 
 greater part were humbled through a sense of their 
 fallen and helpless state, and looked to Him who was 
 lifted up to take away the sins of the world ; it was 
 truly refreshing, and even establishing to the seeking 
 soul, to hear with what clearness some, who had been 
 utterly ignorant of religion, now spoke of Christ, as 
 the wisdom and pov/er of God to every one that 
 believeth. I have seen no instance of raptures, but 
 have seen a great many solid comforts, which were 
 truly delightful to behold. 
 
 " I have already given some intimation of the 
 number who were affected with a solemn view of the 
 interests of the soul. It has been mentioned that a 
 hundred and twenty had been added to the commu- 
 nion of the Church. About forty others have ex- 
 pressed a belief that they are builded upon the Rock 
 of Ages. In addition to these a large number were 
 awakened to some serious concern ; in all, probably 
 not less three hundred persons of all ages, sexes, and 
 
60 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 descriptions. "VYe had reason to hope that an aged 
 man, after he had lived considerably above eighty 
 years, was received into the divine favor in the last 
 month of his life. And what perhaps may be men- 
 tioned properly in this place, near the close of the 
 work, there were four persons awakened on one Sab- 
 bath, each nearly seventy years of age. The serious- 
 ness among little children was also very extensive, 
 and though no encouragement whatever was given to 
 do so, it was admirable to hear them telling of the 
 light of the Scriptures ; and of their fear to go to 
 sleep lest they should lose their delightful views of 
 heavenly things. The number of new convictions is 
 now but very small ; but that of those who hereto- 
 fore had been roused to consideration and are from 
 time to time led to the waters of healing, is comfort- 
 ably great. Blessed be God, as yet we have had 
 nothing to lament as to the unbecoming walk of any. 
 "We have now a goodly flock, but already it begins 
 to scatter. Nearly a dozen have removed ; one or 
 two have died — so that in a few years we shall stand 
 in the same need as ever of a summer and a harvest. 
 Oh ! if the Lord may look on us and keep us as the 
 apple of his eye, and be ever ready to renew the 
 happy year, which in free and rich grace is now given 
 to us ! 
 
 " Thus, sir, I have traced a few of those events 
 which have taken place among us, and if the relation 
 shall be any satisfaction to you, it will be a pleasure 
 to one, Avho is happy to say how respectfully and 
 aftectionately he is yours. 
 
 '^KOBERT FINLEY." 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 1)K. FINLEY. 61 
 
 In this memorable and precious season, the refresh- 
 ing influences of the Holy Spirit, were experienced, 
 first in the pastor's own heart. But the set time, to 
 favor this portion of Zion, had come, and the quick- 
 ening impulse soon became very powerful and very 
 extensive. Through the whole of this gracious dis- 
 pensation to that church, the pastor manifested a 
 degree of excitement, fervor, and joy, which fully 
 corresponded with the most powerful and lively 
 operations of divine grace, displayed around him. 
 He gave himself wholly up to God, in this great 
 work, as an instrument to increase its efficacy and to 
 magnify its glory, x^^ll the powers of his nature 
 were roused to action, and engaged in his Master's 
 and in his peoples' service. He allowed himself 
 time scarcely sufficient for necessary refreshment. 
 He visited, he preached, he taught, he warned, he 
 prayed daily from house to house with aff*ectionate 
 importunity and flowing tears. He flew with ra- 
 pidity to every quarter of his extensive congregation, 
 laboring by day and by night to awaken the thought- 
 less and unmoved out of their perilous and afflicting 
 sleep. In his public discourses, he spake with a de- 
 gree of earnestness and vehemence truly astonish- 
 ing, almost more than human. His great zeal and 
 corresponding eff'orts within his own congregation, 
 where the same earnestness abounded, created no 
 emotions but those of sober admiration, deep con- 
 cern, and profound satisfaction. In his occasional 
 ministrations, in neighboring congregations where 
 the professors of religion remained formal and luke- 
 (3 
 
62 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 warm, and where the people in general felt very little 
 interest in these eternal concerns, his zeal appeared 
 to some immoderate and his manner extravagant. In 
 their cold and lifeless state they could not enter into 
 his views, nor keep pace with his feelings. Hence 
 some accounted his unusual warmth and extraordinary 
 exertions enthusiastic. In this they exposed their 
 own Laodicean temper and excited his tender pity. 
 
 The " view" with which he was visited in the com- 
 mencement of this revival, and the renewed impulse 
 which he now received from above, in his gospel mi- 
 nistry, produced in him effects the most permanent 
 and happy. They seemed to animate, direct, and 
 characterize all his subsequent life, in public and in 
 private. It became manifest that the high tone of 
 religious feeling and uncommon ardor in exertion, 
 for which Mr. Finley was remarkable, perhaps some- 
 what singular, especially during this work of grace 
 among his people, did not spring from a transient 
 excitement of the passions, but were produced by a 
 clear and lasting discovery of the vast and eternal 
 obligations and interests here involved, accompanied 
 by a rational and sincere regard for the divine glory, 
 and an ardent desire for the salvation of souls. This 
 visitation of mercy produced an addition to the com- 
 munion of the church at Basking Ridge, of one hun- 
 dred and thirty-two members. 
 
 The success with which God was pleased thus 
 early to crown his ministrations, contributed in a 
 great degree to place him in a conspicuous light 
 before the public, and to establish his reputation in 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 63 
 
 the church as an able, faithful, and successful minis- 
 ter of the New Testament. The world judged cor- 
 rectly, that they, whom God so signally honors, 'in 
 making them the favored instruments of doing so 
 much good to others, deserve peculiar reverence and 
 honor from men. 
 
 After this season had subsided, and new instances 
 of awakening and conversion became comparatively 
 rare, many precious fruits of the revival continued 
 to be experienced among that people. In the ensu- 
 ing year, thirty souls were added to the church, who 
 for the most part were considered as gleanings of th% 
 preceding harvest. The pastor devoted himself, with 
 great diligence and perseverance, to the interests of 
 his flock. Praying societies, which had been insti- 
 tuted while the excitement continued, and conducted 
 without his presence and aid, he now fostered as nur- 
 series of piety, and as the hope of the church. He 
 watched over new professors, and especially the 
 young converts, with parental vigilance and fidelity. 
 The poor, the unfortunate, and the afflicted of Christ's 
 family shared his peculiar sympathy and kindness. 
 He took great pains to search out and become par- 
 ticularly acquainted with those who were in depen- 
 dent circumstances, exposed to difficulties, inconve- 
 niently situated for attending on the public worship 
 of God, and surrounded by corrupt and dangerous 
 society. To them he extended the best and speediest 
 relief in his power. In several instances he incurred 
 considerable expense in procuring, in the condition 
 of such, the changes and ameliorations which he 
 thought necessary. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Mr. Finley's exertions to retain the Bible as a school book — 
 Is elected a Trustee of Princeton College — A new excite- 
 ment in his Parish — Appointed to preach the missionary 
 sermon before the General Assembly — Appointed as a dele- 
 gate to the General Association of Connecticut — A very 
 
 INTERESTING SCENE AT BaSKING RiDGE — Mr. FiNLEY LABORS IN 
 
 Sussex County and other places — He and Rev. Geo. S. "VVood- 
 
 HULL ORIGINATE THE BiBLE ClASS SYSTEM IN ChURCHES DoiNGS 
 
 OF Presbyterian Synod — General Assembly in regard to it — 
 He introduces it into his Parish — Divine Blessing follows 
 — Youth awakened. 
 
 About this period, prejudice against using the 
 
 Bible as a school book, began to manifest itself, and 
 
 to prevail in some parts of this country. Many of 
 
 the ignorant and unprincipled teachers, Tvho were 
 
 then in numerous instances employed, especially in 
 
 country places,* entertained and propagated this 
 
 unhappy delusion. 
 
 * The teacher employed at that time in the village of Baskiug 
 Ridge, was strongly opposed to introducing the Bible as a school 
 book. "WTien Mr. Finley called to recommend the measure, he 
 found him obstinate on the subject, disposed to argue, cavil and 
 resist. After making some gentle attempts to induce his compli- 
 ance, without perceiving a disposition to yield, Mr. Finley addressed 
 him in substance as follows : " Sir, my mind is made up on the 
 subject; you knoAv my wish; I have no objection to you as a 
 teacher on any other ground ; but if you don't comply immediately 
 on this point, prepare your accounts, and collect your money ; for 
 you sha'nt be here a week." That argument had the desired effect 
 at once. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FTNLEY. 65 
 
 Mr. Finley exerted all his zeal and influence to 
 retain the Bible, and to introduce it to daily use, in 
 all the schools of the surrounding country. Under 
 a deep persuasion, that children and youth cannot 
 become too early and familiarly acquainted with the 
 word of God, he devoted himself to this interesting 
 object, till he saw it completely attained. He paid 
 considerable attention also, to the characters and quali- 
 fications of the teachers employed in the schools of 
 his congregation, and endeavored to impress the 
 minds of the people with a sense of the necessity and 
 importance of exercising prudent care and caution, 
 in engaging instructors for their children. 
 
 During several succeeding years, the congregation 
 enjoyed no extraordinary effusion of the Holy Spirit, 
 but rather exhibited an interesting state of peace, 
 order, and gradual improvement in divine knowledge 
 and grace. Small additions were uniformly made to 
 the church, of such as gave evidence of a gracious 
 change, and entertained a hope of salvation, through 
 faith in Christ. The elders of the church, hand in 
 hand with their pastor, as the records of their trans- 
 actions evince, exercised the utmost watchfulness and 
 care over the flock, admonishing, exhorting, reproving, 
 with all gentleness and long suffering. Considering 
 the great increase in the number of professing Chris- 
 tians, that had been recently made, instances of 
 backsliding and apostacy were unusually rare in that 
 church. 
 
 In the year 1806, Mr. Finley was elected a mem- 
 ber of the Board of Trustees of the College of New 
 
 6* 
 
66 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Jersey. This was considered by the public as a very 
 honorable testimony of his growing respectability and 
 merit. Liberal and public spirited in all his views 
 and operations, a friend and patron of science and 
 general improvement, and warmly attached and de- 
 voted to the interests of this college, as his alma 
 mater, the fountain at which he had imbibed the 
 streams of knowledge and of religion ; he discharged 
 the duties of this responsible station with the utmost 
 constancy and faithfulness, till his removal from New 
 Jersey. 
 
 In the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and 
 eight, his ministerial labors at Basking Ridge were 
 attended again with more than ordinary effect. The 
 congregation in general were excited to more diligent 
 and serious attention to the preaching of God's word 
 and administration of his ordinances, than had been 
 witnessed for several former years. The increase of 
 attention among sinners was so considerable, and the 
 divine influence communicated to Christians so mani- 
 fest, as to warrant the distinguishing appellation of 
 a revival of religion ; and this era ought to be viewed 
 as much more than ordinarily interesting and prosper- 
 ous, in the annals of that church. For, in the course 
 of this year, about twenty persons were added to the 
 communion, on professing their faith in Christ ; and 
 the numerous body of Christians, composing the 
 church, were greatly animated and comforted in the 
 divine life. 
 
 In the year eighteen hundred and nine, Mr. Finley 
 was selected to preach the missionary sermon during 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 67 
 
 the meeting of the General Assembly, in the city of 
 Philadelphia. This service he performed with credit 
 to himself, and satisfaction to the audience. He 
 received the thanks of the Assembly, for the zealous 
 effort he had made to promote the missionary cause. 
 His modesty induced him to decline furnishing a copy 
 of this discourse for publication, notwithstanding this 
 practice had been observed, with very few deviations, 
 for many preceding years. 
 
 In the same year he was appointed by the General 
 Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in connection 
 with the Rev. Messrs. John B. Romeyn and Edward 
 D. Griffin, "to attend the next meeting of the Gene- 
 ral Association of Connecticut." As a member of 
 this respectable delegation, Mr. Finley discharged his 
 duty faithfully and acceptably. His interview with 
 the Eastern brethren whom he met in that association, 
 gave him great satisfaction ; and the travel to Con- 
 necticut was greatly serviceable to his health, at that 
 time somewhat impaired. 
 
 The year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
 and twelve, which was the seventeenth year of Mr. 
 Finley's ministry, presented another very interesting 
 and blessed scene in the congregation at Basking 
 Ridge. It pleased God ■ at this time, to repeat his 
 gracious visit to that people, and to grant a precious 
 and renewed manifestation of his presence, and exer- 
 cise of his power and mercy on the hearts of a 
 considerable number, of all ages and characters. 
 The devout and heavenly minded pastor, shared 
 sweetly and copiously the divine influences, shed 
 
68 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 down at this period, upon that portion of Zion. His 
 soul was enkindled afresh in his Master's service; 
 and his powers were stirred up and engaged, to 
 improve the propitious season which seemed to be 
 opening again upon the people of his charge. Trained 
 by a former dispensation of the King of Zion, to the 
 glorious service of conducting a triumph of grace, 
 among the guilt}^ and rebellious sons of men, and 
 called, as he humbly hoped, at this time, to a similar 
 work, on a more extended scale, he came forward as 
 a good soldier of the Captain of salvation, and de- 
 voted all his skill, strength and ardor to the cause. 
 But Paul may plant and Apollos water, it is God 
 who giveth the increase. This visit of the Heavenly 
 Father, appeared from the result, to have been 
 designed, in a considerable degree, for the improve- 
 ment and consolation of his own dear people, the 
 subjects of his former works of grace. They needed 
 quickening and encouragement in the Christian course, 
 'and the hearts of many that doubted and feared, were 
 animated and established in the faith and hope of the 
 gospel; some that were broken and contrite, that 
 languished and fainted, were revived and invigorated ; 
 some that hungered and thirsted, were abundantly 
 satisfied and filled with gladness, in this time of 
 refreshing from the presence of the Lord. While the 
 professing people of God were deeply humbled, excited 
 to fervent supplication, and brought solemnly to search 
 and try their own hearts, and renewedly to accept 
 the Saviour and enter the gospel refuge ; many trem- 
 bling sinners were found, anxiously '' inquiring what 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 69 
 
 they should do to be saved." Meetings for prayer 
 and pious conversation, were frequent and crowded. 
 Many solemn and weeping assemblies, by day and at 
 night, with fixed attention and deathlike silence, heard 
 the awakening and cheering messages of truth and 
 mercy, from the lips of their beloved and evangelic 
 pastor. The number of souls gathered in to Christ 
 at this time, was small,* compared with the fruits of 
 a former revival, and with the desires and hopes 
 entertained on this occasion, and considering how 
 extensively solemn convictions appeared to prevail 
 through the congregation in the progress of this 
 gracious work. 
 
 While Mr. Finley was thus laboring ardently and 
 successfully for the promotion of true religion within 
 his own congregational charge, the interests and pros- 
 perity of the Church in general lay near his heart. 
 His local situation rendered it more convenient for 
 him than it was for any other principal member of 
 the presbytery of New Brunswick to visit that por- 
 tion of the church, under the care of this presbytery, 
 in the county of Sussex, now embraced by the pres- 
 bytery of Newton, t in which several important con- 
 gregations were wholly vacant, and others painfully 
 agitated with dissentions and animosities. Animated 
 
 * About thirty-five. 
 
 f The district of the church, here referred to, was set off from 
 the presbytery of New Brunswick, and erected into a distinct pres- 
 bytery bearing the name of the " Presb}i;ery of Newton/' by an act 
 of the Synod of New York and New Jersey, at their last meeting 
 in October eighteen hundred and seventeen. 
 
70 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIN LEY. 
 
 by zeal for the general interests of Zion, and excited 
 by a sincere concern for the destitute state of this 
 region, in the Church, he frequently visited it — some- 
 times spontaneously, oftener at the invitation of some 
 vacant congregation, or request of some contending 
 parties — most frequently by the appointment of the 
 presbytery, who were always pleased to avail them- 
 selves of his services, especially on important occa- 
 sions. His capacity for managing diflScult and criti- 
 cal business was remarkable and well known. He was 
 an acute discerner of the ends and springs of action, 
 in every character ; he possessed an uncommon share 
 of judgment and prudence ; he was calm and dispas- 
 sionate, in a very high degree ; he was fair, frank, 
 and honest in his address ; he was firm and immove- 
 able in his adherence to justice and fairness on every 
 subject ; he was meek and submissive, patient and 
 persevering ; and he was a peculiar lover of peace 
 and harmony."^ Added to this, he had a more ac- 
 
 * In the course of these visits, Mr. Fiuley had the misfortune to 
 incur the displeasure of a brother clergyman, of some standing in 
 the Church. The offended person had manifested his displeasure 
 for some time very decidedly and openly, so as to attract public 
 notice, when an opportunity was unexpectedly afforded Mr. Finley 
 to manifest one of the most excellent dispositions of his heart. 
 The presbytery of New Brunswick had just adjourned and were 
 about separating, when some circumstance drew the clergyman 
 referred to, into a room where Mr. Finley and two or three other 
 persons were sitting. Mr. Finley immediately rose from his seat, 
 addressed the gentleman in a friendly manner, and proceeded 
 calmly to inquire itito the cause of the coolness and neglect which 
 he had for some time manifested towards him. The gentleman 
 making no reply, and showing a disposition to withdraw, Mr. Fin- 
 
 i 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 71 
 
 curate personal knowledge of the churches there 
 than any other man of his standing in the presby- 
 tery. Hence he was selected in many instances as 
 the most suitable character to go to that region of 
 the Church, to supply vacant congregations, to admi- 
 nister the ordinances of the Gospel, and to heal divi- 
 sions among them. He promptly complied, in every 
 instance, when his circumstances and engagements at 
 home would at all permit. Nay, he acted on the 
 principle, that personal and domestic sacrifices must 
 be made for the sake of discharging faithfully public 
 duty. He cheerfully rendered his services and ar- 
 dently exerted all his influence, to accomplish the 
 purposes for which he was sent in these successive 
 tours. He had considerable influence and agency in 
 organizing and bringing into the Presbyterian, con- 
 nection, several important and growing congrega- 
 
 ley pressed him still farther in the following words : — " Sir, I am 
 a friend of peace. I feel that there is a peculiar impropriety in 
 our living in this manner — it must not be so. If I have injured 
 you, tell me wherein, and I will make you any acknowledgment 
 or reparation in my power this moment, and take pleasure in do- 
 ing it.'' The gentleman hesitated, appeared sour and unyielding — 
 Mr. Finley proceeded : " Well, sir, I can do no more than this," 
 laying his hand upon his naked breast, " I solemnly declare that I 
 am unconscious of having ever designedly or inadvertently done 
 you an injury ; but if you will only be reconciled and give me 
 your hand in friendship, I will get down upon my knees and ask 
 your pardon." The gentleman made no reply, turned about, and 
 left the room. Mr. Finley some time after observed, that subse- 
 quently to the above occurrence, he had frequently attempted to 
 court and conciliate this gentleman, but that all his advances and 
 efforts had met with a similar repulse. 
 
72 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 tions. And on the whole, he performed many ardu- 
 ous and successful services for the churches in Sussex, 
 the benefits of which will long be felt and remem- 
 bered by those congregations. 
 
 While Mr. Finley was so unremittingly engaged in 
 endeavoring to promote religion in his own charge, 
 and so zealously devoted to the interests of some por- 
 tions of the Church which lay within the reach of 
 his own personal ministrations, he was also deeply 
 occupied in devising and maturing schemes of the 
 most extensive importance and utility. One ecclesi- 
 astical measure in which he had a principal agency, 
 is too important not to be particularly noticed in 
 these memoirs. I mean the system for instructing 
 youth in the knowledge of the Bible, by classes. The 
 plan originated* in the presbytery of New Bruns- 
 wick, at the semi-annual meeting, in October, 1815. 
 
 * Justice requires it to be distinctly stated that the idea of 
 making this method of instructing j'outh general through the 
 Church, and of taking presbyterial order on the subject, was first 
 suggested by the Rev. George S. Woodhull, of Cranbury, New- 
 Jersey. A few individual pastors, in the Presbyterian Church, it 
 has been ascertained on inquiry, had previously made some at- 
 tempts, in their respective congregations, to introduce this mode 
 of instruction, but, it is believed, without any view to its becoming 
 an established system in the Presbyterian Church. This happy 
 thought first occurred to Mr. Woodhull, and as soon as suggested, 
 was seized with avidity by Mr. Finley. These gentlemen, pur 
 nohile fratriim, acted in concert as far as was practicable, in the 
 whole of this business. The following extract from the minutes 
 of the meeting of presbytery, October 1815, which Avas printed, 
 distributed through the churches, and laid before Synod, to be the 
 basis of their proceeding on the subject, was reported to presby- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. io 
 
 In the Synod of New York and New Jersey, Oc- 
 tober 1815, Mr. Finley appeared in conjunction with 
 his amiable and excellent associate in this business, to 
 
 tery by these gentlemen jointly as a committee, but was written 
 by the last-named gentleman : 
 
 " The committee who were appointed fully to consider and re- 
 port on the resolution passed by the presbytery, recommending to 
 the ministers with pastoral charges, to form classes of young people 
 in their congregations, for studying and reciting on the Bible, 
 brought in the following report, which was read and adopted, 
 viz. : 
 
 '• The present is an age in which great exertions are making for the 
 advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. Although 
 for more than twenty years the civilized world has been shaken to 
 its centre, by long-continued and sanguinary wars, yet the people 
 of God in Europe and America, have not ceased to send missionaries 
 to the heathen, and the word of life to the destitute and poor. No 
 plan, however, as your committee believe, has yet been formed by 
 any ecclesiastical body, for the express purpose of instructing the 
 young in the history, the doctrines, and practical truths of the 
 Bible. Such a plan, if carried into complete and general execu- 
 tion, we believe would, with the blessing of God, be attended 
 with the happiest effects. The young people would have their at- 
 tention directed to the most important truths ; it would lead the 
 way, by easy stages, to almost daily conversations on religious 
 subjects ; it would furnish the minds of the young with such a 
 fund of knowledge as might prevent their becoming victims of en- 
 thusiasm and error. It would be advantageous to ministers them- 
 selves ; it would excite their zeal, and the zeal of their people, and 
 with the blessing of God and the aids of the Spirit, may be in- 
 strumental, in conjunction with other means, of hastening the time 
 when the knowledge of God and his word shall cover the earth, as 
 the waters do the sea. 
 
 " With regard to the details of the plan of instruction, your 
 committee are of opinion that in general, each minister of a con- 
 gregation must be guided by circumstances, and by his own judg- 
 ment. Your committee, however, propose the following: 
 
74 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 recommend and support their favorite plan. The 
 outline presented in the preceding extract from the 
 minutes of the presbytery of New Brunswick was 
 favorably received by the Synod. A resolution was 
 passed approving the plan, accepting the report of 
 
 " 1. Wherever a class sufficiently numerous in any part of the 
 congregation is formed, at the first meeting, the minister shall de- 
 liver a lecture on five chapters, or such other portion of the Bible 
 as he may think proper from the Old or New Testament at his 
 discretion, holding up to view the principal truths contained in 
 those chapters, and explaining the difficult passages they may con- 
 tain. At the next meeting the class shall be examined on these 
 chapters, and another lecture then given on other chapters of the 
 Bible ; this to be continued weekly, or as often as may be conve- 
 vient, and to be accompanied with prayer and singing. 
 
 " 2. If it should be practicable to carry into effect the above 
 plan, the minister may deliver lectures on the Bible on the Sab- 
 bath-day, and examine the young people upon them, as often as 
 he may think proper. 
 
 " Your committee offer the following resolutions — 
 
 '* Resolved, That this report be signed by the Moderator and 
 Clerk, and that fifty copies thereof be printed, and one copy sent 
 to every congregation under the care of the presbj'tery. And that 
 the stated Clerk forward one copy to the Committee of Overtures 
 of the Synod of New York and Ncav Jersey at their next meeting, 
 with a view of bringing this subject before that body, that they 
 may take such order thereon as they may see proper. 
 
 " Resolved., That — [this blank was afterwards filled by the pres- 
 bytery with the names of Messrs. Finley and Woodhull] — be a 
 committee to superintend the printing and distribution of this re- 
 port." 
 
 Although the Church and public are indebted in a great degree 
 to the first suggester of this scheme for its past and promising use- 
 fulness, Mr. Finley is to be considered as having been highly in- 
 strumental in maturing the sj^stem, securing its adoption, and 
 carrying it into practical effect. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 75 
 
 the committee on the subject,* and directing it to be 
 hiid before the next General Assembly, with a view 
 that the proposed system might be approved and 
 
 * The following extract from the minutes of Synod, will present 
 a view of their proceedings in relation to this business, viz : 
 
 The committee of overtures reported that they had overtured a 
 plan for instructing the youth by forming classes in the several 
 congregations for studying and reciting the Bible. 
 
 A committee is appointed to consider and report, &c. 
 
 " The committee to whom was referred the overture on forming 
 classes of young people for studying and reciting the Bible, made 
 the following report which was adopted, viz : 
 
 " This is a subject, which in the opinion of your committee, 
 claims an early and careful attention of the Synod. "VMiile the 
 whole Christian world concurs in presenting to the destitute and 
 uninstructed, the Bible without note or comment, as containing 
 the pure and complete word of life, let us not fail to present it, 
 distinctly under the same correct and important character, to our 
 own children and youth, and induce them by every engaging means 
 to study it as such, lest the commonness of the Bible among us, 
 connected with any apparent neglect of it, or preference of other 
 sources " of instruction, should have influence, to diminish their 
 respect for the sacred volume. To awaken the spirit of inquiry, 
 and engage the attention of the understanding in perusing the 
 scriptures, is an object of the first importance in the religious 
 education of youth. To prevent or correct habits of careless 
 reading, is essential to their progress in knowledge. And to pre- 
 sent distinctly to their view, the Bible as the pure and complete 
 fountain of religious knowledge is indispensable in a faithful care 
 of their education. Your Committee therefore beg leave to suggest 
 the propriety of earnestly recommending to the ministers and 
 sessions under the care of this Synod, to pay special attention to 
 this subject, and provide without delay, for the stated instruction 
 of their children and youth, in distinct portions of the sacred 
 scriptures, in the way of particular study and recitation, upon such 
 plan, and under such arrangements, as each minister and session 
 may think expedient; always taking care, however, that this shall 
 
76 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 adopted for general use, through the Presbyterian 
 Church. 
 
 At the meeting of the General Assembly, in May, 
 1816, this important subject was introduced to the 
 attention of that venerable body, through the stated 
 clerk of the Synod of New York and New Jersey, 
 who, by the instructions of Synod, laid before the 
 Committee of Overtures, an attested copy of their 
 proceedings relative to this interesting matter. 
 
 At that meeting of the General Assembly, Mr. 
 Finley appeared, to explain and advocate this over- 
 tured measure, and to render it, if practicable, a 
 grand characteristic feature of our ecclesiastical sys- 
 tem, by obtaining for it the approbation and adop- 
 tion of the supreme judicatory in the Presbyterian 
 Church. His highest hopes were realized. The pro- 
 posed measure speedily obtained the sanction of uni- 
 versal suffrage in the General Assembly, and was 
 recommended* to all the Presbyteries and congrega- 
 
 not come in the place of learning the catechisms of our church, 
 with the scripture proofs annexed, but be added to it, and make a 
 leading feature in the course of religious education. Resolved, 
 that an attested copy of the above report be transmitted by the 
 stated clerk, to the committee of overtures of the next General 
 Assembly." 
 
 * The decision of the General Assembly on this subject, con- 
 tained in their printed extracts for the year 1816, is in the follow- 
 ing words : 
 
 " The committee to which was referred the overture from the 
 Synod of New York and New Jersey, on forming classes for young 
 people, for studying and reciting the Bible, reported, and their 
 report being read and amended, was adopted, and is as follows, 
 Yisi : — 
 
 i 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 77 
 
 tions of the Presbyterian Church, to be adopted and 
 observed. 
 
 Mr. Finley was so fully persuaded of the impor- 
 
 " That they consider this subject of great importance, and de- 
 serving the attention and earnest recommendation of the Assembly ; 
 therefore, 
 
 '■'■Resolved^ 1st That it is recommended earnestly to the minis- 
 ters and sessions which are in connection with the General Assem- 
 bly, to pay a special attention to this subject, and provide without 
 delay, for the stated instruction of the children and youth in the 
 Sacred Scriptures, within their respective congregations. 
 
 Resolved^ 2d. That although the particular manner of instruc- 
 tion and recitation in the congregations, ought to be left to the 
 discretion of their ministers and sessions, respectively, yet as some 
 degree of uniformity is desirable, in a business of so much magni- 
 tude, it is recommended, as the most effectual means of promoting 
 the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, that, in all our churches, 
 classes be formed of the youth, to recite the Scriptures in regular 
 order ; that the recitations, if convenient, be as often as once a 
 week, and from two to five chapters appointed for each recitation ; 
 that the youth may be examined on : 
 
 " 1st. The history of the world, but more especially of the Church 
 of God, and of the heathen nations, who were God's agents in ac- 
 complishing his purposes towards his Church. 
 
 " 2d. Persons noted for their piety or ungodliness, and the effects 
 of their example in promoting or injuring the best interests of 
 mankind. 
 
 " 3d. Doctrine and precepts, or ' what man is to believe concern- 
 ing God, and what duty God requires of man.' 
 
 " 4th. Positive ordinances, or the direction which God has given 
 as to the way in which he is to be worshipped acceptably. 
 
 " 5th. The particular features of character of which the Spirit 
 of God has given notice, both in wicked and good persons ; in the 
 last particularly regarding those who were types of Christ, and in 
 what the typical resemblance consisted. 
 
 " 6th. The gradual increase, from time to time, of information 
 concerning the doctrines contained in the Scriptures ; noting the 
 
78 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 tance and excellence of such a system of pious instruc- 
 tion, and so fully determined to try its practical 
 
 admirable adaptation of every new revelation of doctrine, to the 
 increased maturity of the church. The nature of God's law ; its 
 immutability, as constituting an everlasting rule of right and 
 wrong ; the full and perfect illustration of its precepts, given by 
 Christ. 
 
 " 7th. The change which God has made from time to time in 
 positive ordinances, together with the reasons of that change. 
 The dififerente between the moral law and those laws which are 
 positive. 
 
 " 8th. The illustrations of the divine perfections, in the history, 
 biography, doctrines and precepts, together with the positive ordi- 
 nances of the Scriptures. 
 
 " 9th. The practical lessons to regulate our conduct in the vari- 
 ous relations of life. 
 
 " On all these particulars, the meaning of the words used in 
 Scripture must be ascertained, that thus we may iinderstand what 
 we read. 
 
 " Resolved^ 3d. That the Presbyteries under the care of the As- 
 sembly, be directed to take order on this subject ; and they are 
 hereby informed, that this is not to come in the place of learning 
 the Catechisms of our Church, but to be added to it, as an impor- 
 tant branch of religious education." 
 
 In the report of the late General Assembly for 1855, we find a 
 notice of this measure, which originated as stated above : 
 
 " Permit us, brethren, to direct your view to Sabbath-school 
 and Bible class instruction^ not with design of dictating as to the 
 manner in which this shall be attended to, but for the two-fold 
 purpose, first, of pressing upon pastors and sessions, not to allow 
 their congregations, under what disadvantages soever they may 
 seem to labor, to remain without these institutions, so long sanc- 
 tioned by our Church and so signally blessed to the gathering of 
 the youth into the communion of Christ ; and, secondly, to encou- 
 rage such as are already engaged in these §food works and labors 
 of love, to review the past, and to contemplate the present, which 
 we are permitted to see, that they may not be weary in well doinff, 
 for in due season they shall reapP 
 
 J 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 79 
 
 utility, whatever should be the result of the contem- 
 plated applications to the judicatories of the church, 
 that immediately after he had digested the plan in 
 his own mind, he commenced a course of Biblical in- 
 struction among the youth of his own congregation. 
 This first effort was made at Basking Ridge, in the 
 spring of 1815, and about two months preceding the 
 meeting of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, at 
 which the overture to the Synod was prepared. Mr. 
 Finley had the unspeakable satisfaction to see the 
 Lord smiling upon his favorite plan of instruction, 
 and the divine benediction descending upon its inci- 
 pient operations, in a very remarkable manner. 
 
 The prospects of this congregation, as to spiritual 
 increase and comfort, were now again greatly bright- 
 ened by 'an extraordinary communication from the 
 Father of Lights and Mercies. It pleased the King 
 of Zion to bow his heavens, come down, and renew 
 his operations there, in a very special and effectual 
 manner. 
 
 The youth residing principally about the village, 
 who had been formed into a class for the purpose of 
 prosecuting the Bible study, and who had, for some 
 months previous, given careful and diligent attention 
 to the course of instruction prescribed, were the first 
 that felt this heavenly impulse. And the circum- 
 stances of the case were such as to produce a full 
 belief that the Bible study, so recently introduced, 
 had been very extensively, if not exclusively instru- 
 mental,* in producing this unexpected and most ani- 
 
 ■" In a report by Dr. Green, President of the College of New Jer- 
 sey, on the subject of the revival of religion which took place in 
 
80 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 mating excitement. The evidences of this gracious 
 work, were first exhibited in a prayer meeting, which 
 had been instituted some time previous, and observed 
 on Sabbath mornings before the hour of divine ser- 
 vice. This society, after having appeared to dimin- 
 ish in number, and to decline in zeal, was observed 
 to increase suddenly, so much, that a larger room 
 than that usually occupied became necessary. It 
 was at one of these Sabbath morning meetings that 
 the presence and power of the Lord were very clearly 
 manifested. Nearly the whole school, a large num- 
 ber of young persons belonging to the vicinity, and 
 a promiscuous assemblage, of all ages and circum- 
 stances, were present. The Spirit of the Lord de- 
 scended upon them as a rushing mighty wind, and 
 filled the house with his presence. A co^i^siderable 
 number of those present, who had been till then care- 
 less were filled with deep convictions of sin, and con- 
 cern for salvation. A solemn impression was made 
 on many minds, and a seriousness very unusual was 
 spread over the whole assembly. During this inte- 
 resting scene, Mr. Finley was absent from home, and 
 without the least thought of what was taking place 
 there. On his return, after a short absence, and re- 
 ceiving information of what had occurred, mingled 
 
 that institution, 1815, the study of the Holy Scriptures is assigned 
 as one of its chief " instrumental causes." See this report, &c., pub- 
 lished by B. B. Hopkins, Philadelphia, 1815. To the same instru- 
 mental cause, in a very great degree, are to be attributed, several 
 powerful and extensive awakenings recently experienced in the 
 Presbyterian Church in the State of New Jersey, in the State of 
 New York, and in other districts of our country, where the system 
 proposed by the General Assembly has been introduced. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FTNLEY. 81 
 
 emotions of wonder, joy and praise, almost over- 
 whelmed his spirit. His first interview with some 
 trembling, anxious youth, belonging to his school, 
 who came to him for direction and relief, was ex- 
 tremely affecting. His tender sensibilities were so 
 much excited that he was at first unable to speak. 
 
 The spirit of this man of God became now again 
 deeply stirred within him, and he was enabled to 
 make another great and effectual efibrt for the promo- 
 tion of the Redeemer's kingdom, among that people. 
 
 A season of deep conviction and anxious inquiry 
 among sinners now ensued. This work of grace pro- 
 gressed in a silent and hidden manner. It spread 
 gradually and almost imperceptibly, in every direc- 
 tion, from the region of the church where it com- 
 menced, to the extremities of the congregation. The 
 impressions, which were most powerful and alarming, 
 seemed to produce, in general, no audible out-cry, 
 nor any very striking and visible emotion ; but mul- 
 titudes of careless sinners were filled with solemn 
 concern, and^he people of God were deeply afi'ected 
 and moVed by the quickening influences sent down 
 from on high. While the awakening was extending, 
 with a steady and uniform pace in every direction, 
 Mr. Finley endeavored to lead its way and aid its 
 progress, by abundant and unwearied labors. He 
 preached from house to house, in season and out of 
 season, with a vehemence, a frequency and a perse- 
 v0l'ance, truly astonishing, almost incredible. His 
 discourses were usually long, powerful and alarming. 
 His voice, his words and his manner, sometimes, like 
 
82 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 lightning, seemed to strike the guilty to the floor : 
 sometimes his public addresses were of the most ten- 
 der, pathetic and melting kind. In the course of 
 this out-pouring of the Divine Spirit, he preached in 
 a few instances four times a day ; not unfrequently 
 nine times a week ; and for months together, on an 
 average, once in twenty-four hours. His whole heart 
 and spirit seemed to be concentrated and absorbed in 
 this great business. He appeared verily to lose sight 
 of himself, of his academic engagements, of his domes- 
 tic concerns, of his personal ease, and of every inte- 
 rest but the everlasting interests of perishing sinners, 
 and the glory of God. He visited from family to 
 family with the familiarity and affection of a friend 
 and father. He advised, instructed and entreated the 
 thoughtless and secure in sin, with prayers to God 
 and many tears, to seek the Saviour. He performed 
 these duties with an importunity and solemnity of 
 mind, fully convincing every beholder that he felt 
 his awful responsibility ; watching for souls and treat- 
 ing with sinners on the subject of their eternal wel- 
 fare, as an ambassador of the great God. 
 
 The following interesting letter, from a young gen- 
 tleman residing at Basking Ridge during this revival, 
 to a respectable lady who had requested information 
 on this subject, is introduced, and will be read with 
 pleasure : 
 
 ^'•Basking Ridge^ 30th Sep., 1815. 
 "Respected Madam: — 
 
 "I now comply with your request, made through 
 Mr. G. You may justly accuse me of negligence, in 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 83 
 
 omitting thus long to write. When I saw Mr. G. 
 the work was in its first stages, and I thought proper 
 to delay a few weeks, that I might be enabled to give 
 you a more satisfactory statement. 
 
 '' The blessed work of the out-pouring of the Spirit 
 of God, which has at length spread through different 
 parts of this congregation, first commenced in our 
 academy. In the latter part of the month of June, 
 Mr. Finley preached a sermon addressed particularly 
 to the youth. Although, perhaps, a more than ordi- 
 nary attention was observed on that day, yet two 
 weeks elapsed before it was known that any were 
 seriously awakened, when it was discovered that two 
 young men of our school were deeply impressed with 
 a sense of divine things. Impressions on the hearts 
 of others, as was afterwards discovered, were gradu- 
 ally increasing, who did not for several days subse- 
 quent to this manifest it ; until one of the young men 
 who had been disposed to speak lightly of the work, 
 and scofi" at the idea that his school-fellows were be- 
 coming religious, was, while at his lodgings, suddenly 
 arrested with an awful apprehension of the danger of 
 his state, while out of Christ. This had considerable 
 effect with those who had taken part with him in his 
 folly. Thus the number of the subjects of the work 
 was increasing, until it became so powerful, that we 
 were induced to hope for a time, that almost the 
 whole school was pressing into the kingdom of our 
 Saviour. The greater part of the school, which con- 
 sists of about forty-five, were in a greater or less de- 
 gree awakened. What a blessed prospect was then 
 
84 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 before us ! How pleasing to see children of tender 
 age, laying aside their childish sports, and to hear 
 them inquiring for their Saviour ! Compassionate 
 Redeemer ! thou canst out of the mouth of babes and 
 sucklings, perfect praise ! 
 
 " We lament that impressions have worn off with 
 many. But blessed be the name of the Most High, 
 that about nine of their number have obtained a com- 
 fortable hope that they been made the subjects of 
 regenerating grace. We have strong confidence to 
 hope in God, that the seed sown in the hearts of 
 many others will yet spring up, and bear the fruit of 
 eternal life. Oh, Divine Spirit ! perfect thy work in 
 the hearts of those where thou hast commenced it ; 
 begin it where it is not yet begun ; and bring them 
 all into the fold of Christ. 
 
 " This blessed w^ork, which for some time was 
 confined to the academy, has at length spread into 
 various parts of the congregation. It is still, we 
 hope, gradually extending. About thirty persons, 
 including those of the school, have hopefully been 
 converted to' the Saviour. Nearly seventy others 
 are supposed to be in a greater or less degree awa- 
 kened. Mr. Finley labors with unwearied diligence. 
 We have praying societies every evening in the week, 
 many of which Mr. Finley attends. This week, be- 
 sides the regular services of the Sabbath, he has 
 preached seven times. Last evening we had a very 
 interesting meeting. God, by his Spirit, appeared to 
 be sensibly near. 
 
 " What cause of rejoicing to the friends of the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 85 
 
 Redeemer's kingdom in this place, for this gracious 
 visitation from the presence of the Lord. This is a 
 highly favored people. Madam, unite your prayers 
 with ours, for the still greater effusions of the spirit 
 of grace. Yea, blessed Saviour, ride forth in the 
 majesty of thy gospel, and let this be a rich harvest 
 of the precious fruits of eternal life, a glorious in- 
 gathering of precious souls to thyself!" 
 
 8 
 
C HAP TE R IV. 
 
 Mr. Finley's Tours through his large Parish — His Health be- 
 comes IMPAIRED FROM EXCESSIVE LaBORS ACCOUNT OP THE 
 
 EARLY AND PROGRESSIVE THOUGHTS, PlANS, AND DOINGS PREPARA- 
 TORY TO THE Formation of the American Colonization So- 
 ciety — Notice of the African Synodical School — Mr. Finley's 
 Letter to John P. Mumford, Esq. — His Journey to Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 During this season of revival, which continued 
 about eight months, Mr. Finley formed and executed 
 a resolution to visit personally, as minister of the 
 Gospel, not only the households belonging strictly to 
 his extensive charge ; but the great number of fami- 
 lies living in the mountainous and barren out-skirts 
 of his congregation, more particularly on the north- 
 west and southwest borders. This brought upon him, 
 in a cold and inclement season, a great increase of 
 labor and hardships, which he endured cheerfully. 
 To the prosecution of this enterprise of benevolence, 
 he devoted those seasons which he could redeem from 
 the pressure of services and cares nearer home. Thus 
 he endeavored to hunt out the poor and ignorant in 
 their retired dwelling places, to rouse them to a sense 
 of sin and danger, and to convey to their houses and 
 hearts the glad tidings of pardon and salvation, 
 throuGih the blood of Christ. On these tours of com- 
 passion, he spent in the whole, at different times. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 87 
 
 about two months, during the winter of 1815-16. 
 Sometimes he set 'out on foot, and travelled onward 
 for three or four days, instructing* and praying in 
 the families that successively fell in his way. Wher- 
 ever he could assemble a sufficient number, even a 
 small group, he spent some time in preaching and , 
 talkino- to them on the momentous concerns of eter- 
 nity.f 
 
 * In one of Mr. Finley's visits to a remote part of his congrega- 
 tion, he called at a habitation where the head of the family was 
 absent. He soon entered into conversation with the mistress of 
 the house, whom he found at home. She appeared to be highly 
 pleased with having an opportunity of conversing on religious 
 subjects ; and with much apparent warmth and zeal, expressed 
 the most sincere love to God, and the greatest desire to be de- 
 voted to him. After the conversation ended, Mr. Finley called to 
 him one of her children, who was in the house, and asked him 
 some of those questions which are generally very familiar to chil- 
 dren who have been religiously educated — such as, who made 
 you ? of what were you made ? who is the Redeemer of men ? He 
 found that the child was unable to answer any question of this 
 kind, and had received no instruction from his parents in the first 
 principles of religion. He then turned to the woman, and in a 
 tone of indignation, addressed her : " Woman, is this your love to 
 God? How is it possible that you love God, when you neglect to 
 teach your children anything about him ?" &c. He continued his 
 observations until she became much affected, and to appearance 
 deeply impressed. 
 
 f It was often difficult to provide agreeable accommodations 
 for the people that attended ; and the business of preparing seats, 
 in some instances, fell principally upon himself. Once in particu- 
 lar, rather than expose the audience to the inconvenience and fa- 
 tigue of standing to receive his instructions, after the people began 
 to assemble, he took down the loose boards which composed the 
 second floor of the house, and made seats of them on chairs and 
 benches, with his own hands, for the accommodation of the assem- 
 blino- multitude. 
 
88 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 In the course of these missionary excursions, he 
 found more than fifty families totally destitute of the 
 sacred Scriptures. Some of these families he sup- 
 plied immediately from the small stock of Bibles, 
 Testaments, and Tracts he usually took with him on 
 these journeys ; and to the others, he took measures 
 as soon as possible to furnish the word of life.* 
 These labors of love, which he accomplished with no 
 inconsiderable exposure and fatigue, afi'orded his own 
 heart much satisfaction, and he had reason to be- 
 lieve, were productive of extensive benefit to many 
 individuals and families. 
 
 While his expanded benevolence and zeal em- 
 braced the poor and miserable in the extreme limits, 
 and even beyond the confines of his immediate charge, 
 he was inflamed with the most warm desires, and em- 
 ployed, as far as possible, the most vigorous eifortsf to 
 
 * Mr. Finley was in the practice of giving Bibles, occasionally at 
 his own expense, to the poor whom he discovered to be destitute, 
 before the Bible societies of this State commenced their operations. 
 A pastor of a congregation contiguous to that of Basking Ridge, 
 on visiting some families in low circumstances living near the 
 limits of these respective congregations, offered a poor German a 
 Bible, supposing him to have none ; to which the German replied, 
 " You and Finley makes me one very good man, or gives me one 
 very hot hell ; for Finley gives me a Bible many years ago." 
 
 ■}■ Mr. Finley's exertions were necessarily moderated towards 
 
 spring, on account of the exhausted and reduced state of his 
 
 health. The following extract from a letter to a very respectable 
 
 friend in the city of New York, received since writing the above, will 
 
 support and illustrate this remark and other parts of the preceding 
 
 statement : 
 
 Basking Ridge, February 14, 1S16. 
 
 " Dear Sir : — 
 
 " Our past intercourse, which T found oftentimes so satisfactory. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 89 
 
 carry on the work of grace, which continued in some 
 measure to progress, in the interior of his congrega- 
 tion, till the ensuing spring. Of the impressions 
 which had been experienced, those among the youth 
 
 often occurs to my remembrance, and excites a wish that circum- 
 stances could admit me to keep up the same intercourse ^xe once 
 enjoyed. But, so it is, that the business of each day and its cares 
 are sufficient, and often more than sufficient for itself, and though 
 the spirit is willing, it seems impossible to do what would be desi- 
 rable to my old friends. 
 
 " It was a matter of regret that when A was here, he gave 
 
 me so little of his company. Oh ! could we but love our Saviour 
 as we ought, we should soon have our place where no distance 
 would ever separate us from our friends. 
 
 " The revival of religion in this place languishes and declines, 
 owing in the way of means to ni}- being unable to pursue the work ' 
 with much vigor. The great fatigues through which I went during 
 the summer and fall, in the end affected my nervous system greatly 
 and weakened my strength, m the way. Still I preach about three 
 times a week, besides the Sabbath, and my number of hearers is 
 great. New awakenings have not lately occurred, but some of 
 those who have been long awakened, are from time to time brought 
 into the city of refuge. The Lord grant me a little more strength 
 of body and mind to go on and try to serve Him the remnant of 
 an unprofitable life. In my late attempts to serve God, it appears to 
 me there has been less of self than on some former occasions. The 
 little acquaintance I have had with revivals of religion, and the 
 great experience I have had with spiritual pride, induced me to 
 make the observations which you noticed last fall in the Synod, rela- 
 tive to passing j9m6Z{c encomiums on the female praying societies. 
 Concerning these societies, I never had but one opinion, and that 
 was in their favor ; but one desire, the Lord increase their num- 
 ber and their spirit of prayer. 
 
 " We all send our love to Mrs. ; my daughters remember 
 
 yours affectionately, and with great respect and esteem, 
 " I am, dear sir, yours, 
 
 " Robert Fixlky." 
 
90 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 were found in general to be most deep and permanent. 
 And the individuals wlio received comfort from God, 
 in their spiritual concerns, and in due season obtained 
 admission to the communion of his church, as the 
 fruits of this merciful visitation, amounting in the 
 whole to about fifty-five, were chiefly in the morning 
 of life. Of these a considerable number were stu- 
 dents in the academy. Some, who at first made light 
 of this sacred work, became subjects of divine influ- 
 ence, and very early gave evidence of a gracious 
 change. So general and so strong were the spiritual 
 impulse and fervor, in this institution, that a prayer 
 meeting was established and observed regularly with 
 great seriousness, among the members of the school 
 themselves. Several young men of good talents, be- 
 came hopefully pious, during this day of divine power, 
 and are contemplating the ministry of the gospel, as 
 the end of their studies and the desire of their hearts. 
 In the spring of 1816, the congregation returned 
 to its ordinary state, which afi'orded to Mr. Finley a 
 season of comparative repose, very imperiously called 
 for by the impaired state of his health. The ordi- 
 nary labors he prescribed for himself, and faithfully 
 discharged without intermission, having been very ex- 
 tensive, and the seasons of excitement and revival, in 
 which he had made extraordinary exertion, having 
 been quite numerous, it was to be expected, notwith- 
 standing the uncommon strength and vitality of his 
 frame, that the vigor of his constitution and anima- 
 tion of his spirit would feel the efi"ect. At several 
 periods, previous to his last great effort in the service 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 91 
 
 of God, the stability of liis health appeared to be con- 
 siderably shaken, so that relaxation from labor, and 
 invigoration by travelling, became necessary ; but his 
 parochial and domestic ties would not permit him to 
 make excursions so extensive and efficacious, as the 
 condition of his nerves demanded. 
 
 The joy he experienced at this period at seeing the 
 church open her bosom to receive to a participation 
 in her privileges and hopes, more than fifty return- 
 ing prodigals who presented themselves together in 
 the aisle to devote themselves to the Lord, did not re- 
 pair the ravages of intense exertion, severe exposures, 
 sleepless nights, and incessant anxieties, encountered 
 through the preceding winter. Probably, at this 
 period the foundation of that disease was laid, which 
 prematurely terminated his course of usefulness and 
 honor in the church below. His nervous system pre- 
 sented evidences of great debility and disorder. Still 
 he gave nature very little opportunity to recover her 
 wasted energy, either by a suspension of labor or a 
 resort to efficient restoratives. He generally in- 
 creased his exertions when at home, to compensate 
 for his short occasional absences for the benefit of his 
 health. 
 
 About this period Mr. Finley began to disclose 
 to his friends the outlines of the noble and bene- 
 volent scheme, in behalf of the free people of color 
 in the United States, which his capacious and phi- 
 lanthropic mind had been for years meditating. His 
 early thoughts on this subject, it is believed, were 
 never fully known by any person but the writer, and 
 
92 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 were never fully disclosed at all, by himself or an- 
 other, in any written document, except so far as con- 
 tained in the first edition of the 3Iemoir of Finley^ 
 published in A. D. 1819. The author being at that 
 time in an impaired state of health, and fully occu- 
 pied, could not find leisure for some explanatory re- 
 marks on the subject of this colonization enterprise, 
 which are here considered appropriate. Indeed, in 
 the infant state of the society, he did not think it 
 necessary to expand the brief view then presented. 
 
 Dr. Finley's sympathy for the colored race, arose 
 out of his native dislike to slavery, and fixed antipa- 
 thy to all the phases of it he had ever seen. These 
 impressions he evidently derived, in some measure, 
 from his venerable father, who imported them with 
 him from Scotland, where, it is well known, such feel- 
 ings existed in great power, and exist still. These 
 impressions, moreover, acquired increased strength 
 from the influence of Dr. Witherspoon, who was by 
 no means reserved in avowing his anti-slavery senti- 
 ments before the young men of the college, who fre- 
 quently held debates before him, as president of the 
 institution, involving these questions, which were then 
 rife in every society, and generally absorbing to the 
 public mind.* 
 
 The visit of Mr. Finley, after he left college, to 
 Charleston, South Carolina, lent no inconsiderable 
 aid in confirming his opinions and feelings in oppo- 
 sition to negro slavery. Multitudes of colored peo- 
 
 '^' The subject of manumission began to occupy public attention, 
 in conversation, as early as 1795. Dr. Witherspoon died in 1799. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 93 
 
 pie of both sexes and of all ages and conditions were 
 constantly passing before his eyes, in a stage of im- 
 provement and civilization very greatly in arrears 
 to that they now exhibit in that city. These views 
 did not diminish his sensibilities in favor of the colored 
 race. 
 
 On returning to his native state, and living for 
 many years in constant familiarity with the institu- 
 tion of slavery, as it existed in most of the northern 
 States, he dwelt upon the subject, and brought it up 
 among his intelligent parishioners as an interesting 
 topic for familiar and serious consideration. His at- 
 tention to the colored people around him, in his own 
 parish, at Basking Ridge, were assiduous and perse- 
 vering, so that they loved him as a father, and fre- 
 quented his ministrations from a considerable distance, 
 in great numbers. Mr. Finley's heart teemed with 
 benevolent emotions from his youth. That he might 
 be useful was the governing desire and aim of his 
 whole life. He was not satisfied with small daily 
 acts of benevolence, though he abounded in them 
 whenever an opportunity was presented. But his 
 supreme object was to bring forward some great and 
 benevolent scheme, of an elevated and extensive na- 
 ture, that would make a deep impression — set a noble 
 example — assume a national character — contribute 
 largely to mitigate the sufferings of some aggrieved 
 portion of the human family, and augment the gene- 
 ral mass of individual and public happiness. For 
 this purpose he fixed his eye early upon the condition 
 of the colored people in these United States, as pre- 
 
94 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 senting a suitable sphere for the exercise of his pro- 
 found and ruling passion. All his observation and 
 knowledge of the colored race, gave stability and 
 power to his convictions and desires on this subject. 
 
 The writer of these pages was then in comparative 
 youth, but having previously resided in Mr. Finley's 
 family for some years, as a pupil in a course of pre- 
 paration for college, was early admitted to a free and 
 familiar participation in these interesting conversa- 
 tions — a participation which he embraced more read- 
 ily, and enjoyed more fully, from the fact that he 
 found from the beginning that his feelings and views, 
 in all essentials, corresponded with those of his ex- 
 cellent and honored friend. This subject of conver- 
 sation and state of feeling having originated as de- 
 tailed above, were spoken of but seldom for some time, 
 and then the whole scheme of benevolence, when pre- 
 sented, seemed to be like stating a vast problem 
 — novel and indefinite in nature — difficult of solution, 
 but promising important results. The writer was 
 located in Lawrenceville in 1807, and soon became 
 much engaged in professional labors, but his family 
 relatives living in the vicinity of Mr. Finley, his at- 
 tachment to him being very strong, and the judica- 
 tories of the church frequently meeting in those dis- 
 tricts, an opportunity was afforded for keeping up 
 this familiarity, and renewing those interviews upon 
 the subject of some plan of benevolence of a public 
 and decisive character connected with the African 
 population. The kindred subject of manumission was, 
 about the same period, and had been some time pre- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 95 
 
 viously, kept before the public mind by the people 
 and by the press. The Legislature of New Jersey, 
 having discussed the subject year after year, passed 
 an act ultimately securing universal emancipation in 
 the State. Its cardinal feature consisted in placing 
 all colored children born after 1804 in a state of 
 apprenticeship and entitling them to freedom, the 
 females at twenty-one years of age and males at 
 twenty-five. This legal arrangement, completely and 
 forever abolished slavery in the State of New Jersey. 
 
 The dormant project of colonization was revived 
 and strengthened by that enactment. The whole en- 
 terprise received a favorable impulse ; and although 
 the subject was little thought of in general, yet the 
 few who had conceived the idea at first, cherished it 
 more warmly and felt fresh courage. . The subject 
 was seldom mentioned, but to deplore the state of the 
 colored population at the South, and to improve pub- 
 lic sentiment at the North. 
 
 About the year 1812 we had the satisfaction of 
 discovering that there were quite a number of breth- 
 ren in the Synod of New York and New Jersey who 
 cherished feelings on this subject, in some points, an- 
 alogous to our own. Among these may be named the 
 Rev. Drs. James Richards and E. D. Griffin, then of 
 Newark ; Dr. John McDowell, of Elizabethtown ; 
 Rev. Barnabas King, of Rockaway ; Rev. John Ford, 
 of Parsippany ; together with the Rev. Drs. John B. 
 Romeyn, and Gardiner Spring, and others of New 
 York. Several honorable laymen were enrolled in 
 
96 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 this catalogue. Hon. Jos. C. Hornblower, John E. 
 Caldwell, Esqr., Zachariah Lewis, and Col. John Neil- 
 son. These benevolent gentlemen, and others, had 
 their attention directed to the work of establishing an 
 African school^ under the care of the Synod of New 
 York and New Jersey, to educate and prepare young 
 men of color to labor as missionaries on the African 
 coast, or wherever they might be called. Such a sem- 
 inary was instituted under the patronage of that Syn- 
 od, after the organization of the Colonization Society, 
 as the synodical records will show. It was located at 
 Parsippany, under the care of the Rev. John Ford, of 
 that place. A few respectable and promising candi- 
 dates were brought forward by it, and commissioned 
 for the work intended. Difficulties, however, of so 
 serious and obstinate a nature, speedily occurred in 
 the management of this school, that after a short ex- 
 periment its founders and warm supporters became 
 discouraged, and advised the Synod to discontinue 
 
 it. 
 
 Through this period the subject of colonization was 
 never made the theme of any popular discussion, and 
 the writer cannot recollect that it was ever mentioned 
 in any public meeting connected with African im- 
 provement. It reposed in the breasts of a few quiet- 
 ly, but was never forgotten. With them the great 
 idea was gathering strength from the observation of 
 passing events ; years elapsed and at length oppor- 
 tunities were embraced at the semi-annual and pro- 
 re-nata meetings of the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 97 
 
 wick for holding interesting conferences on this sub- 
 ject, and others akin to it. 
 
 These were some of the elementary primary meet- 
 ings which kept the colonization scheme alive, and 
 nursed it into being. Here, it must be mentioned, 
 that the Rev. George S. Woodhull, then of Cranber- 
 ry, a man of remarkable coolness, and calmness of 
 temperament, came into this incipient colonization 
 enterprise with great zeal and devotion. He, too, 
 was well known to the writer as an early and original 
 opposer of slavery ; quiet and unobtrusive, but firm 
 and immutable in what he believed to be right. In 
 colonization he was never prominent, but he never 
 wavered till death removed him from all further par- 
 ticipation in it. But Dr. Finley was the Magnus 
 Apollo then — his name is now the polar star, and it 
 will be, under God, the pillar of cloud for ever. 
 
 Some reasons, of a providential character, influ- 
 enced in not calling a public meeting thus early to 
 discuss this matter. So far as any judgment could be 
 formed upon the subject, from some private confiden- 
 tial remarks, it was considered by most men so vis- 
 ionary a project, that no good could be expected from 
 any public meeting, but perhaps some efi'ects of a 
 contrary nature. It was believed that the recent 
 State action in New Jersey, which was recognized and 
 appreciated in the periodicals and newspapers of our 
 own and neighboring States, was exerting a very sal- 
 utary influence wherever it became known. 
 
 Witnessing this happy and reasonable extension of 
 influence, favorable to the cause of emancipation in 
 9 
 
98 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 general, it was judged wise to wait, watch, and gen- 
 tly assist, the progress of public opinion, without 
 attracting general observation. Every year exhibited 
 evidence of advance in the good work of forming a 
 healthful public sentiment, in regard to extending lib- 
 erty and kindred benefits to the African race scat- 
 tered widely abroad in these United States, and exist- 
 ing in great numbers in Africa. About the years 
 1814-'15, the period seemed to have arrived when a 
 move might be safely made to disclose and carry out 
 the thoughts which had been so long confined and 
 laboring in our minds. 
 
 The great revival of 1815, at Basking Ridge, had 
 recently come to a happy close, and left the people 
 there in a quiet state ; but the health of the preacher 
 was very much shattered by excessive effort during 
 many months past. A temporary suspension of his 
 ministerial labors was absolutely necessary. Though 
 resolute in spirit, he felt the need of this measure, and 
 determined to devote the period of relaxation to the 
 furtherance of the colonization cause. Hence Mr. 
 Finley began to be less reserved on this interesting 
 subject, which had very much engrossed his philan- 
 thropic mind for some years. . 
 
 The following letter to Jno. P. Mumford, in New 
 York, will exhibit, in some measure, the current of 
 his thoughts, and the state of his mind, in relation to 
 this matter ; even in the midst of the revival, which 
 was progressing through the winter of 1815-'16, and 
 whose responsibilities and labors were so exceedingly 
 engrossing and exhausting at the time of writing it. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 99 
 
 Basking Ridge ^ February 14, 1816.* 
 
 Mr. John P. Mumford, 
 
 Dear Sir: — The longer I live to see the wretched- 
 ness of men, the more I admire the virtue of those 
 who devise, and with patient sacrifice labor to exe- 
 cute plans for the relief of the wretched. On this 
 subject the state of the free blacks has very much 
 oppressed my mind. Their number increases greatly, 
 and their wretchedness too as appears to me. Every 
 thing connected with their condition, including their 
 color, is against them ; nor is there much prospect 
 that their state can ever be greatly ameliorated, while 
 they shall continue among us. Could not the rich 
 and benevolent devise means to form a colony on some 
 part of Africay similar to the one at Sierra Leone^ 
 which might gradually induce many free blacks to go 
 and settle, devising for them the means of getting 
 there, and of protection and support, till they were 
 established ? Ought not Congress to be petitioned to 
 grant them a district in a good climate, say on the 
 shores of the Pacific Ocean ? Our fathers brought 
 them here, and we are bound, if possible to repair the 
 injuries inflicted by our fathers. Could they be sent 
 back to Africa, a three-fold benefit would arise. We 
 should be cleared of them ; — we should send to Africa 
 
 * This letter we find transcribed into Dr. Alexander's " History 
 of African Colonization," on pages 77 and 78. There are two or 
 three unaccountable errors in the transcript. First — It is dated 
 February 15, 1815, one year too early. Second — It is addressed 
 to John 0. Mumford ; "whereas, it should be as appeared by the 
 original in my possession. John P. Mumford, — dated February 
 14, 1816. 
 
100 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 a population partially civilized and christianized for 
 its benefit : — our blacks themselves would be put in a 
 better situation. Think much on this subject — then 
 please write to me when you have leisure. 
 I am, Dear Sir, Yours, &c., 
 
 Robert Finley. 
 
 "When the ensuing spring opened he became more 
 extensively interested in this subject, more free in 
 communicating his views of it, and more active in 
 endeavoring, by conversation and correspondence, to 
 engage in its favor, persons of talents, wealth and 
 piety, in church and state. Through the following 
 summer, in general, and especially in his occasional 
 excursions from home, and interviews with his breth- 
 ren in the ministry, this subject appeared to be uni- 
 formly uppermost in his thoughts, and was the chief 
 topic of conversation. In his applications to indi- 
 viduals for advice and assistance, he met with very 
 little direct opposition. The few gentlemen with 
 whom he had intercourse, in relation to this object, 
 approved the plan so far as it was then understood ; 
 but, at the same time, a general impression prevailed, 
 that the whole scheme, though benevolent and noble, 
 was visionary and impracticable. At length the sub- 
 ject which he had deeply considered, and the opinions 
 of his friends whom he had consulted, furnished so 
 much encouragement, that he resolved to make a 
 great effort to carry his benevolent views into effect. 
 An important question was then to be decided : in 
 what place and in what manner would it be best to 
 commence active operations in pursuing the proposed 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 101 
 
 object? In contemplating this preliminary inquiry 
 and making additional preparatory arrangements, he 
 spent a considerable part of the fall of 1816. To- 
 wards the close of November, he became determined 
 to test the popularity, and in some measure the prac- 
 ticability of the whole system, by introducing the 
 subject to public notice, at the City of Washington. 
 
 Notwithstanding Dr. Finley's previous reflection 
 and consultation with a few friends about home, he 
 felt timid and somewhat doubtful as to the success of 
 his plan. To obtain the opinion of some gentlemen of 
 distinction, who had never participated in the delibera- 
 tions above described, he called at Princeton on his 
 way to Washington, about the 1st of December, 1816 ; 
 and during the evening spent there, met a small com- 
 pany of gentlemen, invited by himself, that he might 
 hear their sentiments on a subject he had every 
 reason to believe entirely new to them. This was 
 the meeting which Dr. Alexander describes, page 80 
 of his work, as ''the first public meeting which ever 
 took place to consider the subject of African coloni- 
 zation in this country." Having very recently, about 
 three years before, come into New Jersey, and having 
 been much absorbed in ororanizinsj the Theological 
 Seminary during that short period, he had, of course, 
 enjoyed very little opportunity to ascertain the private 
 opinions of gentlemen living around some distance in 
 the country, or learning the history of their transac- 
 tions in past years, both before and after his settle- 
 ment at Princeton, hence he would naturally come to~ 
 that conclusion. 
 
 9* 
 
102 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Of that meeting, it is observed by Dr. Alexander, 
 page 80, "It was called hy Dr. Finley. The meet- 
 ing was small. But in the number of attendants, 
 were most of the Professors of the College and of the 
 Theological Seminary. It was apparent that the in- 
 terest of those to whom the scheme was made hnoivn, 
 was increased the longer they thought upon it." 
 
 Dr. Finley arrived at Washington very early in 
 December. He immediately published his thoughts 
 which follow. This document was viewed as evidence 
 of a strong, benevolent and active mind, exploring a 
 new and interesting subject ; exhibiting its difficulties, 
 advantages, and various points of interest, in so dis- 
 tinct, judicious and impressive a manner, that subse- 
 quent speakers and writers upon the subjects discussed, 
 have added but few prominent ideas to those there pre- 
 sented. This paper excited much attention, and ex- 
 erted considerable influence on the public mind. The 
 subject of colonization, so far as Dr. Finley could dis- 
 cover, was almost entirely novel, and utterly unex- 
 pected at that time. He called upon the President of 
 the United States, upon Hon. WilTiam H. Crawford, 
 Secretary of the Treasury, upon the Hon. Henry 
 Clay, and several other gentlemen of talents and pro- 
 minence. Not one of them opposed his plan ; most 
 of them promised to attend a meeting on the subject, 
 the time for which was announced. The Hon. H. 
 Clay was prompt in his declarations, attentions and 
 actions, in favor of the institution as soon as the sub- 
 ject was proposed, and continued liis zeal for it till 
 the close of his life. • 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Organization of the Colonization Society, in Congress Hall, 
 December 21st, 1816 — Henry Clay Presided — His Speech — 
 Address of E. B. Caldwell, and Others — Resolutions — 
 Adjourned Meeting — Constitution Adopted — Officers Ap- 
 pointed — Dr. Finley's Health Improved. 
 
 At the first meeting in the Congressional Hall, 
 on the 21st of December, the Hon. Henry Clay was 
 called to the Chair. Before taking his seat, he ad- 
 dressed the meeting in the following terms, as reported 
 in the Intelligencer, viz : 
 
 " He understood the object of the present meeting 
 to be to consider the propriety and practicability of 
 colonizing the free jjeople of color^ in the United 
 States, and of forming an association in relation to 
 that object. That class of the mixed population of 
 our country was peculiarly situated. They neither 
 enjoyed the immunities of free men, nor were they 
 subject to the incapacities of slaves, but partook in 
 some degree of the qualities of both. From their 
 
 * "We see here in the first step taken towards the organization 
 of the Colonization Society, all interference with slaves and slavery 
 is disavowed. This Society deals with freemen and freemen alone. 
 It leaves the individual States, according to the Constitution,, to 
 manage their slaves and slavery system, in their own preferred 
 way. And it leaves the rights and immunities of slave owners 
 entirely' untouched. 
 
104 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 condition, and the unconquerable prejudices resulting 
 from their color, they never could amalgamate with 
 the free whites of this country. It was desirable, 
 therefore, both as it respected them and the residue 
 of the population of the country to draw them off. 
 Various schemes of colonization had been thought of, 
 and a part of our own continent it was thought by 
 some might furnish a suitable establishment for them, 
 but for his part he had a decided preference for some 
 part of the coast of Africa. There, ample provision 
 might be made for the colony itself, and it might be 
 rendered instrumental to the introduction into that 
 extensive quarter of the globe of the arts, civilization 
 and Christianity. There was a peculiar, a moral fit- 
 ness, in restoring them to the land of their fathers. 
 And, if instead of the evils and sufferings which we 
 have been the innocent cause of inflicting upon the 
 inhabitants of Africa, we can transmit to her the 
 blessings of our arts, our civilization, and our religion ; 
 may we not hope that America will extinguish a great 
 portion of that moral debt which she has contracted 
 to that unfortunate continent ? We should derive 
 much encouragement in the prosecution of the object 
 which had assembled us together, by the success 
 which had attended the colony at Sierra Leone. The 
 establishment had commenced about twenty or twenty- 
 five years ago, under the patronage of private indi- 
 viduals in Great Britain. The basis of the population 
 of the colony consisted of the fugitive slaves of the 
 Southern States during the Revolutionary war, who 
 had first been carried to Nova Scotia, and who after- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 105 
 
 wards, about the year 1792, upon their own applica- 
 tion, almost en masse, had been transferred to the 
 Western Coast of Africa. The colony after strug- 
 gling with the most unheard of difficulties, — difficul- 
 ties resulting from the ignorance, barbarity and pre- 
 judice of the natives, from the climate, (which were 
 however found to be not at all insurmountable,) from 
 wars, African as well as European, and such as are 
 incidental to all new settlements, had made a gradual 
 and steady progress until it has acquired a strength 
 and stability which promises to crown the efforts of 
 its founders with complete success. We have their 
 experience before us, and can there be a nobler cause 
 tnan that which while it proposes to rid our own coun- 
 try of a useless and pernicious, if not a dangerous 
 portion of its population, contemplates the spreading 
 of the arts of civilized life, and the possible redemp- 
 tion from ignorance and barbarism of a benighted 
 portion of the globe ? 
 
 ''It was proper. and necessary distinctly to state, 
 that he understood it constituted no part of the object 
 of this meeting to touch or agitate in the slightest 
 degree a delicate question connected with another 
 portion of the colored population of our country. It 
 was not proposed to deliberate on, or consider at all, 
 any question of emancipation, or that which was con- 
 nected with the abolition of slavery. It was upon 
 that condition alone, he was sure, that many gentle- 
 men from the South and West whom he saw present, 
 had attended, or could be expected to co-operate. It 
 was upon that condition that he himself attended. 
 
106 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 He would only further add, that he hoped in their 
 deliberations they would be guided by that modera- 
 tion, politeness and deference for the opinion of each 
 other, which were essential to any useful result. But 
 when he looked around and saw the respectable 
 assemblage, and recollected the humane and benevo- 
 lent purpose which had produced it, he felt it unne- 
 cessary to insist further on this topic." 
 
 Elias B. Caldwell, Esqr., Secretary of the Supreme 
 Court of the United States, next addressed the meet- 
 ing in substance as follows, viz : 
 
 "I feel peculiar embarrassment in obtruding myself 
 upon the notice of so large and respectable a meet- 
 ing, in which I find some of the most distinguished 
 characters of our country. I ask your indulgence in 
 offering to the consideration of the meeting, the reso- 
 lution which I hold in my hand, and to a few explan- 
 atory observations. The objects of the meeting have 
 been feelingly and correctly stated by the honorable 
 chairman. The subject seems to be divided into 1st, 
 the expediency — and 2dly the practicability of the 
 proposed plan. 
 
 "The expediency of colonizing the free people of 
 color in the United States, may be considered in ref- 
 erence to its influence on our civil institutions, on the 
 morals and habits of the people, and on the future 
 happiness of the free people of color. It has been a 
 subject of unceasing regret, and anxious solicitude, 
 among many of our best patriots, and wisest states- 
 men, from the first establishment of our independence, 
 that this class of people should remain a monument of 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 107 
 
 reproach to those sacred principles of civil liberty 
 which constitute the foundations of all our constitu- 
 tions. We say in the Declaration of Independence 
 'that all men are created equal, and have certain 
 unalienable rights.' Yet it is considered impossible, 
 consistently with the safety of the State, and it is cer- 
 tainly impossible with the present feelings towards 
 these people, that they can ever be placed upon this 
 equality, or admitted to the enjoyment of these 'un- 
 alienable rights,' while they remain mixed with us. 
 Some persons may declaim and call it prejudice. No 
 matter ! Prejudice is as powerful a motive, and will 
 as certainly exclude them, as the soundest reason. 
 Others may say they are free enough. If this is a 
 matter of opinion, let them judge — if of reason, let it 
 be decided by our repeated and solemn declarations, 
 in all our public acts. This state of society unques- 
 tionably tends, in various ways, to injure the mo- 
 rals, and destroy the habits of industry among our 
 people. This will be acknowledged by every person 
 who has paid any attention to the subject, and it 
 seems to be so generally admitted that it would pro- 
 mote the happiness and the interests of the people, to 
 provide a place where these people might be settled 
 by themselves, that it is unnecessary to dwell on this 
 branch of the subject. 
 
 " As to the blacks, it is manifest that their interest 
 and happiness would be promoted by collecting them 
 together where they would enjoy equal rights and 
 privileges with those around them. A state of deg- 
 radation is necessarily a state of unhappiness. It de- 
 
108 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 bases the mind, it damps the energies of the soul, and 
 represses every vigorous effort towards moral or intel- 
 lectual greatness. How can you expect from them 
 anything great or noble, without the motives to stim- 
 ulate, or the rewards to crown, great and noble 
 achievements ? It not only prevents their climbing 
 the steep and rugged paths of fame, but it prevents 
 the enjoyment of the true happiness of calm content- 
 ment, satisfied with enjoying but a part of what we 
 possess, of using only a portion of what is in our 
 power. Take away, however, the portion that is not 
 used, and it immediately becomes the object of our 
 fondest desires. The more you endeavor to improve 
 the condition of these people, the more you cultivate 
 their minds, (unless by religious instruction,) the more 
 miserable you make them, in their present state. 
 You give them a higher relish for those privileges, 
 which they can never attain, and you turn what we 
 intend for a blessing into a curse. No, if they must 
 remain in their present situation, keep them in the 
 lowest state of degradation and ignorance. The more 
 you bring them to the condition of brutes, the better 
 chance do you give them of possessing their apathy. 
 Surely, Americans ought to be the last people on earth 
 to advocate such slavish doctrines ; to cry peace and 
 contentment to those who are deprived of the privi- 
 leges of civil liberty. They who have so largely par- 
 taken of its blessings, who know so well how to esti- 
 mate its value, ought to be the foremost to extend it 
 toothers." Mr. Caldwell proceeds — 
 
 " I will consider the practicability of colonization 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 109 
 
 under three heads — the territory, the expense, and 
 the probability of obtaining their consent. 
 
 1. The territory. Various plans have been men- 
 tioned by different persons. A situation within our 
 own territory would certainly possess some consider- 
 able advantage. It would be more immediately under 
 the eye and control of our own government. But 
 there are some real and some apprehended evils to 
 encounter. Many apprehend that they might here- 
 after join the Indians, or the nations bordering on 
 our frontiers, in case of war, if they were placed so 
 near us — that the colony would become the asylum of 
 fugitives and runaway slaves. Added to these diffi- 
 culties, there are inveterate prejudices against such a 
 plan in so large a portion of the country, which it 
 would be impossible to overcome or remove. Upon 
 mature reflection, with all the light that has yet been 
 shed upon the subject, I believe it will be found that 
 Africa will be liable to the fewest objections. A ter- 
 ritory might, no doubt, be procured there ; the cli- 
 mate is best adapted to their constitution, and they 
 could live cheaper. But, Mr. Chairman, I hwve a 
 greater and nobler object in view in desiring them to 
 be placed in Africa. It is the belief that through 
 them civilization and the Christian religion would be 
 introduced into that benighted quarter of the world. 
 It is the hope of redeeming many millions from the 
 lowest state of superstition and ignorance, and restor- 
 ing them to the knowledge and worship of the true 
 God. Great and powerful as are the other motives 
 of this measure, (and I acknowledge them to be of 
 10 
 
110 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 sufficient magnitude to attract the attention, and to 
 call for the united efforts of this nation) in my opin- 
 ion, and you will find it the opinion of a large class 
 of the community, all other motives are small and 
 trifling, compared with the hope of spreading among 
 them the knowledge of the gospel. From the import- 
 ance of this view of the subject, permit me to enlarge 
 a little upon it. Whatever may be the difference of 
 opinion among the different denominations of Chris- 
 tians, I believe they will all be found to unite in the 
 belief, that the scriptures predict a time when the 
 Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be spread over every 
 part of the world — shall be acknowledged by every 
 nation, and perhaps shall influence every heart. The 
 opinion is, perhaps as general, that this glorious and 
 happy day is near at hand. The great movements 
 and mighty efforts in the moral and religious world 
 seem to indicate some great design of Providence on 
 the eve of accomplishment. The unexampled and 
 astonishing success attending the numerous and vari- 
 ous plans which have been devised, and which are in 
 operation now in different parts of the world, and the 
 union and harmony with which Christians of different 
 denominations unite in promoting these plans, clearly 
 indicate a divine hand in their direction. Nay, sir, 
 the subject on which we arc now deliberating has been 
 brought to public view, nearly at the same time, in 
 different parts of our country. In New Jersey, New 
 York, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, and perhaps 
 other places not known to me, the public attention 
 seems to have been awakened, as from a slumber, to 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. Ill 
 
 this subject. The belief that I have mentioned leads 
 Christians to look with anxious solicitude, and joyful 
 hope, to every movement which they believe to be in- 
 strumental in accomplishing the great designs of 
 Providence. They will receive your proposal with 
 joy and support it with zeal ; and, permit me to say, 
 that it will be of no small consequence to gain the 
 zealous support and co-operation of this portion of 
 the community. 
 
 On the subject of expense, I should hope there 
 would not be much difference of opinion. All are in- 
 terested, though some portions are more immediately 
 so than others. We should consider that what affects 
 a part of our country is interesting to the whole. 
 Besides, it is a great national object, and ought to be 
 supported by a national purse. And, as has been 
 justly observed by the honorable gentlemen in the 
 chair, there ought to be a national atonement for the 
 wrongs and injuries which Africa has suffered. For 
 although the State legislatures commenced early after 
 our independence to put a stop to the slave trade, and 
 the National Government interfered as soon as the 
 Constitution would permit, yet as a nation we cannot 
 rid ourselves entirely from the guilt and disgrace at- 
 tending that iniquitous traffic until we, as a nation, 
 have made every reparation in our power. If, how- 
 ever, more funds are wanting than it is thought expe- 
 dient to appropriate out of the public Treasury, the 
 liberality and humanity of our citizens will not suffer 
 it to fail for want of pecuniary aid. I should be 
 sorry, however, to see our government dividing any 
 
112 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 part df the glorj and honor which cannot fail of at- 
 tending the accomplishment of a work so great, so 
 interesting, and which will tend so much to diffuse the 
 blessings of civil liberty, and promote the happiness 
 of man. 
 
 Among the objections which have been made, I 
 must confess that I am most surprised at one which 
 seems to be prevalent, to wit, that these people will 
 be unwilling to be colonized. What, sir, are they not 
 men ? Will they not be actuated by the same mo- 
 tives of interest and ambition, which influence other 
 men ? or will they prefer remaining in a hopeless 
 state of degradation for themselves and their chil- 
 dren, to the prospect of the full enjoyment of their 
 civil rights and a state of equality ? What brought 
 our ancestors to these shores ? They had no friendly 
 hand to lead them — no powerful arm to protect them. 
 They left the land of their nativity, the sepulchres 
 of their fathers, the comforts of civilized society, and 
 all the endearments of friends, and relatives, and early 
 associations — to traverse the ocean, to clear the forests, 
 to encounter all the hardships of a new settlement, 
 and to brave the dangers of the tomahawk and scalp- 
 ing-knife. How many were destroyed ! Sometimes 
 whole settlements cut off by disease and hunger, by 
 the treachery and cruelty of the savages ; yet were 
 they not discouraged. What is it impels many Eu- 
 ropeans daily to seek our shores, and to sell them- 
 selves — for the prime of their life— to defray the 
 expenses of their passages ? It is that ruling, im- 
 perious desire, planted in the breast of every man — 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 113 
 
 the desire of liberty, of standing upon an equality 
 with his fellow-men. If we w^ere to add to these 
 motives, the offer of land, and to aid in the expense 
 of emigration and of first settling — they cannot be so 
 blind to their own interests, so devoid of every gen- 
 erous and noble feeling, as to hesitate about accept- 
 ing the offer. It is not a matter of speculation and 
 opinion only. It has been satisfactorily ascertained, 
 that numbers will gladly accept of the invitation. 
 And w4ien once the colony is formed and flourishing, 
 all other obstacles will be easily removed. It is for 
 us to make the experiment and the ofi'er ; we shall 
 then, and not till then, have discharged our duty. It 
 is a plan in which all interests, all classes and de- 
 scriptions of people may unite, in which all discord 
 and feelings may be lost in those of humanity — in 
 promoting "peace on earth and good will to men." 
 
 This speaker having concluded, the Hon. John 
 Randolph followed, and began by saying : " That it 
 had been properly observed by the chairman, that 
 there was nothing in the proposition submitted to 
 consideration which, in the smallest degree, touched 
 another very important and delicate question, which 
 ouo-ht to be left as much out of view as possible. 
 But it appeared to him, that it had not been suffi- 
 ciently insisted on, with a view to obtain the co- 
 operation of all the citizens of the United States — 
 not only that this meeting does not, in any wise, 
 affect the question of Negro slavery, but, as far as it 
 goes, must materially tend to secure the property of 
 every master in the United States over his slaves. 
 
 10* 
 
114 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 It appeared to him, that this aspect of the question 
 had not been sufficiently presented to the public view. 
 It was a notorious fact, that the existence of this 
 mixed and intermediate population of free negroes 
 was viewed by every slaveholder as one of the great- 
 est sources of the insecurity and unprofitableness of 
 slave property ; — that they serve to excite in their 
 fellow-beings a feeling of discontent, of repining at 
 their situation, and they act as channels of communi- 
 cation, not only between different slaves, but between 
 the slaves- of different districts; — that they are the 
 depositories of stolen goods, and the promoters of 
 mischief. In a worldly point of view, then, without 
 entering into the general question, and apart from 
 those higher and nobler motives which had been pre- 
 sented to the meeting, the owners of slaves were in- 
 terested in providing a retreat for this part of our 
 population. There was no fear that this proposition 
 would alarm them ; — they had been accustomed to 
 think seriously of the subject. There was a popular 
 work on Agriculture, by John Taylor, of Caroline 
 county, which was widely circulated, and much con- 
 fided in, in Virginia. In that book, much read, be- 
 cause coming from a practical man, this description 
 of people was pointed out as a great evil. If a place 
 could be provided for their reception, and a mode of 
 sending them hence, there were hundreds, nay, thou- 
 sands of citizens, who would by manumitting their 
 slaves, relieve themselves from the cares attendant 
 upon their possession." 
 
 The Hon. Robert Wright, of Maryland, added a 
 
BIOORAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 115 
 
 few remarks, as follows : " That he could not with- 
 hold his approbation from a measure that had for its 
 object, the melioration of the lot of any portion of 
 the human race, particularly of the free people of co- 
 lor, whose degraded state robs them of the happiness 
 of self-government, so dear to the American people. 
 And," said he, *' as I discover the most delicate re- 
 gard to the rights of property, I shall with great 
 pleasure lend my aid to restore this unfortunate 
 people to the enjoyment of their liberty; but I fear 
 gentlemen are too sanguine in their expectations — 
 that they would be willing to abandon the land of 
 their nativity, so dear to man. However, I have the 
 disposition to give them that election, by furnishing 
 all the means contemplated. But while we wish to 
 promote the happiness of these free people of color, 
 we ought to take care not to furnish the means of 
 transporting out of the reach of the master his pro- 
 perty." 
 
 These addresses being concluded, Elias B. Caldwell, 
 Esqr., offered the following resolutions, to wit : 
 
 Resolved, That an association or society be formed, 
 for the purpose of collecting information and to as- 
 sist in the formation and execution of a plan for the 
 colonization of the free people of color, with their 
 consent, in Africa, or elsewhere, as may be thought 
 most advisable by the constituted authorities of the 
 country. 
 
 Resolved, That Elias B. Caldwell, John Randolph, 
 Richard Rush, Walter Jones, Francis S. Key, Ro- 
 bert Wright, James H. Blake, and John Peter, be a 
 
116 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 committee to present a respectful memorial to Con- 
 gress, requesting them to adopt such measures as 
 may be thought most advisable for procuring a terri- 
 tory in Africa, or elsewhere, suitable for the coloni- 
 zation of the free people of color. 
 
 Resolved, That Francis S. Key, Bushrod Washing- 
 ton, Elias B. Caldwell, James Breckinridge, Walter 
 Jones, Richard Rush, and William G. D. Worthing- 
 ton, be a committee to prepare a constitution and 
 rules for the government of the association or society 
 above-mentioned, and report the same to the next 
 meeting for consideration. 
 
 On motion, the assembly adjourned to meet on the 
 next Saturday, in the Hall of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives.* 
 
 The committee appointed for the purpose, at the 
 adjourned meeting on the following Saturday, re- 
 ported the following constitution, which was unani- 
 mously adopted, viz. : 
 
 Article I. This Society shall be called "The 
 American Society for Colonizing the Free People of 
 Color of the United States." 
 
 Article II. The object to which its attention is 
 to be exclusively directed, is to promote and execute 
 a plan, for colonizing (with their consent) the free 
 people of color residing in our country, in Africa, or 
 such other places as Congress shall deem most expe- 
 dient. And the Society shall act, to effect this ob- 
 
 ''' Before the adjounimeut, it was, " On motion of Mr. Herbert, 
 resolved unanimously, that the Rev. Robert Finley be requested 
 to close the meeting with an address to the Throne of Grace." 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FTNLEY. 117 
 
 ject, in co-operation with the General Government, 
 and such of the States as may adopt regulations 
 upon the sii Inject. 
 
 Article III. Every citizen of the United States, 
 who shall subscribe these articles and be an annual 
 contributor of one dollar to the funds of the Society, 
 shall be a member. On paying a sum not less than 
 thirty dollars, at one subscription, he shall be a 
 member for life. 
 
 Article IV. The officers of this Society shall be, 
 a President, thirteen Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, 
 a Treasurer, a Recorder — and a Board of Mana- 
 gers, composed of the above-named officers, and 
 twelve other members of the Society. They shall be 
 annually elected by the members of the Society, at 
 their annual meeting on New Year's day, (except 
 when that happens to be the Sabbath, and then the 
 next day,) and continue to discharge their respective 
 duties till others are appointed. 
 
 Article V. It shall be the duty of the President 
 to preside at all meetings of the Society, and of the 
 Board of Managers ; and to call meetings of the So- 
 ciety and of the Board, when he thinks it necessary, 
 or when requested by any three members of the 
 Board. 
 
 Article VI. The Vice-Presidents, according to 
 seniority, shall discharge these duties in the absence 
 of the President. 
 
 Article VII. The Secretary shall take minutes 
 of the proceedings, prepare and publish notices, and 
 discharge such other duties as the Board, or the Presi- 
 
118 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 dent, or in his absence the Vice-President according 
 to seniority, (when the Board is not sitting,) shall 
 direct. And the Recorder shall record the proceed- 
 ings and the names of the members, and discharge 
 such other duties as may be required of him. 
 
 Article VIII. The Treasurer shall receive and 
 take charge of the funds of the Society, under such 
 security as may be prescribed by the Board of Mana- 
 gers ; keep the accounts, and exhibit a statement of 
 receipts and expenditures, at every annual meeting ; 
 and discharge such other duties as may be required 
 of him. 
 
 Article IX. The Board of Managers shall meet 
 on the first Monday in January, the first Monday in 
 April, the first Monday in July, and the first Mon- 
 day in October, every year, and at such other times 
 as the President may direct. They shall conduct 
 the business of the Society, and take such measures 
 for effecting its object as they shall think proper, or 
 shall be directed at the meetings of the Society, and 
 make an annual report of their proceedings. They 
 shall also fill up all vacancies occurring during the 
 year, and make such by-laws for their government 
 as they may deem necessary ; provided the same are 
 not repugnant to this Constitution. 
 
 Article X. Every society which shall be formed 
 in the United States to aid in the object of this as- 
 sociation, and which shall co-operate with its funds 
 for the purposes thereof, agreeably to the rules and 
 regulations of this Society, shall be considered aux- 
 iliary thereto ; and its ofiicers shall be entitled to 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 119 
 
 attend and vote at all the meetings of the Society, 
 and of the Board of Managers. 
 
 The Society being now constituted, by the unani- 
 mous adoption of these Articles, met on the first day 
 of January, 1817, and elected the following officers : 
 President — Hon. Bushrod AYashington. 
 
 Vice-Presidents — Hon. William H. Crawford, of 
 Georgia; Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky; Hon. Wil- 
 liam Phillips, of Massachusetts ; Col. Henry Rutgers, 
 of New York ; Hon. John E. Howard, Hon. Samuel 
 Smith, and the Hon. John C. Herbert, of Maryland ; 
 John Taylor, Esqr., of Virginia ; Gen. And. Jackson, 
 of Tennessee ; Robert Ralston and Richard Rush, 
 Esqrs., of Pennsylvania; Gen. John Mason, of Dis- 
 trict of Columbia ; Rev. Robert Finley, of New 
 Jersey. 
 
 Secretary — E. B. Caldwell. 
 
 Recording Secretary — W. G. D. Worthington. 
 
 Treasurer — David English. 
 
 Measures were commenced immediately by the 
 Society, for bringing this subject as speedily as pos- 
 sible before Congress, in a respectful memorial^ re- 
 questing them to procure a territory in Africa, or 
 elsetuhere, suitable for the colonization of the free 
 people of color. 
 
 This noble organization was then complete. It is 
 one of which Americans may well be proud. The 
 day which gave it birth, commenced a new era in 
 the history of the abolition of African bondage,* 
 
 «- Though designed to colonize only free people of color, it 
 opened an easy and safe channel for emancipation to those masters 
 (and there were many such) who desired to free their slaves. 
 
120 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 degradation, and wretchedness, in the free republic of 
 America. It opens a wide extended field for noble 
 enterprise and ambition in the march of American 
 benevolence. The man who conceived this benefi- 
 cent plan, or in any considerable degree excited the 
 impulse and directed the movements which resulted 
 in the formation of the Society above referred to — 
 let the system instituted prosper or perish — deserves 
 to be placed with Clarkson and Wilberforce, with 
 Howard and Thornton, among the distinguished 
 lovers and benefactors of mankind. Finley, in the 
 hand of God, is believed to have been that man. 
 
 It was regarded as an auspicious circumstance, in 
 this business, and a source of much gratification, that 
 the name of Washington — with w^hich we are accus- 
 tomed to associate everything wise and patriotic in 
 council, magnanimous and beneficent in action — was 
 placed at the head of this great Colonization Society. 
 
 Dr. Finley's journey to the seat of Government, 
 and his continued exertions there for several succes- 
 sive weeks, proved very beneficial to his health ; — 
 and the complete success which crowned his efi'orts, 
 gave so pleasing an excitement to his spirits, that he 
 returned home in a state of mind and body much in- 
 vigorated and improved. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Arrives at Philadelphia — Operations there — Establishes an 
 
 AUXILIARY in TrENTON, New JERSEY — KECEIVED AN INVITATION AT 
 
 Washington to settle there — Declined — Capt. Paul Cupfee's 
 LETTER — Letter of E. B. Caldwell and others — Copy of his 
 thoughts on Colonization afterwards published. 
 
 On his return from Washington to Philadelphia, 
 he was much grieved to find the people of color in 
 that city filled with painful alarms and apprehen- 
 sions, respecting the nature and object of the Coloni- 
 zation Society, so recently instituted at "Washington. 
 The suspicions and fears of these people had been 
 excited in a -very considerable degree, by means of 
 mistaken or mischievous statements received among 
 them, purporting to have been communicated from 
 Washington, and representing in substance, that the 
 Society established there Avas designed to remove the 
 free people of color in a forcible manner from this 
 country, without making provision for their support 
 and comfort. Their prejudice thus inspired, had un- 
 happily been strengthened by erroneous suggestions 
 from certain persons residing in the city. This un- 
 happy state of things Mr. Finley endeavored im- 
 mcdiateW to remedy, by his personal presence and 
 influence. 
 
 The following representation of the measures he 
 11 
 
122 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 adopted for that purpose, has been obligingly fur- 
 nished by a gentleman who received the statement 
 from himself, and of whose correctness there can be 
 no reasonable doubt : — 
 
 " Dr. Finley had been on a visit to Washington. 
 Having returned as far as Philadelphia, he there met 
 the Rev. John Gloucester, and from conversation with 
 him, found that there was a considerable perturbation 
 in the minds of the people of color, produced by the 
 proceedings at Washington relative to their coloniza- 
 tion. This was immediately after public notice of this 
 business had been taken at Washington. A meeting 
 of the people of color had been called at Philadel- 
 phia, and a committee of twelve had been appointed 
 by them, to take this subject into consideration. Dr. 
 Finley requested an interview with this committee, 
 and obtained it — eleven out of the twelve attending. 
 He found that they w^ere considerably alarmed at the 
 proposed plan of colonization, and strongly preju- 
 diced against it, suspecting that some purpose inju- 
 rious to their class of people was hidden under it. 
 He spent nearly an hour in conversing with them on 
 that point, endeavoring to remove their fears and 
 prejudices, pointing them to the character of the 
 gentlemen who advocated the scheme, and showing 
 the advantages which would probably result from it. 
 At length they declared themselves fully satisfied as 
 to this point, that the designs of the gentlemen who 
 proposed and advocated the scheme were benevolent 
 and good, and that the thing in itself was desirable 
 for them. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 123 
 
 " Having removed this difficulty, the next question 
 was, Where will be a suitable place for colonization ? 
 On this point there was a division : some thought they 
 should have a part of our back and uncultivated lands 
 allowed them ; others thought Africa would be the 
 most suitable place. Two names in particular I re- 
 collect he mentioned as decided on this last point — 
 John Foster and Richard Allen. J. F., he observed, 
 was animated on the subject. He said their people 
 would become a great nation : he pointed to Hayti, 
 and declared it as his opinion that their people could 
 not always be detained in their present bondage ; he 
 remarked on the peculiarly oppressive situation of 
 his people in our land — observing that neither riches 
 nor education could put them on a level with the 
 whites, and the more wealthy and the better informed 
 any of them became, the more wretched they were 
 made ; for they felt their degradation more acutely. 
 He gave it as his decided opinion that Africa was the 
 proper place for a colony. He observed to those 
 present, that should they settle anywhere in the vici- 
 nity of the whites, their condition must become be- 
 fore many years as bad as it now is, since the white 
 population is continually rolling back, and ere long 
 they must be encompassed again with whites. 
 
 " R. A. spoke with warmth on some oppressions 
 which they suffer from the whites, and spoke warmly 
 in favor of colonization in Africa — declaring that were 
 he young he would go himself. He spoke of the ad- 
 vantages of the colony of Sierra Leone, and highly 
 of Paul Cuffee. He considered the present plan of 
 
124 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 colonization as holding out great advantages for the 
 blacks who are now joung. 
 
 " The committee of whom I speak were of the most 
 respectable class of blacks. So far as I recollect, 
 this is the substance of what Dr. Finley told me. As 
 far as I have gone, you may rely on facts." 
 
 This communication is introduced chiefly to show 
 with what steadfastness, solicitude, and indefatigable 
 diligence Mr. Finley prosecuted this noble object. 
 It may teach us also with what sentiments this be- 
 nevolent system wilt probably be viewed by the more 
 enlightened, moral, and respectable part of the 
 people of color, in cool, dispassionate, and reflecting 
 moments, when their suspicion and prejudice are in 
 some measure removed by proper exj)lanations of 
 the nature and design, benefits and prospects of this 
 society. 
 
 Mr. Finley arrived at home about the middle of 
 January, 1817. The legislature of New Jersey were 
 then in session, which usually attracts to the seat of 
 government a considerable number of respectable in- 
 dividuals, besides the representatives from the several 
 counties in the State. Deeply interested in the pro- 
 gress of the colonization scheme, and anxious to em- 
 brace every opportunity of prosecuting its interests, 
 after a short repose at home, he visited Trenton, with 
 a view to attempt the formation of a subordinate colo- 
 nization society for the State of New Jersey.* On 
 
 * The folloAving memorial Avhieh had been previously jDrinted 
 and circulated, will suggest to the reader another motive that in- 
 fluenced Mr. Finlev in the visit here mentioned : — 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 125 
 
 his arrival at the seat of government, he found exist- 
 ing a spirit of indifference to this great object, bor- 
 dering, in some instances, on hostility. After he had 
 spent some time in endeavoring to remove these pre- 
 judices, and to conciliate those who appeared to be 
 indifferent or disaffected, a public meeting was held 
 in the State House, at which, notwithstanding the 
 extreme inclemency of the weather, a number of the 
 principal citizens of Trenton, many members of the 
 legislature, and a considerable number of gentlemen 
 of distinction from different parts of the State at- 
 
 " To the Honorable the Legislature of New Jersey. 
 
 " The Memorial and Petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of 
 New Jersey, showeth that they have viewed with great interest 
 and concern the present condition and future prospects of the free 
 people of color in this and our sister States. While the love of 
 liberty, and the feelings of humanity have produced the emanci- 
 pation of a great number of these people, and are gradually effect- 
 ing the freedom of the rest ; it is with much regret that your peti- 
 tioners observe the degraded situation in which those who have 
 been freed from slavery remain — and from a variety of consi- 
 derations, will probably remain while they continue among the 
 whites. 
 
 " To enable them to rise to that condition to which they are 
 entitled by the laws of God and nature, it appears desirable, and 
 even necessary, to separate them from their former masters, and 
 place them in some favorable situation by i\\Qm?>Q\\QS— perhaps in 
 Africa, the land of their fathers. It is therefore respectfully re- 
 quested of the legislature to instruct, by resolution or otherwise, 
 the senators and representatives from the State of New Jersey, to 
 lay before the Congress, at their next meeting, as a subject of 
 consideration, the expediency of forming a colony on the coast of 
 Africa, or elsewhere, where such of the people of color as are now 
 free, or may be hereafter set free, may with their own consent be 
 removed : and your petitioners will, as in duty bound, ever pray."' 
 
 11* 
 
126 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 tended. The proposal for establishing a colonization 
 society,* auxiliary to that formed at Washington, 
 was agreed to ; a plan of a constitution for the same 
 was prepared and adopted, and officers were ap- 
 pointed for the ensuing year. 
 
 The following extract from a letter, received by 
 Mr. Finley from Paul Cuffee, will be read with in- 
 terest : — 
 
 ""Westport, First month (January) 8, 1817. 
 
 " I received thy letter of the 5th ult. not in time 
 to answer thee at Washington. I observed in the 
 printed petition in thy letter, the great and laborious 
 task you are engaged in, and my desires are that 
 you may be guided by wisdom's best means. I stand 
 as it were in a low place, and am not able to see far. 
 But, blessed be God, who hath created all things, 
 and who is able to make use of instruments as best 
 pleaseth Him, and may I be resigned to his holy 
 will. The population of Sierra Leone, in 1811, was 
 two thousand, and one thousand in the suburbs. 
 Since that time they have not been numbered ; — but 
 from 1811 to 1815, I think the colony has much im- 
 proved. They are entitled to every privilege of free- 
 horn citizens, and fill stations in their courts.'' 
 
 The society for colonizing the free people of color, 
 established at Washington, December 1816, held its 
 first anniversary, on Thursday the first of January, 
 
 * This society was neglected for some years — the minutes lost 
 — afterwards revived at Princeton ; and is now iu operation. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 127 
 
 1818, in the chamber of the House of Representa- 
 tives. The appropriate address with which the lion. 
 Bushrbd Washington, president of the society, opened 
 the meeting, presents the following valuable and 
 pleasing intimations, with regard to the operations 
 and prospects of the society : — 
 
 " From every quarter of the United States, the 
 aspirations of good men have been breathed to 
 Heaven for the success of our future labors. 
 
 " Among a small but opulent society of slave- 
 holders in Virginia, a subscription has been raised by 
 the zealous exertions of a few individuals, of such mag- 
 nitude as to illustrate the extent of the funds which 
 we may hope hereafter to command, and to induce a 
 confident hope that our labors will be awarded by the 
 willing contributions of a generous and enlightened 
 people. 
 
 " Other public spirited individuals have forborne 
 to make similar efforts, until the success of our pre- 
 paratory measures shall have been clearly ascer- 
 tained. 
 
 " The society have engaged two agents to explore 
 the Western coasts of Africa, and to collect such in- 
 formation as may assist the government of the United 
 States in selecting a suitable district on that conti- 
 nent for the proposed settlement. The performance 
 of this preliminary duty has been confided to Samuel 
 J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess, gentlemen possessing 
 all the qualifications requisite for the important trust 
 confided to them ; and their report may reasonably 
 be expected before the next annual meeting of the 
 society." 
 
128 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 The following interesting paragraphs are extracted 
 from the first annual report of the Board of Managers, 
 read at the anniversary of the society : — 
 
 " The first step of the Board of Managers was to 
 present a memorial to Congress at their last session, 
 which, with the report of the committee to whom it 
 was referred, is now laid before the society. The 
 nature and novelty of the subject, not less than the 
 mass of business which engaged the deliberations of 
 that body, did not permit them to pursue the report. 
 
 " We are happy to state that auxiliary societies* 
 have been formed in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New 
 York, Virginia, and Ohio; and the Board have re- 
 ceived information of the intention of forming other 
 societies in different parts of the country. The ex- 
 tension of these auxiliaries is of the first importance, 
 as it is by their means the public mind must be en- 
 lightened on the great and important objects of the 
 society ; and it is through them, in some measure, 
 the necessary funds must be drawn for its support." 
 
 With regard to the objection founded on the " sup- 
 posed repugnance of the colonists," this report fur- 
 nishes the following animated information. 
 
 " The Managers have ascertained that there are 
 numbers of the highest standing for intelligence and 
 respectability among that class of people, who are 
 warmly in favor of the plan, from a conviction that 
 it will, if accomplished, powerfully co-operate in 
 
 * To this number might have been added the auxiliary society 
 of New Jersey — which was the first ever formed, in the order of 
 time, about the middle of January, 181 7, at Trenton. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIN LEY. 129 
 
 placing the situation of their brethren here and in 
 Africa, in that scale of happiness and respectability 
 among the nations of the earth, from which they 
 have long been degraded. 
 
 ^' Offers of service have been received from many 
 worthy and influential individuals of their own color, 
 and from a number of families from different parts of 
 the United States, to become the first settlers in the 
 colony whenever a suitable situation shall be pro- 
 cured. The Managers can with confidence state 
 their belief, that they would have no difiiculty in 
 procuring individuals among them w^orthy of trust 
 and confidence, to explore the country if necessary, 
 and to plant a colony of sufiicient strength to secure 
 its safety and prosperity. This being accomplished, 
 there can be no difficulty in presenting its importance 
 to their brethren, in such a manner, and with such 
 unquestionable testimony, as must command their 
 fullest confidence." 
 
 The manner in which the death of Dr. Finley is 
 noticed in the close of this report is particularly grat- 
 ifying. 
 
 "The managers. cannot pass the occasion without 
 noticing the death of the Rev. Dr. Finley, one of the 
 vice presidents, during the past year. The deep in- 
 terest which he took in the success of the society, and 
 the zeal he displayed in its formation, are well known 
 to many present. In his last sickness, he was much 
 gratified upon receiving information of the progress of 
 the society, and of its prospects of success. It gave 
 consolation to his last moments. When we view the 
 
130 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 society in this early stage of its proceedings, as ani- 
 mating the hopes and cheering the prospects of the 
 dying Christian who had been engaged in its service, 
 when we view it as consecrated by the prayers of the 
 pious, may we not be led with humble confidence to 
 look to the good hand of an overruling Providence to 
 guide its deliberations ? May we not expect the ben- 
 edictions of millions yet unborn shall bless its anniver- 
 sary ?" 
 
 At this anniversary the following important intelli- 
 gence was communicated in a concise address by the 
 eloquent and humane Mercer, of Virginia, to whose 
 talents, influence, and liberality, this enterprise is en- 
 couraged to look with high expectation. 
 
 "Many thousand individuals, you well know, Mr. 
 President, are restrained," said Mr. M., " from manu- 
 mitting their slaves, as you and I are, by the melan- 
 choly conviction that they cannot yield to the sugges- 
 tions of humanity without manifest injury to their 
 country. 
 
 " The rapid increase of the free people of color, by 
 which their number was extended in the ten years 
 preceding the last census of the United States from 
 15 to 30,000, if it has not endangered our peace, has 
 impaired the value of all the private property in a 
 large section of our country. Upon our low lands, 
 said Mr. Mercer, it seems as if some malediction had 
 been shed. The habitations of our fathers have sunk 
 into ruins, the fields which they tilled have become a 
 wilderness. Such is the table land between the val- 
 leys of our great rivers. Those newly grown, and 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. Vll 
 
 almost impenetrable, thickets, which have succeeded 
 a wretched cultivation, shelter and conceal a banditti, 
 consisting of this degraded, idle, and vicious popula- 
 tion, who sally forth from their coverts, beneath the 
 obscurity of night, and plunder the rich proprietors of 
 the valleys. They infest the suburbs of the towns 
 and cities, where they become the depositories of sto- 
 len goods, and, schooled by necessity, elude the vigi- 
 lance of our defective police. 
 
 " The laws of Virginia now discourage, and very 
 wisely perhaps, the emancipation of slaves. But the 
 very policy on which they are founded, will afford 
 every facility to emancipation, when the colonization 
 of the slave will be the consequence of his libera- 
 tion." 
 
 In the course of Mr. Finley's visit at the seat of 
 government he preached frequently, and the people 
 who attended his ministrations in \Yashington, and its 
 vicinity, became exceedingly pleased and interested 
 in him as a minister of the Gospel. My very respect- 
 able correspondent in that city has communicated the 
 following concise and satisfactory statement on that 
 subject. 
 
 " During his stay there, Mr. Finley was much en- 
 gaged in preaching and visiting. He preached in 
 Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria, several 
 times, and to the very great acceptance of the peo- 
 ple. I never saw a preacher in this District that 
 gained more of the public affection in the short time 
 he was among us. He received a unanimous call to 
 the Presbyterian church in this city, and I believe 
 
132 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 would have settled here, but for some previous engage- 
 ments to Georgia which were urged upon him. The 
 people were greatly disappointed upon hearing that 
 he would not settle among us. Our congregation is 
 small and poor, yet the salary was more than doubled 
 to enable him to come. At a meeting of the commit- 
 tee of 'the church and the elders, of eight persons, five 
 hundred dollars were subscribed, in addition to their 
 usual subscriptions, to enable Mr. Finley to settle 
 here." 
 
 The following communications from highly respect- 
 able gentlemen residing in the District of Columbia, 
 will give a comprehensive, judicious, and candid view, 
 of his transactions during his visit at the Seat of Crov- 
 ernment. 
 
 "Washingtox, July 8th, 1818. 
 Rev. Isaac V. Brown, 
 
 ''Dear Sir: I owe you an apology for my long si- 
 lence on a subject interesting to me as well as your- 
 self. 
 
 " I have been continually under an intention of 
 writing, but have been prevented from time to time, 
 and am now unable to do more than to glance at a 
 few circumstances. 
 
 " Mr. Finley arrived in Washington about the 1st 
 of December, 1816. His journey was partly for the 
 benefit of his health, and partly with the intent of vis- 
 iting Georgia. But one leading design, and one that 
 seemed to be most interesting to him, was the for- 
 warding of the colonization plan. Shortly after he 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 133 
 
 arrived, he opened to me his views on the subject. I 
 had been contemplating the same object from the pre- 
 ceding winter ; I was, therefore, prepared to enter at 
 once into his feelings. Immediately after this, he 
 began seriously to make arrangements preparatory to 
 a meeting of the citizens. He visited several Mem- 
 bers of Congress, the President, the Heads of Depart- 
 ments, and others. He reviewed a piece, " Thoughts, 
 &c.," which he had ^vritten previous to his coming 
 here, which -we published, and wliich I send you, with 
 two other pamphlets relative to the same subject. His 
 heart, during the whole of this time, was much en- 
 gaged, and he said he w^ould cheerfully give out of his 
 limited means, five hundred dollars, to insure the suc- 
 cess of the scheme. His conversation and zeal had a 
 considerable influence in collecting people to the meet- 
 ing, and in conciliating many who at first appeared 
 opposed. He proposed a prayer meeting, for the suc- 
 cess of the meeting, the evening previous to the day 
 appointed for it, which was held, and in which he was 
 earnestly engaged in prayer. The pamphlet accom- 
 panying this will give you some view of the subject. 
 "It will be impossible to form an opinion of what 
 was done at that time, without having a vicAV of the 
 state of the public at the time of bringing forward the 
 question for public consideration. A few persons had 
 barely thought of the subject, but, in general, had 
 hastily dismissed it as wholly impracticable. I be- 
 lieve the greater part of the persons at first assem- 
 bled, were brought there from curiosity, or by the 
 solicitation of their friends, viewing the scheme as too 
 12 
 
134 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 chimerical for any rational being to undertake. A 
 very great change was there produced, which has been 
 gradually increasing from that time. The organiza- 
 tion of the society at that time may be principally 
 attributed to Mr. Finley's presence here, as it was 
 greatly promoted by his zeal, his assiduity, and his 
 knowledge of the subject; as his pamphlet shows 
 that his thoughts had been much occupied with it." 
 
 E. B. Caldwell. 
 
 "November 10th, 1818. 
 " Ret. and Dear Sir : — 
 
 " You ask, sir, what agency Dr. Finley exerted in 
 the formation of the Colonization Society within the 
 District of Columbia ? I answer, he was tJie sole 
 mover and promoter of it, nor did he leave tlie Dis 
 trict until it was organized, cmd put into operation. 
 His last public act in the last public meeting, was to 
 make, by the request of Mr. Herbert, then a member 
 of Congress, one of the most solemn prayers for its 
 success. When Mr. Finley came here I tvas not ac- 
 quainted with him, but he soon developed his ideas to 
 me upon the subject, which you may be sure met with 
 my most decided approbation. He got introductions 
 to the Heads of Departments, and to Mr. Madison 
 himself, told them all what he thought upon the sub- 
 ject, the good he thought would result from it. Some 
 laughed, others wondered, but he remained unshaken 
 in his purpose, and told me once wlien we were walk- 
 ing together, 'I know this scheme is from God !' 
 
 "I must not conceal, however, that in the Virginia 
 assembly, wliich met that fall, a motion was made to 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FTNLEY. 185 
 
 colonize the free people of color upon the shores of 
 the Pacific Ocean, somewhere near the mouth of the 
 
 river ; and I think Mr. Finley's doings here 
 
 were known to that assembly. 
 
 " If this colony should ever be formed in Africa, 
 great injustice will be done to Mr. Finley if, in the 
 history of it, his name be not mentioned as the first 
 mover, and if some town or district in the colony be 
 not culled Finlei/.'' 
 
 These letters, from ei/e witnesses of Mr. Finley's 
 indefatigable efi"orts, partakers in his counsels and ex- 
 ertions, place his conduct, on that important and 
 interesting occasion, in a just and honorable point of 
 view. Mr. Finley's " Thoughts on the colonization of 
 free blacks,"* are an important and original p7vduc- 
 tion. The valuable information which it contains — 
 the excellent spirit it breathes — and the traits of orig- 
 inality of matter and manner which it exhibits, ren- 
 der it highly deserving of an insertion in this narra- 
 tive. Full of thought and of zeal, he brings you at 
 once, without the formality of an introduction, to the 
 main point of discussion. "What shall we do with 
 the free people of color ? What can we do for their 
 happiness, consistently with our own, are questions 
 often asked by the thinking mind. The desire to 
 make them happy has often been felt, but the diffi- 
 culty of devising and accomplishing an efficient plan, 
 has hitherto appeared too great for humanity itself to 
 accomplish. The mind shrunk back from the attempt. 
 
 * Referred to ia Mr. Caldweirs letter prcccdiiio;. 
 
136 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 The time had not arrived. The servitude of the sons 
 of Ham, described bj Noah in the spirit of prophecy, 
 concerning the futui e condition of his posterity, was 
 not terminated. At present, as if by a divine im- 
 pulse, men of virtue, piety, and reflection, are turning 
 their thoughts to this subject, and seem to see the 
 wished for plan unfolding, in the gradual separation 
 of the black from the white population^ by providing 
 for the former some suitable situation^ where they may 
 enjoy the advantages to which they are entitled by na- 
 ture and their Creator s will. This is a great sub- 
 ject, and there are several weighty questions con- 
 nected with it, which deserve a deep consideration. 
 
 "Is it a practicable thing to form a colony of free 
 blacks in our own wild lands, or on the coast of Af- 
 rica? 
 
 " Is it probable that the establishment would be 
 productive of general happiness ? 
 
 " What is the most desirable situation for such a 
 settlement ? In what manner, and by whom might 
 such a colony be planted with the greatest hope of 
 success ? 
 
 "Much wisdom would no doubt be required in ar- 
 ranging a plan of so much magnitude, and some per- 
 severance in executing it and carrying it to perfection. 
 But it cannot be supposed to be among the things 
 which are impracticable, to plant a colony, either of 
 blacks or whites, either in Africa or some remote dis- 
 trict of our own country. Most nations have had 
 their colonies. Greece and Rome planted many which 
 grew and flourished, and which, as they grew, added 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 137 
 
 strength and lustre to the mother country. At the 
 present time there are few nations who have not their 
 foreign settlements, and some of them from year to 
 year are increasing the numbers of their colonies. 
 With what ease is Great Britain transplanting a part of 
 her population, in tfie remotest regions of the earth, and 
 peopling New Holland — a land destined, like our own, 
 to extend the empire of liberty and Christian bless- 
 ings to surrounding nations.* It does not appear 
 that it would require much greater skill or labor to 
 form a separate establishment for free blacks in our 
 own distant territories, than it is to form a new State. 
 The people of color, observing the constant emigra- 
 tion of the whites, would soon feel the common im- 
 pulse, if they could see a place where they might re- 
 move, and which they could fondly call their own. 
 Many have both the means and disposition to go to 
 any reasonable distance, or even to a great distance, 
 where they could assume the rank of men, and act 
 their part upon the great theatre of life. Their local 
 attachments are no stronger than those of other men, 
 their ambition no less than that of any other color. 
 
 ^' To colonize them in Africa would be a much more 
 arduous undertaking. The country must be explored, 
 
 * "It is a remarkable instance of the im-sterious and inscrutable 
 ways of Providence, that the colony of New Holland, which is prin- 
 cipally composed of British convicts, has become nourishing ; its 
 inhabitants peaceable, orderly and industrious, and, through the 
 instrumentality of missionaries, Christianity is flourishing among 
 them ; and, through them, likely to extend civilization, and the 
 benefits of the Christian religion, to the ignorant and superstitious 
 natives of that country and the adjacent islands." 
 
 12* 
 
188 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 and some situation chosen, fertile and healthy, expense 
 must be incurred, in fair and honorable purchase from 
 the natives, an honorable appeal perhaps be made to 
 the nations of Europe, as to the justice and humanity 
 of our views. An efficient government must, for a 
 time at least, be aiforded to the colony — the free 
 blacks must be instructed that it would be to their 
 interest to remove to the land which gave them ori- 
 gin, and instruction provided to raise their minds to 
 that degree of knowledge, which in time would fit 
 them for self government. These difficulties are real, 
 and some of them might be found to be very great, 
 but they are not insurmountable. We have wisdom 
 in our councils, and energy in our government. In 
 such an undertaking, we should have reason and the 
 God of eternal justice on our side. Humanity has 
 many a virtuous son, who would willingly and care- 
 fully explore the long line of African coast, which 
 has not fallen under the dominion of any European 
 nation. Their devotedness to their country's interest 
 and glory would make them faithful to their under- 
 taking, and their desire for the happiness of the free 
 people of color, would induce them, if possible, to find 
 a country where health and plenty might be enjoyed. 
 The consent of the chiefs to part with a sufficient por- 
 tion of soil might be easily obtained, especially when 
 they were informed that the sole design of the colony 
 was to restore their own children, and bring them 
 back, free and happy. From w^hat has often taken 
 place on the coast of Africa, we may be assured that 
 the cost of procuring the right of soil, by fair and just 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 139 
 
 purchase, would not be great. The expense of con- 
 veying the first settlers, of maintaining a sufiicient 
 force to protect the colony, and of supplying the wants 
 of the colonists for a short period, might be more con- 
 siderable. Yet the wisdom of Congress might devise 
 some means of lightening, perhaps of repaying, the 
 cost. Many of the free people of color have property 
 sufficient to transport, and afterwards to establish, 
 themselves. The ships of war might be employed oc- 
 casionally in this service, while many would indent 
 themselves to procure a passage to the land of their 
 independence. The crews of the national ships which 
 might be from time to time at the colony, would fur- 
 nish at least a part of that protection which would be 
 necessary for the settlers ; and in a little time the 
 trade which the colony would open with the interior, 
 would more than compensate for every expense, if the 
 colony were wisely formed. ' From the single river 
 of Sierra Leone, where there is a colony of free peo- 
 ple of color, the imports in Great Britain were nearly, 
 and the exports to the same river, fully equal to the 
 imports and exports, exclusive of the slave trade, of 
 the whole extent of the western coast of Africa, prior 
 to the abolition of that traffic.'* To allay the jeal- 
 ousies of other nations, which might arise from our 
 establishing a settlement in Africa, a successful ap- 
 peal might be made to their justice and humanity. It 
 would be only doing as they have done, should no such 
 appeal be made. Spain has her settlements in Af- 
 rica — France on the rivers Gambia and Senegal — 
 
 *" Ninth Report of African Institution/' 
 
140 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Great Britain at Sierra Leone and the Cape — Portu- 
 gal in Congo and Loango. On the principles of jus- 
 tice, no nation would have a right to interfere with 
 our intentions. Moreover, in this period of the world, 
 when the voice of justice and humanity begins to be 
 listened to with attention, is there not reason to hope 
 that plans, the sole design of which is the benefit of 
 the human race, would be approved in the cabinets of 
 princes, and hailed by the benevolent of all nations ? 
 The colony would not suffer for want of instructors in 
 morals, religion, and the useful arts of life. The time 
 at last is come when not a few are imbibing the spirit 
 of Him who came from Heaven " to seek and save the 
 lost." That spirit is only beginning to go forth, 
 which has already been so successful in teaching the 
 Cafi"re, the Hottentot, the Boshemen, the means of 
 present happiness and the way of eternal life. In the 
 mean time the great efforts which are making to im- 
 prove the mental condition of the people of color seems 
 designed in Providence to prepare them for some 
 great and happy change in their situation. 
 
 ^' It need not be apprehended, that these people 
 would be unwilling to remove to the proposed estab- 
 lishment. To suppose this, is to suppose that they 
 do not long after happiness ; that they do not feel 
 the common pride and feelings of men. In some 
 of our great cities there are associations formed to 
 open a correspondence with the colony at Sierra 
 Leone, and prepare their minds for a removal to a 
 colony should it be ever formed.* The colony at 
 
 * " Such an association exists in Philadelphia." 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 141 
 
 Sierra Leone on the western coast of Africa, seems 
 as if desigiTdl by God to obviate every difficulty, to 
 silence objections, and to point out the way in which 
 every obstacle \n:\j be removed, if measures suffi- 
 ciently wise are adopted in establishing a similar 
 colony from this country. The colony alluded to 
 was first established in the year 1791. Its first set- 
 tlers were a few people of color who were in Great 
 Britain, and from 1100 to 1200 of the same descrip- 
 tion in Nova Scotia. In the year 1811, the popula- 
 tion had increased to 2000 exclusive of many natives, 
 notwithstanding the sickness and mortality incident 
 to a new settlement, and the settlement being once 
 destroyed by the French. In the year 1816, the 
 population had increased to 3000.* All this has 
 been accomplished, or at least it was originated and 
 for many years maintained, by a company of benevo- 
 
 * " Early in the winter of 1816, about tliirty people of color left 
 Boston, with a view of settling themselves in the British colony 
 at Sierra Leone, in Africa. The vessel in which they sailed, was 
 the property and under the command of the celebrated Paul CufiTee. 
 Captain Cuffee has returned to this country, and brings letters 
 from the emigrants to their friends and benefactors. We have 
 seen one of the letters, dated April 3, 1816. It states that they 
 all arrived safe at Sierra Leone, after a passage of fifty-five days, 
 and were welcomed by all in the colony. The place is represented 
 as ' good.' They have fruits of all kinds, and all seasons of the year. 
 The governor gave each family a lot of land in the town, and fifty 
 acres of ' good land' in the country, or more in proportion to their 
 families. Their land in the country is about two miles from town. 
 They have plenty of rice and corn, and all other food that is good. 
 There were five churches in the colony, and three or four schools ; 
 in one of which there were one hundred and fifty female Africans, 
 who are taught to read the word of God:'— The Boston Recorder. 
 
142 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 lent and enterprising men — bj men, too, who are far 
 removed from those places where free blacks are to 
 be found. What then might be done — under the 
 blessing of that Being who w^ills the happiness of all 
 his creatures — by the American government, aided 
 by the benevolence of all its citizens, and surrounded 
 with thousands who would be willing to emigrate, and 
 many of whom could carry with them property, the 
 useful arts of life, and above all, the knowledge of the 
 benign religion of Christ. 
 
 " Is it 'probable that the general good would be pro- 
 moted by the establishment of such a colony ? If 
 there is not reason to believe that it would be for the 
 general benefit, the idea ought to be given up and 
 the scheme rejected. But is there not reason to 
 believe that the interest of the whites and the free 
 people of color would be equally promoted, by the 
 latter being colonized in some suitable situation ? It 
 can scarcely be doubted that slavery has an injurious 
 effect on the morals and habits of a country wdiere it 
 exists. It insensibly induces a habit of indolence. 
 Idleness seldom fails to be attended with dissipation. 
 Should the "time ever come when slavery shall not 
 exist in these States, yet if the people of color re- 
 main among us, the effect of their presence will be 
 unfavorable to our industry and morals. The recol- 
 lection of their former servitude will keep alive the 
 feeling that they were formed for labor, and that the 
 descendants of their former masters ought to be 
 exempt, at least, from the more humble and toilsome 
 pursuits of life. The gradual Avithdrawing of the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 143 
 
 blacks would insensibly, and from an easy necessity 
 induce habits of industry, and along with it a love of 
 order and religion. Could they be removed to some 
 situation wdicre they might live alone, society would 
 be saved many a pang which now is felt, and must in 
 course of time be much more sensibly felt from the in- 
 termixture of the different colors, and at the same time 
 be relieved from a heavy burden, in supporting that 
 large portion of this people which falls into poverty 
 and must be maintained by others. If the benefit of 
 the proposed separation would be considerable to 
 those States Avhere the people of color are compara- 
 tively few, how great would it be to those where they 
 are very numerous ? The love of liberty which pre- 
 vails in those States, must be attended with a desire 
 to see abolished a system so contrary to the best feel- 
 ings of our natures. But however strong the desires 
 of many, however lively the impressions of the great 
 principles of right, or however pungent the convic- 
 tions of a dying bed, it is believed to be unsafe to 
 encourage the idea of emancipation. The evil there- 
 fore increases every year, and the gloomy picture 
 grows darker continuall}^ so that the question is often 
 and anxiously asked — What ivill he the end of all 
 this ? The most natural and easy answer seems to 
 be ; — let no time be lost ; let a colony or colonies be 
 formed on the coast of Africa; and let laws be passed 
 permitting the emancipation of slaves on condition 
 that they shall be colonized. By these means the 
 evil of slavery will be diminished, and in a way so 
 gradual as to prepare the whites for the happy and 
 pi-ogrcssive change. 
 
144 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 " The benefits of the proposed plan to the race of 
 blacks appear to be numerous and great. That they 
 are capable of improvement is not to be contradicted ; 
 and that their improvement progresses daily, not- 
 withstanding every obstacle, is not denied. Their 
 capacity for self-government, whether denied or not, 
 is ever present to our view in the island of St. Do- 
 mingo. But it is in vain that we believe them capa- 
 ble of improvement, or that we are convinced that 
 they are equal to the task of governing themselves, 
 unless these unhappy people are separated from their 
 former masters. The friends of man will strive in 
 vain to raise them to a proper level while they re- 
 main among us. They will be kept down, on the 
 one side by prejudice, too deep-rooted to be eradi- 
 cated; on the other by the recollection of former 
 inferiority, and despair of ever assuming an equal 
 standing in society. Remove them. Place them by 
 themselves in some climate congenial with their color 
 and constitutions, and in some fruitful soil ; their 
 contracted minds will then expand, and their natures 
 rise. The hope of place and power will soon create 
 the feeling that they are men. Give them the hope 
 of becoming possessed of power and influence, and 
 the pleasure of their invigorated minds will be simi- 
 lar to ours in like circumstances. At present they 
 have few incentives to industry and virtue, compared 
 with those, which they w^ould feel, in a land which 
 they could call their own, and Avhere there was no 
 competition except with their own color. 
 
 '' This great enterprise must be undel'taken, cither 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 145 
 
 by a union of virtuous and pious individuals — as in 
 the case of the colony of Sierra Leone ; or by the 
 government of the United States. Perhaps on ma- 
 ture deliberation, it might appear a work worthy of 
 the government, and one that could be accomplished 
 with the greatest ease and in the most efi&cient man- 
 ner under the patronage of the nation. None but 
 the nation's arm could reach to all the situations in 
 which the free blacks are placed through our ex- 
 tended country, nor any but its councils be wise 
 enousjh to accommodate the various interests which 
 ought to be consulted in so great an undertaking. 
 If wrong has been done to Africa in forcing away 
 her weeping children, the wrong can be best redressed 
 by that power which did the injury. If Heaven has 
 been offended, by putting chains on those whom by 
 its eternal laws it has willed to be free, the same 
 hand which provoked the divine displeasure should 
 offer the atoning sacrifice. Under a former govern- 
 ment, this guilt and evil were brought principally 
 upon our land ; but for many years the State govern- 
 ments, under the eye of the general government, 
 continued this great violation of the laws of nature. 
 Let then the representatives of this great and free 
 people, not only feel it to be their interest, but their 
 duty and glory to repair the injuries done to hu- 
 manity by our ancestors by restoring to independence 
 those who were forced from their native land, and are 
 now found among us. 
 
 " It remains yet to answer the question : Should 
 Congress in their wisdom adopt tlic proposed mea- 
 13 
 
146 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 sure — would it best answer the end designed, to plant 
 the colony in some distant section of our country, or 
 in the land to which their color and original consti- 
 tution are adapted ? If fixed in the territories of the 
 United States, the expense of procuring soil might be 
 saved; and the difficulty of removing settlers to the 
 appointed place would be diminished, especially if 
 the colony were planted at no very great distance in 
 the interior. But these advantages would be in part 
 counterbalanced, by having in our vicinity an inde- 
 pendent settlement of people who were once our 
 slaves. There might be cause of dread, lest they 
 should occasionally combine with our Indian neigh- 
 bors, or with those European nations who have set- 
 tlements adjacent to our own, and we should have 
 them for our enemies. However great the distance 
 at which such a settlement would be made in our own 
 country, it would furnish great facility to the slaves 
 in the nearest states, to desert their master's service, 
 and escape to a land where their own race was sove- 
 reign and independent. An easy communication 
 would also be open, to send information to those who 
 remain in slavery, so as to make them uneasy in their 
 servitude. If removed to Africa, these last difficul- 
 ties would disappear, or be greatly diminished. There 
 we should have nothing to fear from their becoming 
 our enemies. Removed from our sight, our contempt 
 of them, produced by their situation, and by long 
 habit confirmed, would gradually die away, and their 
 jealousy and suspicion proportionably decrease. The 
 colony could never become an asylum for fugitive 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 147 
 
 slaves, and but little opportunity could be afforded to 
 communicate with this country in such a manner as 
 to render the slaves uneasy in their master's service. 
 On the other hand, great and happy results might be 
 produced by their being colonized in Africa. It is 
 the land of their fathers, a climate suited to their 
 color, and one to Avhich their constitution, but par- 
 tially altered by their abode in this country would 
 soon adapt itself. Who can tell the blessings which 
 might in this way be conferred on Africa herself, 
 when her strangers should be restored, and she should 
 receive her children redeemed from bondage by the 
 humanity of America, and by the hand of virtue and 
 religion restored from their captivity. "With what 
 delight would she view them, improved in arts, in 
 civilization, and in knowledge of the true God. She 
 would forget her sorrows, her wounds would be 
 healed, and she would bless the hands of her benefac- 
 tors. .Do we not owe to that hapless country a debt 
 contracted by our fathers ; and how can we so well 
 repay it, as by transporting to her shores a multitude 
 of its own descendants, who have learned the arts of 
 life and are softened by the power of true religion, 
 and who can therefore be instrumental in taming and 
 placing in fixed abodes, the wild and wandering peo- 
 ple who now roam over that great section of the 
 crlobe. A nation of Christians ouo-ht to believe that 
 all the earth is destined to enjoy happiness under the 
 dominion of the Prince of Peace. Africa is not for- 
 gotten by Him who 'feeds the sparrows.' The spirit 
 of her people shall arise. Her sons shall assume their 
 
148 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 proper dignity, and she shall yet rejoice in her Crea- 
 tor's favor. Heaven executes its purposes by human 
 agents, and perhaps this may be one of those means 
 which are laid up in store to bless the sable millions 
 that now exist, the pity of angels, but the scorn of • 
 thoughtless man. Could any thing be deemed so 
 effectual for the happiness of that portion of the 
 world as the plan proposed ? In this way there might 
 soon be fixed a seat of liberal learning in Africa, 
 from which the rays of knowledge might dart across 
 those benighted regions. Is it too much to believe it 
 possible that He who brings light out of darkness, 
 and good out of evil, has suffered so great an evil 
 to exist as African slavery, that in a land of civil 
 liberty and religious knowledge, thousands and tens 
 of thousands might at the appointed time be prepared 
 to return, and be the great instrument of spreading 
 peace and happiness. Let not these reflections be 
 thought wholly visionary. We know that the ways 
 of the great Ruler of the world and Director of events 
 are wonderful and great beyond calculation. We 
 know that great and increasing benefits arise to the 
 natives of Afnca from the colony at Sierra Leone. 
 From the vicinity of that colony, the son of an Afri- 
 can chief, Avho has seen and felt its benefits, thus 
 writes in the summer of 1815: 'What a happy 
 thing it is to see the peaceable state that this country 
 is now in ! quiet and free from slave vessels ! — no 
 dragging of families from one another ! — no innume- 
 rable slaves chained together, male and female ! and. 
 the enemies of humanity, the slave traders, gradually 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 149 
 
 quitting the country! It has struck me forcibly, that 
 where the gospel makes its appearance, there Satan's 
 kingdom gradually diminishes. May God give grace 
 and perseverance to his servants to carry on his 
 work ; and make them instruments in his hands of 
 bringing them to perfection. On the fourth of June, 
 1815, ninety children and one adult were baptized 
 into the faith of Christ in the colony.' On which 
 occasion the same young prince thus writes : ' I never 
 was better pleased in my life-time than to see so many 
 of my countrymen brought so far as to be baptized, 
 and particularly when I saw grown up natives come 
 forward to be baptized. We had likewise the happi- 
 ness of seeing our church so full, that some were 
 obliged to stand out of doors. Five or six of the 
 native chiefs were present on the occasion. I had 
 more hopes that day than I ever had of those poor 
 perishing countrymen of mine.' The period in which 
 we live is big with great events, and as happy as they 
 are great. It is pregnant with greater still. We 
 have lived to see the day when man has begun to 
 learn the lesson of freedom and happiness. America 
 is blessed with every blessing civil and religious. 
 Europe begins slowly but sensibly to reform her gov- 
 ernments. The gloomy and dread superstitions of 
 Asia, begin to totter before the gospel of Christ. 
 Nor shall Africa be forgotten. Her bosom begins to 
 warm with hope, and her heart to beat with expec- 
 tation and desire. Toward this land of liberty she 
 turns her eyes, and to the representatives of this great 
 and free people, she stretches forth her hands, panting 
 
 13* 
 
150 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 for the return of her absent sons and daughters. 
 Happy America, if she shall endeavor not only to 
 rival other nations in arts and arms, but to equal and 
 exceed them in the great cause of humanity, which 
 has begun its never ending course." 
 
C HAPTER VII. 
 
 Rival Clams to the Authorship of Colonization stated. — No- 
 tice BY Dr. Alexander in his Colonization History, &c. 
 
 Rival claims to the honor of originating this great 
 and benevolent enterprise have been, at least impli- 
 edly, set up in behalf of others in various quarters. 
 We have reason to feel obligated to such men as have 
 employed their talents to ascertain the facts in this 
 matter ; for, by their investigation, they have saved 
 us the trouble of renewing this examination, which we 
 had gone through to our entire satisfaction more than 
 thirty years ago, by failing to produce anything which 
 impairs his claim to the exclusive credit of originating 
 this magnificent scheme. 
 
 Dr. Archibald Alexander's "History of African 
 Colonization,"* by exposing the futility of every op- 
 posing or rival claim to Dr. Finley's, as the original 
 author of colonization, after his extensive and thor- 
 ough search through the whole field of inquiry, tri- 
 umphantly vindicates and establishes Dr. Finley as 
 the principal and successful contriver of the vast sys- 
 tem here in question. 
 
 What Dr. Alexander reports as the sum of his dis- 
 
 *An 8vo. volume, published by Wm. S. Martien, Philadelphia. 
 1849. 
 
152 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 coveries in his labored investigation, may be found on 
 the following pages of his work. 
 
 Dr. Hopkins, _ . _ page 56 
 
 Dr. Thornton, - - . 61 
 
 Dr. Craighead, . _ . 62 
 
 St. George Tucker, - - - ■ ^ 62 
 
 Legislature of Virginia, - - 63, 64, 65 
 
 Thomas Jefferson, - - - 70, 74 
 
 Charles F. Mercer, - - - 76 
 
 After appearing to attach considerable importance 
 to the early doings of Dr. Hopkins, Dr. Alexander 
 subsequently gives the opinion " that they were rather 
 of the nature of a work of missions." Notwithstand- 
 ing he tells us " that he considers this enterprise as 
 one which has a real connection with the schemes of 
 African colonization, now in a course of execution." 
 In another place he expresses the conjecture "that in 
 all probability Dr. Hopkins' scheme had suggested the 
 idea of colonization at Sierra Leo7ie.'' Dr. Hopkins 
 lived, and made his abortive movement, in Rhode Is- 
 land, at least thirty-five years, perhaps more, anterior 
 to the formation of the Colonization Society; residing 
 at, what was then accounted, a great distance be- 
 tween that State and New Jersey — a road very little 
 travelled, as there existed no business intercourse. 
 The fact is Dr. Hopkins, though a benevolent man, 
 was heard of chiefly as a theologian. 
 
 In regard to Mr. Jefferson's opinion. Dr. Alexan- 
 der informs us " That it has always been understood 
 that his plan was to remove the slaves to some part of 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIN LEY. 153 
 
 the extensive country northwest of the Ohio, which 
 then heloni^ed to the State of Virginia." Mr. Jeffer- 
 son hinted that " it would be a good thing for gov- 
 ernment to undertake a colony on the African coast." 
 But he discards the subject with two or three remarks, 
 each, or all, fatal to this suggestion. 1. "T}iat for 
 this the national mind is not prepared." 2. "That 
 the blacks would not be willing to accept such an ex- 
 change of situation." And 3, he afterwards expresses 
 great doubt, "Whether in an experiment of that kind 
 they would be capable of governing themselves." 
 Pages 74, 75, Dr. A's book. 
 
 On page 77, Dr. Alexander uses terms, which may 
 mislead, on another point. "It is more than proba- 
 ble that Dr. Finley, the brother-in-law of Elias B. 
 Caldwell, Esq., had heard, during the summer of 
 1816, of what had been secretly transacted in the 
 General Assembly of Virginia, and of Mr. Mercer's 
 intention again to bring the subject before that body 
 at the earliest opportunity." Now, the fact is, Mr. 
 E. B. Caldwell's letter to the writer, soon after Dr. 
 Finley's death, states that he, Mr. Caldwell, knew 
 nothing of Dr. Finley's mind on the subject, till he 
 saw him in the District, December, 1816.* Mr. Cald- 
 well there declares that "one leading design, and one 
 that seemed to be most interesting to him, was the for- 
 warding of the Colonization plan. "Shortly after he ar- 
 rived," Mr. C. goes on to say, "he opened to me his 
 views on the subject. I had been contemplating the 
 same object from the preceding winter, I was, there- 
 
 *See letter of E. B. Caldwell, Esq'r., pp. 132, 133. 
 
154 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 fore, prepared to enter at once into Ms feelings.'' 
 This was then an entirely new subject of conversation 
 between these gentlemen. 
 
 In the progress of his remarks upon this subject, 
 Dr. Alexander adds, " It is manifest that Dr. Finley 
 had the scheme of a colony of free blacks, on the 
 western coast of Africa, fully in his mind more than 
 a year before Mr. Mercer knew anything about the 
 secret resolutions of the Virginia Legislature," and 
 adds, "As the Rev. Robert Finley, D. D., must ever 
 hold a conspicuous place in the history of African 
 Colonization, whatever may be the result of the enter- 
 prise, it cannot but be gratifying to the reader to 
 know some particulars respecting him." 
 
 We may add that the fact is rendered plain, by 
 Col. C. F. Mercer's speech, in Charleston, Kanawha 
 county. Western Yirginia, see Dr. A's book, pp. 75, 
 76, that he knew nothing about the organization at 
 the time it took place at Washington, not even the 
 date of its formation, as he states in his speech. 
 *'That the American Colonization Society was formed 
 in the city of Washington, early in the month of Jan- 
 uary," when, in fact that organization was substanti- 
 ally effected on 21st of December, and completed in 
 full form on the 28th of that month, 1816. 
 
 If co-operators with Dr. Finley in that great work 
 are sought for, they can be found only in his native 
 State — New Jersey. And the writer is the only sur- 
 viving member of the very small number of his sym- 
 pathizers and coadjutors, who aided this noble work 
 in its progress, till fully developed and crowned at 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 155 
 
 Washington. The prime and chief honor of the en- 
 terprise, is cheerfully conceded to him who led the 
 way and performed the chief labor. The great ob- 
 ject now is, to secure to him the pre-eminent merit 
 of the grand achievement, and to his native State 
 the immortal honor of its imternity^ through the pa- 
 tient and persevering agency of her distinguished 
 son. Tribute to whom tribute ! Honor to whom 
 honor ! 
 
 To us who aided in the incipient production of 
 this monumental institution, and who have feebly as- 
 sisted its infant efforts through weakness, danger, 
 and doubt — to this hour, it is enough to be per- 
 mitted to join in the general acclamation and tribute 
 of thanks to Almighty God, and of applause to the 
 virtuous, wise, and humane of our country, who have 
 by their concurrent action nursed' the society into 
 greatness, and raised it above detraction and peril ; 
 with them to rejoice in its growing strength, and in 
 the multiplication of its auxiliaries and friends at 
 home and abroad ; to anticipate its vast and incalcu- 
 lable benefits in the diffusion of light, liberty, and 
 happiness over millions of dark and miserable victims 
 of ignorance, bondage, and vice — born and unborn. 
 The present and future glory of this magnificent plan 
 of mercy, is the juzt and undecaying legacy of Dr. 
 Robert Finley to his family — to tlieir latest pos- 
 terity ; and to the State of New Jersey, which gave 
 him birth — and has ever sympathized with works of 
 benevolence and mercy to mankind. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Letter from Corpokatiox of the Uxiversity of Georgia — Gov- 
 ernor Early's communication — Mr. Finley accepts the invi- 
 tation — Resigns his Pastoral charge — His Trusteeship at 
 Princeton — Receives the degree of D.D. — Takes leave of a 
 Weeping Church — Sails from Xew York. 
 
 Early in January, Dr. Finley received the follow- 
 ing letter from the Secretary of the Corporation of 
 the University of Georgia, informing him of his ap- 
 pointment to the Presidency of that institution, and 
 urging his acceptance of it : — 
 
 ^^ Athens, December 31, 1816. 
 " Reverend Sir, 
 
 "It is with much sincere pleasure that I take up 
 my pen, to address you on the subject of our former 
 correspondence. This pleasure is not a little in- 
 creased by the ardent hope that the correspondence 
 now officially commenced, or re-commenced, by the 
 Board of Trustees, will result in your removal to 
 Athens, and in your taking the superintendence and 
 direction of the University of Georgia. At a late 
 meeting of the Board, the appointment was conferred 
 upon you unanimously ; and Governor Early was di- 
 rected to announce the same to you, and to solicit 
 your acceptance of it. The resolution conferring 
 the appointment is in the words following, which 
 
BIOGKAniY OF DR. FINLEY. 157 
 
 I transcribe, lest the Governor's letter might mis- 
 carry : 
 
 " * Resolved, That the Rev. Robert Finlcy, of New 
 Jersey, be, and he is hereby appointed President of 
 the University of Georgia, in the place of the Rev. 
 John Brown, resigned, with a salary of gloOO per 
 annum, payable quarterly ; and that a copy of the 
 above resolution be transmitted to Mr. Finley, by 
 Governor Early, the Senior Trustee, presiding at this 
 meeting, together with a statement of the present 
 and future funds of the University.' 
 
 " Governor Early will inform you of the state of 
 the funds of the institution, present and in prospect. 
 On that subject I would only observe, that there is 
 no doubt in my mind, that the Trustees will soon 
 possess the means as well as the disposition to give 
 their officers such salaries as will be perfectly ade- 
 quate to their comfort and convenience. For reasons 
 which cannot be stated in a letter, Dr. Brown ten- 
 dered his resignation to the Board some time in the 
 spring, which was accepted in November last. The 
 Doctor has retired and resides a few miles from the 
 village. He is very solicitous that you should accept 
 the appointment. You will find in him a friend and 
 brother, and an excellent man. Mr. Golding, son- 
 in-law to Dr. Brown, is the professor of languages. 
 With an equal ardor he awaits your arrival, to take 
 charge of the institution. IMr. Camak, a graduate 
 of the South Carolina College, a young gentleman 
 of fine talents, is professor of mathematics and as- 
 tronomy. Dr. Henry Jackson, late American Charge 
 14 
 
158 BIOGEAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 d'Affairs at Paris, and not yet returned from that 
 country, but expected soon, is professor of chemistry, 
 mineralogy, &c. He is a gentleman of great science, 
 of uncommon modesty and much merit. In every 
 measure, having for its object the well-being and 
 well-doing of the college, you will have the hearty 
 co-operation of the faculty, as well as their easy and 
 voluntary subordination, and they will be happy in 
 your official connection with them. 
 
 "It is wished that you should come on immedi- 
 ately, and if necessary without your family, and stay 
 till commencement, on the second Monday in July ; 
 after which 3^ou could return, and in the course of 
 the following autumn bring on your family. I hope, 
 my dear sir, you will view this as a providential open- 
 ing for your removal to a southern climate, and to 
 a sphere of extensive usefulness. There are few 
 healthier* spots in the world than Athens, although 
 it be Georgia. The institution has been in operation 
 here sixteen years, and the grave of a student is not to 
 
 * In confirmation of this part of Mr. Hodge's instructing and 
 agreeable communication, a friend residing at Athens, formerly an 
 inhabitant of New Jerse}^, writes as follows : — 
 
 " Athens, January 2Sth, ISIS. 
 " A healthier spot than this cannot be found. The climate is a 
 delightful one. This is as pleasant a day as I ever felt in the 
 month of April. Our summers are more agreeable than at the 
 North. Our mornings and evenings are like your pleasantest 
 weather in June ; and it is not "uncomfortable in the middle of the 
 day, unless exposed to the sun. It seems very congenial to my 
 constitution. I enjoy better health than I have in twenty years." 
 
" BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 159 
 
 be seen. I hope you will not hesitate a moment to 
 accept. 
 
 '' In the midst of much other business, preparatory 
 to a journey of two weeks' continuance, on which I 
 am to set out, Deo volente, to-morrow, I have written 
 this letter hastily. Excuse its imperfections, and 
 have the goodness to answer it immediately. 
 " I am affectionately 
 
 and very respectfully, 
 your friend, 
 
 John Hodge. 
 " Rev. R. Finley." 
 
 In a few days after the reception of Mr. Hodge's 
 letter. Governor Early's official communication on 
 the same subject, reached Mr. Finley. The subject 
 of his removal to Georgia was now presented to him 
 the third time, which circumstance, in connection 
 with others, rendered the application peculiarly de- 
 serving of his respectful and attentive regard. As 
 the great outlines of this important subject, by jjre- 
 vious inquiry and reflection, had become familiar to 
 his mind, he seems to liavc spent but little time in 
 deliberating upon it, before he addressed to Governor 
 Early the following letter, in answer to that* received 
 
 from him : — 
 
 ^'BasMng Ridrje, Feb. 21, 1817. 
 
 "Peter Early. Esq., 
 
 '^Dear Sir: — Your favor of the date of January 
 
 * The communication of Gov. Early, Avliicli was very valuable 
 and interesting on this subject, has been unfortunately lost, in the 
 course of Mr. Finley's removal. 
 
160 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. TINLEY. 
 
 15, 1817, and with the post mark of January 29, ar- 
 rived here yesterday, and was received by me to-day.- 
 A letter from the Rev. John Hodge, of Athens, had 
 apprised me of the appointment mentioned in your 
 communication, and if I were as well convinced of my 
 ability to fill the station, as I am sensible of the honor 
 conferred on me, I should be more gratified with the 
 appointment, and more ready to accept it. My friends 
 have ever been inclined to overrate my qualifications 
 for usefulness, and I have often been afraid that, from 
 this circumstance, I might be led to take some step 
 which in the end would be unpleasant to them as well 
 as to myself. In the early part of my life I spent a 
 year at Charleston, South Carolina, and brought away 
 with me a partiality for the South, which at different 
 times has made the idea ' of a permanent settlement' 
 in a more southern climate pleasant to me. Some 
 time in the early part of January, I had a conversa- 
 tion with the Hon. William H. Crawford, Esq., at 
 Washington, on the present state and future pros- 
 pects of ]?ranklin College. From the conversation 
 had with him, an idea was received, that the funds of 
 the institution now, or shortly would, warrant a salary 
 of two thousand dollars to the President. On the re- 
 ceipt of Mr. Hodge's letter, and after having waited 
 for three weeks for the official information, it appeared 
 to me correct, under the impression that your letter 
 might have miscarried, to write to Mr. Hodge, and 
 express my feelings on this subject, especially as he 
 desired me to do so. After seeing a publication in 
 the Savannah Republican, as your letter did not still 
 
BIOGRAPHif OF DR. FINLEY. IGl 
 
 arrive, it was deemed not improper to write to Mr. 
 Crawford, Dr. Kollock, and Thomas Gumming, Esq., 
 of Augusta, all of whom were understood to belong 
 to the Board of Trustees of the University. It 
 was stated in each of the letters written to those gen- 
 tlemen, that the appointment would be accepted on 
 condition that the salary of the President should be 
 two thousand dollars per annum as soon as the funds 
 would admit, and in the just expectation that this 
 would be the case in twelve or eighteen months from 
 next May ; and on the farther condition that the 
 Board should pay the general expenses of removing 
 my family from this place to Athens. My property 
 is of such a kind that the far greater part must be left 
 behind, or sold at a very great loss. Permit me, sir, 
 to state to you, for the information of the Board, my 
 willingness to accept the appointment on the condi- 
 tions just mentioned. Should the conditions appear 
 unreasonable, or it be inexpedient to comply with 
 them, it will be a subject of sincere regret to me that 
 the Trustees should be disappointed, or the institution 
 suffer in the slightest degree. It was perhaps wished 
 that I should come immediately on, after receiving 
 the appointment ; but when it is considered that there 
 is in this place an academy under my superintend- 
 ence, which could not be dissolved at once without 
 some appearance of impropriety ; and, further, that 
 as a clergyman, my connection with the church of 
 which I am pastor, is formed by the power of a Pres- 
 bytery, and can regularly be dissolved by it alone ; it 
 appeared to me too great a violation of propriety to 
 
1(32 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 think of coming before May. It ^vas intimated to the 
 gentlemen to whom I wrote, that I would prepare to 
 leave New York by the first good vessel that may sail 
 for Savannah in that month. Arrangements will be 
 going forward, as if a removal were determined on, 
 but in such a w^ay as to suit my convenience in re- 
 moving or continuing where I am. I am sensible that 
 there cannot well be a meeting of the Board to deter- 
 mine on the points in question within the time pro- 
 posed, and that I must be" satisfied with individual 
 opinions. It will, therefore, be acceptable if these 
 opinions should be expressed without any reserve, and 
 as soon as convenient. 
 
 "You will be good enough to see nothing but the 
 frankness of a candid mind in all that I have done 
 since the receipt of Mr. Hodge's letter, and a desire 
 to meet the wishes of the trustees in a way compati- 
 ble with my own interests. Sliould it be so directed, 
 it cannot but be very agreeable to me to labor with 
 yourself in promoting the interests of literature in 
 Georgia and thereby benefiting our fellow men. 
 
 " It gives me pleasure to assure you, sir, that with 
 esteem and very great respect, 
 I am sincerely, 
 Yours, 
 
 Robert Finley." 
 
 The period that elapsed between the sending of this 
 letter, and the reception of an answer, was to Mr. 
 Finley a season of great suspense and anxiety. His 
 mind, during this period, " fatis contraria, fata repen- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. Km 
 
 dens," seems to have taken some new and unfavor- 
 able views of the subject. The difficulties attending 
 the transportation of a large family to so remote a sit- 
 uation — the painful emotions excited by the near view 
 of entire separation from numerous, respectable, and 
 dear relatives, and settling in a land of strangers — 
 apprehensions respecting the operation of a southern 
 climate on himself and family — and a more careful 
 consideration of the state and prospects of the college, 
 the high responsibility, and the arduous labors, he 
 must encounter, the uncertainty of ultimate success 
 arising from a view of the failure of former efforts — 
 these things produced so great a hesitation, so serious 
 a conflict in his mind, that he regretted his having 
 conditionally pledged himself to the Board of Trus- 
 tees. He would willingly have discovered some way 
 in which he could retract, consistently with honor and 
 with truth. He waited with great anxiety for the ex- 
 pected reply to his proposal, and hoped that some 
 sufficient room would be afforded for him to withdraw 
 from his engagement. On the 17th day of April, the 
 last day of the period, during which he considered him- 
 self committed to the Board of Trustees of the Georgia 
 University, their answer reached him, expressing un- 
 equivocally a full agreement to every suggestion he 
 had made to them, relative to his removal. His sus- 
 pense was now at an end. The path of his duty he 
 considered pointed out by Divine Providence ; and, 
 from this moment, he resolved humbly and cheerfully 
 to submit to what appeared to him to be the will of 
 God, and to cast his care upon Him. He began im- 
 
164 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 mediately to make the necessary preparations for 
 leaving New Jersey, that he might, if possible, reach 
 the place of destination before the extreme heat of 
 summer. 
 
 When the corporation of Princeton college opened 
 their sessions, April 12th, 1817, a letter from Mr. 
 Finley was laid before them tendering his resignation 
 of the office of Trustee, which he had now filled with 
 great respectability and usefulness for twelve years. 
 His resignation was accepted by the Board ; and, by 
 their unanimous 'vote, the degree of Doctor of Divin- 
 ity was conferred on Mr. Finley, as an honorable ex- 
 pression of their high sense of his talents, piety, and 
 usefulness. 
 
 On the 4th Tuesday of April following, he met for 
 the last time his brethren of the presbytery of New 
 Brunswick, at the stated semi-annual meeting of that 
 body. From the numerous cares, and the necessary 
 arrangements, which called so imperiously for his 
 presence and attention at home, at this moment he 
 w^as able to spare time sufficient only to transact the 
 business necessary to his separation from the people 
 of his charge, and to his being regularly connected 
 with that presbytery, into the bounds of which he con- 
 templated removing. 
 
 The following copy of the original document, with 
 which Dr. Finley was furnished by the presbytery of 
 New Brunswick, will give a correct view of the order 
 in which this business was transacted. 
 
 " At a meeting of the presbytery of New Bruns- 
 wick, at Allentown, April 22d, 1817, a minute was 
 made, of which the following is a true copy, viz : 
 
BIOGRAPIIX" OF DR. FINLEY. 105 
 
 " The Rev. Dr. Finley represented to the presby- 
 tery, that he has been appointed president of the 
 university of Georgia, and earnestly requested to 
 accept the appointment, and that on mature delibe- 
 ration he has deemed it his duty to comply with the 
 request — In consequence of which he desired that the 
 pastoral relation between him and the congregation 
 of Basldno; Rid ore be dissolved, and that he be dis- 
 missed from this presbytery to connect himself with 
 the presbytery of Hopewell. 
 
 "The congregation of Basking Ridge present by 
 their commissioner, Joseph Annin, Esq., being in- 
 quired of whether they had any opposition, or com- 
 munication to make on the subject of Dr. Finley's 
 request, produced the following document, viz : 
 
 "At a meeting of the congregation of Basking 
 Ridge, on Monday the 21st day of April, 1817, to 
 adopt such measures as they might deem advisable, 
 with respect to the Rev. Robert Finley's application 
 to be discharged from his pastoral charge of said 
 congresation, the Honorable Henry Southard was 
 appointed Moderator, and AVilliam B. Gaston, Clerk. 
 The subject being agitated and discussed, it was the 
 unanimous vote of the congregation, that they sin- 
 cerely regret the application of Mr. Finley to be 
 discharged from his pastoral charge of the congre- 
 gation — but yielding to Mr. Finley's wishes, and 
 under existing circumstances, and as an act of friendly 
 attachment to Mr. Finlev, it is the unanimous vote of 
 the congregation to make no opposition to the pres- 
 bytery's discharging Mr. Finley from his ipastoral 
 
166 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIXLEY. 
 
 charge of this congregation. And it is further the 
 unanimous vote of the congregation, that Joseph 
 Annin, Esq., be a commissioner to convey the sense 
 of this meeting to presbytery, (Signed) 
 
 Henry Southard, Moderator.- 
 William B. G-aston, Clerk.'' 
 
 " On motion, resolved that the request of the Rev. 
 Dr. Finley be granted, and that the pastoral relation 
 between him and the cono;reo;ation of Baskino: Bid^e, 
 be and it hereby is dissolved, and said congregation 
 is declared to be vacant. 
 
 ^'Besolved further, that Dr. Finley be and he 
 hereby is dismissed from this presbytery to join the 
 presbytery of Hopewell. 
 
 " The presbytery in thus dismissing Dr. Finley to 
 remove to so great a distance, feel all that reluctance, 
 which attachment to a beloved brother, and a sense 
 of his long and important services to this part of the 
 church of Christ, might be supposed to produce. 
 Hoping and believing, however, that he may be still 
 more useful in the honorable sphere of duty to which 
 he is called, they dismiss him with many fervent 
 prayers for his comfort and usefulness, and coi^lially 
 and affectionately recommend him to the presbytery 
 of Hopewell, as a minister in good standing. 
 Signed by order of the presbytery. 
 
 Ash BEL Green, Moderator. 
 
 AYiLLiAM C. Schenck, Clerk.''' 
 
 "J 
 
 Dr. Finley's last interview with the presbytery 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 167 
 
 -^as tender and uifecting. Parting with his beloved 
 fellow-presbyters, and associates in the Lord's service, 
 among whom he had for so long a period, both given 
 and received, numerous and endearing evidences of 
 respect and affection, produced many painful emo- 
 tions. In adjusting several minor concerns, relating 
 to the business which chiefly occupied his mind, his 
 sensibilities appeared to be much excited; but it was 
 only, by a great effort that he was enabled to suppress 
 his feelings, so as to state briefly his circumstances, 
 and request a discharge from his pastoral obligation, 
 and a dismission from the presbytery. As a mark 
 of peculiar respect, and contrary to the custom 
 of this presbytery, a committee was appointed to 
 draught the form of dismission delivered to Dr. Finley 
 w^iich is embraced in the preceding document. 
 
 Dr. Finley's feelings would not permit him to take 
 leave of his congregation in a formal valedictory 
 discourse. Most of the sermons which he delivered, 
 after the separation had been resolved on, were how- 
 ever peculiarly adapted to his trying circumstances 
 and preparatory to his contemplated removal."^ The 
 
 ■^ Some time before Dr. Fiuley received his final call from Geor- 
 gia, he commeuced a course of lectures to his congregation, on 
 the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. When he 
 began, he had no intention of continuing through that chapter; 
 but, he became much interested himself with the subjects presented 
 in order, and the lectures appeared extremely interesting to the 
 people ; so that he continued this exercise some time, and closed 
 his ministry at Basking Ridge with the 17th chapter. From the 
 commencement oi these lectures, a considerable portion of the 
 people had an impression, that he intended to leave them, and that 
 
168 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FliNLEY. 
 
 weekly society, at which he attended in the academy 
 on the Friday evening, immediately preceding the 
 last Sahbath he spent at Basking Ridge, exhibited a 
 scene truly solemn and affecting. Of the crowded 
 assembly present, far the greater part were professors 
 of religion, many of them young and almost all fruits 
 of his ministry. The subject of discourse Philippians 
 i. 27. was happily chosen — "Only let your conversa- 
 tion be as it becometh the gospel of Christ : that 
 whether I come to see you or else be absent, I may 
 hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, 
 with one mind, striving together for the faith of the 
 gospel." On this occasion he manifested his peculi- 
 arly strong and ardent attachment to this people, 
 and his deep and solemn concern for their everlasting 
 salvation. He exerted all the influence of his warm 
 affection and powerful eloquence, especially, when 
 addressing those whom he considered as his children 
 in Christ, to inspire them with steadfastness, vigilance 
 and zeal, in the Christian course. Towards the close 
 of his sermon, in the midst of his strong and moving 
 persuasives, he said, " If it would add to my importu- 
 nity, any additional force and effect, I would beseech 
 you on my bended knees to remember and observe 
 my affectionate, parting counsel," upon saying which, 
 
 these discourses were designed to prepare their minds for that 
 event. During the last week Dr. Finley and his family spent at 
 Basking Ridge, one of the congregation requested these discourses 
 of Mrs. Finley. lie was much surprised and disappointed on being 
 informed that they were not written, inasmuch as he had enter- 
 tained the expectation, that they had been prepared to be left with 
 the people. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 109 
 
 kneeling down lie poured forth his soul before them 
 for some minutes in that attitude, exhorting and en- 
 treating them by the terrors and mercies of the Lord, 
 to "let their conversation be as becometh the gospel 
 of Christ." The people from the commencement of 
 the exercises had appeared exceedingly solemn and 
 much affected. This new, unusual"^' and pathetic 
 appeal to their hearts, roused all their sensibilities, 
 overpowered the whole assembly, and drew^ tears from 
 every eye. In this discourse Dr. Finley addressed 
 the people on the importance of their continuing to 
 observe the Friday evening society, which had been 
 commenced during the first revival under his ministry 
 amonoj them, A. D. 1803. He then stated, that for 
 fifteen years, he had never been absent from that 
 society, when at home, but once : "and then, said he, 
 I was sick on my bed, but my heart was Avith you." 
 
 * Few instances are probably to be found in the annals of 
 church or state, in which the most vehement and impassioned 
 earnestness and zeal have manifested themselves in this truly 
 eloquent and irresistible manner. 
 
 The elegant Biographer of Patrick Henry, in his interesting 
 volume, before referred to, page 376, informs the world that thai 
 great man was directed by the strong impulses of native feeling 
 and passion to the same resort, in one instance — 
 
 "I learn, that on one occasion, after the war, he appeared at the 
 bar of the house of delegates, in support of a petition of the 
 officers of the Virginia line, who sought to be placed on the foot- 
 ing of those who had been taken on the continental establishment ; 
 and that, after having depicted their services and their sufferings, 
 in colors which filled every heart with sympathy and gratitude, he 
 dropped on his knees at the bar of the house, and presented such an 
 appeal as might almost have softened rocks, and bent the knotted 
 oak." 
 
 15 
 
470 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 On tlie Sabbath following, be administered the sa- 
 crament of the Lord's supper, and communed with 
 his Chistian friends at Basking Ridge for the last 
 time. The assembly of people that attended on this 
 occasion, was unusually large and very solemn. In 
 the morning. Dr. Finley preached the action sermon^ 
 which was the last discourse he ever delivered in his 
 native State. His sermon was appropriate* and im- 
 
 * To exhibit somewhat more fully the frame of mind vfhich our 
 departed friend possessed at this interesting juncture, and to fur- 
 nish a specimen of the kind of notes he commonly used during 
 several of the last years of his ministr}', the following analysis of 
 this sacramental sermon, is inserted from his own handwritingj 
 without alteration : — 
 
 1 Corinthians x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it 
 not the communion of the blood of Christ? — the bread which we 
 break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? — 
 
 Our Lord in all his institutions consulted the edification of his 
 disciples. In the institution of the supper, he instituted an ordi- 
 nance that should keep up the remembrance of his love and suf- 
 ferings, admit of fellowship with him, and naturally lead to com- 
 munion among the disciples — 
 
 I. What communion is — 
 
 II. What the special communion which Christians hold, with 
 one another in the Lord's supper, is — 
 
 I. What communion is. 
 
 It is that interchange of sentiment which produces a unity of 
 feeling, and which is so delightful to the heart. 
 
 We must exchange our feelings to know each others' situation. 
 
 We must fully agree in order to be unreserved and happy. This 
 is of the nature of that communion that there is between the soul 
 and God. 
 
 II. What is the special communion which friends hold with one 
 another in the Lord's supper. 
 
 1. As they are members of Christ — 2. As they are fellow-tra- 
 vellers — 3. As they have future hopes. 
 
, BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 171 
 
 pressive. The whole multitude appeared to be greatly 
 affected by the solemnities of public service ; but 
 " they sorrowed most of all for the words which he 
 spake — th\it they should see his face no more." At 
 the close of the morning service, he made some 
 observations of a valedictory nature. The whole 
 address he comprised in a very few sentences, and 
 concluded by bidding them a tender and affectionate 
 "farewelL" 
 
 The Church of Christ has witnessed few seasons of 
 a similar kind more interesting and affecting than the 
 scene exhibited during these transactions at Basking 
 Ridge. Dr. Finley's union to the people of that 
 congregation was of the most strong and endearing' 
 nature. Their long continued love and kindness had 
 inspired him with an unusually warm attachment to 
 them ; and the blessings of God, so often and pecu- 
 liarly vouchsafed to their sacred connection had 
 
 1. As they are members of Christ. 
 They commune of the sutferings — 
 
 of the atonement — 
 
 of the intercession of Christ — 
 
 2. As they are fellow-travellers — 
 
 About the conflicts of life, temporal and spiritual — 
 About the goodness and love of God and Christ — 
 About their own love and forgiveness to one another. 
 
 3. As to their future hopes. 
 
 That they shall be pure in the presence of God — 
 
 That after all their separations, they shall meet to part no 
 more — 
 
 We shall all meet with Christ — 
 
 Subject needs no improvement but to pray that the spirit of 
 true communion may be given to us. 
 
172 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 cemented it still more strongly and drawn its ties 
 still more closely together. This union of the pastor 
 to his people fostered by their kindness and cemented 
 by heavenly grace, could not be dissolved without a 
 painful conflict in his heart. But under a deep and 
 solemn persuasion that his separation from them was 
 taking place at the call of God, he resigned himself 
 obediently and cheerfully to that call. At the same 
 time an awful and indescribable solemnity was visible 
 in his countenance and manners, on that day which 
 closed his sacred ministrations at Basking Ridge. 
 He seemed to be standing before the great Judge 
 giving his final account, surveying the " seals of his 
 ministry," the ''crowns of his rejoicing." Amidst 
 the mourning aad weeping which abounded, he pre- 
 served in general a steady composure, and seemed to 
 be occupied with matters which raised him above the 
 passing scene and to be " sitting in heavenly places 
 in Christ Jesus." 
 
 The people of that congregation, notwithstanding 
 their having formally consented to the removal of 
 their beloved pastor, in a full belief that it was the 
 Lord's will, manifested a deep and tender concern. It 
 was evident that .they felt the reality and magnitude 
 of the loss they were about to sustain in this transac- 
 tion. They saw retiring from them a chosen friend 
 and holy man of God, a highly successful and honored 
 ambassador of Christ. All beheld in him a faithful 
 ■ preacher of the gospel. Hundreds claimed him and 
 hung around him as their spiritual father and guide. 
 The poor and afflicted saw in him departing a kind 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 173 
 
 sympathizing friend and benefactor. Children and 
 youth, in his removal, mourned the loss of a father. 
 So that this congregation must be considered as 
 having been furnished in this event with peculiarly 
 great and ample cause for humiliation and sorrow. 
 And the appearances of undissembled grief, prevail- 
 ing on every side, corresponded with these ideas and 
 impressions. 
 
 On Monday following. Dr. Finley's movable pro- 
 perty was disposed of at public sale. On the evening 
 of the next "Wednesday he arrived in New York. A 
 few days were spent there in making necessary ar- 
 rangements for embarkation, and in taking leave of 
 numerous and affectionate friends. In the beginning 
 of the next week he sailed for Savannah. 
 
 The following extract from a letter, written by 
 Dr. Finley to a friend, will give some general idea of 
 what he observed and experienced on his passage : — 
 
 " As I think it probable that you have been in- 
 formed of my arrival by some of the letters already 
 sent from this place, there is no need that I should 
 repeat anything of what has been already stated of 
 our passage, and the various incidents arising out of 
 it. One thing only seems worthy of a renewed men- 
 tion. Off the North Carolina coast we experienced 
 a variety of weather — head winds, calms, and winds 
 blowing in all directions, attended with awful thunder 
 and lightnino; which lasted the whole night. Toward 
 the evening a whirlwind passed near us, and a water- 
 spout formed and broke about two or three miles 
 from us. It brought to my recollection the com- 
 
 15* 
 
174 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 plaint of the Psalmist, that waves and luater-spoiits 
 had gone over him, and I had some grand and pro- 
 fitable meditations on the passage ; one happy effect 
 of which was, that my mind being filled with the idea 
 of God and reconciled^ too, through him, over whom 
 the water-spouts of wrath did really break, my mind 
 was kept quite free from fear. Indeed it was a great 
 
 source of thankfulness that, except Miss R , we 
 
 were all free from any degree of powerful apprehen- 
 sion. The Lord grant it may be so when we pass 
 the waters of death." 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Ox THE IGth op May arrives at Savannah — Account op his 
 PASSAGE — Correspondence — First impressions — ^Views of the 
 College at Athens — First measures — Labors in the Village, 
 AND IN the College — First Commencement — Attends Presby- 
 tery — And is taken sick. 
 
 On the 16th day of May, after being on ship-board 
 almost two weeks, Dr. Finley arrived at Savannah 
 with all his family in comfortable circumstances. 
 After this, he had still to encounter a land travel of 
 two hundred miles in extent, before he could reach 
 his place of destination. In regard to this journey, 
 which consumed fifteen days, he makes the follow- 
 ing remarks, in a letter from Athens, to a friend in 
 New Jersey : — 
 
 " We were greatly fatigued with our journey from 
 Savannah to this place, the carriage being much 
 crowded with our large family, the roads being hilly 
 and rough, through a new and dreary country, as 
 nearly all the improvements are made ofi" from the 
 road. By the blessing of the Lord we are all in 
 health, though we have all been very uncomfortable, 
 I believe through the change of water and diet. The 
 bowels and stomach have been greatly distressed. 
 We are all well recovered, so that w^e can begin to 
 eat bacon, the only stated meat of the country." 
 
 To exhibit Dr. Finley's first impressions on his ar- 
 rival at Athens, and to convey some general idea of 
 
176 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 the state in which he found the college, the village 
 in which it is located, and the country in general, 
 the following letters, addressed by him soon after 
 he reached that place to friends in this State, are in- 
 troduced : — 
 
 ''June 12th, 1817, at Athens, Georgia. 
 '' Dear Sir :— 
 
 " Though very far separated from you in person, 
 yet I am often present with you in mind. Indeed 
 there are with you so many comforts and conve- 
 niences more than can be furnished here, that it 
 would be difficult to keep my mind at all from my 
 former home, were it not for the necessity and duty 
 of providing for the present, and endeavoring to ar- 
 range for the improvement of the future. It would 
 require a good part of the remainder of my life, to 
 organize and put in motion the concerns of the collegCo 
 We have enjoyed tolerable health since we arrived, 
 except a severe affection of our stomach and bowels, 
 which complaint passed away in a few days. Per- 
 haps this may be a part of the seasoning we are to ex- 
 perience here. We find all things high priced, owing 
 to the severe drought which last year swept away 
 every thing, as the frost did in Jersey. Europe and 
 America in the same year experienced shortness of 
 bread ; in America the crops failing from frost and 
 drought, in Europe from the rains. Corn is one 
 dollar and a half; last year it was twenty-five to 
 thirty-seven cents. Wheat is now one dollar, usually 
 seventy-five cents. The people's great concern is to 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 177 
 
 raise cotton, buy slaves, &c. As yet there is but 
 little thought of making any improvement, the coun- 
 try being new ; and what is worse, the population 
 fleeting and constantly moving off to the Alabama 
 Territory. The country sufters greatly for want of 
 mechanics ; for though it cannot be said there are no 
 mechanics in some branches, yet they are such that 
 nothing is done to the satisfaction of those who have 
 seen anything better. A tanner and currier might 
 make a fortune in a little time in any part of this 
 country. A man who could make boots and shoes, 
 might choose his own business and on his own 
 terms. A carpenter and joiner, with a common 
 blessing, might get rich as fast as labor could enrich 
 any one." 
 
 June 24tli, 1817, to another friend he writes as 
 follows : 
 
 " The place in which we live is entirely healthy, 
 but for a few miles round the soil is considered as 
 rather thin ; though, thin as it is, it produces good 
 crops of corn, wheat, and cotton, for a few years, and 
 would continue to do so if the people had any idea of 
 manuring. They have none, but, being principally 
 emigrants from Old Virginia, they wear out a piece 
 of land and leave it. At present, immense sums of 
 money are made by raising cotton, each slave yield- 
 ing about two hundred dollars, exclusive of support. 
 The comforts of life are not attended to, nor any of 
 its elegancies, either in buildings or furnitm-e, either 
 in dress or table. Morals low, correct ideas few, 
 manners coarse, and religious knowledge nearly noth- 
 
178 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 ing. Yet some of the people seem to be sensible of 
 all this, and desirous to have it all changed. But 
 irresolution, arising from inexperience, and the indo- 
 lence connected with slavery, T\'ill make changes slow, 
 unless northern and eastern people come in to show 
 an example and to take a lead. This part of the 
 country suffers a very great inconvenience in having 
 no bottom meadows ; and the soil, being sandy, does 
 not produce grass. At the same time the people are 
 determined to believe that no kind of grass seed can 
 be sown with success. 
 
 " The college is at the last gasp — forgotten in the 
 public mind, or thought of only to despair of it — ne- 
 glected and deserted — the buildings nearly in a state 
 of ruins — and the Trustees doubtful whether it can 
 ever be recovered. This is a picture not over drawn. 
 You can readily conceive how all this has operated 
 on my mind. I thank the Lord my spirits do not 
 sink, nor is my heart discouraged. Yet, possessed of 
 tranquillity and hope, one week at my old residence 
 would give me more pleasure than all I have felt since I 
 bade you farewell at Elizabeth Town Point. Some 
 that I left I shall not see till the heavens are no 
 more. 
 
 " Instead of my large congregation I now preach 
 to about fifty people. What a change ! Blessed be 
 God, we shall be in the ' great congregation' shortly. 
 '^ "With sincere love and respect, yours, 
 
 '^KOBERT FlNLEY." 
 
 The following^letter to a respectable gentleman at 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 179 
 
 Basking Ridge, and intimate friend of Dr. Finley, 
 possesses considerable interest, as illustrating farther 
 the early history and the prevailing habits of the 
 country in which the college is situated. 
 
 ^^ Athens, July 1st, 1817. 
 
 ^' Dear Sir: — You have probably learned from some 
 of the letters that have been sent from this place, 
 something of its appearance and condition. From 
 them you "will learn .that we were considerably disap- 
 pointed. One cause of this is the newness of the 
 country. It is only about twenty years since it was 
 the abode, or at least the haunt, of Indians. It is 
 impossible, therefore, that society should be much ad- 
 vanced, or any great improvements made ; especially 
 as not only the first, but almost the only, settlers are 
 from Virginia, and do not bring with them the spirit 
 of improvement, which comes with eastern settlers, 
 and even with Jerseymen. Slavery chills every ar- 
 dor, and retards every improvement, and it will con- 
 tinue to do so, for a lono; time to come. The colle^'-e 
 is in the lowest state that is possible ; the contempt 
 of the enemies of literature, the scorn of its own par- 
 ticular enemies, and the pity of those who were once 
 its friends. The students are twenty-eight. It is, 
 however, to be observed, tliat there were about forty 
 when Dr. Brown, the former president, resigned his 
 office. Whether it can rise for a long time, does not 
 appear to me certain — that it will shortly does not 
 appear probable — but there is every reason to hope 
 that it will eventually. As there are funds to pay the 
 salaries, independent of the numbers of the students, 
 
180 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 there is some advantage, as well as disadvantage, in 
 the number of the students being small at first. It 
 affords an apportunity to introduce discipline with 
 more ease, and more efficiently ; it affords an oppor- 
 tunity for the officers to establish themselves in the 
 affections of the students more deeply, and to make 
 the improvement of the few more sensible to the ob- 
 server. Thus much being gained, every pupil will 
 aid in giving a name and character to the institution. 
 We have mentioned in former letters that there are 
 but few Presbyterians in and about this village, and 
 no religious society formed of that denomination. 
 There are a few Methodist professors, and two preach- 
 ers in the immediate vicinity of the place. 
 
 "As yet I know but little of the country, having 
 been entirely employed in endeavoring to get fixed, 
 and making myself acquainted with the state of the 
 college. We have no garden, nor is there any mar- 
 ket for vegetables ; but we have not wanted, as yet, 
 in any day for a little of something to eat. All are 
 kind to us, and divide freely. All seem now to be 
 contented, though we have not yet had time to learn 
 to be pleased. 
 
 '' I look at Mrs. ' snuff-box sometimes, but 
 
 it is empty and I dare not fill it. 
 
 "With great regard and affection. 
 
 Yours 
 
 R. FlNLEY." 
 
 The following very interesting communication is 
 enriched with intelligence, cheerfulness, and piety. 
 It is particularly valuable on account of the views it 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 181 
 
 presents of Dr. Finley's state of mind, in his new and 
 trying condition, and in full contemplation of the 
 great and arduous undertaking on which he was just 
 entering. 
 
 ''Athens, (Geo.) July 16tli, 1817. 
 " Rev, Isaac V. Brown, 
 
 ''•Dear Sh^: — Your favor came to me most accept- 
 ably, and was in all respects very gratifying. It was 
 the first letter received from Jersey, except one from 
 
 . Occupied with the main subject before him, 
 
 he did not give one item of intelligence. 
 
 "It is a great blessing to me that in some degree I 
 have endeavored to cherish a missionary spirit, other- 
 wise in the outset my situation would have been very 
 undesirable. On account of health, the college was 
 located quite on one side of the State, or population 
 at least, where it was seldom seen, and where it cre- 
 ated but little interest. Its funds, consisting of lands 
 put to rent, were uncertain. The most of the lands 
 are no"\v sold, realizing an hundred thousand dollars, 
 only sixty as yet in operation. My predecessor left 
 forty students, of which I found twenty-seven remain- 
 ing. The public mind was so dispirited that the trus- 
 tees had determined to abandon the institution for a 
 time, had their application to your friend been re- 
 fused. After being unwell, through the change of 
 diet, water, and climate, for about two weeks, and 
 experiencing considerable depression, my mind began 
 to revive, to feel itself on missionary ground, to view 
 the college as designed in the providence of God to 
 16 
 
182 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 meliorate the condition of man and direct his heart to 
 heaven. These last views fixed in my mind a strong 
 belief that I was on proper ground, where, if it pleased 
 the Lord, with much wisdom and self denial, with 
 much industry and patience, some good, perhaps 
 great good, may be done. 
 
 "If my views of the men associated with me are 
 correct, the prospect is good from them. With regard 
 to other things, there is reason to hope that so far as 
 an impression has been made at all it has been favor- 
 able. Our nominal commencement will take place 
 this day fortnight. Nominal, because owing to the 
 resi<^nation of Dr. Brown, there is no senior class. 
 But we shall keep up appearances. 
 
 ''A few weeks vacation Avill, I trust, afford me an 
 opportunity of seeing a little of this new country. 
 No religious exercises have been performed on the 
 Sabbath day by the students. Next Sabbath, for the 
 first, there will be a recitation on the Bible, I hope. 
 The students appear willing, I am told ; though some 
 say they do not believe the Bible, some that they 
 never read a chapter, &c. In the village, too, about 
 a dozen have expressed a willingness to be formed 
 into a class for the same purpose. "When the vaca- 
 tion commences, I shall endeavor to commence with 
 the village youth. "We have no church formed here, 
 but expect, or rather hope, to have one soon. We 
 have no congregations worth a name ; yet there are 
 various places in growing country towns, where young, 
 enterprising clergymen might, by teaching, support 
 themselves, and at the same time raise up respectable 
 congregations in a few years. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 183 
 
 "Brother, let us endeavor to be meek. Let us 
 Miunger and thirst after righteousness.' My heart 
 embraces, while my pen salutes, you and yours. The 
 love of my heart to the Presbytery. Shall I ever see 
 them more ? 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 '' Robert Finley. 
 
 "P. S. — With men of reflection the colonizing 
 scheme is as popular here as with you in Jersey. Go 
 on, and prosper. Be firm and resolute. Life is short. 
 All flesh is to come a little lower in worldly matters, 
 to rise a little higher in the service of God and man. 
 I have got my personal abasement. Lord grant I 
 may not deserve more." 
 
 Dr. Finley found himself now in a situation which 
 to him was new and untried in itself, very critical and 
 highly responsible. He had relinquished a station 
 which presented a pleasing sphere of comfort and 
 emolument, of honor and usefulness. He was now 
 entering upon a great experiment, the result of which 
 was covered with uncertainty. He was surround- 
 ed with a cloud of witnesses. Li the north and 
 in the south, many eyes were turned towards him, 
 with high expectation and great solicitude. The du- 
 ties incumbent upon him, and the interests committed 
 to his management, were vastly extensive and impor- 
 tant. One step of rashness or of folly might blast 
 the whole enterprise. He awakens from partial re- 
 pose, and summons to action all his powers. His 
 
184 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 first object is to understand the condition of the col- 
 lege, the charge of which he has accepted. 
 
 To illustrate the circumstances of this university, 
 as they existed, at the time of Dr. Finley's under- 
 taking its superintendence, and to develop correctly 
 the difficulties he had to encounter, it will be neces- 
 sary to give a concise history of the institution, from 
 its first establishment to that period. 
 
 The citizens of Georgia, impressed with a sense of 
 the importance of providing within their own state, 
 the means of sound and useful education, turned their 
 attention very early to this interesting object. In 
 the year 1784, the legislature of Georgia, with a 
 highly commendable discretion and liberality appro- 
 priated forty thousand acres of land situated on the 
 northwestern limits of that State, for the purpose of 
 endowing and establishing a university. * In the suc- 
 ceeding year, they granted a charter to the institution, 
 and appointed a Board of Trustees to superintend the 
 college aifairs, giving them no authority to sell the 
 lands entrusted to their care, but clothing them with 
 discretionary power to use and dispose of them, in 
 any otlie^' manner^ for the best interests of the infant 
 seminary. The donation to the university was situ- 
 ated in the heart of a very extensive tract of unap- 
 propriated state lands, on its northwestern frontier, 
 the settling of which was long prevented by the con- 
 stant dread of savage incursions, to which it was 
 frequently and sometimes fatally subject. When the 
 fear of Indian barbarity began to subside, the popu- 
 lation of the state to diffuse itself over this unoccupied 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 185 
 
 region, and emigrants and speculators to visit it from 
 motives of speculation and emolument — the public 
 lands, a full and permanent title to which could be 
 obtained at once, presented a more interesting and 
 inviting object to their enterprise and avarice, than 
 the college property, subject to such conditions as 
 had been prescribed by the trustees of the college, to 
 suit the necessities and promote the interests of the 
 institution. Consequently very little of the college 
 demesne, appeared likely to be taken on tenancy, and 
 the endowment remained long unproductive and use- 
 less. The institution receiving no other active dona- 
 tion, and the corporation relying on the lands as 
 their only resource, fifteen years elapsed before any 
 effort could be prudently made to realize the designs 
 and benefits of the charter. 
 
 The friends of literature and of public improvement 
 in general, perceiving the population of the state to 
 be rapidly increasing, and feeling deeply concerned 
 for the literary honor of Georgia, began to manifest 
 great anxiety to see the affairs of the university 
 placed in a more promising and successful train. — ■ 
 Accordingly, in the year 1800, before a sufficient 
 fund had accumulated from the rents of the college 
 property, in conformity with the public impulse, the 
 trustees resolved to commence erecting the necessary 
 college buildings. Their pecuniary resources being 
 very inadequate, and the impatience and importunity 
 of public sentiment seeming to prohibit farther delay 
 to meet the exigence of the case, and as their only 
 alternative, they applied to the legislature of the 
 
 16* 
 
186 BTOGRAPHY OF DR. TINLEY. 
 
 state for authority to sell five thousand acres of the 
 original appropriation, and to use the proceeds in 
 erecting the contemplated edifice. In addition to 
 these five thousand acres now cut ofi" from the endow- 
 ment of the college, the institution sustained the loss 
 of ten thousand acres more, of its most valuable lands. 
 The one half was lost in a controversy with individu- 
 als, and the other part fell into the State of South 
 Carolina, upon the adjustment of a territorial dispute. 
 By these misfortunes which were unavoidable, and, 
 to appearance irreparable, the resources of the insti- 
 tution were much impaired ; and in the building ope- 
 rations was unavoidably incurred, a burdensome debt, 
 which for seventeen years painfully embarrassed all 
 the proceedings of the board of trustees. The ex- 
 hausted state of the college funds forced the board 
 afterwards into a system of economy and restriction 
 in expenditure, which prohibited their employing a 
 competent number of college officers, prevented the 
 purchase of a library and philosophical apparatus, 
 and very lamentably depressed the reputation and 
 general aspect of the institution. 
 
 In these disadvantageous and discouraging circum- 
 stances, did Dr. Finley find the seminary over which 
 he had been selected to preside — its resources impov- 
 erished — its credit prostrated — its friends dishearten- 
 ed — its principal officers retired from the scene of 
 action — the number of students greatly diminished — 
 the vital power of its government paralyzed — its edi- 
 fices in a state of decay and approaching ruin. He 
 was himself far from possessing the strength of con- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FTNLEY. 187 
 
 stitution and animation of spirit, which had imparted 
 life and power to his former movements. The care 
 and fatigue of his voyage and journey had also pro- 
 duced a considerable impression. The country itself 
 did not present to him an interesting and pleasing 
 aspect. The place of his future abode did not afford 
 a prospect of so much convenience and comfort to 
 himself and his family, as he had been accustomed to 
 enjoy and induced to anticipate. 
 
 When we consider all these circumstances in con- 
 nection, it will not appear surprising, that his spirits 
 should have suffered a temporary depression. Indeed, 
 had he not possessed a mind of extraordinary firmness 
 and resolution he must have sunk under the weight 
 of the accumulated obstacles, and discouragements 
 that presented themselves on every side. 
 
 Low, however, and reduced, as the funds of the 
 institution were conceived to be, at first view. Dr. 
 Finley found in the progress of his inquiries, that 
 their nominal was far beyond their real value. In 
 the year 1815, the legislature of the State of Georgia 
 authorized a sale of the unimproved lands of the uni- 
 versity, and directed the proceeds to be vested in 
 bank stock. To facilitate the accomplishment of this 
 measure, and to put it into the power of the trustees, 
 to make a more advantageous vlisposal of the college 
 lands, by giving the purchasers a reasonable credit, 
 the state very liberally advanced a sum sufficient to 
 enable the college to purchase a thousand shares in a 
 bank, expected to go into operation soon, agreeing to 
 depend upon the proceeds of the land sales for a re- 
 
188 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 imbursement. This arrans-ement which manifested 
 liberality and public spirit in the legislature, and 
 •which promises a very flattering issue, afi'orded a ben- 
 efit, principally remote, and not immediate in its in- 
 fluence. The bank in which the funds were vested, 
 did not commence business until thesummer of 1816, 
 and then its operations were founded upon only sev- 
 enteen per centum of its original capital, and at the 
 expiration of a year, it had demanded but little more 
 than half that sum. The consequence was, that the uni- 
 versity instead of deriving an immediate and exten- 
 sive advantage from the change produced in the state 
 of its finances, received on account of its stock, and 
 from all its other resources, a sum merely sufficient 
 for current expenses. When therefore. Dr. Finley 
 arrived at Athens in May, 1817, he found upon a 
 thorough investigation of the afiairs of the institution, 
 that its funds were good only in prospect^ — that 
 although the great cause of the disease was removed, 
 the debility remained. 
 
 Difficulties and discouragements, too great to be 
 encountered by men of ordinary minds, tended only 
 to touch the springs of his intellectual frame and to 
 bring all his extraordinary powers into vigorous ex- 
 ertion. The truth of this observation was strikingly 
 exemplified in the case before us. Individuals of re- 
 spectable talents, attainments and zeal, had yielded 
 to the opposing obstructions. But Dr. Finley found 
 in the circumstances of the university, a suitable 
 field for the exercise of all his abilities and virtues, 
 — his enterprise, his firmness, his indefatigable indus- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 189 
 
 try and perseverance, and his pre-eminent prudence 
 and address. His character altogether was such, as 
 to make him peculiarly adequate to the task, of re- 
 covering the institution from embarrassment and dis- 
 honor, and of raising it to prosperity and usefulness. 
 Deeply impressed with a sense of the necessity of 
 obtaining the decided and zealous co-operation of the 
 Board of Trustees, he at first employed all his influ- 
 ence with them, and endeavored to inspire them with 
 a lively interest in the state of the college, and con- 
 cern for the success of the contemplated operations. 
 With his characteristic candor and earnestness he 
 he stated to the Trustees, his opinion, that to raise 
 the university to credit and usefulness, great altera- 
 tions and improvements must be made immediately, 
 through their instrumentality — that a philosophical 
 apparatus and a respectable library must be procured 
 — that the institution must be supplied with decent 
 and comfortable buildings for accommodating the 
 college ofiBcers and students — in order to do this, that 
 some new edifices would be required, and considerable 
 repairs necessary to those already erected — that the 
 ofiicers of the institution should be recalled immedi- 
 ately to their posts — and that the whole establishment 
 should be brought with all practicable speed, to ex- 
 hibit such an appearance of order and taste, dignity and 
 comfort, as other literary institutions presented to 
 view, and as would command respect, and operate as 
 motives and inducements, with the intelligent, wealthy 
 and honorable inhabitants of the southern States to 
 place their sons there for the purpose of prosecuting 
 
190 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 and completing their education. He declared to 
 them, his full persuasion, that the character of the 
 college was to be redeemed, not so much, by a change 
 of officers, as by a change of measures — that his 
 counsels and efforts would avail but little without 
 their cordial concurrence and zealous assistance. 
 
 In this interesting and important crisis, ardent 
 and impatient, to facilitate and expedite their pro- 
 gress, by gaining some signal advantage in the out- 
 set, he proposed and urged to the Board their 
 appealing directly to the legislature of the State, in 
 a respectful and importunate supplication for relief 
 and aid, relying on the reasonableness of their claim, 
 the usefulness of their object, and the former munifi- 
 cence of that enlightened and liberal body. But 
 this measure appeared to be opposed by so many 
 difficulties and discouragements, that on mature de- 
 liberation, it was unanimously agreed not to attempt 
 its execution. 
 
 The anxious and determined mind of Dr. Finley, 
 then suggested, as a last resort, the plan of casting 
 themselves directly upon the bounty of a generous 
 and charitable public, with a view to obtain the 
 necessary supplies. In this measure, he was cordially 
 reciprocated by the Board of Trustees, who promptly 
 approved and adopted the proposed system. The 
 necessary arrangements were made immediately and 
 agents were appointed to carry this plan into effect. 
 But Dr. Finley, unbounded in his solicitude for the 
 success of this measure, and unwilling to commit the 
 execution of it to any other person, voluntarily 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 191 
 
 offered his own services in the delicate and ungra- 
 cious business of courting public bounty. Besides 
 his earnest desire for the success of this measure, 
 other important considerations induced him to engage 
 in so unpleasant and laborious a service. By the 
 charter of the college it was made the privilege, and 
 duty of the president of the university annually to 
 visit and inspect the public schools and academies in 
 the State of Georgia, with a view to their general 
 amelioration and success in the system of instruction 
 and discipline pursued. As soon as this provision in 
 the charter came to his knowlege, he expressed him- 
 self in terms warmly approving of it, and resolved to 
 embrace the first opportunity that presented itself, to 
 enter upon this important duty of his office. Dr. 
 Finley was also very desirous of becoming acquainted 
 by personal observation, with the State of Georgia, 
 not only in relation to the face of the country and 
 its general improvements, but in regard to the char- 
 acter, condition and genius of the people — all with a 
 view to enable him bettei; to understand the disposi- 
 tions and habits of the youth, and more successfully 
 to superintend their education. From this tour, he 
 anticipated much profit and pleasure in relation to all 
 these objects ; but his principal desire was to obtain 
 pecuniary contributions for the aid of the university. 
 The period allotted, for the performance of this 
 soliciting service, was that of the approaching vaca- 
 tion in the college. 
 
 The time that elapsed before the close of the ses- 
 sion. Dr. Finley spent in diligent attendance upon 
 
192 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 the various duties of his new and important station. 
 His attention was occupied principally with the daily 
 instruction of the students, and with endeavors to 
 give form and success to the internal regulations and 
 movements of the college. He embraced the earliest 
 opportunity to introduce into college the study of the 
 Bible on the Lord's day. This he considered an 
 important and indispensable object of attention in 
 schools and seminaries of learning, through all the 
 successive stages of improvement. 
 
 While diligently occupied with the duties of his 
 office, he was also anxiously engaged in devising mea- 
 sures for the general improvement and success of the 
 college. The preaching of the gospel, he had deter- 
 mined never to relinquish while life lasted. The 
 character and the duties of a pastor were endeared to 
 his heart by a thousand tender and sacred ties, which 
 he could never dissolve nor forget. While therefore 
 supremely devoted to his professional duties, as presi- 
 dent, he made it an important object to be useful at 
 the same time, as far as possible, as a minister of the 
 gospel. With this view he made use of the leisure 
 time he enjoyed, to organize a regular Presbyterian 
 congregation in the village of Athens, and to preach 
 in the surrounding country wherever opportunities 
 offered. It was a part of his plan, to insitute a class 
 among the young people in the village, for studying 
 the Bible, as soon as his circumstances would enable 
 him to accomplish it. During the month of June and 
 early in July, he met several times with the Trustees 
 of the college, and by his prudent, dignified and 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 193 
 
 pleasing deportment, he acquired in a very high de- 
 gree the respect and confidence of that honorable 
 Board. His impressive discourses, delivered from 
 time to time in the village, before the citizens and 
 students, had a very happy effect, and inspired uni- 
 versal veneration. Indeed ^'everything seemed to 
 bid fair for his being in the hand of Providence a 
 rich blessing to the State of Georgia." 
 
 The commencement in the college, which, accord- 
 ing to a standing rule, took place on the last Wed- 
 nesday of July, 1817, was an interesting season. 
 The following account of this transaction, communi- 
 cated by the Rev. Dr. John Brown, former president 
 of the college, is both appropriate and pleasing: 
 
 "The commencements in this institution are held 
 on the last Wedesday of July. On the preceding 
 day a commencement sermon is delivered by the 
 president. Dr. Finley most happily availed himself 
 of this occasion to state to a very numerous and 
 respectable audience, the intimate connection between 
 the growth of true science and the success of Chris- 
 tianity. His text was. Matt. xxiv. 27 — ' For as the 
 lightning cometh out of the East and shineth even 
 unto the West, so shall the coming of the Son of Man 
 be.' This might be considered as the Doctor's inau- 
 gural discourse. He showed in several respects, how 
 the past and present progress of Christian morals, 
 was beautifully exemplified in the progress of that 
 rapid and luminous element, the lightning. The sub- 
 ject was happily chosen, the discourse well prepared, 
 and delivered with great energy. To you, sir, who 
 17 
 
194 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 were so well acquainted with the powers of his mind 
 and his irresistible manner, I need say nothing res- 
 pecting the effect. I need not tell you that every eye 
 was riveted on the speaker — every heart impressed. 
 
 " The business of the commencement day, he con- 
 ducted with great dignity and with the most perfect 
 ease to himself. Nothing like embarrassment or per- 
 turbation of mind appeared on any occasion. His 
 happy art of making the situation of his pupils easy 
 and pleasant, was also manifestly exhibited. Great 
 God ! how deep and how mysterious are thy ways ! 
 How strange to us, that a life so useful should not 
 have been spared ! When he fell, what an assem- 
 blage of qualifications for filling the presidential chair 
 with credit to himself and advantage to the State, fell 
 with him !" 
 
 The season of commencement having been agree- 
 ably passed through, the business determined on for 
 the ensuing vacation took possession of Dr. Finley's 
 mind, and nothing could attract his attention from it. 
 " In augenda, festinat et obruitur, re." On the sub- 
 ject of this tour Dr. Brown writes in the following 
 judicious and interesting manner : — 
 
 " Had Dr. Finley been more indulgent to himself 
 and less ardent in his wishes for the prosperity of 
 the institution, he would have spent the six weeks of 
 vacation which ensued after the commencement, in 
 the enjoyment of ease with his family and little circle 
 of friends in Athens and its vicinity. But his solici- 
 tude that the Trustees might be able to meet engage- 
 ments which he expected would be made by the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 195 
 
 gentleman -who had gone on for the purchase of books, 
 induced him to volunteer in the business of solicitino^ 
 benefactions. With this object in view he visited the 
 counties of Jackson, Ogelthorpe, Wilks, Hancock, 
 Green and Morgan. Some of his friends attempted 
 to apprise him of the danger of leaving so healthy a 
 spot as Athens, and undertaking fatigue and exposure 
 during the sickly season, and indeed while a bilious 
 epidemic was considerably prevalent in some of the 
 lower counties ; but his mind could not be diverted 
 from its favorite object. On this tour he was very 
 successful in acquiring benefactions to the funds of 
 the university, but imbibed the seeds of a disease that 
 cut short his useful labors, and bereaved the institu- 
 tion of so valuable an acquisition, in the very dawn 
 of its prosperity. He had been about two months 
 in college, and in about two months more he slept in 
 the arms of his Redeemer." 
 
 One paragraph in a communication from my hon- 
 orable correspondent. Col. Clayton, before referred 
 to, so fully confirms the above representation of his 
 excellent friend, and so happily describes the outlines 
 and incidents of this eventful tour, that I shall pre- 
 sent it in his own words. 
 
 " Although the necessary arrangements were made 
 and the agents appointed to give efficiency to this 
 scheme, yet such was the eager solicitude of Dr. Fin- 
 ley, at every delay which interposed itself between his 
 plans and his hopes, that he descended from the dig- 
 nified station of his office, to volunteer his services in 
 the ungracious task of courting public gratuity, and 
 
196 BIOGRAPHY or DR. FINLEY. 
 
 subjecting himself to all the incidents of chagrin, that 
 are known usually to accompany that delicate en- 
 gagement. Accordingly he commenced his tour the 
 latter part of July, which is the beginning of the 
 sickly season in that State, and although in the short 
 compass which he made, he had the satisfaction to 
 have his most sanguine expectations realized, as to 
 the generous spirit of the people of Georgia and their 
 attachment to their university, and that his own views 
 of their benevolence were not unfounded ; yet the 
 knowledge of these valuable facts was obtained by a 
 sacrifice far above their value ; for in this tour the 
 fatal sickness w^as contracted, that bereaved society 
 of one of its brightest ornaments." 
 
 While performing this journey, a variety of objects, 
 all connected with the great end contemplated, occu- 
 pied Dr. Finley's attention. He did not here, even 
 in the midst of secular concerns, for a moment forget 
 his character as an ambassador of the Prince of Peace. 
 On this point the following observations of Col. Clay- 
 ton, will be found appropriate and satisfactory : — 
 
 " He returned home on the 8th of September, after 
 an absence of six weeks from his family, in which 
 time he had been arduously and unceasingly engaged 
 in soliciting private contributions in furtherance of 
 his design, and, that his useful labors might not be 
 confined to one object, he availed himself of every 
 opportunity of shedding abroad the light of those 
 divine truths of which he had been so long a faithful 
 depository, and from whom it had so often emanated 
 with such divine eftect. In this short period, by day 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 197 
 
 and by night, in a season peculiarly unfriendly to 
 mental exertion, he preached sixteen sermons. His 
 constant bodily employment, under almost a vertical 
 sun, exposed to heat and wet, his mind seriously and 
 anxiously engaged, with a constitution and habits un- 
 accustomed to the climate, joined to an unusual prev- 
 alence of disease, to have escaped indisposition would 
 indeed have been miraculous. AYhen therefore he 
 reached home, he felt the usual symptoms of an at- 
 tack, but flattering himself that the languor of his 
 feelings had been produced by excessive fatigue, he 
 unfortunately relied too much upon a state of rest for 
 relief, and omitted such precautionary applications as 
 might have averted the impending blow." 
 
 At this period the Presbytery of Hopewell which 
 embraces this district of the church, held its sessions 
 at a village considerably distant from Athens. Dr. 
 Finley's extreme anxiety to enjoy an interview, form 
 an acquaintance, and establish a regular connection 
 with that ecclesiastical body, induced him to set out 
 to attend its meeting on the fourth day after his arri- 
 val at home from the former tour. In relation to 
 this subject, Dr. Brown writes in the following man- 
 ner : — 
 
 " It was on the close of this tour that he met with 
 his brethren in the ministry, the members of the Pres- 
 bytery of Hopewell, in sessions at Madison, in Mor- 
 gan county. He became a member of that reverend 
 body on the fifth day of September. He was received 
 with great cordiality by his clerical friends, and they 
 would have been very happy in administering to his 
 
 17* 
 
198 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 comfort and support in his important office as presi- 
 dent of the university. Few of his friends have more 
 sensibly felt, or more sincerely lamented his early 
 removal, than the members of the Presbytery of 
 Hopewell. It is the usual practice with this Presby- 
 tery to have preaching on every day during their 
 sessions, and to close with the administration of the 
 holy sacramental supper, on the Sabbath day. A 
 great number of people attended this meeting. It 
 was a very solemn occasion, and Dr. Finley appeared 
 to enjoy it exceedingly. He preached several times 
 during the meeting, and attempted to preach on the 
 Sabbath morning, but was not able to do it. In the 
 evening he was better, and after night preached a 
 very solemn and interesting discourse from these 
 words of our Saviour, It is finished. On Monday 
 evening he got home to his family in Athens : com- 
 plained of extreme languor and lowness of spirits : 
 on Wednesday he attended the funeral of a person 
 in whom he felt considerable interest, and a very 
 deep expression was observed in his countenance 
 while a neighboring clergyman was making some ap- 
 propriate observations at the grave." 
 
 Col. Clayton most justly observes that '' Dr. Fin- 
 ley, too anxious to fill up the measure of his useful- 
 ness, would not suffer the only remedy he had chosen 
 to mitigate the force of his symptoms, to have its full 
 effect : " for before repose has had an opportunity to 
 produce the desired relief from lassitude of body and 
 depression of mind, he engages in some new service, 
 he exposes himself to some new hardship. In con- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 199 
 
 formity with which, Dr. Brown, after describing his 
 indisposition while attending the Presbytery, and his 
 exhausted condition after his return home, proceeds 
 to say : 
 
 "On Friday, though still unwell, he set out to 
 attend a sacramental meeting at the distance of about 
 twenty miles. This meeting had been deferred for 
 some time with the expectation of enjoying the com- 
 pany and assistance of Dr. Finley. Here again his 
 exertions were beyond his strength. On Saturday 
 he preached a most excellent sermon from Heb. xii. 
 22, 23, 24 — ' But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and 
 unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusa- 
 lem, and to an innumerable company of angels ; to 
 the general assembly and church of the first-born 
 which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of 
 all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and 
 to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the 
 blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than 
 that of Abel.' I know not whether to call this his 
 own funeral sermon. The view which he took of the 
 light in which the gospel represents the things of the 
 eternal world, and the familiar acquaintance which 
 he appeared to have with them, seemed scarcely 
 consistent with a longer continuafice in this. He 
 saw with solemn delight in the countenances of his 
 hearers the effect which preaching produced, and was 
 encouraged to attempt it again on the Sabbath ; but 
 although the introductory exercises were performed 
 by another, he was scarcely able to go through with 
 a short discourse, until he had to retire for rest. On 
 
200 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Monday lie came home. On Tuesday lie lingered 
 about the house, and on Wednesday he was taken 
 down on the bed from which he never arose. I was 
 abroad during his illness, and returned just in time to 
 attend one of the most solemn funerals I ever wit- 
 nessed." 
 
 The circumstances of Dr. Finley's sickness and 
 death so far as communicated to the writer, will be 
 presented to the reader principally in the same words 
 in which they were received. The peculiar character 
 of his disease which partook of bilious and typhus 
 symptoms rendered conversation extremely painful 
 and difficult to him. In the commencement of his 
 sickness he considered his recovery doubtful. Soon 
 after he was taken, a friend was called upon to assist 
 Dr. Finley in settling his affairs, and in making a 
 disposition, by will, of the property which he had 
 acquired by his great industry and economy. As is 
 usual on such occasions, his friend asked him if any 
 particular direction should be given respecting the 
 manner of his burial. With a smile on his counte- 
 nance, his hand on his breast, and his eyes turned 
 towards heaven — "Oh no" — he replied, "I care not 
 how they put me away ; I know I shall get up safe." 
 
 At the close of a day, early in his sickness, he 
 observed to a friend,, "notwithstanding it had been a 
 painful day, it had been to him a very interesting 
 one, as his views of the plan of salvation had been 
 soul-refreshing; there was nothing of ecstasy in 
 them, but solid peace and comfort." At another time 
 he observed to a friend who inquired respecting his 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 201 
 
 state, "that he had spent a delightful day; his views 
 of the plan of salvation were so clear, that if it were 
 not for his wife and family, he had no desire to get 
 
 well." 
 
 A communication received during Dr. Finley's ill- 
 ness, from the Secretary of the Colonization Society 
 established at Washington, giving information of its 
 brightning prospects, greatly refreshed his languid 
 spirit, and forced from him expressions and manifes- 
 tations of peculiar satisfaction. It is much to be 
 regretted that Dr. Finley's observations in this trying 
 hour on the subject of colonizing the people of color, 
 which, next to the plan of salvation for sinners, had 
 occupied his mind for years, more than any other 
 subject, could not be distinctly heard and recollected. 
 
 Col. Clayton, who attended the Doctor's dying 
 bed, writes in the following interesting manner : 
 
 "In all his conversations during his illness, he 
 never lost an opportunity to impress upon his friends 
 and family some sacred truth, and would often make 
 his illness contribute to that holy purpose. ^ Oh ! 
 my friend,' he would say, ^all flesh is grass;' and 
 then, with a calmness and tranquillity known only to 
 the bosom of the truly pious, would he enforce the 
 necessity of an ever present recollection of that 
 solemn fact. The last Sabbath before his death, 
 as if unwilling to leave the world without making a 
 last effort to lead a valued friend into the paths of 
 peace, and at the same time to give the most convinc- 
 ing proof of his own resignation, he earnestly re- 
 quested that friend to read to his congregation. the 
 
202 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 affecting sermon of Dr. Blair, on the subject oi death, 
 from this text — 'Yea, though I walk through the 
 valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for 
 thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort 
 me.'" 
 
 Another correspondent writes in the following 
 words : 
 
 " On the tenth day, his disorder took a favorable 
 turn, and we all thought him convalescent. After 
 this, I believe he never realized his danger, until the 
 day previous to his decease. Indeed a general infa- 
 tuation prevailed with respect to his death, we felt 
 his life so important to the cause of religion, litera- 
 ture and his family — but he who raises up the means, 
 knows the proper time to lay aside. A lethargy from 
 which it was not possible to rouse him for more than 
 a few minutes at a time, made it impossible for him 
 to communicate his views and feelings to his friends 
 or family. A few hours before his death, beginning 
 to realize his end to be approaching, I inquired of 
 him if his mind was comfortable, and if his views 
 were clear. He answered with much sweetness and 
 composure, 'that it was as much so as his extreme 
 sickness and faintness would admit.' We awakened 
 him several times through the night. A few words 
 only he was able to say, before he would fall asleep. 
 About one o'clock I went to him and inquired how 
 he felt. He said he was much revived, and perhaps 
 might yet be able to recover ; expressed a desire, if 
 it was the Lord's will, that he might yet live for the 
 sake of his wife and dear children. This was but the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 203 
 
 last effort of expiring nature. In an hour after he 
 awoke, almost suffocated — called for air — said he was 
 going. His lips moved for some few seconds, as we 
 supposed in prayer. He then sunk into a state of 
 total insensibility, in which he lay nearly two hours, 
 and then with a gentle sigh breathed out his soul into 
 the bosom of his Saviour. The last hour of his life 
 was most interesting indeed. The joy of his soul 
 illumined his countenance, and rendered it the most 
 interesting object I ever beheld. The very place ap- 
 peared to be sanctified by the presence of the Saviour 
 and the spirits of the dear departed saints who had 
 been given to him as seals of his ministry, appeared 
 to be waiting to be the crowns of his rejoicing." 
 
 The reflections of a correspondent may here with 
 propriety be introduced. 
 
 " What consolation have not the friends of Dr. 
 Finley experienced from his passage through this try- 
 ing test ? With w^hat firmness did he sustain his sick- 
 ness. How sensible of his end, and how resigned to 
 the stroke. So comfortable, as he expressed himself, 
 were his views of a future state, that, save the ties of 
 his family, he had not a wish to remain connected 
 with the cares of life." 
 
 Dr. Finley once very piously and solemnly observed 
 in conversation with a pious friend, that it sometimes 
 pleased God to enter into a very sore dealing with fam- 
 ilies, and even with those of his own people.* The 
 
 *This conversation took place at the house of Col. John Neilson, 
 Xcw.Brunswick, several years ago, and \vas intended for the com- 
 fort of that excellent man and his amiable and pious consort, who 
 
204 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 dispensation of God in his providence towards the au- 
 thor of that observation and his family, in the event 
 we are here contemplating, furnishes an additional 
 and mournful illustration of the truth and importance 
 of that remark. 
 
 The removal of Dr. Finley to Georgia, and his sud- 
 den death, present an instance of darkness and mys- 
 tery in the government of God, awful and impenetra- 
 ble to the view of mortals. When we consider the 
 importance and usefulness of the station he occupied 
 at Basking Ridge, the numerous, enterprising, and 
 beneficent plans in which he was engaged, the multi- 
 plied difficulties which were encountered in his trans- 
 lation to the south, the many peculiar and prominent 
 qualifications Dr. Finley possessed for the office to 
 which he was called, the favorable impression and the 
 successful beginning he had made in his new sphere 
 of duty, the pressing demands of the interests of sci- 
 ence and religion in Georgia for the services of such 
 a man, the pleasing prospect of eventual success that 
 presented itself, when we consider these things, and 
 take into view the size and circumstances of his fam- 
 ily, the number and tender age of his children, our 
 emotions can find utterance most suitably in the hum- 
 ble and adoring language of the Apostle, Romans ii. 
 33, "0, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom 
 and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his 
 judgments, and his ways past finding out. For who 
 
 were then in deep affliction, and mourning for the sudden death of 
 a beloved son at Batavia, in the East Indies — information of which 
 event had recently been received. 
 
BIOGRAPHy OF DR. FINLEY. 205 
 
 hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been 
 his counsellor ? Of him, and through him, and to 
 him, are all things, to whom be glory forever. 
 Amen." 
 
 The public mind in Georgia was deeply impressed* 
 
 •^ In illustration of this fact, the following extract is introduced 
 from a letter written by the Rev. Mr. Shepard, missionary in Geor- 
 gia, to the editor of the Boston Recorder — published in the "Reli- 
 gious Remembrancer," Philadelphia, November 29, 1817. 
 
 « 
 ^^ Washington, (Ga.) October 14, 1817. 
 
 " About two weeks after, we were again clothed in sackcloth at 
 the melancholy tidings of the death of Dr. Finley, President of the 
 University of Georgia. No death was ever more deeply felt, or 
 more generally lamented, in this region than this. To this State 
 the loss seems irreparable. The success which attended the few 
 months of his presidency, gave us the most animating hope that 
 Providence had designed him as an instrument for advancing the 
 literary and religious state of Georgia. His plans of operation 
 were laid with much skill, and executed with a zeal highly becom- 
 ing a man in so important a station. It was in a tour through the 
 lower counties, for the purpose of soliciting donations to procure 
 a library for the college, that he took the seeds of the disease 
 which terminated his valuable life. A dark cloud now hangs over 
 the affairs of the seminary, but we know it will soon be succeeded 
 by a clear sky. We know that'He Avhose " kingdom ruleth over 
 all" will perfect his own work in his own time, and in his own 
 manner. 
 
 "The rising state of literature in this country, no doubt will in- 
 duce the Board to renew their exertions for the prosperity of their 
 rising seminary, in selecting another man without delay to fill the 
 important station now left vacant." 
 
 In a friendlv letter received from the south, bearing date April 
 2d, 1818, I find the following passage, which will probably gratify 
 curiosity and impart pleasure to readers concerned for the welfare 
 of this bereaved institution, viz: 
 
 " The Trustees of Franklin College have lately given a call to 
 
 18 
 
206 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 and agitated by the information of Dr. Finley's death. 
 Expressions of disappointment and grief at this event 
 fell from every mouth. The painful impulse was ex- 
 perienced from Athens to New York, but it was 
 most poignantly felt in his native State. 
 
 the Rev. Mr. Beman, a native of Vermont, who has been some 
 years a resident of Georgia, and has had a large and very respect- 
 able school establishment at Mount Zion. Mr. Beman is said to 
 possess great energy, fine talents, and handsome address, joined 
 to warm piety. The public are much pleased with the appoint- 
 ment. It is both hoped and expected he will accept it." 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 Death occurred on the Third op November, 1817. — Transactions 
 OF Trustees. — Letters op Correspondence. 
 
 Dr. Finley's death was announced to the public In 
 Georgia in the following handsome and honorable 
 obituary notice. 
 
 " Died on Friday morning, the 3d instant,* the Rev. 
 Robert Finlej, D. D., President of the University of 
 Georgia, after a painful illness of eighteen days. His 
 sickness, which was of the most violent bilious char- 
 acter, he unfortunately contracted during a tour 
 through several of the lower counties, on professional 
 business, in August ; he returned home with the fatal 
 indisposition which has imposed so distressing a wound 
 upon all the relations of society. 
 
 "Whether we consider the death of this truly pi- 
 ous man, in a private or public view, the causes of 
 regret multiply upon us with such successive and 
 increasing rigor as to overwhelm the mind with the 
 most bitter feelino-s of ano;uish. He has left an ami- 
 able wife and nine children to mourn his afflicted loss. 
 This family have recently been brought from the 
 bosom of their friends and relations, and, by the mel- 
 ancholy dissolution of its head, are now cast upon a 
 land of strangers. Connected with the fortunes of 
 the lamented deceased, they have forsaken some of 
 
 * November, 1817. 
 
208 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 the dearest ties which can arise from a love of coun- 
 try, the early scenes of nativity, or the liveliest sym- 
 pathies of feeling. United with him, whose whole 
 energy of soul was bent to the accomplishment of an 
 all important service to this State, they, by the sep- 
 aration occasioned by this awful dispensation, are now 
 left friendless and unprotected upon the gratitude of 
 that State. 
 
 " In the institution, which he had so lately been 
 called to preside over, he commenced the duties of 
 his office with such a prompt and ardent zeal, so un- 
 wearied. in his exertions, and so constant in his devo- 
 ted care of all its concerns, as afforded the most cer- 
 tain promise of success, and the no less gratifying as- 
 surance that under his administration it was about to 
 raise its languishing head. To the deep regret of this 
 country, he has left the institution once more to the 
 dubious issue of wayward contingencies. 
 
 "In contemplating the private course of Dr. Fin- 
 ley, the mind has a field to rest upon, lovely in pros- 
 pect, unbroken in surface, and endless in variety. If 
 the most fervent and durable piety can give dignity 
 and respect to character — if equanimity of temper, 
 steady firmness of principle, and the most unbending 
 rectitude of conduct, can secure to pure and worthy 
 motives their merited esteem — if the most inflexible 
 benevolence of heart, constantly directed to the ad- 
 vancement of charitable institutions, the relief of mis- 
 fortune, the diffusion of happiness, and the increase 
 of pious contentment has not lost its influence upon 
 human actions, the life and death of this good man 
 must offer an example full of peace and consolation 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 209 
 
 to his family, comfort and resignation to his friends, 
 and the most lasting usefulness to society. 
 
 " The church has sustained a loss of one of its 
 firmest pillars ; in all the pursuits of his life, those 
 ceased to be objects of interest, when they ceased to 
 subserve the purposes of religion. To a mind warm- 
 ed and animated by those hopes, which devotion con- 
 templates shall survive the stroke of death, he joined 
 the soundest dictates of sober reflection, the cool 
 and unshaken possession of judgment and the open 
 and reconciling stamp of sincerity. From the pulpit 
 he was accustomed to utter, graced with beauty, 
 armed with the energy of the most impressive elo- 
 quence, those eternal truths, which while they stand 
 on '^ the Rock of ages," were winged with irresistible 
 effect, when delivered with his masterly and affecting 
 management, and never failed to dignify the heart, 
 elevate the affections, and heighten those dread ex- 
 pectations .which rest in such mysterious wonder 
 beyond the limits of time." 
 
 To exhibit the sentiments that prevailed in Geor- 
 gia on this occasion, the following document, with 
 which the writer has been obligingly furnished, is 
 presented to the public : 
 
 " MilledijeviUe^ Senate Chamber^ November 12, 181Y. 
 
 " On motion of Mr. Elliot — Resolved unanimously, 
 by the Senatus Acadeviiciis,'^ that the lamented 
 
 " The body distinguished by this name, is composed of a highly 
 respectable committee, appointed annually, by the legislature of 
 Georgia, for the purpose of exercising a general superintendence 
 over all the literary institutions in that state. 
 
 18* 
 
210 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 death of the hite President Finley, having deprived 
 Franklin College of an useful and highly important 
 officer, the community of a conspicuous member, and 
 his afflicted family of its only guide and support — 
 The Senatus Academicus entertains a just sense of 
 the exalted worth of the deceased, and most unfeign- 
 edly mingle their regrets with those of the bereaved 
 family for their common loss. And as a testimony 
 of respect for the memory of Doctor Finley, they do 
 strongly recommend to the Board of Trustees to con- 
 tinue the salary of that officer to the end of the quar- 
 ter in which he died, and to offer to his family the 
 use of the President's house and its appendages until 
 the same shall be required for the accommodation of 
 his successor 
 
 " And it is further unanimously resolved, that the 
 eldest son of the late Dr. Finley be educated at 
 Franklin College, free of any expense, so far as re- 
 lates to any charges for tuition, and that a copy of 
 these resolutions be handed by the Secretary to Mrs. 
 Finley." 
 
 The following extract from the minutes of the 
 Board of Trustees in Franklin College will be read 
 with pleasure : 
 
 Athens, Franklin College, December 12, 1817. 
 '' On motion of Mr. Clayton — Resolved unani- 
 mously, by the Board of Trustees that they feel with 
 full force the testimony of respect offered by the Sen- 
 atus Academicus, to the memory of the late president 
 of the university, and do most cheerfully acquiesce 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FTNLEY. 211 
 
 in the measures recommended by that body, as de- 
 monstrative of their veneration for the lamented de- 
 ceased and their regard for his respectable family : 
 And in addition to those measures, this Board further 
 unanimously resolve, that the education in manner 
 recommended to be bestowed on the eldest son of Dr. 
 Finley be extended to all his sons, and that the sum 
 of two hundred dollars be appropriated for the pur- 
 pose of erecting over his grave a suitable tomb-stone, 
 commemorative of his worth and services ; and that 
 the Secretary of the Board hand a copy of this reso- 
 lution to Mrs. Finley. 
 
 " Resolved, that the prudential committee be au- 
 thorized to sell, in such manner as they may think 
 proper, any lots in the town of Athens, already laid 
 off, or which may be laid off hereafter, in pursuance 
 of a former resolution of this Board, passed the 31st 
 of July, last, first reserving to Mrs. Finley, widow of 
 the late Rev. Dr. Finley, any two lots which she 
 may chose out of said range, one being a front, and 
 the other a back lot ; and that the President j:>r(? tem- 
 pore be authorized to make her a title to the same. 
 " True extract from the minutes. 
 
 " John Hodge, Secretary. 
 
 The folloAving letter exhibits the subject of these 
 memoirs in a very interesting point of view. No 
 character could be more properly applied to him than 
 that which he here sustains— the prompt and affec- 
 tionate comforter of the afflicted. As this judicious, 
 pious and tender communication appears likely to be 
 
212 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 highly gratifying and extensively useful, it is inserted 
 with great pleasure, and with many thanks to the ex- 
 cellent lady who first experienced its consoling power, 
 and now through this channel, bestows it on the pub- 
 lic for their instruction and comfort in sorrow : — 
 
 " Basking Ridge, April 14, 1815. 
 " Madam, 
 
 " Mrs. y D spient a few minutes with 
 
 us yesterday, after our worship on the day of nation- 
 al thanksgiving, and gave us the afflicting information 
 of the numerous and heavy trials with which it has 
 pleased the Lord to try you. Your afflictions yet 
 continue, and you perhaps begin to think they will 
 never terminat'e. The ways of God are full of wonder, 
 and he often makes the cloud his chariot, and the 
 thick cloud his pavilion. His providence, which for 
 a season appeared clear and bright, is at other times 
 surrounded with an impenetrable gloom. But let us 
 not despair. He remains the same, a God of sov- 
 ereign mercy ^ and we through the cloud may believe 
 his grace, secure of his compassion. God is love, 
 nor can he cease to be so. Your afflictions appear 
 to me to be more than commonly great, but yet not 
 so great as the Almighty hand, which is able to sus- 
 tain you. One dear babe is withdrawn from your 
 bosom, and has taken off a Httle portion of your heart. 
 But it is well tvith the child.'^ Dedicated to the 
 
 * To illustrate the views of Dr. Finley in regard to the very in- 
 teresting subject here involved, — to exhibit the basis on which he 
 founds the sentiment here advanced it is icell with the child — and to 
 place this precious article of Christian faith in a light at once clear 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 213 
 
 Lord, and presented to him, a living sacrifice, faith 
 may follow it to heaven, and contemplate it among 
 the happy spirits. She will not come to you, and 
 
 and consoling to the afflicted, the following extract from his ser- 
 mon on the benefits of baptism^ &c. is introduced : — See 2d general 
 head of discourse — 4th particular, page 20th of this sermon. 
 
 '' The last blessing now to be mentioned, connected with bap- 
 tism, is, that it conveys the promises of God, ' whose are the prom- 
 ises.' Among these stand most conspicuous the promises : that 
 those who, being baptized, die in infancy should be saved : and 
 that the possession of the seal should impart to the possessor the 
 power of conveying both the seal and its benefits to the rising 
 generation. God commanded the seal of his promise to be put on the 
 bodies of infant children and at the earliest possible period : saying, 
 ' I will be a God to thy seed.' To convey and secure this promise 
 to Abraham, God ordered the seal of his covenant to be put upon 
 the bodies of the infant seed of the father of the faithful. 'He 
 gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and so Abraham be- 
 gat Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day.' Acts. vii. 3. — 
 What are we to suppose is meant by the promise, ' I will be a God 
 to thy seed.' Are we to think that it meant nothing more, than 
 that in general, God would take care of Abraham's children, as he 
 had already watched over and blessed him ? Or are we to believe 
 that this promise was of such a nature that it conveyed some valu- 
 able blessing to every individual who became a subject of it ! It 
 appears to be the fair construction, that when God promised, say- 
 ing, I will be a God to thy seed, he did engage himself to every 
 individual who should receive the seal of the promise. And is 
 there any way in which he can manifest himself to be the God of 
 those, who by the counsels of his excellent wisdom, are allotted to 
 die in infancy, but by taking them to himself in glory ? To take 
 them from their cradle to his heavenly life is all that he can 
 do for them, as their God. I mean not here to decide unfavorably 
 on the case of those who die in infancy without being baptized. — 
 But I do mean to exalt the grace of God, and the eflicacy of his 
 sealed promise : And that this meaning, at least in part, of the 
 promise, ' I will be a God to thy seed,' is much confirmed by the 
 
214 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 why should you wish her back to this place of sorrow 
 and sighing and pain ? The Lord has need of her in 
 another state, and if the Lord requires w^ho would 
 refuse ? I have often thought that the counsels of 
 God may require something of the same variety, 
 which we observe in this state, for our after condi- 
 tion : and that therefore it is requisite that some 
 babes, some tender and some full grown youth, some 
 in the vigor of life and some white with age, should 
 enter into heaven. 
 
 " Your other dear child will, I trust, be spared to 
 you, to be a comfort to you while you have need of 
 earthly comforts ; or, should her sickness also be unto 
 death, consider, that the Lord knoweth the best time, 
 and she will be taken from the evil to come, and that 
 you shall soon go unto her. Simeon is not and Jo- 
 seph is not ; all these things are against me, said the 
 aged patriarch. But it was not so. It appeared only 
 for evil, but the Lord meant it only for good, and so 
 it appeared plainly at the last. Perhaps the sorest 
 of all your afflictions is the absence of your husband* 
 in his feeble and declining state of health. Great 
 indeed must be the grief which a heart of sensibility 
 
 consideration that God suffered the seed of man to perish, by his 
 despising the threatening of God, so he hath, in restoring the ruins 
 of that fall, secured the salvation of the dying infant, by connect- 
 ing it with the promise made to the parent. ' These are the little 
 babes,' says Dr. Watts, ' who just enter into the world to die out of 
 it, and who are saved from everlasting death, merely by the spread- 
 ing veil of the covenant of grace drawn over them by the hand 
 of a parent's faith.' " 
 
 * Then on a journey to Georgia for the benefit of his health. 
 
BI0GRAPIT5f OF DR. FINLEY. 215 
 
 would feel In a situation like to yours. Your awak- 
 ened imagination represents to you his situation in 
 all its aggravations. But perhaps he has strength 
 and consolation given to him, which make these light 
 afflictions, which are for a moment, aid him in realiz- 
 ing the exceeding weight of glory, which is also eter- 
 nal, and is wrought out for the saints by the distresses 
 of this life. Perhaps while the outward man decays, 
 the inner man is renewed day by day. In a land of 
 strangers he enjoys the presence of his Father and 
 his Elder Brother. A wanderer, he is making the 
 greater and more speedy preparation to enter the 
 city which God prepares for his saints. And should 
 he, without ever reaching you, breathe out his spirit 
 into the hands of Christ, his mortal part will be de- 
 posited in the grave selected for him by his heavenly 
 Father. What place of ending his labors could be 
 so desirable ! But what if excess of grief and the 
 power of disease, should remove the parents and the 
 little babes ! Is it anything else, but the removal of 
 the whole family, to the house not made with hands, 
 eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is 
 God ? Whatever may be the allotment of the Lord, 
 all things will terminate in the glory of God, and 
 your own best good. When a Christian once com- 
 plained to his fellow, of the numerous sorrows of 
 which he was partaker, he was answered, ^ Never 
 mind it, dear brother, you shall be the happier for it 
 to all eternity.' The consolations of the Lord are 
 not few, nor is his ear heavy, nor is his arm short- 
 ened. He is witness to your distress, who told his 
 
216 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 disciples, they should have tribulation in this world, 
 but exhorted them to be of good cheer, for that he 
 had overcome the world. He will either support and 
 comfort you, or, coming forth from the place where 
 he dwells, in the boundless ocdan of his infinite love, 
 he will take you up to himself. My dear friend Mrs. 
 
 Y D . desired me to write this letter, which 
 
 I close with a sincere prayer that it may administer 
 
 a little comfort. 
 
 "In the common Saviour, 
 "Yours, 
 
 " Robert Finley." 
 
 Additional letters, received from a gentleman of dis- 
 tinguished respectability, with whom Dr. Finley 
 kept up a very free and friendly correspondence 
 for many years. 
 
 ''Basking Ridge, June 12, 1810. 
 '' Dear Sir, 
 
 " I have copied over the letter which you were 
 pleased to return to me, that I would make some 
 small alterations in it to fit it for the magazine. I 
 found considerable difficulty in making the thing as 
 perfect as it is. The subject matter was gone from 
 me, and I found in the copy put into my hands many 
 words, and these all leading ones, left out. I felt 
 rather reluctant to do any thing with it. But how 
 could I resist the wish of a man who has done me 
 many kindnesses, and of a lady whom I much esteem 
 in the Lord ? I do not know that it will be of suffi- 
 cient value for the magazine, but I will submit it to 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 217 
 
 your pleasure. Sometimes the exercises of dying 
 men, when represented in a lively manner, produce a 
 deep effect on others. There is something very 
 striking to us in the feelings of persons who are in 
 the very situation in which lue must be by and b}^ I 
 was informed two weeks ago of a ivorldly, fashionable, 
 sensible lady of my acquaintance, who spent two days 
 and nights to observe the emotions of a pious, godly 
 neighbor. I know nothing of the effect produced. 
 But the man went full of triumph. On a very 
 great change taking place in him, he asked his friends 
 if it was death. They answered that he was dying. 
 Upon this he said, '' Glory be to the Lord, the hour 
 of deliverance is come." 
 
 "A letter attends this for Mrs. M — and Mrs. 
 
 L . I meant to write to the latter on the subject 
 
 of female societies for prayer. 
 
 "Yours, 
 
 "Robert Finley." 
 
 ^'Basking Ridgr^ July 20, 1810. 
 '•Dear Sir. 
 
 "1 received your favors of June 28 and July 10, 
 the day before yesterday, by one and the same mail. 
 I know not by what means the one of June has been 
 delayed. It bears the post mark, Newark, July 12th. 
 Having received your answer, I shall consider master 
 
 B as one of my supplies next fall, and shall 
 
 expect him to quarter with A , who is in good 
 
 health and doing as usual. 
 
 " As you have made no mention in either of your 
 letters of receiving 'the old letter new vamped,' or 
 19 
 
218 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 my letter to Mrs. M , I have been apprehensive 
 
 those letters may have miscarried. Both I and Mrs. 
 
 Finley are grieved to hear of Mrs. M 's want of 
 
 health, but hope our compassionate Lord and almighty 
 Physician will soon heal her. It gives us pleasure 
 that she is ' slowly recovering.' When her frame, 
 strengthened by the everlasting arm, shall have 
 shaken off disease, she will soon be perfectly recov- 
 ered. What a thick veil a little disease draws over 
 the scenery of this world. Blessed be the Lord, there 
 is a land the inhabitants whereof doth never say, I 
 am sick. There may our weary souls refresh them- 
 selves in the bosom of our Creator. The diseases of 
 my soul are my worst diseases, especially spiritual 
 sloth, arising from the want of that faith which is 
 *the substance of things hoped for.' This is much 
 increased by the spiritual death, in which a large 
 part of my people are sunk. Yet I know of a small 
 number who are considerably alarmed at their situa- 
 tion. But they are not taking by violence the king- 
 dom of heaven ; they are not striving and pressing 
 into it ; their convictions remain, but they are ready to 
 die. 0, that the Lord would be pleased to strengthen 
 them. When I urge them, in personal address, they 
 weep and tremble ; when I visit them again, I find 
 them nearly as before. I suspect they very much 
 
 resemble the state of our friend Mr. . He is not 
 
 easy, but his impressions do not urge him on. He 
 waits for the moving of the waters ; but does not con- 
 sider that the angel of the covenant has moved them 
 once for all, and that they are always healing. He 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 219 
 
 sees that something is wrong, but does not feel that 
 all is lost. He thinks that religion may be necessary, 
 but he means to have it by and by, and not now. If 
 he had as much of the grace of God as his heart could 
 contain he might be an excellent man indeed. If I 
 find an opening, and any liberty, I shall probably 
 write him on this subject. Perhaps the best way is 
 to make an opening, and trust to the Lord for liberty. 
 Be pleased, sir, to accept my thanks for your kind- 
 ness, relative to the money transaction, and believe 
 me to be, with very great regard, 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 " Robert Finley. 
 
 "N. B. I found one of my people the other day 
 emancipated from the terrors of hell and slavery of 
 Satan and rejoicing with most exceeding joy." 
 
 Basking Ridffe, August 9j 1811. 
 
 ''Bear Sir : I think our common friend, Mr. W , 
 
 informed me by letter that you, or some friend of 
 yours, wished to have the filling of the first vacancy 
 that might occur in the school. I now foresee that 
 in the beginning of November there will be a place 
 for four, three being about to go to colleges. And 
 three fine scholars and orderly young men they are. 
 You will be pleased to signify, at your leisure, Avhat 
 may be your wishes on this subject. Last spring a 
 
 Mr. V , an ofiicer, I think, in one of the banks, 
 
 spoke to me on the subject of a son of his. Mr. 
 W stated to me that he was a man of excellent 
 
220 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 and pious character. I believe I signified to him 
 that he should have early notice of any vacancy that 
 might happen; that if his son was not placed accord- 
 ing to his wish he njight have an opportunity to send 
 him to our academy. Since I saw you last I have 
 been very busy, as indeed I generally am. I have 
 been catechising the youth and children of my con- 
 gregation , and, having found a small number who ap- 
 peared to be seriously exercised with the great truths 
 of religion, I have been visiting a good deal. I per- 
 ceive something more than ordinary on divers of my 
 people's hearts. Here and there a mercy drop fallen 
 down. But, alas, the fierce sun of temptation threat- 
 ens to dry up all again, like as the few scattering 
 drops from a cloud are dried up by the scorching sun. 
 There is an operation on their hearts, but it does not 
 appear yet as that soul travail^ which usually pre- 
 cedes the new birth. I have endeavored to fan the 
 flame, but my own heart, like theirs, is only half 
 awake and half alive. Yet I trust that God will give 
 me some few at this time who shall reign with Him 
 forever. I met one old man the other day who I do 
 think is made alive to God by the spirit of Jesus 
 Christ ; and one woman, in the caves of the rocks, 
 who begins to see men as trees walking. Pray for 
 us, dear sir, that the Gospel may be glorified among 
 us. The day before yesterday I went, in company 
 with another clergyman, to a neighboring church, 
 where there is something of a special display of the 
 mercy of God. It was in a distant corner, among the 
 hills, nine or ten miles from my residence. I think 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 221 
 
 it was a solemn season to most, and a precious season 
 to many. The house not being capable of containing 
 the great multitude of rich and poor, but especi- 
 ally the last, we seated ourselves on seats on the 
 house green, under some aged willows and locusts. 
 There were full five hundred persons, who behaved 
 as discreetly as ever you saw the same number do in 
 a country church, for a little more than three hours, 
 while the worship lasted. One lady said, who had 
 never seen an assembly for worship out of doors, when 
 she drew near and saw such a scene, that it appeared 
 at first a fairy scene ; but when she got near enough 
 to hear the minister, the scene appeared to be laid in 
 the first heavens. So you perceive that it has wrought 
 on some imaginations. May the Lord send his Spirit 
 to all hearts. The leaven of God continues to work, 
 and the mass must be leavened. Amen. Have you 
 come into your new church yet? I hope to have my 
 little babe baptized next Monday. By the grace of 
 God we are all well. A and Master B re- 
 main as before, good boys, and good scholars. Mrs. 
 
 Finley sends her Christian love to Mrs. M and 
 
 family, not forgetting your daughter Mrs. . I 
 
 unite with her, and to you, sir, I tender the assu- 
 rances of my great respect. 
 
 ^' Yours, 
 
 *' Robert Finley." 
 
 '■^Basking A' /r/^c, December 19, 1814. 
 " Dear Friend, 
 
 " For some considerable tim.e back I have felt a 
 
 desire that the agreeable correspondence we formerly 
 
 19* 
 
222 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 carried on should be renewed, and especially since I 
 was informed that you had experienced some adverse 
 dispensations of Providence. The disappointments of 
 several of my best and dearest friends, occasioned to 
 me a great many reflections on the vanity and uncer- 
 tainty of all worldly views and calculations, and the 
 little that I had fondly called my own appeared ready 
 to take wings and fly away. Indeed I have not been 
 able to escape entirely the devastation of this day of 
 disaster and of judgment, but have suff'ered a consid- 
 erable diminution of that moderate abundance which 
 some time ago I enjoyed. However, I desire to be 
 submissive, and to see the hand of the Lord in all 
 that concerns me. Your case and situation have been 
 often present with me, and I have longed to know 
 what door would be opened for you. In some former 
 states of society, and of commerce, it would have been 
 but the misfortune of a day, and to-morrow would 
 have seen you rising into business and afiluence. But 
 this I know, the Lord knoweth how to deliver the right- 
 eous out of trouble, and he can open a thousand chan- 
 nels, when he will, to pour down comforts upon his 
 people. May I not hope that already something is 
 presented to your view suited to your convenience and 
 wishes. It is a day of sad rebuke, and judgment be- 
 gins at the house of God. But, though it begins at 
 them, and they appear for a moment to be the mark 
 for the arrows of the Almighty, yet it shall pass away 
 from them, and when he has afflicted them a little he 
 will give them deliverance and put a song of deliver- 
 ance into their mouths. How far the Lord means to 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 223 
 
 proceed in his present course I do not know, nor can 
 any one form any conception ; but from the dark clouds 
 which hang over us it would seem that the fury of the 
 storm is not passed away. There is yet no reforma- 
 tion of heart and life, no amendment of our ways, no 
 returning unto the Lord. Alas, in my own charge 
 the most sad declension of the life of God is experi- 
 enced. Where have fled all those pleasing expectations 
 on which our hearts rested with so much delight ! Were 
 they only the pleasing reveries of a gilded imagina- 
 tion ? No, they were the smiles of our gracious Fa- 
 ther previous to the day of chastisement which was to 
 come upon all the earth. We, through the cloud, be- 
 lieve his grace, secure of his compassion still. Though 
 the clouds should return after the rain, yet at last the 
 storm will disperse, and the sunshine of the divine fa- 
 vor will rest upon his people and on the world. Are 
 we not, however, to look for some heavier judgments 
 upon our land? It appears to me we are to experi- 
 ence more ; but his people who have felt the first of 
 the affliction shall be delivered and set free at the last. 
 Oh, could I feel a spirit of prayer, could I see the 
 hearts of God's people mourning and contrite, it would 
 refresh me, and make me believe the vengeance was 
 going by. But as blindness happened in part to Is- 
 rael, so blindness has not only come upon the nation 
 but even on the people of the Lord, so that as yet 
 we see but imperfectly the dealings of the Lord. 
 Party, passion, strife, infatuate us, and prepare us for 
 farther judgments. But why should we spend all our 
 time in mourning and complaints ? Ilath the Lord 
 
224 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 forgotten to be gracious ? Hath he in anger shut up 
 his tender mercies ? Will he be favorable no more ? 
 Zion saith, indeed, " The Lord hath forsaken me and 
 my Lord hath forgotten me." But it is not so. Zion 
 spoke the language of a weak disconsolate woman. 
 She spoke, too, the language of her fainting sons. 
 But the walls of Zion are ever before the Lord, and 
 on the palms of his hands are graven all the names of 
 her sons. In a few minutes I expect to set out to 
 visit a few sick, and to preach to a disciple hindered 
 from the sanctuary by long disease. The subject — 
 1 Corinthians, iii. 22, 23, For all things are yours, 
 w^hether life or death, &c. May the Lord increase 
 my faith and yours in these words. They suit every 
 case, and answer every purpose. For some months 
 Mrs. Finley has desired to visit New York, and among 
 
 her friends to see Mrs. . She is yet hindered 
 
 by many cares, but hopes to come after a little. The 
 academy is sufficiently supplied. Let the bush that 
 burned, and was not consumed, be in your remem- 
 brance. And may the Lord who appeared in the 
 bush bless you. This is the sincere prayer of, 
 "Dear sir, your sincere 
 
 and affectionate friend, 
 
 "KoBERT Finley." 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Character of Dr. Finley— Review of his past course— Notice 
 OF HIS Sermons — Labors — Death. 
 
 Dr. Finley had no ambition to excel as a fine 
 writer, or to acquire fame as an author. His great 
 excellence consisted in prudent and useful action. 
 The sermons which he published and which are his 
 only publications, were modestly and reluctantly 
 yielded through the importunity of friends, rather 
 than ostentatiously offered by himself to the world. 
 
 The first of his sermons bestowed upon the public, 
 was a funeral discourse, "on the victory of Christ 
 over death," delivered at the interment of the Rev. 
 William Boyd, in the congregation of Lamington on 
 the ITth day of May, 1807, from the following 
 ^yords : — 1 Corinthians xv. 54. " So when this cor- 
 ruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this 
 mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be 
 brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is 
 swallowed up in victory." 
 
 Notwithstanding the evidences of haste in prepa- 
 ration, which it exhibits, this is an edifying and 
 solemn discourse on a most interesting subject. The 
 concluding paragraph presents a striking summary of 
 Mr. Boyd's numerous and prominent excellences of 
 character — and also a just specimen of Dr. Finley 's 
 taste in composition at this early period : 
 
226 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 "Affection and esteem induce me to speak a little 
 of the character of this man of God. In doing this 
 I shall less comply with what is customary on such 
 occasions, than to do that which is pleasant to myself 
 His Creator endowed him with an intellect, strong 
 and vigorous — with a mind clear and distinguishing. 
 This, combined with a retentive memory and much 
 early reading, had furnished him as a fit companion 
 for the man, the gentleman and the scholar. He had 
 wit without severity, sprightliness without levity, and 
 knowledge without ostentation. Equally ready for 
 easy conversation or profound investigation, no man 
 ever found himself uneasy in his society. Never in 
 his usual intercourse, either inviting or avoiding con- 
 tested subjects^— few men could boast that they had 
 foiled him in solid argument. The great use which 
 he made of his retentive memory was to lay up the 
 rich treasures of Sacred Scriptures. Of these he had 
 gathered perhaps as large a store, as any of his time. 
 And the happy use which he had made of his discern- 
 ing mind was, to be sound in the faith. The doctrines 
 of the Reformation were his great delight. They were 
 the theme of his discourse, the objects of his faith 
 and the comfort of his soul. He preached them while 
 he lived; he rejoiced in them in his dying hours. He 
 was far less concerned to find out new things, than to 
 make a wise improvement of truths already known. 
 He walked in much humility and was a lively example 
 of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. I came not 
 here, however, so much to praise my friend, as to 
 bury him ; not so much to bring his virtues to the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 227 
 
 light, as to assist in committing his body to the tomb. 
 His burial, without pomp, is splendid, all good men 
 attending him. His name is venerable without the 
 praises of funeral address, all good men lamenting 
 his departure. But I cease to speak more of him. 
 His praise hath long since been in all the Churches, 
 and his name is now embalmed in every Christian 
 heart." 
 
 [See this discourse printed in New Brunswick by 
 A. Blauvelt— 1807.] 
 
 Soon after this. Dr. Finley was induced to present 
 to the public his very respectable " Sermon on the 
 Baptism of John, showing it to be a peculiar dispen- 
 sation and no example for Christians" — from the fol- 
 lowing text — Acts xix. 5 — " When they heard this 
 they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." 
 
 The subject of baptism in general, and especially, 
 the question respecting the proper mode and subjects 
 of it, was at this period much agitated and discussed, 
 in the pulpit and in the private circle. Dr. Finley's 
 sermon was considered very seasonable and very use- 
 ful. Its general object, which is faithfully and suc- 
 cessfully pursued, is indicated in the title above 
 inserted. The discourse displays clearness of discri- 
 mination, strength of argumentation, considerable 
 critical skill and literary research. As it was expected 
 to be considered in some measure controversial, in its 
 nature, it was written with much more care and accu- 
 racy than the former discourse. This sermon raised 
 Dr. Finley's reputation, as a man of sound intellect 
 and promising usefulness. [See this discourse — print- 
 ed by ^^Shepard KoUock— Elizabethtown— 1807."] 
 
228 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 This sermon was followed, in the next year, by Dr. 
 Finley's distinguished and popular, " Discourse on 
 the nature and design, the benefits and proper sub- 
 jects of baptism," from Acts ii. 39. "For the promise 
 is unto you and to your children, and to all that are 
 afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall 
 call." 
 
 This sermon in itself, possesses great originality 
 and merit ; and it was published under circumstances 
 calculated to give it an increased estimation with the 
 public : — in connection with Dr. Smith's truly finished 
 and eloquent sermon on the same general subject, and 
 with the full approbation of that eminent author. 
 They were both published by "B. B. Hopkins & Co." 
 of Philadelphia. Dr. Smith, in his preface, refers 
 to Dr. Finley's sermon in the following words — " I 
 can with pleasure refer to a discourse of the Rev. 
 Robert Finley on the same subject, for a more ample 
 elucidation of several points, from the analogy which 
 subsists between the Mosaic and the Christian dispen- 
 sations." 
 
 This sermon of Dr. Finley is extremely valuable 
 and interesting, and ought to be possessed and studied 
 by every parent. The matter comprised under its 
 second head, is principally new, and calculated strik- 
 ingly to represent the importance of this evangelic 
 ordinance. 
 
 These discourses together, probably present as able 
 and interesting a view of the subjects treated and 
 sentiments maintained in them, as can be found 
 within the same limits, in our language. 
 
 In connection with the preceding subject, to show 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 229 
 
 Dr. Finley's views of the important practical question, 
 so much discussed recently in the Presbyterian 
 Church, relating to the exercise of ecclesiastical dis- 
 cipline over baptized persons, the following extract, 
 from the session records of the congregation of Bask- 
 ing Ridge, is introduced : 
 
 '* December 31, 1807. — The session entered into a 
 free conversation on the question — are all baptized 
 persons proper subjects of the dicipline of the church, 
 and if so, how far will it be proper, at this time, to 
 attempt the diciplining of baptized persons, who are 
 not members in full communion ? — It was agreed 
 unanimously, that baptized persons, from their relation 
 to the church, not only may^ but ought to experience 
 the care and attention of the church — Whereupon : 
 
 " 1. Resolved, that the session of this church will in 
 future extend their care to all persons, who by bap- 
 tism are subjected to its government. 
 
 " 2. Resolved, that a register be kept, of all families 
 belonging to this congregation, for the inspection of 
 the session at their meetings. 
 
 '' 3 That there be four resiular meetinnrs of the ses- 
 sion in each year, for the purpose signified in the 
 first resolution, on the following days — 
 
 " 4. Resolved, that the dicipline to be administered 
 to those not in full communion, shall never extend to 
 calling them before the session, but only to counsel 
 and admonition, and finally to a formal notice, that a 
 continuation in sin will expose them, to be recorded 
 as excluded from the privileges of the church, which 
 might belons^ to them." 
 20 
 
230 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Mr. Finley was requested to explain and enforce 
 this subject, in his public discourses, at a proper time. 
 
 Two additional sermons, which were published in 
 the '^ New Jersey Preacher," in July, 1813, com- 
 plete the list of Dr. Finley's publications — The one 
 from Matthew v. 14. entitled " The disciples of Christ 
 the light of the world :" — the other from Philippians 
 iii. 9. — " The benefits resulting from being found in 
 Christ." 
 
 In these discourses, Dr. Finley appears to have 
 aimed principally to be useful. They are such as his 
 talents and piety would naturally and easily produce, 
 and they are such as the editors of the New Jersey 
 Preacher solicited from him — full of evangelic truth 
 and vital godliness. Their style is more graceful 
 and agreeable than that of his former productions. 
 
 Dr. Finley manifested great indifference with re- 
 gard to the dress of his ideas. In this respect, he 
 resembled many of the learned and excellent Scottish 
 preachers and philosophers to whom he bore so near 
 an alliance. His Creator had not endowed him rich- 
 ly with those delicate sensibilities and nice perceptions 
 of taste, necessary to eminence in elegant composi- 
 tion : and he voluntarily permitted his capacity for 
 this kind of excellence, to remain in a great degree, 
 uncultivated. His grammatical and rhetorical im- 
 provements were ample. But while he successfully 
 communicated his knowledge to others, he seemed, 
 from choice, to make no effort to employ it to his 
 his own advantage in writing. Perspicuity, strength, 
 and effect, were the great things at which he aimed : 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 231 
 
 Ornament lie did not emplo}^ A correct skill for 
 the collocation of words in a sentence and harmonious 
 sounding of periods, he did not possess. His style 
 sometimes exhibits a want of ease and smoothness, 
 in arrangement and expression. " But there is in 
 his negligence a rude inartificial majesty."* And 
 the good sense, the uniform simplicity, the unaffected 
 earnestness, and the excellent spirit, which character- 
 ize his discourses, render them highly respectable and 
 agreeable. Had he written more he would have 
 w^ritten better. Our great regret is that we possess 
 so few of these pious and precious productions of his 
 uncommonly strong, elevated and sanctified mind. 
 
 In presenting a summary view of this eminent ynan 
 of God, we are called to contemplate an unusually 
 pleasing combination and variety of peculiar excel- 
 lences. 
 
 Dr. Finley's person exceeded the ordinary size of 
 men : he was about six feet in stature ; erect and well 
 proportioned ; wide across the shoulders and deep 
 through the breast ; grave and contemplative in his 
 appearance ; deliberate and dignified in his move- 
 ments. The lineaments of his face were peculiar, 
 and the expression of his countenance was striking. 
 His hair, naturally black, was considerably whitened 
 by the lapse of years and the toils of life. His fore- 
 head was unusually capacious and commanding. His 
 eyes were blue, marked with a mixture of mildness 
 and severity. His cheek bones were high and prom- 
 inent. His nose, above the common size, was on the 
 
 * Rambler. 
 
232 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Roman model. His whole mien exhibited traces 
 of Scotch extraction. Compliance and decision, gen- 
 tleness and asperity, the winning softness of concilia- 
 tion and affection, and the uncoiirtly sternness of a 
 strong, original, self-possessed mind, seemed to min- 
 gle their traits, and to give variety, interest and en- 
 ergy, to the expression of his face. 
 
 The outlines of his character corresponded with 
 his personal appearance. The features of his mind, 
 original and peculiar, were conformed to no living 
 model. Firmness and independence, in him, consti- 
 tuted signal and distinguishing traits. In conversa- 
 tion and acquaintance, he was open and candid, yet 
 considerate and cautious : he was dignified without 
 ostentation; authoritative and determined, without 
 arrogance or disdain : in opinion, he was steadfast 
 and faithful to himself, but not intolerant to others : 
 he was reluctant to admit an unfavorable impression 
 respecting any person, slow to manifest it even to an 
 enemy : he was plain and easy in manners ; sufficient- 
 ly attentive to person, dress and equipage to be re- 
 spectable, but decidedly opposed to show and splendor, 
 to all compliance with useless forms and frivolous 
 fashions. In receiving and entertaining a friend, he 
 exhibited a singularly agreeable mixture of careless- 
 ness and simplicity, with cordiality and satisfaction. 
 
 The utmost frankness and sincerity ran through 
 all his actions. Mean compliances, little artifices, 
 cunning subterfuges, he utterly abhorred. In the 
 latter years of his life, especially, a high degree of 
 Christian gentleness and meekness, was remarked in 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 233 
 
 his deportment. It was indeed eminently true of 
 Dr. Finlej, that whatever was originally unhappy or 
 w^rong, in his temper or deportment, he controlled, 
 corrected and changed, while, at the same time, the 
 high gifts of God, and the natural excellences of his 
 character, from good sense, from principle and from 
 grace, he perseveringly and successfully cultivated 
 and employed, until he was called to the general as- 
 sembly of the spirits of just men made perfect. 
 
 As a pastor, Dr. Finley has rarely been excelled. 
 His preaching, like himself, was not resembled to any 
 known standard. He was often heard to say, that in 
 early life, he was much attracted and influenced by 
 the powerful eloquence and profound discussions of 
 the Rev. Dr. Samuel S. Smith, from whom, in part, 
 he received his theological instructions. For that 
 great man, he entertained, all his days, a very high 
 esteem and veneration. Bat his genius was so 
 peculiar and unaccommodating, and the native im- 
 pulses of his mind towards something original and 
 unusual, in thought, expression and action, so strong, 
 that he could not bring himself to attempt imitation, 
 or conformity to any proposed example. Therefore, 
 casting himself upon the resources of his own mind, 
 yielding to its strong, original impulses, and to the 
 directing and governing influence of lively religious 
 feeling, he pursued a new track, and formed a charac- 
 ter, 8ui generis^ which was generally admired. 
 
 In public prayer, Dr. Finley's manner was slow, 
 but earnest ; simple, but solemn. He was remark- 
 able for making frequent and long pauses, especially 
 
 20-^ 
 
234 BTOf4RAPIlY OF DR. FTNLEY. 
 
 in the beginning of this service. The thoughts and 
 views which presented themselves, appeared so deeply 
 to occupy and engross his mind, that he could scarcely 
 proceed from sentence to sentence. His prayers were 
 sensible, pious and devout. He was mighty in the 
 scriptures, and hence his devotional performances 
 were enriched with a great variety of appropriate 
 scripture language. In consequence of his great zeal 
 and devotedness, in this part of the service of the 
 house of God, it was sometimes carried to an unusual 
 length, but never so far as to become tedious and 
 uninteresting. 
 
 Lecturing on portions of the scriptures, was with 
 him a favorite mode of instruction, from the pulpit. 
 And, in pursuing this plan he manifested superior 
 skill and judgment, in selecting, illustrating and 
 applying the most important and useful matter which 
 the passages suggested. A series of lectures, which 
 he delivered to his congregation at Basking Ridge, 
 on the epistle to the Romans, has been represented, 
 by persons highly competent to judge, and who had 
 the happiness to hear them, as displaying in a very 
 high degree, masculine vigor of understanding, fer- 
 vent zeal, and eminent practical piety. 
 
 Dr. Finley was one of the most highly approved 
 and useful preachers of his day. In his theological 
 tenets, he was purely and rigidly orthodox. Divinity, 
 in its various branches and departments, had been the 
 subject of his laborious, constant and delightful study. 
 The word of God was indeed habitually the man of 
 his counsel, the subject of his meditation, and the re- 
 
BIOGRAPHY or DR. FTNLEY. 2.^5 
 
 joicing of his heart. His experimental acquaintance 
 with the operations of God's Holy Spirit, and with 
 the exercises of the soul under divine influence, was 
 deep and thorough. His sermons exhibited a copi- 
 ousness of valuable matter, judicious arrangement, 
 clearness of illustration, strong reasoning, animating, 
 practical piety, and irresistible power. The senti- 
 ments with which he was regarded, as a preacher of 
 the gospel, consisted more of that high esteem, strong 
 •approbation, and pious satisfaction, which sound sense 
 warm piety, and great exertions in a Christian minis- 
 ter produce, than of that light admiration and applause 
 excited by fine talents, finished sentences, brilliance 
 of fancy, and cultivated gracefulness. He captivated 
 the heart more than the imagination, and secured the 
 approbation of the former more than the admiration 
 of the latter. 
 
 If we were to analyze his intellectual powers, and 
 his qualifications for eminence as a public speaker, 
 and judge of them by the principles of taste and the 
 rules of eloquence, as separated from the object to 
 which they were devoted, from the service in which 
 they were employed, and from the effect they always 
 produced, we should not pronounce them of the highest 
 order. His voice was loud and commanding, rather 
 than sweet and melodious-^his elocution Avas stronir 
 and significant, rather than easy or graceful — his 
 gestures bore an appearance of stiffness and negli- 
 gence — he did not ordinarily employ unusual excel- 
 lence of speech, or tJie enticing laords of mans ivis- 
 dom. Notwithstanding, he possessed and manifested 
 
236 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 a peculiar power and capacity to engage and impress 
 the hearer's mind. This we are assured was the fact, 
 in the metropolis of the nation. We are furnished 
 with ample evidence, that this was the case, among 
 the wealthy and cultivated citizens of Georgia. In 
 the populous cities of New York, and Philadelphia, 
 few preachers commanded more large and solemn 
 assemblies. And, through his own State, in town 
 and country, he was heard with the greatest attention 
 and pleasure. 
 
 The effect usually attendant upon his preaching, 
 was not produced by an artful, studied appeal to the 
 passions, nor by the play of a sprightly and vivid 
 imagination, nor by any premeditated stroke of elo- 
 quence. It was rather an effect naturally and imper- 
 ceptibly created by his easy, earnest and solemn 
 manner of address. On ordinary occasions, without 
 effort and without design, he would gently draw the 
 attention, gradually interest the hearer, steal on the 
 sensibilities and affections of the mind, and so, imper- 
 ceptibly bring the whole understanding and heart, 
 into a state of painful commotion, or of pleasing cap- 
 tivity. The hearer would be pleased, impressed and 
 affected — yet he could scarcely tell why. On sur- 
 veying the preacher, his talents and faculties, in an 
 abstract point of view, he would find little, of an 
 extraordinary nature, to admire : but on placing him- 
 self asjain under the same voice and in similar cir- 
 cumstances, the same or a greater effect would cer- 
 tainly follow. The. Creator had endowed Dr. Finley, 
 with uncommon powers, which could be distinctly 
 
BTOGRAPnY OF DR. FINLEY. 2o7 
 
 perceived, and which were extensively felt, but which 
 cannot be fully described. It may be said, in 
 general, that he saw clearly, felt strongly, and 
 expressed himself with solemn earnestness — that 
 sometimes his imagery was bold and striking, his 
 description frequently rapid, ardent and overwhel- 
 ming. After all, in estimating Dr. Finley's powers 
 and oratory, we ought not to lose sight of the impor- 
 tant truth, that the power of the spirit of the most 
 high God, often rested on his head, penetrated his 
 heart, and pervaded the hearts of his hearers and 
 produced effects as wonderful as they were divine. 
 
 In those interesting seasons, of awakening and 
 revival, which agitated his own mind with strong 
 feeling and prompted him to corresponding efforts, he 
 sometimes exhibited a spectacle in the sacred desk, 
 which cannot now, after the lapse of many years, be 
 contemplated without lively emotion. Then especially 
 he was enabled to speak in demonstration of the Sjnrit 
 and with 2>oiver. The multitude often listened with 
 astonishment, and wept and trembled before him. 
 They saw, that he preached, not to secure to himself 
 Si name, but for them a crown. Pious sensibility and 
 thoughtless hardness, were often deeply moved under 
 his awakening discourses. His descriptions, com- 
 parisons and illustrations were often highly original, 
 significant and striking. 
 
 During the oiit-pouring of the Spirit in 1803, he 
 was preaching, at a particular time, on the atonement 
 and priesthood of Christ. In the progress of his dis- 
 course, after the subject in general had been pretty 
 
238 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 fully explained, and the work of Christ as Saviour, 
 illustrated, he made a strong effort to convince sin- 
 ners of the danger of neglecting Christ : — he repre- 
 sented their guilt and misery without Him in strong 
 and suitable language : — he described them as ap- 
 proaching an awful precipice, beneath which the bil- 
 lows of divine wrath were rolling in fearful majesty : — 
 every eye was fixed in deep and silent attention : — 
 the breaking surges of divine vengeance seemed to 
 send up a dreadful echo to the preacher's voice: — 
 just at this moment of trembling anxiety, the speaker, 
 as if to rescue the multitude from the dreadful ruin 
 to which they were rushing, placed himself between 
 them and the frightful brink : — and there, his coun- 
 tenance speaking terror and amazement, with ges- 
 tures suited to his shrill, alarming notes, he cried out 
 — "stand back — stand back — Oh! sinners, let me 
 push you from this fiery deep!" — An electrical im- 
 pulse could not, more rapidly, have pervaded the 
 house : — the assembly, in general, appeared in a half 
 rising posture, as if starting to recede with horror, 
 from the abyss before them. 
 
 Dr. Finley in discharging various other pastoral 
 duties, and in his intercourse with society, was as 
 remarkable and perhaps as useful as he was in the 
 pulpit. Whether solicited or not, he visited the sick 
 of every age and of every character. The house of 
 afiliction he delighted to frequent and to bless with 
 his instructions and prayers. The funeral attentions 
 and services which he rendered, in his extensive con- 
 gregation, were very numerous and often very labori- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 239 
 
 ous. "With great solicitude and diligence Avould lie 
 search for impressed and inquiring souls, that he 
 might impart encouragement, relief and comfort to 
 the troubled mind. It was his custom on at least one 
 day of every week, and frequently more, to mount 
 his horse towards evening, and proceed slowly and 
 solemnly towards some retired corner of his congre- 
 gation, there, by appointment to meet a little assem- 
 bly of immortal creatures, often of the obscure and 
 indigent, to pour out his soul before them, in instruc- 
 tions, entreaties and prayers, for their everlasting 
 salvation. He appeared to be always engaged in the 
 sacred business of his profession. When he went 
 about, like his great Master and model, it was to do 
 good. In the friendly visit, the occasional call, the 
 unexpected interview^, by the fireside or on the way, 
 he was a witness and a monitor for God. He carried 
 w^ith him, a savor of piety, which made him alike 
 precious to the good, and venerable to the wicked. 
 His moral temperament was warm and active, and his 
 religious frames, his faith and love, his spiritual hopes 
 and comforts, through divine grace, were rendered so 
 uniform and uninterrupted in their character and 
 influence, that he was always alive on the subject of 
 religion, and to the interests of souls. Hence, it ap- 
 peared to be in a very peculiar degree, as his meat 
 and Ms drink to do the luill of Him that sent him. 
 
 His ordinary conversation was uncommonly plain, 
 judicious and sensible, always interspersed and en- 
 riched with pious remarks and reflections. Practical 
 piety was interwoven with all the ordinary and extra- 
 
240 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 ordinary feelings, views, and transactions of his life, so 
 that he was, "a burning and a shining light," shedding 
 abroad his salutary radiance, equally in public and in 
 private. No person could spend, even a short time 
 in his company, w^ithout being highly pleased, and 
 receiving some useful hints, or seasonable instruction. 
 His common observations on every subject bore marks 
 of wisdom, propriety and force. His society being 
 very agreeable and useful, was highly appreciated by 
 all classes of people. He possessed in a remarkable 
 degree, the faculty of inspiring confidence, esteem 
 and regard for him, in the minds of others, young 
 and old, cultivated and plain, acquaintances and 
 strangers. To this faculty, in a considerable degree, 
 is to be attributed the popularity and influence which 
 Dr. Finley so extensively shared, in the church and 
 in the world. 
 
 As a man of sound scholarship and useful science, 
 few men have ranked higher. He had been early and 
 constantly an attentive observer of human life and 
 so became well versed in knowledge of the world. 
 His philosophical attainments were very thorough and 
 respectable. As he studied to extend his capacity 
 for usefulness, more than to acquire fame, his im- 
 provements were solid rather than splendid, and 
 consisted in an extensive enlargement of the under- 
 standing rather than in a cultivation of the finer 
 powers of taste and imagination. Splendor and ad- 
 miration, were in his view, things of very little value. 
 Hence solidity of thought, fertility of resource, 
 strength of conception, appeared to him vastly more 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 241 
 
 important and desirable, than the most improved 
 capacity to embellish, amuse and fascinate. There 
 was in his mind and character a constitutional pro- 
 pensity to grasp the strong and prominent points of 
 every subject and every science, and this propensity 
 he cherished and indulged from principle. He per- 
 ceived the stronf]^ and urfi;ent demands of the church 
 for his active services ; he felt that life was too short 
 and his powers too feeble to accomplish all he would 
 wish; and hence he resolved to obtain those requisites 
 first, which are most essential to the greatest practical 
 utility. 
 
 In his knowledo-e of lano;uao;es he excelled most 
 men of his age. He had studied the English tongue 
 with great closeness of investigation and soundness 
 of reflection ; he understood it well in theory and in 
 practice; his knowledge of its principles was both 
 grammatical and philosophical. Although he did not 
 shine in great excellence or elegance of composition, 
 he was admirably qualified to illustrate and to teach 
 the important practical parts of the English language. 
 In the Hebrew tongue his proficiency was sufficient 
 to enable him, to refer with ease and accuracy, to the 
 original language of the Bible, for a solution of any 
 doubts that existed respecting the correctness of our 
 translation, and with facility to communicate the ele- 
 ments of it to learners. But in the Greek and Latin, 
 his eminence and superiority were more decided and 
 acknowledged. To a careful and finished education, 
 in classical science, had been added the accumulating 
 21 
 
242 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 improvements, of more than twenty years experience 
 and actual service in the business of teaching. 
 
 Dr. Finley possessed an extraordinary capacity for 
 business. He was more admired, however, for his 
 deliberation, comprehensiveness and accuracy, than 
 for his quickness of conception, or rapidity of execu- 
 tion. He could embrace and pursue, with ease and 
 efficacy, different kinds of business at the same time. 
 All his transactions were accomplished with great 
 facility, without bustle, and apparently almost without 
 effort. Patience and perseverance, judicious enter- 
 prise and zealous public spirit, were prominent traits 
 in his character. The village and the country around 
 him, felt happily the influence of his industry and 
 skill in agriculture and in various other species of 
 public improvement. With his judicious economy, 
 was combined a high spirit of liberality. His benefi- 
 cence extended to the poor and unfortunate — to in- 
 fant congregations and rising churches — to poor and 
 pious young men, preparing for the sacred office — to 
 the cause of missions* in general — and to various 
 
 ■^ The following statement, on this subject; has been recently 
 presented to the writer by a highly respectable minister of the 
 gospel, who received the communication, in confidence, from Dr. 
 Finley, a short time before his removal to the South : 
 
 They were returning together from a meeting of the presbytery, 
 to which both belonged. A convei-sation on the subject of mis- 
 sions took place. Dr. Finley observed to his friend, that he thought 
 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church had not engaged 
 in the business of missions, so extensively and zealously as they 
 ought, and especially that they had been very remiss in paying so 
 little attention to the subject oi foreign missions. After making 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 243 
 
 public charitable institutions. His bounty, bestowed 
 at different times, on the interests of science and 
 religion, connected with the literary and theological 
 establishments at Princeton, was unusually large, 
 almost beyond his means ; and of his liberality of 
 feeling and intention, towards the colonization so- 
 ciety, we are furnished with an honorable testimony, 
 in the letter from my correspondent at "Washington. 
 His attendance on the judicatories of the church was 
 punctual and faithful. In most of the important 
 transactions of the church, he bore a conspicuous 
 part. Modest and unassuming, more ready to hear 
 than to sioeah, he seldom engaged deeply in public 
 debates. There were occasions, however, on which 
 his zeal predominated over his diffidence, and forced 
 him into discussion. At these times, he displayed, 
 both in appearance and address, his characteristic 
 plainness, dignity and power. 
 
 On the whole. Dr. Finley's rise and eminence in 
 his profession, must be ascribed to the joint influence 
 of his own talents and exertions, and to the benignant 
 care and assistance of Divine Providence. He had 
 
 some general remarks in relation to these objects, Dr. Finley pro- 
 ceeded to say, that he had made up his mind to offer himself in a 
 short time to the General Assembly as a missionary to go to the 
 East, to be employed under their direction and that he intended to 
 present them with about $500, to lay the foundation of a fund for 
 the purpose of prosecuting and promoting this object. Circum- 
 stances, recently ascertained, create a belief, that the particular 
 place of missionary labors intended, was the contemplated colony 
 of free blacks, to be formed on the coast of Africa, and eventually 
 other destitute parts of that great continent. 
 
244 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 no family influence to bring liim forward and recom- 
 mend him to public regard ; no powerful and devoted 
 friends, to patronize and promote him; no patri- 
 monial fortune nor parental laurels, on which to 
 repose. The native activity and vigor of his mind 
 were extraordinary, and the ardent impulses of his 
 soul to be good and to do good, stimulated his powers, 
 prescribed his course, and conducted him to true 
 greatness and true glory. 
 
 " Vitiis nemo sine nascitur: optimus ille est, 
 
 Qui minimis urgetur." Hor. 
 
 This letter of Dr. Studdiford was received late, and 
 is inserted at the close of the Biography, a powerful 
 testimony, to strengthen the preceding narrative. 
 
 ^^Lambertvinc,YchrnVLTy 22, 1856. 
 « Rev. J. Y. Brown, 
 
 Ml/ Bear Sir : — I avail myself of the first leisure 
 time I have found since the receipt of your letter to 
 return an answer. You ask for some reminiscences of 
 my old preceptor, the Rev. Dr. Finley. I was a 
 small boy when I entered his school, but have still 
 quite a distinct remembrance of his person, and his 
 methods of instruction and discipline. As a classical 
 teacher he was remarkable for the methods he took to 
 secure an accurate knowledge of the laws and struc- 
 
BIOGllAPUY OF DR. FINLEY. 245 
 
 ture of the learned languages. Until his pupils had 
 made considerable proficiency in gaining this know- 
 ledge, he spent most of the time of each recitation in 
 the exercise of parsing. The derivation and compo- 
 sition of words, their forms and relations, received 
 full attention. Together with the grammar, that 
 excellent old book, Mair's Introduction, was con- 
 stantly employed, and English sentences were given 
 out to be turned into Latin. In teaching Greek, he 
 paid very particular attention to the formation of the 
 different parts of the verb. He could succeed beyond 
 most teachers in making his pupils interested in what 
 they were studying. It was scarcely possible for a 
 boy of ordinary abilities to be under his tuition for 
 any length of time, without gaining a respectable 
 facility in applying the rules of his grammar. 
 
 His school, while I was in it, numbered from thirty 
 to forty-five pupils. About one-fourth of this num- 
 ber boarded in his own family ; the rest in other 
 respectable families in the neighborhood. These 
 latter, though not so immediately under his own eye 
 when out of school, yet felt the awe of his authority 
 resting on them as a restraint on their vicious pro- 
 pensities. The common impression seemed to be that 
 he possessed a kind of mysterious ubiquity, so that if 
 mischief w"as done anywhere in the neighborhood, it 
 could not escape his detection. 
 
 He spent the most of each forenoon in the school- 
 room, hearing the different classes in turn. The rest 
 of the time we were left with his usher, who followed 
 out his rules to the letter. 
 
 21* 
 
246 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 His discipline has generally been regarded as rigid 
 and severe. And yet I never knew a teacher, -who 
 would speak more cheeringly to the good and studious, 
 or who showed more pleasure in hearing a well pre- 
 pared recitation. The boy who had mastered his 
 prescribed task deemed it a privilege to recite to him. 
 To the bad and the incorrigibly idle he was sometimes 
 severe. But there was no caprice or partiality in the 
 punishment he inflicted. The predominant feeling of 
 his pupils towards him was, no doubt, one of reverence 
 approaching to awe ; and yet we all felt that he had 
 the sincerest love for us. I forget to state that as an 
 excitement to study he made a very free, but, I think 
 not improper use of the principle of emulation. I 
 I have not yet mentioned what, I consider the most 
 interesting feature of his school, the attention he 
 paid to our religious instruction. Originally, I believe, 
 his pupils were in the practice of reciting their pre- 
 scribed tasks in the catechism and scriptures on 
 Saturday or Monday morning, each w^eek. But about 
 the time of my entering the school he adopted the 
 plan of collecting us in the school-room for that pur- 
 pose, on Sabbath afternoons. Each scholar was 
 required to be present. Each one had a lesson pre- 
 viously assigned which he was required to recite. 
 The smaller boys studied the shorter Catechism, first 
 without and then with scripture proofs. The more 
 advanced scholars recited on the Bible. This reci- 
 tation was made after the examinations on the Cate- 
 chism were concluded, so that the whole school had 
 an opportunity of hearing it, with his questions, ex- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 247 
 
 planations, and remarks on the passage. Thus, before 
 that Sunday-schools were yet known in our region, 
 we had one and that of the best kind. The mectinj^s 
 were opened and closed with prayer, and usually 
 with sinorino;. 
 
 On these occasions our venerated instructor ap- 
 peared in his happiest moods. The aspect of stern- 
 ness which sometimes marked his visage in the school- 
 room on other days had disappeared. A heavenly 
 calm rested on his countenance, which indicated com- 
 munion with a higher region. When the usual reci- 
 tations were over he frequently concluded with an 
 address to the whole school. This wms always im- 
 pressive. I never knew a man, that could bring divine 
 truth home more forcibly, to the minds of youth. I 
 have often wondered where the secret of his great 
 power lay. He did not employ the usual methods 
 for interesting children, relating anecdotes and draw- 
 ing pictures to please the fancy. He possessed no 
 uncommon power of illustration ; and yet he could 
 make the most heedless feel that the things of eter- 
 nity were solemn realities. At different times I have 
 seen a whole school of forty boys or more retire from 
 these services with a solemn stillness such as we 
 sometimes witness in our churches during seasons of 
 revival. No doubt the holy earnestness of his own 
 spirit w^as one main reason of his success in impress- 
 ing others. While he spoke his face shone w^ith a 
 glow of hallowed emotion, and he seemed like one 
 lookincr into the unseen world. There is fjood reason 
 to believe that at these Sabbath afternoon meetings 
 
248 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 impressions were produced on many youthful minds, 
 that will be remembered with lively gratitude to God 
 through eternity. 
 
 As a preacher he certainly possessed uncommon 
 power to move an audience. Even children listened 
 with interest to his pulpit performances. I can dis- 
 tinctly remember the impressions produced by his 
 preaching on my ovfn mind, when a boy of ten or 
 eleven years of age. And I particularly recollect 
 two discourses which at that time I heard from him ; 
 one on the fall of man, and the other an evening 
 lecture on the woe pronounced by Christ on the cities 
 that believed not on him. 
 
 I am rejoiced, my dear sir, that you propose pub- 
 lishing a revised edition of your biography of this 
 truly excellent man. You will perform an important 
 service to the cause of Christ in holding up his exam- 
 ple and his life before our churches, our ministers, 
 and candidates for the ministry. I will be happy to 
 do all I can in promoting the circulation of the work 
 in this region. 
 
 Yours, with much esteem and respect, 
 
 P. 0. Studdiford. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SlAVE TrADE — EaRLY CONNECTION OF THE 
 
 English and other nations with the traffic — Sierra Leone 
 — West Indian experiments of the British to apprentice 
 Slaves, 1833 — To Emancipate, 1838 — Failure — Their course 
 towards colonization — Free labor and slate labor con- 
 trasted — British connection with them — relations of the 
 United States with the same — Great importance of Africa 
 to England, and to the United States, as a vast field for 
 Free Labor — Notices of Liberia — Her progress — Her con- 
 nection with us — Her necessities — Her difficulties — The 
 interest of the United States to extend a prompt and vigor- 
 ous helping hand to Liberia, to the work of colonization, 
 and missions. 
 
 In the year 1434, Pope Martin V. granted to an 
 exploring expedition of Portuguese, along the western 
 coast of Africa, in pursuit of a passage to India, a 
 right to all the land they might discover, and an 
 indulgence to all the souls who might perish in the 
 enterprise. An officer of the company, Anthony 
 Gonzales, received at the mouth of the Rio del Oro 
 in 1442, ten negroes, in exchange for Moorish cap- 
 tives he had on board. This, it is believed, was the 
 first cargo of this kind ever transported along the 
 coast of Africa. Gonzales disposed of his Africans 
 to great profit, and by the report of it at his return 
 to Lisbon, he stirred up an eager desire among his 
 countrymen to participate in the trade ; which soon 
 resulted in their preparing and commissioning about 
 
250 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 thirty sJtijJs to engage in that novel kind of business. 
 Avarice speedily prompted successive adventurers to 
 follow up this small beginning, and to augment its 
 extent and power, till the Government of Portugal — 
 even the throne, became deeply interested in its suc- 
 cess. 
 
 About the year 1493, the* Spaniards became in- 
 volved in a war with the Indians of St. Domingo. 
 After a long and unsuccessful resistance by the per- 
 secuted and suffering Indian tribes, and the failure of 
 some sympathizing companies in their attempts to 
 succor and relieve those miserable victims of oppres- 
 sion and exterminating violence, Las Cases, an enter- 
 prising Spaniard, distinguished in the sanguinary 
 movements and conflicts of these times, embarked in 
 their favor; but soon finding all his efforts in their 
 behalf unavailing, and cherishing a desire of insti- 
 tuting some bold and successful measure in America, 
 then recently discovered, to enrich the crown of 
 Spain and gratify his own ambition and cupidity, he 
 purchased from the Portuguese settlements on the 
 African coast, a number of negroes, to be employed 
 in America instead of the native Indian population ; 
 their labor being found incomparably more productive 
 and valuable than that »of the natives. Ferdinand, 
 the King of Spain, about 1511 encouraged the intro- 
 duction of African slaves into his American domi- 
 nions in great numbers. 
 
 Notwithstanding the opposition of Cardinal Xim- 
 ines, Regent after the death of Ferdinand, Charles 
 the V. on his accession and arrival in Spain, sane- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF Dll. FINLEY. 251 
 
 tioned the measures and requests of Las Cases In 
 connection with some Flemish favorites, as a mono- 
 poly ; who sold their right to some Genoese merchants 
 A. D. 1518, and thus gave form and continuance to 
 the inhuman traffic in slaves, between Africa and 
 America. Through this agency, this barbarous sys- 
 tem productive of such unutterable woes to the 
 African tribes near the coast, was at first commenced. 
 
 The monopoly held by the Genoese in this shocking 
 branch of commerce, was purchased successively by 
 several European nations. The French obtained it 
 from the original proprietor, and used it till it pro- 
 duced for them §204,000,000. In 1713, the British 
 nation became possessed of it, and employed it suc- 
 cessfully for thirty years. But Spain, impatient to 
 recover this immensely profitable trade, bought out in 
 1739, the unexpired four years of the British term, 
 at the price of §500,000. 
 
 The Dutch soon began to participate in this nefa- 
 rious traffic. About 1620, one of her vessels with 
 the first cargo of flesh and blood, sailed up the James 
 River in Virginia, and sold it there. The British 
 nation soon gained an influence in this trade, and 
 discovered in it as they supposed, such interest and 
 policy as induced them to pursue it with so much zeal 
 and activity, as to overcome the opposition made 
 by the colonists. Their motives were gradually dis- 
 closed, and always appeared mixed with selfishness 
 and avarice. 
 
 In 1777, the Earl of Dartmouth assigned as a 
 reason for forcing slaves upon the Colonies, the belief 
 
252 BIOGRArilY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 that, "negroes cannot become republicans; they will 
 be a power in our hands to restrain the unruly colo- 
 nists." In 1820, the Congress of the United States, 
 in pursuance of a memorial from the American Colo- 
 nization Society, passed an Act, declaring the slave 
 trade to be Piraey. In Great Britain, many years 
 preceding, a measure prohibiting the trade in their 
 West Indian Colonies, had been adopted, to take 
 efiect in 1808. But the declaration that it was piracy 
 never passed in Parliament till 1824. England, 
 France and the United States and other Christian 
 nations united in this decisive and important decree. 
 
 Thus, as far as human foresight could penetrate 
 and human authority determine, the most nefarious 
 of earthy trafficks appeared to have received its death 
 warrant. This grand scourge of humanity being 
 abolished in human view, and this reproach, so long 
 resting upon the Christian name, removed, the phi- 
 lanthropists of the world, and all the friends of suf- 
 fering and bleeding humanity experienced at the 
 announcement a thrilling satisfaction; their hopes 
 seemed triumphant, and their joy was unbounded. 
 A devout and fervent te deum went up to the mercy 
 seat from every holy altar, and every humane fireside 
 throughout Christendom. 
 
 But it Avas soon discovered that an egregious over- 
 sight had been committed in the progress of these 
 measures to suppress the slave trade. Great Britain 
 and those concurring with her in these steps, had 
 nec'lected to secure the co-operation of Spain and 
 Po°tuo-al to annihilate the traffick. A brief summary 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 253 
 
 of facts -which occurred very soon in connection with 
 the above transactions, will show that the check im- 
 posed upon that trade was after all partial and tem- 
 porary; just sufficient to exhibit the enormities which 
 folloAved in more glaring and horrible colors. The 
 history of the West Indies shows, that British capi- 
 talists in their own vessels, were ascertained to have 
 evaded all restrictions, and braved all hazards, in 
 carrying an average of 20,000 victims annually from 
 Africa to the Islands, continuously from 1680 to 
 1T86. 
 
 Six years later. Fox and Pitt, as sagacious as any 
 men then living, estimated the numbers yearly stolen 
 away from Africa at 80,000. Parlimentary Records 
 prove, that this amount was augmented to 85,000 
 from 1798 to 1810. From 1810 to 1815, the 
 aggregate amount was swelled to 93,000, and the 
 loss by suffocation over sea, for these ten years, was 
 estimated at 15 per centum. From 1815 to 1820 the 
 transportation is stated at 106,000, subject to a 
 mortality of 25 per centum. 
 
 . But as this traffic was maintained in violation of all 
 law, these estimates of course, are utterly vague, and 
 must come short of the truth, there being no standard 
 by which to test their accuracy. The exhibition of 
 Sir Thomas F. Buxton, in 1840, after long continued 
 and profound research, placed the annual aggregate 
 of this destestable trade, at 500,000. In this esti- 
 mate, he embraced the desolations of the intestine 
 wars among the native tribes, to secure the victims 
 for sale ; the destruction occasioned by the slave trade ; 
 22 
 
254 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 the competitions and artifices of those engaged in the 
 trafiic, to obtain their miserable merchandise most 
 advantageously, from the market, and the loss by 
 death in the middle passage, and after landing, in 
 acclimation ; all of which united, would reduce the 
 whole number of surviving victims of the trade, in the 
 ratio of 50 per centum. The documents of Parlia- 
 ment correspond with these statistics, and prove 
 their general correctness. This outrage upon human- 
 ity, was committed year after year, at the very time 
 Great Britain, France, and the United States were 
 maintaining a vigilant and active armed force along 
 the African Coast, at an annual cost of millions, to 
 suppress this iniquitous and inhuman traffic. 
 
 Finding all that had been done in this noble cause, 
 splendid as were the achievements, in a great degree 
 useless, their African Civilization Society was formed, 
 and furnished with instructions, motives and means, to 
 attempt by a more wisely adapted policy, what they 
 had failed to accomplish by physical force. Now, 
 they were directed to institute agricultural compa- 
 nies ; to procure lands from the native tribes, for cul- 
 ture ; to introduce the civil arts and implements for 
 tilling the soil ; industrial habits and all useful know- 
 ledge. And, that they might accomplish these 
 various objects, they were encouraged to send out 
 ships ; open factories and workshops ; make treaties 
 with the native tribes ; conciliate their confidence and 
 kindness and impart instruction and establish com- 
 merce. The object of all this was, to make wild and 
 desolate Africa, a useful and productive appendage 
 of Great Britain. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 255 
 
 Mr. M' Queen, the English agent, who reports to us 
 these phxns and projects, and who patriotically and loy- 
 ally urged on the alleviating enterprise, soon writes 
 upon its brilliant and cheering frontispiece, the repul- 
 sive characters of disaster and defeat^ chiefly, through 
 the blighting influence of the climate upon the white 
 man's constitution. This was the last great eff'ort of 
 the British nation, to redeem lost Africa. And during 
 the last ten years, the victims of the slave trade 
 have averaged about 60,000 per annum, with a loss 
 of 25 per centum. 
 
 During many of these latter years of England's 
 abortive experiments and efi*orts, the Amer'ican Col- 
 onization Society^ which sprang into being, A. D. 
 1816, was earnestly engaged, developing its princi- 
 ples and its aims ; making its large prospective surveys ; 
 digesting its modes of action; forming a favorable 
 public sentiment ; awakening kind sympathy ; open- 
 ing resources ; refuting the cavils and calumnies of 
 opposers ; ^nd thus preparing the way for a decided 
 advance towards her avowed object. 
 
 The open and determined conclusions, in regard to 
 the best method of redeeming Africa, to which the 
 acknowledged failure of the British effort had brought 
 her statesmen and philanthropists, tended greatly to 
 confirm the hopes and animate the exertions of the 
 American Colonizationists, in prosecuting their noble 
 cause. The two sentiments Avhich planted themselves 
 most firmly and harmoniously in the breasts of 
 Africa's best friends, were embodied in the following 
 few words, viz. : "The best if not the only remedy, 
 
256 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 for the slave trade, is, colonizing the "Western Coast 
 of Africa, as fast as possible, with civilized and moral 
 colored men." And, to this policy, which has been 
 the 2^rimum mobile of the Colonization Society, and the 
 vade mecum of her sons, Great Britain, to the outward 
 eye, has extended from her councils and actions, a very 
 pleasing and consistent fostering sympathy ; thus 
 acknowledging and ratifying their abandonment of 
 that feature of their extension system, which control- 
 led their unsuccessful attempt to make Africa a de- 
 pendency or province of the British Kingdom. Still 
 her statesmen, very patriotically, manifest a decided 
 wish, and seem to pursue a wisely directed policy, to 
 secure, to their nation, the early and increasing ad- 
 vantages presented to the world by the colonization 
 system. 
 
 The policy and influence of Great Britain have not 
 extinguished the slave trade, beyond the limits of her 
 Sierra Leone colony. But the Colonization Society, 
 have abolished it, for more than five hundred miles, 
 along the coast. The English nation, in their efforts 
 xoViQ^w^on physical force ; colonization, chiefly upon 
 moral means and influences. In Liberia, the old 
 New England rule prevails. Every man is required to 
 patronise instruction ; to assist in procuring teachers ; 
 and to send to school. The whole measure or sys- 
 tem is based upon the assumption, that making the 
 body of the citizens wise and virtuous is the best cor- 
 rective of social and civil ills, and the introduction to 
 corresponding moral and political advantages. While 
 contending with the slave trade, on the ocean, is 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 257 
 
 proved to be, in great measure vain, these indirect 
 countervailing influences, at home, show clearly their 
 adaptation and power by the success which attends 
 them. If nothing else can secure a complete triumph, 
 in exterminating this iniquitous and merciless trade, 
 colonization, perscvcringly pursued, tvill accomplish it. 
 Teach the wretched spoliated victims, at home, that 
 the practice is demoniacal, suicidal, horrid ; and this 
 awful crusade against humanity must cease, for want 
 of nutriment. 
 
 Though we rejoice in all the evidences afforded 
 of British sympathy for American colonization plans, 
 and though this sympathy is doubtless in many indi- 
 vidual cases, the fruit of genuine philanthropy, yet 
 we are constrained to fear that it is chiefly selfish — a 
 part of their national economy — of their financiering 
 system. They will favor it, therefore, as a nation, 
 just so far and so long as it favors them. The lex 
 talmiis, whether moral or political, if connected with 
 national interest, is with them the rule of their wis- 
 dom and mercy. They are calculating, probably, by 
 their sound policy and mature craftiness to outwit 
 and outmanage Young America in the work of reap- 
 ing spoils, no matter who is the pioneer and laborer 
 in opening the field and preparing the crop. This is a 
 low position for a great and boastful nation to assume. 
 
 In America all feeling and action in regard to this 
 object is honest, pure, patriotic, benevolent. Christian. 
 It has not a venal or mercenary feature. When fully 
 consummated, if ever, we gain from it no direct ad- 
 vantage, unless at this stage we change our national 
 
258 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY, 
 
 policy. If any pecuniary benefits should accrue, 
 they must be indirect, adventitious results, never 
 courted. Traits of justice, even mercy, to injured 
 parties may be detected in the scheme ; but it is pre- 
 eminently a work of disinterested charity. Thus far, 
 no power has moved a wheel in this divine machine 
 but that of individual kindness, justice and liberality. 
 What the nation will do, by its collected wisdom in 
 Congress, is yet to be seen. "We desire no merely 
 interested selfish favor, no agency which does not 
 correspond with the pious, patriotic, philanthroiiic 
 emotions and views which prompted the founders and 
 animated the friends and promoters of this greatest 
 of modern enterprises. 
 
 In proportion as this society insinuates itself into 
 the body of Africa, or penetrates beyond its present 
 prescribed limits, benefits of various kinds and de- 
 grees will manifest themselves. If we purchase or 
 acquire lands from the head men or tribes in Africa, 
 the population on the so acquired soil will be brought 
 immediately under the influence of Liberian laws, 
 liberties and kindred advantages of various kinds. 
 All its benefits, pleasures and prospects are at once 
 placed within the reach of this new accession ; and 
 the noble system of Liberian rule begins to confer 
 upon them its precious republican fruits. It must be 
 understood that some apprenticeship, or period of 
 preliminary experience in the novel circumstances of 
 these natives of the wilderness, is necessary to secure 
 to them full citizenship. About 150,000 are already 
 admitted and enrolled; 200,000 more occupy such a 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 250 
 
 position, by arrangement, that they are pledged to 
 oppose the slave trade, to observe treaties, to main- 
 tain peace among themselves, to court union and 
 amalgamation with the colony as their Ultima Thule. 
 Our very philanthropic English brethren do not care 
 who takes the lead in this splendid career of kindness, 
 if you will only give them the profit of it. Mr. Mc- 
 Queen, who is deeply devoted to British interests, 
 justly urges the importance of Tropical Africa to the 
 British nation. She too, sees the value of this pos- 
 session so clearly, that she appears willing to aid the 
 Colonization Society in its efforts to bring Africa 
 under a strong moral influence, to the practice of 
 industrial pursuits and enterprises, habits and modes 
 of civilized life ; all that she may widen the field of 
 her commerce and the diffusion of her manufactures. 
 To incline and even constrain Great Britain to such 
 a policy, there exist strong incidental reasons. To 
 illustrate the general principle involved, we remark, 
 that the amount of tropical produce reported as re- 
 ceived from their own principal possessions, is very 
 far short of that received from foreign nations. 
 Hence her interests, her necessities connected with 
 her national administration, her success in sustaining 
 this gigantic and costly fabric must depend upon her 
 success in extending her commerce, and sending her 
 vast accumulation of manufactured articles widely 
 through those tropical latitudes which so greatly pre- 
 ponderate in yielding the supplies of tropical fruits 
 which slie needs, and which open so capacious a 
 market for the sale of her own immensely profuse 
 
260 
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 goods. Hence the argument in favor of the object 
 proposed is tAvo-fold, and both branches of it are very 
 strong. To see their force, let us contrast the amount 
 of a few articles of English tropical productions on 
 her own colonial soil with that of a few others of like 
 character from othei' countries. 
 
 FROM BRITISH POSSESSIONS. 
 
 «TLTC3r--^I».. 
 
 West Indies, 
 East Indies, 
 Mauritius, 
 
 Total, 
 
 No. o/cwts. in 1S42. 
 
 2,508,552 
 
 940,452 
 
 544,767 
 
 3,993,771 
 
 CZOli-VBZIiZ. 
 
 West Indies, 
 East Indies, 
 
 Total, 
 
 No. of lbs. in 1842. 
 
 9,186,555 
 
 18,206,448 
 
 27,393,003 
 
 Ctfl—FtiX. 
 
 No of lbs in 1840. 
 
 West Indies, 427,529 
 
 East Indie.s, 77,015,917 
 
 East Indies to China, 60,000,000 
 
 Total, 
 
 137,443,446 
 
 FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
 
 ssfti.vrv. 
 
 Cuba, 
 Brazil, 
 Java, 
 Louisiana, 
 
 Total, 
 
 No. ofcwts. in 1842. 
 
 5,800,000 
 
 2,400,000 
 
 [1,105,757 
 
 1,400,000 
 
 10,705,757 
 
 atstvj^szTs. 
 
 Java, 
 Brazil, 
 Cuba, 
 Venezuela, 
 
 Total, 
 
 No. of lbs. in 1842. 
 
 134,842,715 
 
 135,000,800 
 
 33,589,325 
 
 34,000,000 
 
 337,432,840 
 
 c:t>-i"TO>; . 
 
 United States, 
 
 Java, 
 
 Brazil, 
 
 Total, 
 
 No. of lbs. in 1840. 
 
 790,479,275 
 
 165,504,800 
 
 25,222,828 
 
 981,206,903 
 
 The above brief table shows the excess of England's 
 receipts annually of foreign goods named, over the 
 amount of her liome products^ viz : 
 
 1. Excess of Sugar, cwts., 
 
 2. Excess of Coffee, in lbs., 
 
 3. Excess of Cotton, in lbs.. 
 
 7,312,754 
 310,039,837 
 843,763,457 
 
 This demonstrates the great importance of the tro- 
 pical^ or slave labor territory to Great Britain. The 
 comparative shortness of her tropical supplies from 
 her oivn possessions, when discovered at honie^ pro- 
 duced not only a great national shock, but so great 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 261 
 
 an embarrassment among her statesmen and financiers, 
 as to drive them to extraordinary efi*orts to increase 
 the productiveness of her own IsLand possessions, and 
 to diminish those of her rivals, as their first resort in 
 this startling emergency. This result could be ac- 
 complished only in tivo ivays, by multiplying laborers 
 from abroad, or by making her home laborers more 
 efiicient and productive, or by both. 
 
 As they had already taken a position and made a 
 declaration utterly hostile to the slave trade, that 
 could not be made availing for them at this crisis. 
 Their only refuge then, was to make the labor already 
 in possession, more prolific. The subject of "West 
 Indian emancipation had long been under discussion 
 among British patriots and philanthropists. Its ad- 
 vocates had argued that free labor was cheaper and 
 more productive than slave labor; that free men 
 would do twice as much work in any given time as a 
 like number of slaves ; that the truth of this propo- 
 sition when verified in action, would lead all other 
 slave holding governments and states to emancipa- 
 tion ; and, that thus slaves would be so much dimin- 
 ished in value, that they would no more be an article 
 of trade voraciously sought after ; and that the slave 
 trade would in this manner be brought to an end. 
 Impressions favorable to this theory, made upon the 
 British nation, led to the apprenticeship Act of 1833, 
 on the Islands, to decide the long mooted question, 
 which was most productive and valuable, free or slave 
 labor. An experience of about five years gave deci- 
 sive evidence of failure, and coerced the British 
 
262 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 nation (in 1838) to the still more ruinous experiment 
 of substituting total emancipation for pari^a?. 
 
 A short period under this system, was sufficient to 
 demonstrate that freedom, j^ersowaZ liberty, even when 
 stimulated by high wages, will not secure the industry 
 of a mass of ignorant, uncultivated men, but little 
 raised above the savage state ; because they possessed 
 no adequate intelligence, experience or adaptation 
 any way, to such a change of condition. 
 
 These British Acts of 1833 and 1838, among their 
 West Indian slaves, presented to all the world, one 
 great instructive fact on the subject of slavery; that 
 before extremely ignorant, untrained and almost sav- 
 age men can be made profitable free laborers, they 
 must receive both mental and moral culture ; civiliza- 
 tion to a considerable extent, of a Christian kind. 
 The emancipated negroes of the English, proved 
 indolent and reckless ; sank into a condition of most 
 wretched poverty and debasement, not to say pauper- 
 ism and incipient starvation, more excessive and hope- 
 less than while in bondage. This continued with 
 increasing aggravations till teachers and missionaries 
 from Great Britain and the United States came 
 among them, to introduce at least, partial reliefs from 
 their distresses, by applying the seasonable and salu- 
 tary, civil and moral corrections, which the owners of 
 the slaves had entirely neglected prior to their libe- 
 ration. Now what we particularly desire to remark 
 in this place is, that those British experiments, when 
 their results were unfolded, ought, effectually to have 
 taught both British and American abolitionists, the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 263 
 
 absurdity and incfficacy of their foolish and incessant 
 cry for immediate and universal emancipation. In 
 reference to the British wing of this infatuated host, 
 unless they had resolved, as Pitt said to Walpole, on 
 another topic," to continue ignorant in spite of expe- 
 rience," their own experiment ought not only to have 
 condemned, but corrected their folly. And, at the 
 same time, the exhibition among the British slaves in 
 the West Indies, ought forcibly to teach American 
 fanatics, what would be the consequence of carrying 
 out their scheme of prompt, universal freedom in our 
 slave districts, without previous and appropriate pre- 
 paration. 
 
 Although British capitalists suffered incalculably 
 by their rash adventure, and many of them sunk to 
 ruin, as its legitimate fruits ; yet humanity may 
 rejoice; for these emancipated masses, under salutary 
 advice, being furnished with suitable teachers and 
 missionaries from England and elsewhere, to labor 
 among them, to supply their manifold pressing wants, 
 are rapidly rising in intelligence and respectability; 
 advancing notwithstanding their first failure^ to such 
 a state of improvement and capacity, as will prepare 
 them for industrial and civil pursuits of all grades ; 
 which will ultimately enable them to yield for the 
 interest and glory of Great Britain, though she never 
 looked to this end at first^ more luxuriant and golden 
 crops than their period of slavery ever exhibited or 
 promised. The failure of England to enlarge her 
 resources in the West Indies, and the discovery that 
 her share in the tropical fruits of the world from her 
 
264 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 own soil, was really so much smaller than her neces- 
 sities, has made it for years, a particular object, a 
 ruling passion, a cardinal point in her state policy to 
 extend her interests in tropical latitudes. This brings 
 her, in some measure into contact with colonization. 
 
 To see the full force of the motives which now, 
 more especially, influence England in her course, we 
 must recollect, that at the introduction of her appren- 
 ticeship and emancipation experiments, besides the 
 losses, vexations, and embarrassments they produced 
 in her financial operations, cost her to remunerate 
 the planters for their slaves ($100,000,000) one hun- 
 dred millions of dollars, and another like sum, 
 $100,000,000 to keep under the slave trade, especially 
 while her grand experiments, were in progress. Eng- 
 land's sympathy has been directed particularly towards 
 tropical Africa ; because it lies nearer to her, and is 
 of more easy access, than any other tropical region. 
 She enters into this redeeming policy, fully persuaded, 
 from the lesson she received, in her West Indian ex- 
 periment, that intelligence, general moral improve- 
 ment, and acquaintance with the arts of life, must 
 precede every effort to make mere children of nature, 
 even in want and suffering, industrious, orderly and 
 profitable citizens : and from the history of her African 
 civilization society, she learnt the precautionary fact, 
 that luhite men cannot be safely relied upon, to 
 accomplish the work of Africa's improvement and 
 moral elevation. 
 
 It is evident that Africa must undergo a thorough 
 course of discipline and training, preparatory to any 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 265 
 
 important effort she may make to become a self-sus- 
 taining nation, on liberal principles ; or to make her 
 tributary, as a great multitude of laborers and factors, 
 to the strength and prosperity of the English nation. 
 
 One great cause of England's failure, in her eman- 
 cipation experiments, in the West Indies, was the 
 fact, at first not recognized, that the life of the 
 laborer generally, or rather his period of labor, is 
 short, and restricted, in that climate, to six or eight 
 years. Hence a generation of laborers, very quickly 
 pass away. This loss can be supplied, not by stimu- 
 lating and coercing industry, but by resorting to 
 Africa, for fresh supplies. Hence, it is manifest that 
 West Indian, and much more, that Brazilian free- 
 dom, encourages the slave trade. For without fresh 
 importations, to replenish the wastes of death, the 
 plantations must speedily cease to produce from the 
 want of cultivators. It is therefore easy to perceive 
 how and why, the British AYest Indian experiments, 
 in 1833, and 1838, proved to be, not only abortive 
 but injurious. But they have given valuable instruc- 
 tions on this subject. 
 
 The effect of the slave trade, in every view we can 
 take of it is, also, in other respects, highly deleterious. 
 By stealing and carrying away multitudes to foreign 
 lands, the number of laborers is diminished, at home. 
 By civilizing, instructing, and thus redeeming her from 
 savage habits, the natives become contented, occupied, 
 quiet, at home ; and thus they may and do become 
 contributors, rather than burdens, on an extensive 
 scale, to their own domestic comfort and independence 
 23 
 
266 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 as well as to the wealth of other nations. On this 
 pleasing supposition, every man becomes a producer ; 
 he augments his efficiency. His depressed country, 
 under such circumstances, begins to rise ; increases 
 in power, and respectability, among the nations of 
 the earth. 
 
 Just in proportion as free labor increases, it fur- 
 nishes the produce of free labor, supplies the demand 
 for it, through the world — it forces the product of 
 slave labor out of the market ; dispels it from hu- 
 man tables ; excludes it from trade ; and so operates 
 strongly against the slave trade and against slavery 
 too. Tim process will exterminate the traffic, and 
 no other, probably ever will. An attempt has 
 been made, by the strongest nations on the globe, by 
 diplomacy, by vigilance, by power, by fleets, by armies, 
 and by combined legislation, to suppress this inhu- 
 man traffic ; but they have only temporarily checked 
 its inveteracy and circumscribed its boundaries ; they 
 have modified its form, changed its locations and closed 
 some of its channels. But they have really, in charac- 
 ter, aggravated its enormity, by multiplying its phases, 
 its aspects, its rallying points, its clandestine evasions 
 and artifices ; while the execrable evil still lives. 
 
 Now, civilize Africa, and you will effectually 
 abolish that barbarous trade forever. You bless the 
 world ; you elevate the human race ; you secure to 
 that continent the great object of government, of 
 political compacts and charters. You reach in great 
 measure, the ultimate point aimed at by the God of 
 truth and purity, justice and freedom. It results 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 207 
 
 then that colonization is a vast effort, upon principles 
 and by means, heretofore little thought of, to eman- 
 cipate the human race, now in bondage. Africa is 
 the great arena of strife and contention. If success 
 in civilizing, cultivating, and fully redeeming Africa, 
 be secured, on that continent, and the products of slave 
 labor be excluded from the human market, that great 
 quarter of the world ivill he free. The impression 
 will be such among men, and the call for free labor 
 and free production will become so loud and irresis- 
 tible, that even Cuba and Brazil will be compelled to 
 come into the system and embrace the grand universal 
 reform, to seek wealth and honor, independence and 
 happiness, character and influence among the nations, 
 by establishing a common, a universal freedom. 
 
 To secure the final and complete triumph of such a 
 system, among the low, debased and wretched orders 
 of our race, still in bondage to ignorance, to vice and 
 despotic power ; and occupying still much of earth's 
 finest surface, there must be mixed with the moving 
 emancipating and refining influences, much of a re- 
 ligious, sanctifying element ; a power of truth, and 
 conscience, a sense of the divine presence and govern- 
 ment, in connection with human law and state policy. 
 These distinct classes of moving energies, should 
 enter and progress simultaneously, j!?«ri j^assu. 
 The influence of those motives which arc drawn from 
 the invisible and eternal worlds, is essential, to make 
 others effectual. This work is so great, that under 
 circumstances most favorable, it will require time, 
 and labor, patience and devotion, as well as faith 
 and hope, to crown it with triumph. 
 
268 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Some interesting facts, hitherto little regarded, 
 though intimately connected with the preceding 
 thoughts, ought now to be more fully presented and 
 duly appreciated. 
 
 The free labor field of production in tropical re- 
 gions, fails incalculably to furnish those commodities 
 which the tastes, necessities and appetites of the 
 world demand ; and hence this supply is looked for to 
 slave territory and slave labor. Now, it may be asked, 
 who are the chief consumers of these slave labor pro- 
 ducts from tropical climates ? The answer is obvious. 
 England, France and the United States. These 
 nations are the principal customers of the slave pro- 
 ducers in the tropical latitudes. Hence, it follows, 
 they are the great and prominent patrons of slavery 
 and the slave trade. These nations who proclaim 
 themselves as the distinguished leaders in emancipa- 
 ting, civilizing, and Christianizing all who are in bond- 
 age ; in executing a vast mission of philanthropy and 
 mercy ; are in reality, practically combining their influ- 
 ence and power to patronize and perpetuate slavery and 
 the slave traffick. This is as true as it is astounding 
 and deplorable. The governments above named, pre- 
 eminent in wealth, in numbers, in power, in refine- 
 ment, and in responsibility, cannot escape from their 
 absurd, criminal and disgraceful position, but by em- 
 ploying all the physical, political and moral power 
 they possess, to convert slave nations^ slave factors of 
 every grade, and slave producers, into civilized free- 
 men ; so arranging, modifying, improving and reno- 
 vating the character, condition and habits of slave 
 population, slave countries, slave production, and of 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 269 
 
 their relation to them all, that true liberty may 
 redeem and sanctify the whole. Then freedom will 
 be a spontaneous luxuriant growth of all climes, and 
 produce fruit for the healing of the nations. No 
 longer will it be said with sarcasm and reproach: 
 Behold these nations, how contradictory and absurd 
 their public course ! In the statute book the slave 
 trade is a heinous crime, deserving death — Piracy ! 
 But to fill their treasures, to gratify their appetites, 
 to swell their commercial sails, they exhibit them- 
 selves before the whole world as practical patrons and 
 abettors of that very traffick, in all its strong posi- 
 tions and countless ramifications ! 
 
 Africa is the principal field now unoccupied and 
 open to free labor, as a vast productive area, surpass- 
 ing all others in attractiveness and in facility of 
 acquisition. Her central situation, besides making 
 her easy of access to almost all the world, will enable 
 her more successfully to compete with all markets, in 
 the exportation of her abounding tropical produc- 
 tions as soon as brought under culture. The adapta- 
 tion of her soil, as well as climate, to the cultivation 
 of the principal staple articles of tropical regions, is 
 now by examination and by twenty years of experi- 
 ence, placed beyond doubt. Cofi'ee, pronounced equal 
 to any in the world, is advantageously raised in 
 Liberia, and its cultivation may be extended indefi- 
 nitely into the interior. The plant lives and thrives 
 for a score or more of years. Cotton of superior 
 quality and value, grows successfully and yields two 
 crops a season for many successive years. And sugar- 
 
 23* 
 
270 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 cane in thriftiness and fertility, excels even our own 
 Southern States. Native laborers are easily obtained 
 and at a moderate rate. On this point it may be 
 observed, that Africans are much more susceptible of 
 instruction and prompt introduction to the arts of 
 labor, industry and civil enterprise than East Indian 
 natives. The pride and caste of Asia, create an 
 almost insurmountable barrier there, to civilization 
 and civil pursuits. But the native simplicity and 
 comparative modesty of the African, and his sense of 
 inferiority, make him docile, and easy to be moulded 
 to any form or occupation. 
 
 That African natives may be successfully employed 
 in all kinds of business contemplated, is abundantly 
 proved by experience. The productiveness, value and 
 cheapness of this kind of labor are all established. 
 Their capacity, their willingness, their skill, their in- 
 dustry and perseverance have also been satisfactorily 
 tested. But in all these particulars, improvement and 
 increase may be reasonably expected ; as their civili- 
 zation advances, and their knowledge, their experi- 
 ence, their tastes, their pleasures, their ambition to 
 excel, are all augmented. In proof of this it has been 
 observed, that the exhibitions of the slave traders 
 and others, upon the African coasts, awaken among 
 the natives, speedily, a keen and anxious desire to 
 resemble them in appearance, to adopt their manners 
 and to imitate their style and fashion of dress. And 
 to the natives of the African continent, the exhibi- 
 tions of the Liberian colony are already a model full 
 of attractive influence. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIN LEY. 271 
 
 From their location, and their relations also, it 
 seems plain that Great Britain and the United States 
 are more capable of exercising salutary influence 
 over Africa, both physically and morally, than any 
 other nations. It is now very soon to be decided, 
 which of these shall take the lead, and perform most, 
 in this splendid work of national enterprise and true 
 philanthropy ; and reap from their distinct, individual 
 action, the greater national emolument, and more 
 signal honor. Both these nations are bound to pro- 
 ceed in this work, so benevolent in itself, and so 
 elevating to humanity, where it is shockingly sunk 
 and degraded. Their former course, their frequent 
 avowals, their public acts and partial movements, 
 may be regarded as pledges, which they are now 
 called upon to redeem. A competition cannot be 
 avoided, but there need not, there must not be a colli- 
 sion. For it is the mother and the child who are to 
 divide the spoils ; the toil and sacrifice ; the aggran- 
 dizement and glory of this great work. As Abra- 
 ham said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between me 
 and thee. If thou wilt take the left hand then I will 
 go to the right." 
 
 Having reached this crisis in our great enterprise, 
 we take our position and send forth our cry and our 
 appeal, to the constituted authorities of these United 
 States, in behalf of the Liberian colony, and the vast 
 pagan continent of Africa, for aid and direct co-ope- 
 ration, in the prosecution of this magnificent work of 
 kindness. Africa places herself at the disposal of 
 the American States, imploring deliverance from her 
 
272 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 barbarism ; beseeching her magnanimously to remedy 
 her degradation and wretchedness ; offering promptly 
 and munificently, to repay the debt, in the produce 
 of her hitherto neglected soil and degenerate sons ; 
 cultivating the grand foster parent of Liberia, to 
 assist that affiliated Republic in accomplishing her 
 plans of wisdom and mercy, designed, in her infancy 
 and weakness, but found in execution, to be too vast 
 and weighty a work for her years and resources. 
 Individuals, and associations, moved by a generous 
 impulse of compassion, having so far penetrated this 
 wide expanse of desolation and woe, that they find 
 their means and energies inadequate to realize the 
 scheme of mercy ; they now stretch forth their hands 
 and raise their supplication, for aid, to their beloved 
 countrymen, who have hitherto stood at a distance 
 from this important enterprise, and ask for moral 
 force, as well as physical power, believing, that with- 
 out both combined, success will be difficult and may 
 be distant. 
 
 These last twenty years or more employed by Great 
 Britain in attempts to advance her financial affairs, 
 and to correct her former mistakes ; lapped upon the 
 first score of the American Colonization Society ; 
 the former seeking escapes from recent disappoint- 
 ments and disasters, and anxiously exerting her 
 utmost skill, to secure extension and aggrandizement 
 of Empire ; and the latter surveying past troubles, 
 present griefs, and threatened catastrophies at home, 
 they seemed to meet, upon a middle ground, or com- 
 mon platform, in apparent harmony and unity of 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY- 273 
 
 desioTi. At the commencement and through the pro- 
 gress of this period, England made very slow progress 
 in attempting to acquire the possession and control 
 of tropical territory, in Africa. Other nations had 
 preceded her, in occupying the greater part of the 
 continent. France had stationed herself near the 
 mouth of the Senegal, on the Gaboon ; and mouth of 
 the Ni^er, at Massuah, on the western coast of the 
 Red Sea ; at the mouth of the Jub, (Joob) and on the 
 banks of the Johanna, near the northern outlet of the 
 Mozambique channel ; in Southern Aly^nnia and on 
 the White Nile. 
 
 Spain and Portugal observing these movements, to 
 supplant them, at various points, with a jealousy and 
 suspicion adapted to their character, instituted more 
 vio-orous measures, to recover and extend their influ- 
 ence. All eastern and northern Africa, already oc- 
 cupied, by independent and invidious sovereignties, 
 combined, to resist any attempt of the English, to 
 encroach upon their limits. Southern Africa, though 
 to a great extent, in possession of the British nation, 
 was found to be not Avell adapted to tropical produc- 
 tions. The only soil available for her purpose, was 
 located between the mouth of the Niger, and the 
 coast of Liberia. Between these points, were situa- 
 ted the large and populous nations of Dahomey and 
 Ashantee, both heavily stocked with slaves, and 
 deeply engaged in the slave trade. Hence the tropi- 
 cal field, open to British enterprise, was, necessarily, 
 very limited. 
 
 By their mistaken policy, commercial transactions 
 
274 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 at Sierra Leone, had been placed originally, almost 
 entirely, in the hands of white men, and of course, 
 the colored population, were out of the way of experi- 
 ment and improvement, in practical business. On 
 the contrary, in Liberia, the colored people had been 
 put forward, in every thing, because they were in- 
 tended from the beginning to be supreme owners and 
 sole occupants. Consequently, industry and active 
 business habits, were early, immediately formed among 
 them. Fortunes, by not a few, were speedily ac- 
 quired in trade, successful enterprises was a striking, 
 not uncommon feature ; the surrounding country 
 witnessed the fact and felt the cheering influence of 
 this success, in their neighboring- towns. Hence the 
 tropical cultivation by men of da^'h sJcin hut free 
 spirit became popular, prevalent, attractive. Their 
 tropical fruits have already entered many markets 
 and cheered many climes. Now, nothing is required 
 to make Africa, redeemed from her darkness and de- 
 basement, a land of peculiar and splendid produc- 
 tiveness, but capital and labor, money and men, in a 
 form, to be employed and applied, as their exigen- 
 cies demand. Frosts never nip her buds or diminish 
 her crops. They possess fine natural soil, and 
 showers enough in all seasons, to make it luxuriantly 
 fertile. 
 
 Indeed, beyond all controversy, Africa constitutes 
 for purposes here contemplated, the most valuable 
 and inviting tropical field unoccupied, upon our 
 globe: in extent, in location, in promise, far surpass- 
 ing the Brazils. In addition to the decisive evidence 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 275 
 
 of England's shortness of tropical produce, afforded 
 by the statistical results before us, a glance of the 
 eye over the geographical surface of the tropical 
 world, will show that they are gathering from a nar- 
 row and precarious field. 
 
 At the same time, this view of the great and in- 
 creasing demand for free tropical products and suit- 
 able free tropical laborers^ beyond the present supply, 
 even in the European market, should operate upon 
 intelligent Africans in the United States, and in all 
 slave holding countries, as a strong impressive motive 
 to induce them to hasten to Africa, to realise the 
 certain pecuniary, as well as moral and political ad- 
 vantages, now opening in full and wide and free 
 expansion there, to free labor and to free enterprising 
 and industrious citizens, in the land of their fathers. 
 There they may locate themselves, their families and 
 their posterity, on a free, salubrious and prolific soil, 
 to be enriched by their own industry, their own crops 
 of delicate and luxuriant fruits, springing almost 
 spontaneously from the bosom of the earth. The 
 markets of Europe and of the United States, having 
 command of no tropical soil, will gladly expand to 
 receive the productions of Liberian industry and 
 enterprise, and repay the debt in rich returns of all 
 that art and liberality can bestow. Here will speed- 
 ily spring up a wide spreading commerce, full of gain 
 and honor, progressive and countless benefits to the 
 newly opened country and established republics of 
 freemen on the African continent. If there exist, 
 then, in the bosoms of our African people, any true 
 
276 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 sympathy for their own race and color, any tender 
 concern for those who have continued at home, but 
 are involved in darkness, poverty and gloom, any 
 ambition or desire to secure personal and national 
 independence and glory, here is the field in which to 
 realise these pearls beyond value, "without money 
 and without price." 
 
 The preceding views lead us to the conclusion, 
 that Great Britain's apparent sympathy with young 
 Liberia ought not to surprise us. We have no cause 
 to wonder that she should so cordially and respect- 
 fully receive Governor Roberts, though a descendant 
 of slaves, whom they or their fathers had long since 
 sold into Virginian bondage; when he comes the 
 representative of a free colored republic, soliciting 
 equality among the nations of the earth ! England 
 was long ambitious — insatiably grasping for foreign 
 dominion. She proportioned in imagination, to suc- 
 cess in this work, her calculations, her hopes of future 
 greatness and glory. Experiments and results, both 
 near home, and far distant, have taught her, and 
 ousht to teach other nations, that coloxiies or new 
 States, are rarely national benefits ; that the cost and 
 trouble of their acquisition, protection, maintenance 
 and final establishment, often, very generally, surpass 
 the amount of the tribute they pay, in any shape. 
 The British have admitted, even boasted, that after 
 they lost America by the Revolutionary war, they 
 derived more profit from her, and swelled their trea- 
 sury more from their spoils as an independent nation, 
 than they ever had in her colonial state. The States 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. flNLEY. 277 
 
 became a vast market for her manufactures and gen- 
 eral commerce. The area opened here for her trade, 
 and for the productions of her then already numerous 
 workshops, presented in this emancipated colony, 
 grew rapidly, and proved to the mother country a 
 mine of wealth. The States exhausted by war, were 
 naked and in need of all things; at the same time 
 destitute of skill and experience for many years, in 
 the business of providing for their pressing wants. 
 
 Therefore, with the instruction Great Britain has 
 received from experience, she may justly be con- 
 sidered in a great measure indifferent as to the attain- 
 ment of tropical territory, even in Africa. But she 
 watches with extreme vigilance and solicitude, every 
 opening to secure to herself the profits and commer- 
 cial rewards due to other adventurers and more right- 
 ful claimants of these fiscal advantages. It is now 
 to be tried and decided, whether these American 
 States, with all their pretended enterprise, their 
 boasted energy, ambition and desire of distinction in 
 the scale of nations, will stand idly hy and see this 
 immense field for commerce, speculation, and ulti- 
 mately transcendent gain, entered upon by an invidi- 
 ous foe and rival — occupied, monopolized by stran- 
 gers ; seizing upon the fruits of our labor and enter- 
 prise; carrying off the splendid and delicious spoils, 
 to which we are pre-eminently entitled. 
 
 Impelled by the most impressive interests and 
 
 arguments, to secure if possible, this internal trade, 
 
 with or without the territory now opening in Africa, 
 
 England will exercise all her sagacity; employ the 
 
 24 
 
278 BIOGRAPHY OF DR FINLEY. 
 
 fruits of her large experience and wise policy ac- 
 quired and manifested in other climes and in other 
 days, to accomplish her darling project, to enjoy the 
 almost exclusive benefit of this almost boundless 
 market for her manufacturers and trade. She will 
 not be easily repelled or excluded from a sphere so 
 full of splendid attractions to her national eye. It 
 will be no easy matter to outwit or outmanage her in 
 this interesting competition ; a competition not for a 
 small, temporary advantage, but a contest almost for 
 her very existence ; a struggle for pre-eminence in a 
 boundless field of enterprise and emolument, upon the 
 result of which, in good measure, the prosperity and 
 glory of the British crown may depend. To cover 
 her ambition and artifice, she may take refuge under 
 the plea of great zeal for the promotion of civiliza- 
 tion; of crippling and forever stopping the slave 
 trade ; of advancing the noble cause of science, reli- 
 gion and missions ; but remember ! her main object 
 will be to sell hats and shoes^ muslins and prints, 
 axes and hoes, &c ; all the variety of goods produced 
 in Glasgow and Manchester, in Leeds and Sheffield, to 
 supply the wants of the hundreds of millions of naked 
 and needy suiferers and suppliants of Africa's dark 
 and gloomy clime ; and to take home in return, all her 
 various delicious fruits and useful products, her min- 
 eral wealth and various productions of her opening 
 mines and growing skill. Merchandise, manufactures, 
 English goods, in every conceivable form and most 
 profuse abundance, will be all the proclamation and 
 exhibition at every fresh British arrival on the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 279 
 
 African coast. Bibles, Testaments, Sunday-school 
 books, brief sacred and pious biographies, &c. &c., 
 are easily boxed and carried, and would be given at 
 home but they yield so little profit in the market, that 
 in the cargo, they will be like the small dust of the 
 balance; and this will not fill merchants' pockets nor 
 foot British bills. 
 
 Yet though not conveyed there as articles of com- 
 merce, many of these messengers of good are sent to 
 that country by benevolent associations in England, 
 for which we cheerfully render them all due praise. 
 We do not however repudiate the idea of self interest 
 as a subordinate motive to excite to benevolent action, 
 and we are willing to avail ourselves of it in the 
 present instance to promote the noble cause of African 
 colonization ; although freedom and philanthropy are 
 inseparably connected, the same genius presides over 
 both, the same pulse animates them, and the same ob- 
 ject engrosses them. Colonization has never been a 
 national enterprise, although the parent society bears 
 the American name. This great institution has so 
 far succeeded, as to resolve the great problem, even 
 among emancipated slaves, whether a republic is 
 capable of self government. Perhaps no exhibition 
 of purer popular morality, political loyalty and good 
 social order, than exists in Liberia, can be found 
 among men. 
 
 But freedom and philanthropy apart, the commer- 
 cial interests of England and the United States, fur- 
 nish a strong motive for extending a fostering hand 
 to the colony of Liberia — a motive strongly felt and 
 
280 BIOGRAPHY or DR. FINLEY. 
 
 vigorously acted on by Great Britain, and whose 
 example may well stimulate us to greater zeal and 
 activity in this important object. Manufactures in 
 Great Britain's account, are of the greatest possible 
 importance. Out of this class of her property and 
 business grows her gigantic commerce, whitening 
 every sea. This mans her navy, pays her taxes, sus- 
 tains her armies and wars, supports her government, 
 foots her national bills, in every department, main- 
 tains her aristocracy, her royal family, her Parlia- 
 ment and Commons. It feeds and clothes the nation, 
 and upon it the crown reposes. Their jewels and 
 their diamonds, if not fabricated there, are paid for 
 from their looms and anvils, to decorate and garnish 
 their pride and profligacy. 
 
 Hence it is, that England has gulled and bribed 
 and driven and wheedled almost all other nations, 
 early and late, far and near, to minister to her work- 
 shops, and often starving working men; and the 
 dominant party in these United States have suffered 
 themselves, as tame and easy dupes, to be drawn into 
 this British vortex; to present themselves before the 
 world in the humiliating act of catering to British 
 splendor and prodigality ; renouncing her own high, 
 honorable, independent policy to pay court and con- 
 tribute millions annually to Victoria, the soi disant 
 royal mistress of the world. 
 
 But this immense tribute, augmented as it is, by 
 the gold of California, and the vast surplus agricul- 
 tural products of our wide spread prolific country, 
 increased annually by our 800,000,000 lbs. of cotton. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 281 
 
 will not be sufficient to discharge the American debt 
 to England, or to meet her unbounded exigencies. 
 Her cry still is give^ give! She must gather her 
 spoils from other lands, reap her harvests as well as 
 laurels, in milder climes; and she has marked out 
 tropical Africa as a favorite object of her commercial 
 prowess and power. And as a first step in this wise 
 and lucrative career, England has already arranged 
 a well adjusted treaty of commerce and amity with 
 Liberia ; and has thus placed herself in the front and 
 most enviable rank among the friends and benefactors 
 of our young Liberian Republic. 
 
 To open this great market for her goods, is now a 
 grand financial desideratum of that nation. To ac- 
 complish this, you may expect her to make it appa- 
 rently and indirectly, her interest to assist Liberia in 
 penetrating the interior of Africa, with enlightening 
 and redeeming influences. Till the colonization 
 scheme burst upon her view, the down trodden my- 
 riads of Africa had implored relief in vain. Now 
 the gloom of past ages begins to recede. Divine 
 Providence is overruling this heaven born enterprise 
 of civilization and philanthropy, to raise up, directly 
 and indirectly, from various quarters, seasonable and 
 efficient auxiliaries ; so that her prospect is brighten- 
 ing every hour. 
 
 But in addition, before quitting this subject, we 
 ought to designate as specially deserving attention, 
 the authentic and impressive fact, that a vast body of 
 iron ore has recently been discovered in Liberia, 
 located in the New Jersey colony, and extending over 
 
282 BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 
 
 many thousands of acres, easy of access, and so pure 
 that it is found to be malleable and ductile without 
 smelting ; susceptible of conversion even by rude and 
 unskilful hands, into a great variety of instruments 
 and utensils, both for utility and ornament, adapted 
 to the use and convenience of that country. 
 
 In this article alone, a commerce may be com- 
 menced and carried on, both foreign and domestic, of 
 immense value and importance. The conjecture is 
 warranted by many judicious explorations already 
 made, that various other deposits will be found in 
 that region, of different species, enriching the soil 
 and country, and providing for the future wants and 
 convenience of the population, placing that country 
 in internal resources and prospects, upon a level with 
 many of the most favored parts of the globe. How 
 exceedingly important then, is it, that the United 
 States should immediately extend to that young and 
 rising Republic, prompt and efficient aid, in the effort 
 now demanded, to explore her mineral wealth, and 
 open up her internal resources of every species, thus 
 to prepare the way for her future aggrandizement 
 and glory. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Sketch of Rev. James Caldwell, father of Mrs. Finley. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell was ordained to the work of the 
 holy ministry, in the latter part of the year 1761 ; 
 and, he was at the same time, installed pastor of the 
 Pirst Presbyterian Congregation in Elizabethtown, 
 New Jersey. His intellectual powers, which were of 
 a superior order, his education which united religious 
 strictness with literary culture, and his native eleva- 
 tion of mind combined their influence to create in him 
 early, a strong tendency to a virtuous, honorable and 
 useful course of action. It pleased the Giver of 
 every good gift, early to foster and sanctify these en- 
 dowments, and to crown them with distinguished 
 honor by directing them into the channel of his OTvn 
 sacred service, in the ministry of the gospel. The 
 qualifications with which Mr. Caldwell entered on 
 this high vocation, were such as to adorn the 
 sacred office, to promote the interests of the church, 
 and to benefit the souls of men. Of a sprightly 
 temper, comely person, — graceful and engaging 
 address — his voice clear and melodious — his mind 
 well improved by theological science, polite lit- 
 erature, and cultivated society — his piety highly 
 evangelical, active and fervent — he was one of the 
 
284 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 most pleasing, eminent, and useful preachers of his 
 day. He was much beloved by the people of his con- 
 gregation, and his memory is still dear to a number of 
 them who are now living. He was zealous, laborious 
 and faithful in discharging the duties of his sacred 
 trust. He delighted in visiting the people of his 
 charge, and was accustomed to carry warm, practical 
 piety with him into the private apartment and the 
 social circle. In the small domestic assembly and in 
 the ordinary intercourse of friendship, as well as in 
 the congregation of God's people, he exhibited pecu- 
 liar charms. Societies, and small meetings^ for prayer 
 were his delight. Accordingly, stated and occasional 
 assemblies for these purposes were numerous in his 
 congregation. His ministry was pre-eminently pros- 
 pered by the great Head of the church in the year of 
 our Lord 1772. A considerable effusion of the divine 
 Spirit was then experienced in his congregation ; and 
 many were added to the church, some of whom are 
 yet living witnesses, that this was truly a work of 
 God. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell's character soon became extensively 
 known and highly appreciated, in the church. His 
 superior capacity for extemporaneous speaking, his 
 animated, impressive, and captivating eloquence in 
 the pulpit, and his fervent piety, rendered him un- 
 commonly interesting to every audience, and excited 
 for him, high esteem, both at home and abroad. The 
 character of his mind, and the nature of his improve- 
 ments, qualified and designated him for eminent use- 
 fulness in various spheres of action and of duty ; and 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 280 
 
 tlie circumstances of his country, in the revolutionary 
 contest with Great Britain, soon presented an oppor- 
 tunity for the splendid and successful exercise of all 
 his versatile powers, and for the trial and illustration 
 of all his Christian virtues. Independent, prompt 
 and ardent, he espoused the cause of his country with 
 decision and warmth ; and he pursued her interests 
 with a degree of intrepidity and enterprise, of zeal 
 and perseverance, which would have honored a Chris- 
 tian patriot of any age. 
 
 While the British occupied the city of New York, 
 the borough of Elizabeth and its vicinity, were pecu- 
 liarly exposed to incursions from the foe. Hence 
 the Americans, to whom the defence of that point 
 was committed, were compelled to ^exercise peculiar 
 vigilance and activity in all their movements. Mr. 
 Caldwell, from his perfect knowledge of the people 
 and the place, and from his sagacity, alertne* and 
 zeal, was remarkably calculated to give them efficient 
 aid, in counsel and in action ; and he rendered them 
 his services on all occasions, in a manner corres- 
 ponding with his known patriotism and tried courage. 
 
 The frequent alarms and occasional sufferings that 
 speedily resulted from the warfare, and the insecurity 
 of property and of life, attendant upon a residence at 
 Elizabeth Town, induced Mr. Caldwell to move his 
 family a short distance into the interior of the country. 
 He continued his pastoral labors with as much con- 
 stancy and fidelity as the state of his congregation 
 and his own peculiar circumstances would permit. 
 Notwithstanding the continual guard that was kept, 
 and the precautionary means that were employed, a 
 
286 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 party of refugees, under covert of niglit, January 25, 
 1780, destroyed his church by fire. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell had for some time discharged, in an 
 acceptable manner, the duties of chaplain, in the 
 American army stationed near Morris Town, and 
 performed voluntarily many other important services 
 in aid of its operations. His zealous exertions to 
 promote the cause in defence of which his country 
 was arrayed in arms against a powerful foe, his-cheer- 
 ful and afi"able disposition, and his urbanity of man- 
 ners, continued to raise him high in the respect and 
 confidence of the American officers and soldiers. 
 His popularity and influence in the army, were well 
 known to the enemy, and rendered him particularly 
 obnoxious to those traitors to their country, who had 
 abandoned its interest and joined the British standard. 
 The wanton and sacriligious destruction of the church 
 at Eftzabethtown, was attributed principally to this 
 circumstance. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell shared extensively in the hardships 
 and hazards generally experienced ; and he was called 
 in the year 1788, to encounter a peculiarly afflicting 
 calamity, in the death of his excellent wife. This lady 
 was the daughter of John Ogden, Esq., of Newark, 
 New Jersey. Her amiable disposition, her piety and 
 exemplary deportment, had obtained for her the very 
 particular respect and attachment of all who knew 
 her. Her life had evinced that she was worthy of 
 the sphere in which she had moved, and prepared for 
 the event w4iich now prematurely befell her. She 
 was the mother of nine children, the eldest of whom 
 was sixteen years old, and the youngest was an infant. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 287 
 
 Notwithstanding these circumstances, on several oc- 
 casions, when alarms of the enemy's approach had 
 been made, Mrs. Caldwell had been induced to retire 
 from her residence at Connecticut Farms, for greater 
 secury, higher up in the country. Having found 
 these retreats very difficult and troublesome, and, for 
 the most part causeless, she determined to cast her- 
 self in future on the clemency and magnanimity of 
 the foe, and on the care of her covenant-keeping God. 
 On the sixth of June, 1780, General Knyphausen 
 came over from Staten Island, with about five thou- 
 sand men, and landed in the night, at Elizabethtown 
 Point. Very early next morning they directed their 
 march towards Springfield, through the settlement of 
 Connecticut Farms. Although Mrs. Caldwell was 
 apprised of their approach in season to escape, her 
 mind was made up on this subject, and she resolved, 
 in humble reliance on Divine Providence, to remain 
 at home. When the enemy were entering the village 
 Mrs. Caldwell withdrew from the apartment she 
 usually occupied, into a more retired room, for the 
 purpose of devotion as well as security, with her 
 infant in her arms. The maid, who had accompanied 
 her to this secluded apartment, and had charge of 
 the other small children, on looking out of a window 
 into the back yard, observed to Mrs. Caldwell, that 
 " a red coat soldier had jumped over the fence and 
 was coming up to the window^, with a gun." Her 
 youngest son, nearly two years old, playing upon the 
 floor, on hearing what the maid said, called out, " Let 
 me see — let me see!" and ran that way. Mrs. 
 Caldwell rose from sitting on a bed very near ; and at 
 
288 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. TINLEY. 
 
 this moment the soldier fired his musket at her through 
 the window. It was loaded with two balls, which 
 both passed through her body. The surrounding 
 building and the house in which this deed was perpe- 
 trated were soon after set on fire. It was with diffi- 
 culty that the dead body of Mrs. Caldwell could be 
 preserved from the general destruction that ensued. 
 After it had lain some time exposed in the open 
 street and in the hot sun, liberty was obtained to place 
 her remains in a small dwelling house, on the opposite 
 side of the road, which had survived the conflagration. 
 The following night Mr. Caldwell spent at a place 
 called Short Hills, not far from Springfield. He 
 retired to rest in the evening in a state of excessive 
 anxiety respecting the fate of his wife and children. 
 The partitions of the house consisted of boards not 
 very closely joined. In his sleepless state he over- 
 heard two men, lodging in an adjoining room, talking 
 on the subject of the death of Mrs. Caldwell. He 
 rose quickly and entered their room in great agitation, 
 and inquired what they heard on that subject. They 
 represented it as only a rumor, and probably a mis- 
 take, and persuaded him to return to his bed. The 
 remainder of the night was to him a season of most 
 painful suspense and anxiety. In the morning Mr. 
 Caldwell procured a flag, and proceeded with all 
 possible speed to the Connecticut Farms, to visit his 
 family and ascertain their state. While yet at some 
 distance, he discovered that the church and village 
 were in ruins, and that the enemy had returned to 
 Staten Island ; and very soon, he learned the truth 
 of the afflicting rumor before received, that Mrs. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 289 
 
 Caldwell was no more. Her friends were assembled ; 
 and the funeral service was performed, with as much 
 solemnity and order as the desolation and alarm uni- 
 versally prevalent w^ould permit. 
 
 While this event was deeply afflicting to Mr. Cald- 
 well and his numerous friends, it made a strong im- 
 pression on the public mind. The following account 
 of this transaction, is extracted from MarshalVs Life 
 of Washington,^ and is introduced to show the views 
 of this distinguished revolutionary patriot and Ameri- 
 can historian, as well as of the public in general, in 
 relation to the events we are here recording : — 
 
 " At the Connecticut Farms, a flourishing settle- 
 ment which took its name from the country of those 
 by whom it had been planted, and which has been dis- 
 tinguished for its zeal in the American cause, a halt 
 was made. In a spirit of revenge, unworthy the 
 general of an army, which was in the character of 
 Tryon, who was present, rather than of Knyphausen 
 who commanded : which served more to injure than 
 advance the interests of those in whose cause he was 
 engaged ; and which tended more to irritate than in- 
 timidate : this settlement, including the meeting-house 
 and the house of the clergyman belonging to the 
 village, was reduced to ashes." 
 
 The author here quoted then adds in a note : — 
 " This circumstance would scarcely have deserved 
 notice, had it not been accompanied by one of those 
 melancholy events, which even war does not authorize 
 
 * See Vol. iv. p. 225. 
 
 25 
 
290 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 and which the civilized world condemns, and which 
 made at the time a very deej) imjjression. 
 
 " Mrs. Caldwell the wife of the clergyman, who 
 has been mentioned, had been induced to remain in 
 her house, under the persuasion that her presence 
 might serve to protect it from pillage, and that her 
 person could not possibly be endangered, as in the 
 hope of preserving the farms Col. Dayton, who at 
 that time commanded the militia, determined not to 
 halt in the settlement, but to take post at a narrow 
 pass on the road leading to Springfield. While she was 
 sitting in the midst of her children, having a sucking 
 infant in her arms, a soldier came up to the window 
 and discharged his musket at her. She received the 
 ball in her bosom and instantly expired. 
 
 '"' Ashamed of an act so universally execrated, it 
 was contended by the British, that this lady was the 
 victim of a random shot, and even that the fatal ball 
 had proceeded from the militia : in proof of which 
 last assertion, they insisted that the ball had entered 
 on that side of the house which looked towards the 
 retreating Americans. But it was notorious that the 
 militia made no stand at the Farms, and a pathetic 
 representation of the fact made to the public by the 
 afflicted husband, received universal credence and ex- 
 cited universal indignation. The death of Mrs. 
 Caldwell might indeed be considered as the act of a 
 single soldier, and therefore not of itself involving 
 the reputation of the army; but when with it was 
 connected with the wanton and useless devastation 
 committed by authority, these acts formed one con- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 291 
 
 nccted whole in the public mind, and served still 
 more to confirm the settled hate of the well affected, 
 against the British government." 
 
 In this season of public alarm, private suffering, 
 and universal confusion, Mr. Caldwell, after putting 
 his domestic affairs in the most favorable situation 
 practicable under existing circumstances, returned to 
 his important avocations. His activity and zeal in 
 the discharge of his various duties were not diminished 
 and the indignation and abhorrence of the public, 
 were greatly increased by this recent outrage of vio- 
 lence and rapacity. 
 
 In less than eighteen months after the tragic act 
 which deprived Mr. Caldwell of his inestimable wife, 
 he was himself brought to an untimely grave by a 
 similar deed of horror, which appeared to be instiga- 
 ted by the most savage malevolence, and was perpe- 
 trated by the hand of a ruffian traitor to his country, 
 wdio attempted to shelter himself under the protection 
 of a British flag of truce. 
 
 This event took place on the 24th of November 
 1781. The following account of the circumstances is 
 extracted from the "New Jersey Gazette," a respec- 
 table paper printed at the period here referred to, 
 and obligingly furnished to the writer by the Hon. 
 Joseph Bloomfield dated AYednesday, December, 12, 
 1781. 
 
 " Mr. Caldwell having been informed that a young 
 lady had arrived at Elizabethtown Point, in a flag of 
 truce from New York, who had permission to come 
 within our lines, and who is the daughter of a lady 
 
292 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 Tvho has distinguished herself by her great humanity, 
 tenderness and generosity to the American prisoners 
 in New York, and considering himself bound by his 
 duty as a citizen, to render every possible service to 
 the family of so worthy a character, went down to 
 the Point, with an intention of waiting on the lady 
 up to town ; when he arrived there, the officer then 
 commanding the post at Elizabethtown, being on 
 board the flag sloop, asked him whether he would go 
 on board. He then stepped on board the sloop and 
 was informed that the young lady had already gone 
 to the town. Being about to return, a person in the 
 sloop asked him whether he would take a small parcel 
 tied up in a handkerchief. Mr. Caldwell consented 
 to take it, went on shore, put the bundle into a chair- 
 box and was driving oflf, when a soldier stepped up to 
 him and said, "I must search your chair to see 
 whether you have any seizable goods in that bundle." 
 Mr. Caldwell then seeing it would be imprudent to 
 run any further risk, asked the officer whether he 
 would suffer him to return the bundle to the sloop. 
 To this request the soldier readily agreeing, Mr. Cald- 
 well took the bundle out of the chair-box and was 
 stepping on board of the sloop to return it, when the 
 murderer who was on the quarter-deck and within 
 about ten yards of him, said, Damn you^ stop. Mr. 
 Caldwell instantly stopped and immediately on his 
 stopping, the soldier presented his musket and shot 
 him ; he fell down and instantly expired without a 
 groan. His funeral was attended the Tuesday follow- 
 ing by a large concourse of people, when a funeral 
 
BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FTNLEY. 293 
 
 sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. M'Whorter, 
 from Ecdesiastes viii. 8. 
 
 " Mr. Caldwell was a man of very superior talents, 
 whether considered as a preacher, a statesman, or a 
 citizen. He was one of the first who embarked in 
 the cause of his country, in which he has ever discov- 
 ered a mind incapable of being intoxicated with par- 
 tial successes, or meanly depressed by the clouds of 
 adversity. His zeal, activity, and unshaken integrity 
 under every circumstance of the present revolution, 
 are deeply imprinted on the minds of his countrymen. 
 As a preacher of the gospel he was excelled by very 
 few of the present age ; his oratory was natural and 
 pleasing, and exceedingly persuasive. He was a dili- 
 gent and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, to which 
 the reformed lives and conversations of a large part 
 of his numerous congregation bear an unequivocal 
 testimony. 
 
 "He has left a most destitute and helpless family, 
 consisting of nine children, the eldest about seventeen 
 years of age, and the youngest not exceeding two, to 
 experience the humanity and benevolence of those 
 tender and sympathetic minds, who are not above the 
 feelings of another's woe. Though Mr. Caldwell has 
 been almost constantly engaged in public departments 
 since the present war, which have been the source of 
 riches and affluence to many others, yet such was his 
 uprightness and love of his country, that his rising 
 family are now left to deplore the want of a bare 
 subsistence, but from the generosity of those who 
 knew their father's virtues. We may justly conclude 
 
 2^ 
 
294 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 
 
 with lamenting our country's loss, a loss to mankind 
 — to human nature." 
 
 The utmost consternation and horror seized all who 
 were present, at the sudden and tragical death of Mr. 
 Caldwell. The perpetrator of the shocking deed was 
 for some time forgotten. Mr. Caldwell's body, life- 
 less and drenched in blood, was taken up and carried 
 to a public house not far distant. After the tumult 
 at first excited had in some measure subsided, means 
 were employed to secure the murderer, whose name 
 was Morgan. He was pursued, speedily overtaken, 
 and committed to prison. In the course of his trial 
 afterwards, it became manifest that the murder was 
 premeditated, and produced in part probably by some 
 thing more than individual enmity. Morgan was con- 
 demned to death ; and at the time of his execution, 
 he manifested an awfully corrupt and obdurate heart. 
 On being informed, when led out to be executed, that 
 his time was come, and that if he had anything to say, 
 he must say it quickly ; he replied, " You will all soon 
 come to this. Here give this blanket," presenting it 
 to the executioner, ^'to my wife. Now do your duty, 
 and don't keep me here suffering in the cold." 
 
 The remains of Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell were de- 
 posited in the Presbyterian churchyard, at Elizabeth- 
 town ; and on the marble slab which covers them, is 
 the following honorable inscription : 
 
 " Sacred to the memory of the Rev. James Cald- 
 well and Hannah his wife, who fell victims to their 
 country's cause, in the years 1780 and 1781. 
 
 "He was the zealous and faithful Pastor of the 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 295 
 
 Presbyterian Congregation in this town, -where, by 
 his evangelical labors in the gospel vineyard, and his 
 early attachment to the civil liberties of his country, 
 he has left on the hearts of his people a better monu- 
 ment than brass or marble. 
 
 ''Stop, Passenger!'' 
 
 " Here also lie the remains of a woman, who exhi- 
 bited to the world a bright constellation of the female 
 virtues. On that memorable day, never to be for- 
 gotten, when a British foe invaded this fair village, 
 and fired even the temple of the Deity, this peaceful 
 daughter of heaven retired to her hallowed apart- 
 ment, imploring Heaven for the pardon of her enemies. 
 In that sacred retreat she was by the bloody hand of 
 a British ruffian dispatched, like her divine Redeemer, 
 through a path of blood, to her long wished-for native 
 skies." 
 
 By the untimely and lamentable death of Mr. 
 Caldwell and his wife, their numerous and interesting 
 children were cast upon the affection of their friends 
 and upon the providence of God. The condition of 
 the country, the agitated state of public affairs^ ren- 
 dered their loss incomparably greater, and the care 
 of them proportionably more difficult. In Mr. Cald- 
 well's zeal for the public welfare he had neglected his 
 private interests. His property in a great measure, 
 as well as his life, he had sacrificed to the good of his 
 country. Never was public sympathy manifested 
 towards a bereaved and afflicted household, more 
 strikingly and affectingly than on this occasion. The 
 tidings of Mr. Caldwell's death, and the mournful 
 
296 BIOGRAPHY OP DR. FINLEY. 
 
 tale of his children's orphanage and helplessness, 
 pervaded the whole land, inspiring deep sorrow and 
 tender concern in every bosom. In the central 
 regions of the country more especially, this subject 
 shed a gloom over every social company, and was long 
 the melancholy theme of common conversation. The 
 Heavenly Father mingled his counsels and his care 
 with the sensibilities of the surrounding country and 
 with the weeping anxieties of friends and kindred. 
 His wisdom and goodness were peculiarly manifested 
 towards this interesting group of orphans, in raising 
 up for them affectionate and judicious friends, dis- 
 posed to train them with parental fondness and fidel- 
 ity, to knowledge and piety, honor and usefulness. 
 Among their principal benefactors may be enumerated 
 the Hon. Elias Boudinot, LL. D. the Marquis de La 
 Fayette, and General Lincoln. General Washington, 
 the illustrious father of his country, transferred his 
 regard and kindness for his martyred friend, Mr 
 Caldwell, to his fatherless children. The Father of 
 the fatherless, by his merciful interposition and care, 
 remarkably fulfilled to those bereaved children the 
 words of his promise, by the mouth of his servant 
 David, "When my father and my mother forsake me, 
 then the Lord shall take me up." That distinguished 
 friend of humanity, who stands as the first of the 
 earthly benefactors of this afflicted family, was the 
 principal instrument employed in divine providence, 
 to accomplish this desirable and happy purpose. Dr. 
 Boudinot voluntarily assumed the care of these chil- 
 dren, and discharged the important trust with a pa- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 297 
 
 rental faithfulness and constancy. Divine wisdom 
 seemed to direct his ways, and the divine blessing to 
 rest upon his measures. With his judicious manage- 
 ment, and under the care of the great heavenly 
 Parent, their lives were preserved, their minds were 
 well improved, their patrimony was yearly extending, 
 and their prospects brightening before them. Nor 
 have the hopes which soon began to be cherished, and 
 the pleasing anticipations which were formed respect- 
 ing their ultimate success in life proved delusive. 
 God remembered his promise ; he regarded the faith 
 and the prayers of his servant and handmaid. The 
 counsel and the care of anxious and devoted friends 
 often prove weak and inefficient in the government 
 and disposal of children. And how often do the 
 prospects of fortune and the possession of wealth and 
 splendor, become injurious or destructive ! But the 
 Lord God is a friend, a helper and a solace indeed, to 
 all who cast their care upon him; for he careth for 
 them. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 I.— ON LIBERIA. 
 
 Leaving Sierra Leone for Monrovia, with a fair wind, we pass- 
 ed Sherbro Island and tiae Shebar and Gallinas rivers, and on 
 the second day made Cape Mount. 
 
 The country between Sierra Leone and the Sherbro is covered 
 with timber, miich of which is annually exported. With the ex- 
 ception of about ten miles along the coast, the Shebar is now the 
 northern boundary of the republic of Liberia. 
 
 Twenty miles from Cape Mount is Half-cape Mount river, whicli, 
 in part belies its name ; for it is a fine river, flowing through a 
 level country, uninterrupted, as far as the eye can sec, by the 
 slightest elevation. 
 
 From Cape Mount to Cape Mesurado, is tlie Dey country, cut 
 up in small districts, held by petty kings, who, while outwardly 
 acknowledging the jurisdiction of the republic, are continually 
 holding palavers ; i. e., quarreling among themselves. The word 
 " palaver," with a great many phases to its meaning, generally 
 implies a discussion, to decide upon a right assumed, or a right 
 disputed ; or indemnity for a wrong ; or the enforcement of a con- 
 tract. It is in fact, the court of law of the tribes, and suits are 
 brought before it. 
 
 The Deys, more tractable but not more trustworthy than the 
 Veys, are somewhat given to agriculture, and possess considerable 
 mechanical skill in the weaving and dyeing of cotton cloths, 
 and the manufacture of household articles and instruments of 
 
300 APPENDIX. 
 
 warfare. They are considered less numerous than the Yeys, and 
 are a more indolent and inoffensive race, numbering from 6,000 to 
 8,000. The dialect of these two tribes has some affinity, but dif- 
 fers from other languages along the coast. Although very imper- 
 fect, the missionaries have succeeded in reducing it to significant 
 characters, and translating into it a compilation of the gospels. 
 
 At daylight, on the 31st of January, we made Cape Mesurado 
 dimly visible through a thin white mist which shrouded the hori- 
 zon. The mist hanging over the lowlands, but not rising above 
 the tops of the trees, gave to the scene very much the appearance 
 of a general inundation. "We soon after heard the splashing of 
 paddles in the water, and in a few moments a number of canoes 
 came swiftly forth from the obscurity, and revealed two or three 
 natives nearly naked, sitting upright in each, and handling their 
 paddles with great dexterity. These canoes are dug out of the 
 bombax ceiba, pullam or wild cotton tree of the. country, and 
 being very light, narrow, and long, with a slight upward curve at 
 each extremity, float buoyantly and gracefully upon the water. 
 
 As we slowly sailed along, the mist in the meanwhile rising 
 with the sun, the surrounding scenery, feature by feature, was 
 unveiled, and by the time we cast our anchor in the bay the whole 
 was distinctly revealed. 
 
 Abreast of us was a lofty promontory; a little beyond, and 
 partly hidden by it was the town of Monrovia ; and to the east 
 and north a densely wooded country, its sandy shore interrupted 
 only in two places, where the rivers Mesurado and St. Paul's find 
 outlets to the sea — those outlets marked by the foam of breakers 
 flashing in the sunlight. 
 
 The pitch of Cape Mesurado is gently rounded ; but its face is 
 abrupt, and would present a rugged appearance, were it not cover- 
 ed with a mantle of the richest green I have ever looked upon, 
 resembling, if anything, the hue of lichens and mosses in some 
 sequestered ravine, from the sides of which water imperceptibly 
 trickles. Except a very narrow strip of beach, with a few outly- 
 ing rocks at the very water's edge, all is one mass of foliage — tan- 
 gled vines and shrubbery beneath, but above a dense growth of 
 trees, becoming more and more lofty, until those on the summit 
 rear their heads above and half conceal the light house, an indif- 
 
APPENDIX. 301 
 
 ferent frame building, stained and defaced by the weather ; which, 
 except in its greater height, recalls to mind one of those narrow 
 and neglected tobacco houses so often seen in our southern States. 
 
 Monrovia, which contains about 300 houses and 2,000 inhabi- 
 tants, is built, as I have said, on a depression of the ridge which 
 sweeps inland from the Cape. About midway the length of the 
 principal street the land swells up like an earth-wave, and sinks 
 immediately down the street, crossing the summit and following 
 the declivity. On the summit is Fort Hill, where, in December, 
 1822, in the infancy of the settlement, the heroic Ashraun, rising 
 from his bed of sickness, with thirty-four brave colonists repulsed 
 an assault made by eight hundred savages. 
 
 The houses are detached, being built on lots of a quarter of 
 an acre each. They are of good size, some two stories, but most 
 of them one and a half, consisting of a single story of frame rest- 
 ing on a basement of stone, with a portico front and rear. Many 
 of them were neatly, and two or three handsomely furnished. — 
 There were twelve houses under construction, mostly of stone ; 
 and there were besides a few which looked in good preservation j 
 but most of the frame dwellings presented an old and dilapidated 
 appearance, owing to the humid climate during half the year, the 
 scarcity of whitewash and paint, and the ravages of the beeg — a 
 bug — a destructive species of termite. For the last reason, all 
 the new houses not built in the native fashion — of wattles, mud, 
 and grass — are constructed of stone, Avhile the old frame ones are 
 abandoned to decay. . 
 
 In almost every yard there Avere fruit trees — mostly the lime, 
 the lemon, the banana, the pawpaw — and the coflfee tree ; some- 
 times the orange, and now and then the soursopand the tamarind. 
 The oranges were good, but scarce ; and the lemons large and tine. 
 The cocoa grows abundantly, and the pomegranate, the fig, the 
 vine, and a tree bearing the cashew-nut, are to be seen, but not in 
 abundance. 
 
 The soil is thin and not productive, resting upon a ferruginous 
 rock which occasionally crops out. The gardens are enclosed by 
 wooden palings, generally in a state of decay, or by stone walls 
 Avithout mortar. In them Avere only a fcAv collards and some 
 cassada, SAveet potatoes, and arroAV-root. But it is not the proper 
 
 26 
 
302 APPENDIX. 
 
 season for vegetables, and a few months hence these gardens may, 
 and doubtless will, present a more gratifying appearance. 
 
 The suburbs, the river, and the inner harbor, are commanded by 
 Fort Hill, as the outer anchorage is by that of Fort Norris at the 
 cape. 
 
 The view from Fort Hill is a very fine one. To the west and 
 southwest it overlooks the houses and the trees far out upon the 
 sea ; on the north and east, Stockton creek and the two branches 
 of the Mesurado flow gently through an alluvial plain ; and to the 
 southeast the eye follows the direction of the ridge which stretches 
 far into the interior. 
 
 On Broadway, south of Fort Hill, is the government house — a 
 large stone building, with arched windows and a balcony in front. 
 The lower floor is used as a court-room and printing-office, and 
 the upper as the hall of legislative council : behind it is the jail ; 
 directly opposite is the President's mansion — a double two-story 
 brick-house, with a front portico — its roof sustained by lofty 
 columns. It is the most imposing building in the place. There 
 are five churches, all well attended. Indeed, I never saw a more 
 thorough-going church community, or heard a greater rustling of 
 silk, on the dispersal of a congregation, than here ; all were at 
 least sufliciently attired : and the dresses of the children were in 
 better taste than those of their mothers. One of the most gratify- 
 ing things I noticed was the great number of Avell-dressed and 
 well-behaved children in the schools and about the streets. The 
 schools are also numerous and well attended. I did not see suffi- 
 cient to justify the expression of an opinion, except that, while I 
 noticed the attendance was full in almost every one, it seemed to 
 me that, in some instances, the acquirements of the teachers were 
 surpassed by the capacities of their scholars : but for all the pur- 
 poses of rudimental education the materials are ample. I feel a 
 delicacy in alluding to this subject, and only say what has escaped 
 me from a solicitude that the generation now coming forward may 
 sustain the institutions of the republic. 
 
 The colonists were all decently clothed : and of the natives 
 moving about the streets, with very few exceptions, the most in- 
 diff"erently clad wore a long loose shirt, but their heads and legs 
 were bare. One of the latter 1 saw reading apparently a book 
 which he held before him as he walked. 
 
APPENDIX. 303 
 
 On the outskirts of the town is a large coffee grove, which did 
 not seem to be in a thriving condition ; and altogether, in and 
 around Monrovia, agriculture wore a languishing appearance. 
 This is doubtless owing, in part, to the poverty of the soil, and in 
 part to the overweening spirit of trade ; there being evidently a 
 preponderance of petty retail shops. I must say, however, that the 
 town presented a far more prosperous appearance than I had been 
 led to anticipate. From its fine situation it must eventually be a 
 salubrious one. The sea-breeze at all seasons blows directly over 
 it, and in this respect it is far preferable to Sierra Leone. The 
 bifurcation of the river St. Pauls to the north gives, through 
 Stockton creek, its southern branch, a direct and easy access to 
 that river at all times, without encountering the perils of either 
 bar. On the southeast the east branch of the Mesurado is separa- 
 ted by a portage only five miles from the head of Junk river, 
 which flows into the sea thirty-five miles down the coast. Mon- 
 rovia will therefore be the outlet of the products of an extent of 
 country not less than 1,250 square miles. 
 
 During the time of the Portuguese ascendency, the Mesurado 
 was called Rio Duro, from the cruelty of the natives — a cruelty 
 fostered, if not engendered, by the whites. 
 
 It is but fair to state, that the land on the northeast Mesurado 
 gives little promise of being soon brought into cultivation. The 
 banks are so low as to be overflowed at every tide, and are covered, 
 as far as the eye can reach, with an impenetrable growth of man- 
 groves, while the sluggish stream is discolored by the black mud 
 of the marshes, from which at at low water, a most off"ensive odor 
 is exhaled. 
 
 At 13 miles from Monrovia, the east branch is too shallow for 
 canoe navigation ; and a quarter of a mile above its source is an 
 extensive morass, overgrown with long grass and mangrove 
 bushes. The scenery is the same as that on the northeast branch. 
 A short distance from the morass is the native village ; the soil 
 around is exhausted from repeated cultivation, and producing 
 little else than cassada. 
 
 From thence, across the portage, to the Red Junk river, the 
 surface of the country is nearly level, with extensive fields, no 
 longer under cultivation, skirted with open forests. 
 
304 APPENDIX. 
 
 ST. PAUL'S. 
 
 The banks are uneven — at some places high and steep ; at others 
 coming down with a slope to the water's edge. On each side is a 
 belt of cultivation, with a dense forest-growth behind it ; and the 
 most conspicuous objects of the scene were the light-green, broad- 
 leaved foliage of the banana, clustering about every settlement, 
 and the detached and distant palm-trees, which reared their dark, 
 tufted heads above the surrounding mass of vegetation. 
 
 The appearance of this tree is majestic, yet graceful. Its round 
 smooth trunk springs, shaft-like, into the air, from sixty to 
 upwards of a hundred feet, and then expands its rich, fringe-like 
 leaves into a canopy, twenty or thirty feet in diameter. 
 
 The St. Paul's narrows very gradually in ascending it, and to 
 the head of navigation is nowhere less than one-fourth of a mile in 
 width. For the whole distance of fourteen miles from its mouth, 
 there is a greater depth of water in the channel of the river than 
 on the bars ; and, for its length, it is a magnificent stream, pouring 
 down such a volume of water as to render it certain that, however 
 soon its navigation may be interrupted, it has its sources far in 
 the interior. 
 
 The soil on both sides is a loamy clay, equal in fertility to the 
 best sugar lands in Brazil. There are on the banks of the river four 
 hundred farms and three thousand cultivators. Many of. the 
 houses are built of brick, two of them double-sized two-story ones 
 and there were seven brick-kilns. 
 
 I landed at four or five places, and saw every indication of 
 comfort and prosperity — far more so than in Monrovia. The 
 houses were well furnished, and in one of them was a room, 
 specially assigned for the purpose, Avhich contained a small but 
 good library. The principal articles I saw in cultivation were 
 sugar, coffee, cassada, arrow-root, yams, sweet potatoes, and a few 
 ground-nuts. Among the fruits were the luscious pine-apple, 
 oranges, lemons, limes, bananas, plantains, and the paw-paw; 
 the last, in cooking, an excellent substitute for the apple. A little 
 cotton is raised for domestic use. The sugar-cane was growing 
 finely ; and at one of the forms I witnessed the operation of grind- 
 ino- it. The apparatus, in part the invention of the owner, was 
 
APPENDIX. o05 
 
 an ingenious one, but very wasteful in its j)rocess ; yet the propri- 
 etor expected to make nine thousand pounds of sugar and several 
 hundred gallons of molasses this year. I tasted the sirup, which, 
 owing, I presume, to the high temperature, was thinner than I 
 have seen it during the grinding season in Louisiana. Some of 
 the sugar of last year's crop was as light in color and as well 
 granulated as the best Porto Rico I have seen. I scarce think, 
 however, that sugar can to any extent be profitably cultivated, 
 owing to the deficiency of capital and the consequent want of 
 machinery. 
 
 Coffee will, I think, become eventually the great staple of this 
 section of country. The tree grows indigenous, can be transplan- 
 ted with ease, and requires little care in cultivation ; and, where it 
 is not extensively grown, its berry may be gathered as a pastime by 
 women and children. I was shown one sample raised on the St. 
 Paul's and tried another gathered in Monrovia. The last, which I 
 did not see in the berry, was excellent ; but I cannot sustain the 
 assertion that it is better than the Mocha. The former was of a 
 clear light color, and the grains were the largest I hive ever seen ; 
 I am not aware, however, that the large size of the grain, isperse, 
 an indication of superior quality. 
 
 From all that I could observe or learn from others, a taste for 
 agriculture is becoming prevalent; and I cannot give a better idea 
 of the prosperity of the settlements on the St. Paul's, than by 
 stating that cleared land fronting on the river sells at from $40 to 
 $50 per acre. Some of the country seats looked beautiful from the 
 river, and their names are characteristic of their owners ; some being 
 unpretending but expressive; some classic, and some scriptural — 
 " Pleasant View,'' " Iconium," and '-Mount Horeb." 
 
 Opposite to Caldwell is the settlement of New Virginia ; where 
 in 1847, the government of the United States built a receptacle for 
 liberated Africans. Higher up are Kentucky, Heddington and 
 Millsburg. Heddington was fiercely attacked by the natives in 
 1841, and gallantly defended by a missionary and one of the colo- 
 nists; the leader of the assailants was killed and his party dis- 
 persed. These four are little more than a close contiguity of small 
 farms ; but Millsburg, at the head of navigation, and the farthest 
 inland settlement in Liberia, is a flourishing village an»l missionary 
 
 2(i* 
 
806 APPENDIX. 
 
 school station ; and on the opposite side of the river is the mission 
 of '• White Plains." 
 
 From its situation, Millsburg must be comparatively healthy, and 
 is certainly beautiful. The river, separated by an island into two 
 channels, there forces itself over a rocky ledge with the rushing 
 sweep and hoarse sound of a rapid. The ledge is, however, a nar- 
 row one, and a channel through it might be blasted with gun- 
 powder, or it could be flanked by a canal. Above the ledge the 
 stream is unobstructed for about ten miles, and the country through 
 which it flows is yet more rolling and beautiful than it is below the 
 rapids. The soil is a rich mould, formed by the vegetable decay 
 of centuries, resting on a substratum of clay, and covered Avith a 
 luxuriant forest. 
 
 At the rapids are a number of islands, clothed with luxuriant 
 vegetation ; and, as was remarked by the lamented Dr. Randall^ 
 the islands differ from each other in their verdure, and from that 
 of the main land. Each one seems to have caught, in th autum- 
 nal inundations, the seeds and roots of particular plants and shrubs 
 brought down from the interior ; for, while diff"ering from those 
 on the main, no two resemble each other in their peculiar foliage. 
 Above the islands the country is represented as most beautiful, 
 bearing trees of immense size, clear of undergrowth, and having 
 their branches interwoven with vines, and decorated with gaudy 
 parasitic plants, forming a shade impervious to the sun, and im- 
 parting a coolness to the atmosphere which is truly delightful. 
 The stream, irregular in its Avidth, sometimes forces its Avay through 
 fissures in the rocks, and at others forms deep pools, where the 
 water is so transparent that the bottom is distinctly visible. It 
 seems as if the foot of man had never trodden these lovely soli- 
 tudes, where the silence is only interrupted by the murmuring 
 sound of water, the scream of the fish-haAvk, and the chattering 
 of monkeys pursuing their gambols among the trees. 
 
 This must, however, be taken cum grano sails ; for, in the rainy 
 season the river overfloAvs its banks and inundates the country. 
 
 The riA'er St. Paul's has its source in the same range of hills 
 from Avhich the Karamanka issues ; and by barometrical measure- 
 ment, these hills are 1,400 feet in height, which is about the eleva- 
 tion of the head-AA-aters of the Mississippi. The scenery of the 
 
APPENDIX. ?>07 
 
 upper St. Paul's will, therefore, compare with that of the Kara- 
 manka, although more than two degrees intervene between their 
 outlets. 
 
 The late Major Laing thus describes the country bordering on 
 the latter river: 
 
 " The valleys are picturesque and fertile, and are watered by 
 numerous rivulets, which, running from north to south, collect 
 behind the loft}' hill of Botato, and contribute in swelling the river 
 Karamanka. I was frequently induced to stop to contemplate the 
 lovely scene around me, consisting of extensive meadows clothed 
 Avith verdure ; fields from which the springing rice was sending 
 forth its vivid shoots, not inferior in beauty and health to the 
 corn-fields of England in March, interspersed here and there with 
 a patch of ground studded with palm trees; while the neighboring 
 hills, some clothed with rich foliage — some exhibiting a bald and 
 weather-beaten appearance, formed a noble theatre around me. 
 We left the town of Nijiniah, on the Karamanka, and having walked 
 an hour and three-quarters, gained the summit of one of the hills; 
 and in one direction, on the opposite side, a scene quite panoramic 
 broke upon the view ; an extensive valley, parti}' cultivated and 
 partly covered with a long natural grass, about five feet high, with 
 lines of stately palm-trees, as regular as if laid out by art, and 
 here and there a cluster of camwood trees, their deep shade afford- 
 ing a relief to the lighter hue of the smaller herbage. 
 
 " These, with a murmuring rivulet, meandering through the 
 centre, exhibited the appearance of a well cultivated and tastefully 
 arranged garden, rather than a tract amid the Avilds of Africa ; 
 whilst in the distance, mountain towered above mountain in all the 
 grandeur and magnificence of nature." 
 
 Without being so Avide or so impetuous in its current, there is 
 much in the St. Paul's (one feature excepted) to suggest what 
 might have been the appearance of the Mississippi above La 
 Eourche, and below Baton Rouge, before the less pretending houses 
 of the Creole planters were displaced by the stately mansions of 
 the present proprietors. 
 
 The St. Paul's connects, it is said, Avith .Hall-cape Mount river 
 by a branch that runs parallel with the coast, and both abound in 
 fish and a small species of the ^^ Ilippopotanni^ liberiensis^'' thus 
 named by the late Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, from crania' sent to 
 
308 APPENDIX. 
 
 him by Dr. Gohecu. This animal is said to be extremely tenacious 
 of life, and, except to gunpowder and ball, almost invulnerable. 
 When injured he becomes dangerous ; but if unmolested, never, 
 the natives say, attacks any one. The flavor of the flesh is des- 
 cribed as intermediate between that of veal and beef. 
 
 About seventy miles from Millsburg, in a direction a little east 
 of north, is Boporah, a large native town, formerly containing 
 more than a thousand houses, fortified with a strong barricade. 
 The path to it leads through a dense forest, in which there are 
 elephants and a great many other wild animals. For the first fifty 
 miles there are no villages, and the only natives met with are the 
 elephant hunters, who are numerous, and represented as friendly. 
 The St. Paul's passes within twenty-five miles of the town, wind- 
 ing, in its course, among many islands. 
 
 We landed just below Bassa Point, near the dwelling of a colo- 
 nist. It was recently built, in a clearing in the midst of a grove 
 of palm-trees ; and I found him, with three or four natives in his 
 employment, busied in extracting from the palm-nut the rich oil 
 it yields. After resting a short time under his thatched roof, with 
 the assistance of his laborers, we dragged the boat up the high 
 shelving bank, and over a narrow strip of sand, and launched her 
 in the South Junk, which, flowing nearh' parallel with the coast, 
 imites with the other branches just inside the bar. 
 
 From thence we pulled over to the village of Marshall, on the 
 northern bank, about half a mile frouk the river's mouth. This 
 was the last settlement made by the parent Colonization Society 
 in Liberia. It is elevated about forty feet above the river, and its 
 situation is a fine one in appearance ; but the soil around it is 
 poor, and the place far from flourishing. Originally laid out on 
 an enlarged plan, it now contains but thirty or fort}' houses, built 
 along the river bank — a few of them frame buildings, but most of 
 them plastered mud-walls, with thatched roofs — manj^ presenting 
 a dilapidated appearance. 
 
 The only article of export I saw was a quantity of lime, made 
 from the oyster-shell upon the shore ; and I was assured that this 
 place wholly supplies Monrovia, and partly the other settlements 
 with this invaluable building material. Oysters are plentiful here ; 
 but they are only palatable when cooked ; and the river abounds 
 with mullet. There is some small traffic here with the natives in 
 
I 
 
 APPENDIX. HOD 
 
 camwood, palm-oil, and a little ivory; l)ut it is much interfered 
 with by dealers from Monrovia. 
 
 It being Sunday when I arrived, after conversing with some of 
 the citizens, I accepted an invitation to attend church, and there 
 heard a sermon from a venerable colored preacher which I shall 
 not soon forget. I have heard many stereotyped sermons, but 
 never one to move me as much as this. The distant booming of 
 the surf on one side, through which I had to pass to rejoin my 
 companions, and the dark, teeming forest upon the other, tended 
 no doubt, to enhance the solemnity of the scene ; for, seated upon 
 a rush floor beneath a roof of thatch, as I listened to the earnest 
 tones of the feeble old man, I never felt more impressed with a 
 sense of my own undeserving. I mention this, because I conceive 
 that I should withhold nothing which may convey a correct idea of 
 the impressions made on me in Liberia. In a personal sense, these 
 impressions are insignificant and wholly unworthy of record. 
 Their only importance is derived from the scene which gave them 
 birth, and from the inference to be drawn from it, that Christianity 
 has its exemplars in benighted Africa, as well as in our own more 
 favored land. 
 
 About a mile above the settlement is the confluence of two 
 streams — the Red Junk, flowing down from the north, and the 
 Junk, or main stream from the east. The Red Junk, near its 
 source, is connected with the eastern branch of the Mesurado by 
 a narrow portage. At the junction the banks of both streams 
 are low and bordered with mangrove thickets. 
 
 About two miles up the Red Junk there is a native vilUige, and 
 from thence the banks become more elevated and present a more 
 attractive appearance. The palm trees become more frequent, 
 and, in the space of twenty miles, the scene is enlivened by a 
 number of villages— the light green leaves of the banana indicating 
 their locality long before the brown roofs become visible. The 
 course of the stream is winding, and its width various ; at times 
 but 150 to 200 yards, with comparatively high banks, and again 
 spreading out to nearly a mile in width, with low and sedgy shores. 
 The vegetation is very luxuriant and much diversified in its 
 character. The scenery of the river's banks is described as rich 
 beyond conception. 
 
 '' Trees of singular form and foliage spring from the deep, rich 
 
310 APPENDIX. 
 
 soil, and rear their heads to an amazing height ; while their 
 branches are covered with a beautiful drapery of vines, forming a 
 dense shade, and hanging, in many places, to the surface of the 
 water." 
 
 Looking closely at these trees, a large black knot is occasion- 
 ally seen swelling irregularly out of the branch to which it attach- 
 es. It would be set down as a fungus, but that a more scrutini- 
 zing glance detects the head of a snake projected above the coil, 
 in an attitude of menacing vigilance. On the near approach of 
 the boat every fold is shaken out, as by a single effort, and the 
 snake precipitates itself into the water and disappears. It is the 
 well known black snake, measuring from four to six feet in length 
 and two to four inches in diameter, which frequents the banks of 
 rivers, and is said, by the natives, to be amphibious. 
 
 The fertility of the soil, combined with the presence of moisture, 
 gives a peculiar depth and vividness of green to the foliage ; and 
 the stream as smooth as a polished mirror, reflects the variegated 
 beauties which clothe its banks. Occasionally a light native ca- 
 noe shoots down with the current, or paddles up stream, close 
 along the shore ; while among the trees a short distance back, 
 monkeys are seen springing from limb to limb, in pursuance of 
 their gambols. As on the St. Paul's and the Mesurado, the stran- 
 ger is little annoyed by mosquitoes and flies, and is struck with 
 the scarcity of birds and flowers. 
 
 In the rainy season the first deficiency may be more than satis- 
 factorily supplied, and the moist gloomy shades of the forest are 
 unfit nurseries for flowers, which thrive best in a light soil where 
 they can expand their petals to the sun. 
 
 Of the birds to be seen in the recesses of the wood, very few 
 are gifted with melodious notes ; but by the compensatory law of 
 nature, some of them are magnificent in their plumage. Of these, 
 the sun-bird, scarce larger than our smallest humming-bird, with 
 its scarlet breast, tinged straw-color at the edges, its emerald 
 throat and back, and dove colored wings, and a tail longer than 
 its body, is the most beautifully conspicuous. Others I saw wholly 
 of one color — some of the deepest indigo-blue, and others a rich 
 tinted orange. But they partook of the spirit of the solitude in 
 Avhich they dwelt, and flitted silentl}^ from tree to tree before the 
 footsteps of the intruder. 
 
APPENDIX. oil 
 
 Like the Red Junk, the Junk proper has low banks, bordered 
 with mangroves for about three miles from the junction, where 
 the shore rises on each side and the soil becomes fertile, occasion- 
 ally presenting a slight elevation, on each side of which is a set- 
 tlement comprising three farms of colonists and two native villages. 
 
 The river averages about 300 yards in width to King Kymo- 
 cree's village — a collection of twelve or fourteen low-pitched, mud- 
 plastered huts, with projecting thatched roofs and uneven clay 
 floors. In the centre of the floor is the fireplace — the only outlet 
 for the smoke being the low and narrow door-way, near which 
 the inmates are always, by preference seated. The principal 
 building, in front of which the king held his audience, was built 
 of wattled cane ; but not plastered, being open all around. About 
 six feet from the floor were cross-pieces ; on which up to the roof, 
 was piled rice in the sheaff, to be dried by the smoke of the coun- 
 cil fire. The king is short of stature, but with a muscular frame ; 
 and his features altogether are more of the true negro type than I 
 have thus far seen in Africa. He was cordial and communica- 
 tive : and the colonists represented him as a staunch friend and 
 ally, having in the late war borne arms gallantly in their behalf. 
 He possesses a number of villages — the male inhabitants, like 
 those of the one we were in, being nearly all absent some distance 
 inland, clearing land preparatory to sowing rice. He presented 
 us to three of his wives and six or eight children ; declaring that 
 the latter were so numerous, that he did not know them all by 
 sight. His tribe is one of the many ramifications of the Bassas, of 
 whom I will speak further on. 
 
 From the Junk to the St. John's river the coast preserves its south- 
 east direction, with the same monotonous features, except some 
 red and white cliff's which abut upon the shore below the former; 
 and inland the range of Bassa hills and the insolated Mount 
 St. John, which become visible on approaching the latter river. 
 
 We anchored off the mouth of the St. Johns too late to enter it 
 by daylight. On the following morning Ave started for the shore, 
 and passed a Liberian schooner, bound to Monrovia with a cargo 
 of palm oil, and an English cutter coming up from the southward, 
 we steered for the opening in the line of beach, where, with a 
 graceful curve and a rapid sweep, the river finds an outlet ; and, 
 crossing the bar on a heavy roller, we landed at Buchanan. 
 
312 APPENDIX. 
 
 Within the bar are concentrated the waters of three rivers : the 
 Mechlin, flowing from the north ; the St. John's, from the north- 
 east ; and the Benson river from the east. This great body of ac- 
 cumulated water is forced through a passage narrower than the 
 principal stream ; and when the tide is ebb and the wind blows 
 fresh upon the shore, there is drawn across it a line of terrific 
 breakers. At this season, however, the winds are ordinarily light, 
 and with a skilful pilot the bar can be passed in safety. 
 
 On the sandy peninsula between the Mechlin and the sea, just 
 within the confluence, some thirty feet above the water, is the 
 village of Edina ; the streets contiguous to and running parallel 
 with the river. This settlement consists of a church and some 
 twenty or thirty dwellings, of Avhich the former and three-fourths 
 of the latter are frame buildings ; the rest are thatched huts. 
 
 On Benson river, adjoining the toAvn, there Avas a small steam 
 saw-mill in operation , and in the cove beyond it, one small ves- 
 sel was hauled up for repairs, and two others were anchored in 
 the stream. 
 
 Between the Benson river and the confluent streams, before they 
 mingle with the sea, Buchanan is built, on wide streets running 
 parallel Avith the beach, and they are less encumbered with weeds 
 than those of Edina. Unprotected by whitewash or paint, the 
 houses all present a dingy, semi-dilapidated appearance, except 
 the house of Judge Benson, on the south side of the cove ; which 
 looks fresh and beautiful, embowered; as it is, in an extensive 
 grove of coflFee-trees. 
 
 The St. John's river is as wide as would be the united streams 
 of the Mechlin and the Benson. It is half a mile Avide at the es- 
 tuary ; and for a mile further up, is fringed Avith the mangrove. — 
 Thence it gradually lessens in width, and at the distance of three 
 miles is divided into tAvo channels by Factory Island, on Avhich 
 Mr. Ashmun contemplated forming a settlement. Above the 
 island the river narroAvs more rapidly, and does not exceed 200 
 yards in Avidth at Bexley, a missionary school station, and rather a 
 farming settlement than a village, seven miles from the river's 
 mouth. 
 
 Opposite to the mission is the toAvn of " King Soldier'' a vener- 
 able and friendly old man, upAvards of one hundred years old. — 
 A little above is another island, half a mile bevond AA'hich is the 
 
APPENDIX. 313 
 
 head of navigation, where the immediate banks are about twelve 
 feet high. 
 
 The scenery is the same as that on the Junks, except that there 
 are more frequent indications of agricultural improvement. After 
 the mangrove ceases, the soil is a yellow clay ; and the principal 
 growth on and near the water's edge is a medium sized tree, from 
 its peculiar properties called the soap-tree ; and the more lofty 
 pullam or Avild cotton tree, the sassy-wood tree, and the palm tree. 
 The qualities of the soap-tree are the same as those Herodotus 
 mentions, of the shavings of which the Scythian women made a soft 
 paste, whei'ewith they plastered their bodies, and stripped it oft' again 
 when quite dry; by whichmeans the skin Avas thoroughly cleansed. 
 One of the farm-houses at which I stopped was finely situated 
 on a rolling piece of ground, some eighty feet above and one hun- 
 dred and fifty yards distant from the river. It was well furnished 
 and contained two rooms and a kitchen below stairs, and an attic 
 sleeping-room above. It was the workmanship of the owner — an 
 emigrant from Staunton, in Virginia ; and the neat, yet strong 
 stairway of wattled cane, and the partitions made of rushes, 
 attested his industry an^d skill ; while a small, but good library, 
 proved that he possessed yet other resources. Himself, his wife 
 and daughter, made the same declaration, which, with two excep- 
 tions (and those unprotected females,) I have heard from many 
 others — that nothing could induce them to again take uj) their 
 residence in the United States. 
 
 On the banks of the river between Buchanan and Bcxley, are 
 the farms of eight or ten colonists, with as many native settlements, 
 and I think that I counted two brick-kilns ; but, as on the branches 
 of the Junk and the St. Paul's, the settlements extend only a short 
 distance ])ack from the river. Including Bexley, there are 250 
 colonists on the St. John's above Buchanan. 
 
 The mission-house, just below the settlement of Bexley, is a fine 
 two-story frame building, occupied at the time of my visit by two 
 male and three female missionaries. They liad arrived a month 
 previous, and were still in the enjoyment of excellent health. Al- 
 though unprovided with a physician, they spoke cheerfully of 
 their prospects, and^ expressed gratification at finding things so 
 much better than they had anticipated. 
 
 27 
 
314 APPENDIX. 
 
 I felt a glow of pride, tempered with sympathy, as I looked upon 
 my countrymen and countrj^Avomen periling all earthly hopes in 
 such a noble cause. This is true heroism — the chivalry of the 
 gospel ! For warlike achievements, men are almost deified ; while 
 the self-sacrificing missionary, who foregoes all the comforts of 
 life, and, with the cross for his banner, boldly penetrates the cloud 
 which overshadows this continent, and encounters certain sick- 
 ness, and death more or less premature, for the benefit of a be- 
 nighted race, — the missionary is rarely named, except with the 
 final enunciation, " 3Iortuus est." 
 
 There is a considerable tract of land under cultivation at Bexley. 
 I could not ascertain how much its produce has increased ; but 
 some years ago it yielded GOO lbs. of coffee ; nearly 3, 000 lbs. of gin- 
 ger; 1,100 baskets of sweet potatoes; 1,200 lbs. of arrow root: 
 and 300 bushels of cassada. There were raised, besides, a great 
 many fowls, and some sheep, goats, and cattle. 
 
 Beyond the rajjids, the St. John's is navigable by canoes six 
 miles further; from whence it is about ten miles to the base of 
 Mount St. John ; beyond which is a broad valley, bounded on the 
 east by elevated ridges. 
 
 The principal forest growth beyond the head of navigation is 
 camwood, bastard mahogany, African hickory, two kinds of wis- 
 niore — both admirably adapted for articles of furniture — and the 
 oak, diff'ering essentially from the species found from the tropics 
 nearly to the polar circles, Avhicli is, throughout those regions, a 
 cosmopolite of vegetation, being alike in its fruit, although much 
 diversified in growth and the form of its leaves. 
 
 From thirty to fifty miles from the sea is one uninterrupted 
 camwood forest; and the wood is used by the natives as fuel, and 
 for building purposes. They fell the trees, and split them up into 
 billets fifteen or sixteen inches loi^, which they carry in bundles 
 on their heads to the nearest point of canoe navigation. Instead 
 of this slow and laborious process, it is strange that it has never 
 occurred to them to launch the trees, denuded of their branches, 
 and raft them down the river. The whole world might be supplied 
 with camwood rafted down the St. John's. 
 
 Most of the land bordering upon the sea has been, at different 
 times, under cultivation : but after yielding the first crop, a piece of 
 land is abandoned, and a new clearing made for the succeeding one. 
 
APPENDIX. 315 
 
 As a natural consequence, a rapid growth of vegetation supervenes 
 in the deserted field, and it becomes, in a few years, a tangled 
 thicket of trees and shrubs, bound together with the lacings of in- 
 terminable vines and creepers. Added to which, from the inces- 
 sant wars heretofore the purpose of supplying the slave trade, the 
 country along the coast has been half depopulated. Thus stripped 
 of a great part of its primitive growth, and cultivated only in spots 
 detached and distant from each other, the general aspect of the 
 coast is that of a forest of dense and matted trees and shrubbery, 
 almost destitute of its original characteristics. 
 
 In ascending the rivers, however, a wholly different scene pre- 
 sents itself. The primitive forest, in all its native grandeur, 
 covers the earth ; the graceful palm-tree waves its feathery branches 
 in the breeze, and the lofty wisniore and huge bastard mahogany 
 rear high their towering heads, while among the green foliage is 
 seen the gay coloring of blossoms on many a stately tree, which 
 give a kaleidoscopic varietj* to the deep embowering Avood. Far 
 up the streams, the eye is charmed with the ever-varied landscape, 
 thedense trees which overhang the banks, their towering height 
 and majestic size, the vivid hues of their foliage, and the sombre 
 shade, despite the rays of an unclouded sun. 
 
 The profound stillness which prevails in these solitudes was dis- 
 turbed at our approach, not only by the harsh grating of the oars 
 in the rowlocks, but also by the wild and not unmclodious songs 
 of the boatmen, which caused the basking crocodile to plunge into 
 the stream, the monkey to retire into the recesses of the wood, 
 and the fish-hawk to seek another position from Avhcncc to pounce 
 upon his prey. 
 
 The territory of Little Bassa has many subdivisions, under as 
 many names. It is compressed nearly into the form of a triangle 
 by the Atlantic and the branches of the Junk and St. John's 
 rivers ; and is also a peninsula, as these streams approach each 
 other very nearly in the interior. The country abounds in cam- 
 wood and palm-oil, and the demand for the last is rapidly increas- 
 ing, as it is now used instead of Russian tallow in the manufacture 
 of soap. Hundreds of tons of camwood, and many thousand 
 gallons of oil, are annually shipped from these rivers. 
 
 The new clearings on the river-banks, the steam saw-mill at 
 Buchanan, the vessels in the cove, and the buildings under con- 
 
316 APPENDIX. 
 
 struction, attest, with the exception of Ediua, that the settlements 
 on the St. John's are flourishing. 
 
 About tliree miles further down the beach from Buchanan is 
 Fishtown, now being resettled, where there are twenty houses 
 under construction, and a considerable tract of land cleared for 
 cultivation. In the environs of the former, and on the road to the 
 latter, I saw a number of cattle, larger in size than those of Mon- 
 rovia. Their excellent condition verified the statement of respecta- 
 ble settlers that the neighborhood is a fine grass country. 
 
 The landing-place at Bassa Cove is protected from the sweep of 
 the southwest wind, the prevalent one during the rainy season, by 
 Grand Bassa Point, which bends to the north and renders the 
 landing safe, except during a northerly^ wind. Unfortunately, 
 when I left, the wind blew from that quarter, driving a heavy sea 
 before it. It was near night-fall when I embarked in a canoe, to 
 be conve^'ed through the surf to the boat, which lay beyond the 
 outer breakers. I took my seat in the little dug-out, which was 
 so light that I could have carried it upon my shoulders, while two 
 natives, one standing at each end, kept it from being swerved en- 
 tirely round and filled with water, as the waves broke upon the 
 shore and washed knee-deep beyond them. As each wave receded 
 the two men pointed the bow anew in the right direction, and then 
 stretching themselves up to the greatest height, watched the forming 
 crest of the succeeding roller, for an opportunity to launch forth 
 and attempt a passage. It was necessary that those Avho had me 
 in charge should not for one moment be distracted; a few friendly 
 colonists, unable to resist, stood a short distance back therefore 
 and watched our proceedings in silence. The scene to them 
 must have been a wild and impressive one ; the tiny canoe, the 
 dusky forms of the natives, now and then shown in striking con- 
 trast as an angry breaker broke upon the shore, and sent its 
 seething foam far up the beach, and the troubled sea beyond with 
 the boat in the foreground, tossing confusedly upon it. 
 
 We waited so long for an opportunity, that the ship, at first 
 dimly visible in the distance, became lost in the fast increasing 
 obscurity ; and the boat beyond the line of surf could only be dis- 
 tinguished as a dark speck upon the surface. 
 
 At last there was a sudden shout, a push, a plunge, a 
 rocking violently from side to side, a rapid play of the paddles 
 
I 
 
 APPENDIX. 317 
 
 which seemed more like -wild gesticulations than a concerted 
 movement : and, after a few moments' pitching and tossing, more 
 than I ever pitched and tossed before, I found myself alongside the 
 boat, and the canoe half filled with water. 
 
 It Avas a long, cold, uncertain pull afterwards to the ship, four 
 miles distant, against a high wind and lieavy sea, and without a 
 compass, which, from fear of losing it by the upsetting of the 
 canoe, had been left upon the shore. We were soon, however, 
 favored with a beacon ; for a lantern was hoisted on board the 
 ship. About an hour afterwards a blue light was burned ; and in 
 an hour more we pulled alongside, the Kroomen too weary to keep 
 up their customary song. 
 
 The next morning Ave sailed for Sinou, eighty miles further 
 down the coast, a Liberian schooner taking her departure also for 
 the south a few hours before us. The two canoemen, my com- 
 panions of the night before, came otf to bring the compass, and 
 receive a compensation for their services. They also brought a 
 specimen of coffee from Judge Benson's plantation, for exhibition 
 at the NcAV York Crystal Palace. 
 
 The Bassa tribe occupies the coast and an indefinite distance in- 
 land, from the Mesurado to Settra Kroo, below Sinou. AH the 
 colonial settlements of Liberia are Avithin the territory of this tribe. 
 With this tribe, therefore, they are better acquainted, having daily 
 and hourly intercourse Avith them ; nearly all the residents, natives 
 of the settlement, being members of tliis large tribe, estimated to 
 number 100,000 ! all speaking Avith little variation, the same lan- 
 guage ; their physical conformation, pursuits, manners, architec- 
 ture, superstitions, and productions of the country, presenting a 
 striking uniformity. This tribe, like others on the coast, embrace 
 a great many subdivisions, under petty chiefs, of from 15 to 20 
 miles square, but forming combinations, to mure or less extent, by 
 general custom and superstitious laAvs, continually harassing each 
 other by family quarrels and petty jealousies. They arc neverthe- 
 less, industrious in their habits, not fond of AA'andering far from 
 their homes, and are imitatiA'e and desirous of improvement. 
 
 Wars occasionally take place between tAvo or more of the sub- 
 divisions : but Avhen they have occurred heretofore, the slave 
 trade Avas generally the exciting cause. With the extinction of that 
 
 27* 
 
318 APPENDIX, 
 
 direful cause, its lamentable consequences it is hoped, may be 
 hereafter averted 
 
 Every town and village has its headman, "who is subject to a 
 king — generally an old man, to whom, as well as to the aged in 
 general, great respect is paid. These kings and headmen do not 
 appear to exercise despotic authority. ^ An accused person is tried 
 by the ordeal of drinking red water, a decoction of sassywood, or 
 by a general palaver, which decides the innocence or guilt, and 
 determines the punishment. 
 
 Their towns are assemblages of small conical huts, placed 
 without order, sometimes on the banks of rivers, but are most 
 frequently hidden bj^ the surrounding woods, to which they re- 
 treat when attacked by an enemy. These towns exhibit much 
 pleasing harmony and good nature, having altogether the order 
 and features of one great family. Polygamy is universal, the 
 number of wives being the measure of a man's wealth ; jet nothing 
 like indiscriminate licentiousness is to be seen. The men per- 
 form no servile labor, but pass most of the j^ear in careless indo- 
 lence, except the months of February, March, and April, when the 
 towns appear to be deserted by them, excepting one or two hoary- 
 headed patriarchs ; all others being busied in cleaning and burning 
 off their farms. 
 
 At this time the whole line of coast presents an interesting 
 spectacle from the sea — volumes of smoke by day, and numerous 
 blazing fires at night. The planting of rice and cassada is then 
 left to the women, to whom all further labor is resigned until the 
 crops are safely stored in their houses. The men then betake 
 themselves to their usual pursuits and amusements. They often 
 seek employment among the colonists, in order to get a supply of 
 tobacco and cloth for themselves, and beads for the women. When 
 they have anything to sell in the colony, the women, with their 
 children strapped to their backs, carry the articles on their heads, 
 while their lordly husbands walk on before, each bearing a knife 
 or a gun. 
 
 The children soon after their birth are exposed naked to the 
 rays of the sun, and the manner in Avhich they are nursed is any- 
 thing but gentle ; but they are veiy healthy, and few die in infancy. 
 The boys, eleven or twelve years old, completely throw off all 
 maternal restraint, deeming it nnmanlv to be longer controlled by 
 
APPENDIX. 'no 
 
 II ■woman. Nothing will make a native boy in the service of the 
 colonists run away sooner than being struck by a female. 
 
 Their mechanical and agricultural implements are exceedingly 
 simple — the latter being merely a hatchet for the men to cut down 
 the bushes and trees ; and a small hoe, three inches broad, for the 
 woman to plant the rice with, which, when the fruit is ripe, is cut 
 down with a common knife. Tliey cook rice admirably, and all 
 their peculiar dishes are highly seasoned with pepper. They live 
 principally on vegetables, but are fond of animal food — snakes, 
 guanas and monkeys being among their highest luxuries; and 
 they are accused of not being averse to cats and dogs. Smoking 
 and drinking palm wine (and rum, when it can be had) is the 
 summum bonum of their existence. They rarely, however, drink to 
 excess; but are fond of games of hazard, Avhich they play with 
 large beans. They do not gamble, however, to the extent of some 
 tribes in the interior, who first stake one limb, and then another, 
 until the whole body is forfeit, and the unsuccessful player becomes 
 the slave of his antagonist. 
 
 By the labor of the missionaries a syllabic alphabet has been 
 constructed for the Bassa language, which, although harsh, is 
 metaphorical; the figures being drawn from natural objects. It 
 is believed that there exists a similarity of construction, and no 
 great disparity in the elementary sounds of the languages of the 
 tribes extending from the Gallinas to Cape Palmas. Such alpha- 
 bets, therefore, may prove extensively and eminently useful. 
 
 Between the St. John's and the Sinou river there are several 
 streams coming down from the interior, but, all are shallow and 
 mostly difficult of access. First, the "New Cess," where was the 
 last slave mart between Cape Mount and Cape Palmas. There are 
 here masses of sienite upon the beach and a range of hills stretch- 
 ing inland. Next, the "Little Culloh," south of the highland 
 peak, and accessible to boats in fair weather, and with a good 
 landing' just below it. Then follows the "Grand Culloh" river, 
 with its entrance barred up at this season ; and the " Terabo," 
 which has a good landing on its southern beach; "Sestos" river, 
 Avhere a slave factory was long established; the "New" river, 
 coming in by "Diabolito rockj" the "Broom" river, at the mouth 
 of which is Bahyah rock, sixty feet above the sea ; and the "Sang- 
 
320 APPENDIX. 
 
 win" and the '' Grand Bouton" rivers, tlie latter having a bluff 2G0 
 feet on its southern shore, and the " Yulee"' shoal before it. 
 
 There are many rivulets besides these streams, all pouring down, 
 even in this dry season, immense volumes of water, but none of 
 them admitting vessels drawing more than six feet water, except 
 the " Sangwin," which at the flood has upwards of ten feet water 
 upon its bar, within which it is spread out and is navigable but 
 for a short distance. 
 
 From the Sangwin to Nifou is the Kroo country, inhabited by 
 an interesting race. The extent of thei» territory inland is not 
 accurately known, but supposed not to exceed twenty miles, as 
 they have no towns, except upon the coast. The general aspect of 
 the country is champagne, and it is densely wooded, but mostly 
 free from marshes. Its chief vegetable productions are rice, cas- 
 sada, yams, and plantains. The rice which it produces is valued 
 by traders along the coast for its superior whiteness. The rivers 
 which run through it are not large, and do not probably rise at 
 any great distance from the coast, although the Kroomen, whose 
 ideas of distance are far from exact, represent them as extending 
 a great way inland. They are full of banks and shoals which ob- 
 struct navigation. 
 
 In the Kroo country there are but five towns: "Little Kroo," 
 the northernmost; "Settra Kroo," the chief tovrn: "Kroo Bah," 
 " Nanaki'oo," and " Willstown." A fcAV small villages inhabited 
 by strangers or slaves, are said to be scattered over the intermedi- 
 ate space, and at a greater distance from the shore, for the purpose 
 of cultivating the land. This small district is considered more 
 populous than any along the coast. The inhabitants are employed 
 by all the vessels trading between Cape Mesurado and Cape Pal- 
 mas as factors, interpreters, and as auxiliaries to the crcAvs, to save 
 them from exposure in boats. The Kroomen who thus employ 
 themselves are seldom less than fifteen or more than forty years of 
 age. Those who remain at home are chiefly employed in agricul- 
 ture and a few in fishing. They rear also a few cattle. The land 
 seems to form a common stock, and not to descend by inheritance. 
 Each man settles where he pleases, and the labor is performed 
 chiefly by the women, assisted by domestic slaves. 
 
 The commerce of the Kroomen is carried on principally by bar- 
 ter, and the articles in g-reatest demand among them are leaf- 
 
APPENDIX. •)-! 
 
 tobacco, cotton cloth, handkerchiefs, lire-arms, knives, and Ijar 
 iron. The last they manufiicture into implements of husbandry. 
 For these articles they exchange palm-oil, a little ivory and rice, 
 and occasionally supply ships with fire-wood, plantains, cassada, 
 and sometimes with bullocks. They paddle in very small canoes 
 to ships eight or ten miles from the shore, with not more of these 
 articles than will procure for them a few leaves of tobacco — 
 counting their toil and hazard as nothing. Their chief article of 
 barter, however, is their labor to captains and traders on the coast. 
 This is the source from whence they derive by far the greater por- 
 tion of their imported 'commodities. They have long been the 
 exclusive intermediate dealers between vessels trading on this part 
 of the coast and the people of the interior ; and while the slave 
 trade flourished, it employed a great many hands. Since the abo- 
 lition of that trade, they have sought other lines of service ; and 
 at Sierra Leone, 350 miles to the north, there were 800 of them 
 employed in one year. The form of their government is monarchi- 
 cal; but the "oZ(Z me/i'— the aristocracy of the country — possess 
 considerable influence, and the power of the monarch is small, 
 except when supported by them. Each town has a chief, who is 
 designated as king to strangers ; but there is one chief who is 
 considered superior, and rules over the whole. The power, how- 
 ever, of the superior chief is very great in his own district, and 
 the office, it is probable, is hereditary. At the same time the chil- 
 dren of the greater chiefs work as laborers in clearing the ground, 
 while they are young men, in exactly the same manner as the lowest 
 of the people; nor are they to be distinguished on ordinary occa- 
 sions by their attire, or by superior respect being paid to them. 
 
 With respect to the principal monarch, his power is seldom 
 exercised; and instead of being the source of all authority, the 
 fountain of justice, the original proprietor and ultimate heir to all 
 the land, he is in general no more than the last referee in impor- 
 tant disputes, and the person in whose name business with other 
 tribes or countries is transacted. A general war must be carried 
 on in his name, but independent of the concurring voice of those 
 headmen who possess the greatest share of talent and activity. 
 His power is probably far less than that of some of his subordi- 
 nate chiefs. This remark applies not only to the Kroomcn, but to 
 all the African tribes not of the Mohammedan faith. 
 
322 APPENDIX. 
 
 A king usually names a vice-king, who, on the death of the 
 former, succeeds him in sovereign authority. A mourning cry of 
 several days' continuance takes place on the death of a king, 
 during which time the succession is arranged. The bodj' of a 
 deceased king must be interred with the honors due to his rank 
 before his successor can be recognized. The possession of the 
 body is therefore the first thing aimed at by competitors for the 
 throne. 
 
 Wars are not frequent among them ; but the inhabitants of the 
 different towns sometimes have very serious quarrels. When at 
 war, all Kroomen who are made prisoners are released on the 
 payment of a ransom. They neither kill nor sell them. Prisoners 
 of other tribes are enslaved or put to death. The submission of 
 Kroomen to their superiors is carried so far, that, if one of the 
 foremen commit a theft, the rest will run any risk, and resist every 
 temptation of reward, rather than reveal it; and if there be no 
 other mode of saving their superior from disgrace and punishment, 
 they will assume the crime, and suffer its penalty. Among them- 
 selves, theft is punished by whipping. The punishment of adultery 
 is by fine. Murder may be punished with death, but it, also, may 
 be atoned for by a pecuniary fine. Witchcraft is always punished 
 capitally; but instances of it are rare. 
 
 Among Kroomen no offence is punishable with slaver^', nor is 
 any Krooman permitted to be sold on any account whatever ; but 
 while the slave trade continued, they were notorious for kidnapping 
 and selling the Bushmen, who came down to the coast for the 
 purpose of trade. 
 
 Kroomen are seldom very tall; but they are well made, mus- 
 cular, vigorous and active. They wear no clothes, except a piece 
 of cloth or a kerchief wrapped around their loins ; but they are 
 fond of obtaining hats and old woollen jackets, which they are 
 allowed to wear in their own country in the rainy season. They 
 are extremely sensible to cold during this season, but never appear 
 to suflFer from the heat. They are generally gay and cheerful in 
 their dispositions, and frequently talkative and noisy, often evinc- 
 ing much talent for mimicry. They seldom speak English well, 
 and they understand it but imperfectl3\ They are very fond of 
 adopting what man-of-war sailors call ''pursers' names," such as 
 " pipe of tobacco," " bottle of beer," " tin pot," " pea soup," " half 
 
APPENDIX. 823 
 
 dollar," "after breakfast," &c. They are very sensitive; and, if 
 harsh and angry expressions are used towards them, become sulky 
 and intractable. But they will bear even a t^liarp blow if their 
 negligence deserves it, provided it seems to be given more in jest 
 than in earnest. 
 
 In their general conduct, they are more deliberate than impet- 
 uous ; and, although not a brave race, they are less cowardly than 
 the tribes immediately above and below them. 
 
 Among themselves they are exceedingly hospitable ; and when 
 absent from their country, those who are unemployed are sup- 
 ported by those who are receiving wages. In their expenditures 
 they are rigid economists, a little tobacco being the only luxury 
 which they allow themselves ; in every other respect, they are 
 content with the bare necessities of life. A small quantity of 
 ship-biscuit was the only article of provisions taken by those who 
 accompanied me in my boat expeditions. Although fond of rum, 
 they never buy it, and never drink to excess when it is given to 
 them ; and their clothing on board of a man-of-war consists only 
 of a flannel shirt and drawers, and a straw hat. On board of 
 trading vessels they wear their shore attire, and the cost of their 
 clothing is insignificant. 
 
 The residue of their gains is converted into such goods as are 
 most valuable in their own country. In eighteen months or two 
 years a sufficient stock has been collected, and the Krooman re- 
 turns home with his Avealth. A certain portion is given to the 
 head man of the town ; all his relations and friends partake of 
 his bounty, if there be but a leaf of tobacco for each ; and his 
 mother, if living, has a handsome present. All this is done in 
 order " to get him a good name ; ' what remains is delivered to 
 his father '• to buy him a wife.' One so liberal does not lung 
 want a partner. The father obtains a Avife for him ; and after a 
 few months of ease and indulgence, he sets off afresh to diflerent 
 parts of the coast, from Sierra Leone to Fernando Po, to get more 
 money. By this time he is proud of being acquainted with " white 
 man's fashions," and takes with him some raw, inexperienced 
 youngsters, Avhoui he initiates into his profession, taking no small 
 portion of the wages of the eleves for his trouble. In due time his 
 coffers are replenished ; he returns home, confirms his former 
 character for liberality, and gives the residue of his wealth to 
 
324 APPENDIX. 
 
 • 
 his father " to get him another wife."' In this way he proceeds for 
 ten or twelve years, or more, increasing the number of his wives, 
 and establishing a great character among his countrymen ; but 
 scarcely a particle of his earnings, except in the article of wires, 
 is at any time applied to his own use. 
 
 A Krooman sometimes presents his favorite wife with one of his 
 front teeth, which he has had extracted for that purpose ; and he 
 mourns for a departed friend by shaving all the hair from the back 
 or one side of his head. 
 
 The name " Krooman" is said to be a corruption of the term 
 " crewmen," because of their general employment among vessels 
 visiting the African coast. Among this people polygamy exists 
 universally, and slavery to some extent; although slaves are 
 bought only from other tribes, and are never sold to foreigners, or 
 to any person out of their own tribe. The houses are built of a 
 square form, of sticks covered Avith bamboo plaited, and the roof 
 of leaf-thatch ; and the floor is of plaited bamboo, raised eighteen 
 inches on cross-pieces ; and the door and loft above are not suffi- 
 ciently high to permit an adult to enter without stooping, or to 
 stand erect. There are generally three rooms in each house, sep- 
 arated by partitions of plaited bamboo. The fire-place is made 
 principally of hard clay, near one corner of the house, where is 
 the only window, which serves both to admit light and open a 
 passage for the smoke. The smoke penetrates the'interstices of 
 the loft above and preserves the rice, which would otherAvise be 
 destroyed by insects. 
 
 Their furniture consists mostly, of a few cooking utensils ; the 
 floor answers for bed, table, and chairs ; their pillow is a round 
 stick of wood. Their dress is a piece of cloth Avrapped about the 
 loins. Their dcA^otions are superstitiously gazing on the moon, 
 and a feast on the first day of the moon, among the head men, 
 and devotional Avalks in a thicket called the " devil's bush ; " and 
 they depend on amulets or gree-grees for protection and defence. 
 The latter are purchased from gree-gree doctors, for different sums 
 of money, according to the purposes for Avhich they are designed. 
 These amulets are sheep's horns, or small pockets, filled Avith 
 herbs, palm-oil, and dirt, made by the conjuror or doctor. These 
 doctors arc a distinct class of men, Avho come into the profession 
 hereditarily — the heads of the families teaching their children the 
 
APPENDIX. S2o 
 
 craft. The children destined to this profession cuter early upon 
 their studies under some doctor — sometimes as early as seven or 
 eight years of age — aud are distinguished by a peculiar straw 
 dress. 
 
 These doctors profess a knowledge of hcrlis and roots, and to 
 have the means of curing diseases, and arc called to relieve the 
 sick and afflicted ; but their greatest reputation is derived from 
 their imagined supernatural knowledge. The Kroo people con- 
 sider death and sickness as caused by witchcraft, and they employ 
 and rely upon the "doctors to point out the person who has, by 
 witchcraft, caused these evils. The person who is designated as 
 guilty of the crime of witchcraft is arrested by the soldier king, 
 and condemned to the ordeal of sassy-wood. The bark of the 
 sassy-wood is powerfully narcotic, and a strong decoction of tliis, 
 the person condemned is forced to drink ; and after he has drank 
 it he walks to and fro, exclaiming, '' Am I a witch ? Am I a 
 witch ? " "While one of the executioners walks behind him re- 
 plying, " You are a witch. You are a witch," and thus continues 
 until he either throws off the poison from his stomach, Avhen he is 
 pronounced innocent, or it o})erates as a cathartic, when he is de- 
 clared guilty, and compelled to take more of the decoction, and is 
 subjected to other cruelties which cause his speedy death. When 
 pronounced innocent, there is great joy and triumph among the 
 friends of the accused, who march through the town dancing, sing- 
 ing, and firing guns, and the conjurer resigns his fee to those who 
 employed him. These shocking scenes of the ordeal of sassy- 
 wood were of almost daily occurrence ii\ former times, l»ut have 
 been much less frc(|uent since the establishment of missions 
 among them. Sometimes this sassy-wood ordeal is used to decide 
 questions between individuals ; and they voluntarily drink it to 
 prove and settle some disputed points. It is one of the most pre- 
 valent and cruel of African superstitions, and is practised among 
 nearly all, if not all, the tribes of Africa. 
 
 The laws of the Kroo people form a body of customs, handed 
 down 1)y tradition from past generations, interpreted and enforced 
 by the general council, Avho also enact occasional special laws, 
 which are generally suggested or dictated by the doctor or conju- 
 rer. The laws are imperfect, inconsistent, and unfair. If one man 
 
 28 
 
326 APPENDIX. 
 
 loses anything and accuses another of having stolen it, the accu- 
 sed is required to drink sassy-wood water to prove his innocence. 
 The ordeal of sassy-wood is, therefore, a penalty for almost all 
 crimes, and exerts a poAyerful restraining influence on the commu- 
 nity. "When the sassy-wood so affects the accused as to condemn 
 him, his friends may buy him off from death for different sums of 
 money, according to the wealth of the family accused ; but few 
 are thus saved, in consequence of the poverty of the friends of 
 the accused, and because, if once rescued, he is liable to be re- 
 accused for any trifling offence. The ordeal of sassy-wood is fre- 
 quently made to decide points of honor, precisely like the custom 
 of duelling in the United States. 
 
 The leading motives of the Kroo people are sensuality and van- 
 ity. The men employed by vessels on the coast, and by traders 
 as factors on shore, are industrious ; but on the plantations, and 
 in their towns, the men are idle, and the women perform most of 
 the labor. The men build the houses and clear the plantations ; 
 but the women plant, watch, cultivate, and gather and beat the 
 rice, and cut and bring the Avood, and perform all the labor about 
 the house ; and especially those who are old and incapable of 
 other labor, are constantly and industriously engaged in making 
 salt, by boiling doAvn sea-water. Salt is a principal article of 
 trade with the" interior tribes. 
 
 The women seldom eat with the men, except a man's head or 
 fiivorite wife, Avho superintends the cooking, and first tastes the 
 food before he partakes of it. 
 
 The system of poh'gamy gives rise to jealousies and many quar- 
 rels among the women. All lawful wives are purchased Avheu 
 children, and, on attaining a suitable age, are taken to their hus- 
 bands. Besides these there is a class of Avomen Avho go and live 
 with any man they choose, and leave him for an}- other at pleasure. 
 When one or more of these leave a man and run to another, the 
 one to Avhom they resort fires guns, and his laAvful Avives rejoice 
 Avith liim ; because they regard it as adding importance to their 
 husband, and it relieves tlicm from a portion of their labor. There 
 appears to be a strong affection between parents and children, 
 and brothers and sisters ; 1)ut iiolygamy dou])tless lessens the 
 atlection betAveen husbands and Avivcs. 
 
 Kroomen are passionate, but coAvardly ; fond of war and hunt- 
 
APPENDIX. 327 
 
 ing, but have little skill in cither. Wlien especially intrusted 
 with property they may be expected to be faithful ; but if they 
 can slyly steal, they are apt to do it ; and in case one of their 
 number informs against the thief, it is the law that the informer 
 shall pay for the stolen property. 
 
 The imports of the Republic of Liberia, on which duties were 
 paid for the year ending September 30, 1851, amounted to §106, 
 000. The exports, of which no account is kept, may be safely es- 
 timated at a much larger sum, as along the entire coast commerce 
 increases rapidly. 
 
 From the Garraway to Cape Palmas is the Atlantic coast of 
 territory settled by the Maryland Colonization Society. At the 
 latter point the coast line tends abruptly to the east, along the 
 Gulf of Guinea, as far as Cape Lahore. Between the Garraway and 
 the first named Cape, besides the hill of Kabla, 290 feet high, near 
 the shore, there are but three elevations visible from the sea, of 
 which Flat Mountain is 1,090 feet in height; all else is level forest. 
 
 Cape Palmas is a bold i^romontory, in a marked geographical 
 position, where the Atlantic suddenly swerves to the left and forms 
 the Gulf of Guinea. From the current Avhich sweeps into the 
 gulf along the coast, all vessels bound in that direction avail 
 themselves of it and pass within sight of the Cape, which must 
 eventually attain great commercial importance. The extremity of 
 the Cape is croAvned with a light-house, and is separated from the 
 main land by the Iloftman river, which has from three to seven 
 feet water upon its bar, and is navigable but a short distance from 
 its mouth. The fine headland, the scattering houses upon its 
 summit, the rocky islet on one side, and on the other, across the 
 river, the wide extent of country, part forest and part prairie, pre- 
 sent, from the anchorage, a beautiful appearance. The rocky islet, 
 formerly used by the natives as a receptacle for their dead, is now 
 called Russworm's island, in honor of the first colored governor of 
 the colony. It is small and irregular in its outlines, the chafing 
 of the sea having worn deep fissures in its sides. Between it 
 and the peninsula is a narrow channel, practicable only for 
 boats. Back of the Cape are seen houses of colonists, and the 
 conical peaks of native huts, which from the sea, aj)pear to be 
 confusedly intermingled. In the distance, shooting up from the 
 plain, or overtopping the woodland, are many detached hills, one 
 
828 APPENDIX. 
 
 of them to the north (Mount Vaughan) rendered conspicuous by 
 the buildings of an Episcopal mission. 
 
 There is here a public farm of sixteen acres, of which ten were 
 in cultivation Avhen I saw it, and the remainder was used as pastu- 
 rage. There were some coffee-trees, and the cassada, sweet pota- 
 toes, plaintains, and Indian corn, were in cultivation. The coffee- 
 trees did not seem to flourish, and altogether the farm presented a 
 less thrifty appearance than it doubtless would have done had it 
 been individual property. It is ever the case, that management by 
 deputy will never compete with the superintending vigilance of 
 the owner. I mean to cast no reflection on Dr. McGill, the colo- 
 nial governor, whose time is engrossed by more i^ressing and 
 important cares. 
 
 In the two colonial settlements there are 122 voters and about 800 
 inhabitants. I Avas there on an election day, and the place was 
 .^uixe lively. The people were in their best attire. The men 
 gathered in groups near the building where the poll was held, 
 while the women stood about in the shade, principally near the 
 stands, where some of their sex displayed, on long tables, cakes, 
 fruit, etc., for sale. 
 
 A short time ago it was unanimousl}" decided to declare the in- 
 dependence of the colony, and this day the voters were assembled 
 to elect commissioners to proceed to the United States and confer 
 with the Maryland Colonization Society on the subject. At the same 
 time delegates were to be elected to a convention for forming a State 
 constitution. This act, seemingly premature, is, I believe, the off- 
 spring of necessity. I am inclined to think so from what I see 
 around me, and am convinced of it by the concurrence of the 
 Society at home, which in most respects has heretofore so wisely 
 directed the affairs of the colony. The election was conducted in 
 a quiet and orderly manner, and I am satisfied that in its climate, 
 soil, geographical position, and the general characters of its set- 
 tlers, this colony possesses the elements of undeveloped prosperity. 
 The settlement has heretofore ]>een retarded in its growth b}' the 
 number of emigrants sent out, who were either infirm in health, 
 feeble from age, or indolent in their habits arid of listless charac- 
 ters — too many recently emancipated from slavery, with no idea of 
 freedom beyond exemption from labor. A better time is approach- 
 ing; and when the colony becomes an independent State, it will 
 
APPENDIX. 329 
 
 compete with its sister republic to the north, in the advantages it 
 presents to the enteri)rising settler. 
 
 In and around Cape Pulnias, for four or five miles from the 
 shore, the soil is a sandy prairie, but soon presents clay covered 
 with vegetable mould ; and in the valle3^s between the clumps of 
 hills, which are seen in every direction, is a rich alluvial soil ca- 
 pable of supporting an immense population. Among these 
 valleys are found most of the native villages. 
 
 It now remains for me to speak of the best place to disembark 
 an exploring party ; the proper inland route ; the precautions to 
 be taken ; and the difficulties to be encountered. 
 
 I consider Monrovia the best place for a party to ride out the 
 fever in. I believe ii to be as healthy as any other settlement in 
 Liberia, and good accommodation and nurses for the sick can 
 there be procured. Besides, the intercourse of its inhabitants with 
 the interior is more frequent, and extends farther inland, than 
 from any other point I am aware of along the coast. Millsburg, 
 at the head of the navigation of the St. Paul's, I recommend as the 
 proper rendezvous, and the point from whence to take up the in- 
 land march. 
 
 Boporah, a populous native town, of Avhich 1 have spoken in 
 this report, lies directly in the path which it seems to me should 
 be pursued, and it should be reached as soon as possible, and 
 made the pivot of operations for advancing inland, and keeping 
 up a comnuinication with the sea-shore. 
 
 The march from Boporah should be regulated l)y the nature of 
 the country, and the distance and direction of the nearest moun- 
 tain range, which must form the water-shed between the tributary 
 streams of the Niger and those which flow into the Atlantic. 
 That range attained, if it trend southeast, as it most probably 
 does, it might be followed to the parallel of Cape Palmas, with a 
 particular eye to the country on its Atlantic slope, and thence the 
 expedition might descend and make its Avay to the sea. 
 
 The obstacles to be encountered would be a dense forest, (through 
 which, in many places, a path could only be cleared with the 
 hatchet,) wild beasts, the frequent morasses, the jealousy and 
 possible treachery of the natives, and sometimes the scarcity of 
 food. 
 
 28* 
 
330 APPENDIX. 
 
 The party should consist of as few whites as possible. The 
 commander ; an officer to take his place, should he perish ; a ph}-- 
 sician, who should also be a naturalist ; and some twelve or fif- 
 teen colonists would perhaps be sufficient. 
 
 The energy of the white man is indispensable for such an under- 
 taking ; but from the hostility of the climate to his race, as few 
 as possible should embark in it. The main body, therefore, should 
 be citizens of Liberia; but as no man of resolution and judgment 
 .would undertake to head them unless they were under military 
 organization, and bound to follow as long as he led the way, I 
 suggest that if an expedition be organized, the government of Li- 
 beria consent to its citizens enlisting under the flag of the United 
 States, and thereby subject themselves to its martial code. — 
 All ought to possess physical stamina, and the whites, especially, 
 should be in the vigor of life, and, if possible, natives of our 
 Southern States. 
 
 I have considered it my duty to collect in my route all the in- 
 formation I could as to the commerce of the places I visited. It 
 has been presented in the body of this report, and few, I presume, 
 are aware of the present magnitude and the annual increase of the 
 commerce of Western Africa. For further information on this 
 subject, I herewith submit the official reports of the British colo- 
 nial possessions, transmitted with the Blue Book to both houses 
 of Parliament. 
 
 Our own proportion of the African trade is very large, and 
 might be rendered yet more extensive by forming treaties with 
 the principal independent tribes along the coast. England has 
 alread}- negotiated eighty such treaties, her plenipotentiary being 
 sometimes a lieutenant in her navy. To her honor be it said, that 
 while looking to her commercial interests, she is not forgetful of 
 the claims of humanity, and inserts, wherever she can, a clause 
 prohibitory of the slave trade. She is, however, accused of re- 
 viving that trade in another form, and I submit in the Appendix 
 (No. 1) a proclamation of the President of Liberia on the subject. 
 
 I will illustrate the advantages of the treaties to which I have 
 alluded. It is a custom of the tribes, that all traffic with the na- 
 tives shall be transacted through the kings and head men ; in 
 other words, the head men and kings are the sole factors of their 
 respective communities. By a stipulation of the treaty, these po- 
 
APPENDIX. 331 
 
 tentates become responsible for the payment of debts contracted 
 with an English trader. Should payment be withheld when due, 
 (for the credit system prevails here as well as in the Christian 
 world,) the trader seeks a British man-of-war, and communicates 
 the circumstance to her commander, and the latter repairs instant- 
 ly to the place and enforces payment. Not so with the American 
 trader. If his debtors are disposed to defraud him, he has no re- 
 dress ; and as native breach of faith is not unfrequent, he cannot 
 fairly compete with the Englishman. With this report I submit 
 two maps, on a large scale — one of the republic of Liberia, and 
 the other of Maryland in Liberia — together with views of Monro- 
 via, the residence of President Roberts, Cape Palraas, Mount 
 Vaughan, and Russworm's Monument. 
 
 In the " John Adams," we were ten days making a distance 
 which a steamer could have accomplished in thirty-six hours. — 
 From Monrovia to the island of St. Jago, vessels are often forty 
 days on the passage, which a steamer could make in five. In one 
 direction along the coast it is a drift with the sluggish current : 
 in the other, it is working up against it with light and baffling 
 winds. 
 
 I do not say that the vessels we have on the coast do not some- 
 times protect our commercial interests, or are not otherwise ser- 
 viceable. I have mentioned the " John Adams" assisting a mer- 
 chant vessel in distress ; and I submit in the Appendix (Nos. 2, 3, 
 and 4) some letters from President Roberts, expressing acknow- 
 ledgments for benefits derived from our squadron. But from the 
 causes 1 have enumerated, our cruisers can visit very few places 
 compared to the number that should be visited, and, as the log- 
 books will testify, often remain long at their anchors, or make 
 yet more lengthy passages to Maderia to recruit — a passage 
 which, under canvass alone, in the teeth of the trade-wind, is 
 often more prolonged and more wearing to the ship than if she 
 came directly home. 
 
 The service on the coast of Africa needs an incentive. Great 
 Britain has twenty-seven vessels-of-war employed in the suppres- 
 sion of the slave trade on that coast, and a large proportion of 
 them are steamers, mostly small ones. Her naval officers have 
 every inducement to seek service on that station, for he who attains 
 to a higher grade by the death of his superior in rank, retains it 
 
832 APPENDIX. 
 
 permanently, and does not as with us, hold it but temporarily. — 
 The consequence is that the English far surpass us in activity on 
 the coast of Africa. A very slight incentive would cause service 
 on that coast to be coveted by our officers and crews. Within a 
 few years two commanders have died on that station. If the two 
 senior lieutenants in the squadron had been promoted permanent- 
 ly, the files of the department would now exhibit more applications 
 from lieutenants for service on that station than all others com- 
 bined. And thus of every other grade, except the highest, which, 
 living on its honors, should be influenced by higher inspirations. 
 
 The arrogance of British officers heretofore, precludes the idea 
 of an agreement to search respectively the vessels of either nation. 
 It is a privilege which cannot safely be conceded to them, and we 
 must at all hazards protect the integrity of our flag. But, for the 
 honor of our country, and the protection of its commerce, it is to 
 be hoped that small steamers will be substituted for our sailing 
 vessels on the African coast, and that some incentive may be pre- 
 sented which will infuse greater activity among them, and render 
 them almost ubiquitous in the neighborhood of the slave marts, 
 and the parts of the coast frequented by our traders, instead of 
 making tedious passages to and fro from a few places, some of them 
 too remote by far, or too long lying sluggishly at their anchors. 
 
 Since my return I have received intelligence from Sierra Leone 
 of the capture by British men-of-war of three slavers, one of them 
 American. The prostitution of our flag, now so much facilitated 
 by sea-letters, obtained principally at the consulates of Rio de 
 Janerio and Havana, will continue, to our disgrace, until we have 
 vessels on the coast of Africa propelled by steam, and manned 
 with crews and commanded by officers who are stimulated, the 
 one by increased pay and the hope of prize money, and the other 
 by permanent promotion when vacancies are caused by death. — 
 The climate is a trying one, and, as in battle, the places of those 
 who perish should be filled by the survivors. 
 
 I do not permit myself to dwell on the necessity of incorporating 
 into the international code a clause declaring the slave-trade pira- 
 cy under any flag ; nor the frequent decisions of our legal tribunals, 
 (caused by the want of such declaration,) which have so discour- 
 aged our ofticers. Of this want, and its attendant evil consequen- 
 ces, the government has been long advised. 
 
APPENDIX. 333 
 
 In estimating the amount of our African trade I have been 
 careful not to exaggerate, and rejected every item not based on 
 authentic data ; but there is so much traffic along the coast in 
 articles never entered at a custom house, that I have reason to 
 believe I have given twenty-five per cent, less than the actual im- 
 ports ; and as the profits are very great, that the exports exceed 
 the estimate nearly one hundred per cent. Apart, therefore, from 
 the suppression of the slave-trade, our commerce with the west 
 coast of Africa needs the protection of an efficient force — efficient 
 more in its power of locomotion than in the number of its guns. 
 
 A knowledge of the disadvantages under which our countrymen 
 labor who trade along the coast, has induced these concluding re- 
 marks, and I trust they will not be considered inappropriate. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, kc. 
 
 W. F. LYNCH, Commander, U. S. iV. 
 
 Hon. J. C. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navij. 
 
 DR. LIVINGSTONE'S JOURNEY ACROSS THE AFRICAN 
 
 CONTINENT. 
 
 A letter has been addressed from Cassange, west coast of Africa 
 (January 29, 1855,) by Dr. Livingstone to Mr. Maclear, Astronomer 
 Royal : 
 
 '' I am now (he says) on my way back to the Zambese, and 
 thence I hope to descend to Quilimane, on the east coast. It is 
 rather a difficult task, for I have none but Zambesians with me; 
 and I suspect they will not be very willing to go so far from home, 
 and return again without my company. The Portuguese gave me 
 two Empaccaseiros, a sort of free-masons — a pretty powerful body 
 in the country. They are faithful brave, and good shots. "We 
 got on very well for some time; but at last, without saying any 
 thing to any one, they took leave by night; and I must do the 
 best I can alone. I intend going a little further east now, than 
 when coming here, in order to avoid some tribes in our vicinity; 
 then turn south, about longitude 22 degrees. We have had a great 
 deal of sickness in Angola ; intermittent fever perpetually. Last 
 nieht I had three hours of teeth chattering and breathing as hard 
 
334 APPENDIX. 
 
 as if running up a hill. It enlarges the spleens of all the Portu- 
 guese, and often ends fatally. The country is, ho"U'ever, most 
 splendid. I never saw such luxuriant vegetation before. Every 
 thing grows, if they only put it into the ground ; but the inhabi- 
 tants, having been seduced by the gains of the slave trade, have 
 paid small attention to the resources of their country. Coffee was 
 introduced by the Jesuits ; and, finding a congenial soil and cli- 
 mate, has propagated itself over the whole country. I saw it a 
 short time ago at Tala Mongono, nearly three hundred miles 
 inland, and fine plantations of it are daily discovered in the dense 
 forests which line the sides of the mountains. It is the finest 
 coffee in the world, being descended from the celebrated Mocha. 
 It affords an excellent means of turning to honest industry from 
 slave trading; for all that is necessary is to cut down the brush- 
 wood, and leave the large trees to aflford shade, and then the per- 
 son possesses a lucrative estate. Many South American fruit trees 
 also introduced by the Jesuits, grow luxuriantly. Pine-apples are 
 planted in rows on each side of the road for miles together. 
 
 "I visited several of the 'extinct convents,' or, as we should say^ 
 deserted missionary stations. Several of the churches would 
 require but little to put them in repair. Their neat gardens stand 
 as they left them. Their dormitories, too, and big chests, in which, 
 I suppose, the brethern stored their grub; but there are no books, 
 nor inscriptions on their graves. They were sometimes trouble- 
 some to the powers that be; nearly as bad perhaps as the London 
 missionaries ! But I have not much information about them. I 
 picked up good chiefly ; not being much desirous for scandal, 
 which may be got gratis nearer home. They have left a good 
 impression of their devotedness, and very many can now read and 
 Avrite in consequence. In the district of Ambaca it is considered 
 a disgrace for any one to be ignorant of letters, and it is not un- 
 usual for blacks to be seen in the evening with a fire-stick in one 
 hand, and a pen in the other, writing in a beautiful hand a petition 
 or other document to a commandant. If their labors were so per- 
 manent, surely the efforts of Protestants of all denominations, who 
 try to leave behind them the word of life, will be no less abiding. 
 I Avas amused at one place, Avhcn looking at the ruins of a convent 
 of Black Benedictines, for some unaccounta})le jerk in the associ- 
 ation of ideas, made me immediately fancy one of the Hottentot 
 
APPENDIX. 335 
 
 Benedictines up there at the Devil's Lop, Avitli a lot of spy-glasses, 
 peering at your establishment. Do you remember a few beans I 
 gave to Mrs. Maclear. I hope they grew; for that is the identical 
 seed which yields the sweet-oil of commerce. The people pound 
 it, then throw it into boiling water. The oil is skimmed oft" the 
 top ; and I met hundreds of people conveying large jars of it to 
 the coast for sale. When the oil is boiled with water three times 
 — /. c. the water being changed thus often — it is used as salad oil ; 
 and the bean itself toasted is delicious, being put on the tal)les of 
 men-of-war as part of the dessert. Here it is named the Fingola, 
 or Mendobi bean. I hope, by God's help, to reach the cast coast 
 about the end of this year. I did not get a single letter from any 
 of my friends while in Angola ; hence I am quite ignorant of my 
 family and every private friend."' 
 
 II_NEW JERSEY COLONY. 
 
 His Excellency, Stephen" A. Bexsox, Governor of the Libcrian 
 Republic, in a letter to the writer, lately transmitted the following 
 brief description* of the New Jersey Colony, which he purchased 
 some time previous to his election, as the agent of this Society : 
 
 " Territory purchased for the New Jersey State Colonization 
 Society : — 
 
 " This tract of land was negotiated for and purchased by Messrs. 
 James Moore and Stephen A. Benson, at the request of the New 
 Jersey State Colonization Society, and comprises an area of about 
 250 square miles, or 100,000 acres; and is bounded on the South 
 East, by the river St. John, at a distance of about twenty-five 
 miles from the coast. This extensive tract of land is one of the 
 most beautiful spots connected with the Republic— being both 
 elevated and fertile, well watered and free from miasmatic influ- 
 ences. 
 
 <' The whole face of the country presents a rich and fertile soil, 
 well timbered, and admirably adapted to agricultural pursuits. — 
 Here the industrious former may reap the reward of his labor in 
 any of the numerous productions of a tropical climate. 
 
 ♦ This extract is taken fn-m Piihlic Records of the KepiiMic 
 
336 APPENDIX. 
 
 " The mountain region is said to abound with rich Iron ore, 
 M'hich can be obtained with comparatively little expense, and could 
 be rendered valuable as an article of commerce — the quality not 
 being inferior to any known to us. 
 
 " The district, from its proximity to the Cam-wood country, offers 
 considerable facility for commerce, and besides cam-wood, other 
 articles valuable for commerce, might be obtained from the inte- 
 rior, such as ivory, gums, cattle, &c., &c. 
 
 " There might be some difficulty attending the conveyance of 
 produce to the coast, at first, owing to the rapids or cataracts 
 which prevent the navigation of the St. Paul's river for more than 
 twelve miles : but the difficulty might be soon obviated, by cut- 
 ting roads for the distance of about twelve miles, of sufficient width 
 for wagons or carts, Avhich might be done at a small expense, and 
 which the enterprising merchant would not fail to accomplish. 
 
 " The site selected for the Town is not very distant from the moun- 
 tain, and is considerably elevated. Emigrants going to this place 
 will, without doubt, suffer less, in going through the acclimating 
 process, than on the coast, being free from the influence of the 
 deadly nu\laria, Avhich operates so unfavorably upon them, at 
 present. 
 
 " The aboriginal inhabitants of this district are mild and hospi- 
 table, and peculiarly anxious to have the principles of civilization 
 introduced among them. Here a vast field for missionary labor 
 opens itself." 
 
 Measures are now in prospect in the New Jersey Cnlouization 
 Society for laying out the Town, to which Governor Benson refers 
 in the above extract — and also for constructing at least one good 
 Turnpike or Highway^ from the sea shore to the summit level of 
 the Cam-wood country-, and as soon as the Society can realize 
 funds for the purpose, it is intended to erect on the ToAvn-site 
 suitable tenements, to be presented, Avith sufficient grounds, to the 
 emigrants moving to that Retreat from Bondage and Oppression, 
 that they may become not only Free, but Free-holders, independent 
 citizens, in the land of their fathers. If there be full deliverance, 
 and honor and glory, and felicity, in reserve for the poor, exilec^ 
 smitten and groaning African — it is here. Escape then from your 
 chains o-nd sadness to the free, and peacefal, and happy home, b'" 
 off'ered to jou, without money and without price. 
 
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 JUNE 70 
 
 ^^■i*- N. MANCHESTER, 
 v>^^-- INDIANA 
 
 
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HBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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