c < ^ ^ <^« <«"^^^ ^ ec *^ -c ecr '^ ccc dc C^ CS'CZ I-c^ '%• "^ ■%■'*>*»■'*■'%•'*>'*' '^*-'*''^'-'*''^'*''*'*Q ^ C C C' r cc CCr«c' C C C ^"<.C ' "^ c < J^c csccc.f c«s. '^. c ^ CC «f f 5' ^ ^ ^ - C.C ^ c c S-"- ^ 1> :gja. -'^^^^ m > - ^S^ xs» ~:5> :*o»> ::2> ~~5r oy >5:s» ^ 3^- J>^ :3»®> 3> ?: ^ o^ ^>?j2» > ::: > i> - ~3S» x>> :> ,^ 5 Jr--?^*^* .^_^r.=K> >^rife?^:> "? 'S5?> 2> )5Jg>^ ,;>^s^>:3»i^ ?'<^^^' ^»"I3l»2*5 , ^3>l)a>^>^ ^D^ J^M^^ ,J^^^ >j cs>:>3 .. '- ■ ^; ;^^^.>^ > '>2a:?^» .is- >^^.i'? 0^^>»> 3i>^^ '"^^^ ^^ >3> > ^-^^S _>5^ -^^ ^yj5 >ij>^ > >Z> 5 Qt> ^^ . . * j» > '13 >' ":*:> :> > :> QBlX 3>> 3-1 > o ^> » > 3S> >^ > ^>. >>> '^ JL > ^> ->2&r^ ^^ ^53 >^ -^^tmd THE BOJIRD OF MAJVAGERS Ste THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, TO THE flwxlliai!^ Societies THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATER. ^ J WASHINGTON : FRINTED BY DAVIS AND FORCE, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUi;. Mr/. 1 820. The Hon. Bushrod Washington, Presidmtp Vice-Presidents* Hon. Wm. H. Crawford, of Georgia. Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky. Hon. Wm. Philips, of Massachusetts. Col. Henry Rutgers, of New-York. Hon. John E, Howard, of Maryland. Hon. John C. Herbert, of Maryland. Isaac M'Kim, Esq. of Maryland. John Taylor, of Caroline, Esq. of Virginia, General John Hartwell Cocke, of Virginia.: Gen. Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee. Robert Ralston, Esq. of Philadelphia. Right Rev. Bishop White, of Philadelphia. Gen. John Mason, District of Columbia. Samuel Bayard, Esq. of New-Jersey. Wilham H. Fitzhugh, Esq, of Virginia. Managers. Francis S. Key, Esq, Rev. Wm, Hawley, Walter Jones, Esq. Rev. Henry Foxall, Rev. Dr. James Laurie, Jacob Hoffman, Esq. Rev. Dr. S. B. Balch, Wm. Thornton, Esq, Rev. Obailri!: E. Emwn, Th< mas Doughert.x , EstJ, Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer, Col. Henry Ashton^ El'as B. Caldwell, Esq. Sccretnry. John Unc'c.rwood, Recording Secrttary^ Riciiard Smith, Treasurer. ADDRESS. % the Auxiliary Colonization Societies and the People of the Unit&d States : The Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society have received, by the return of the Elizabeth from Africa, letters from their agent and the people \\ho went out in that vessel, con- taining most gratifying and interesting intelligence of their arrival and reception in that country* They are greatly encouraged by these communications to perse- vere in their object. Success now seems no longer doubtful. The soil, climate, and productions of the country will afford a health/ and comfortable subsistence ; the favourable disposition of the na- tives, and the previous settlement, at Sherbro, of a number of free coloured people under Mr. Kizell, give us every reason to hope for the security of the establishment ; and the well-directed and zealous eiforts of our government to carry into execution, the law for the suppression of the slave-trade, ensure every necessary pro- tection. The period is now arriving when the Society purpose to send out one or more vessels, to carry to the settlement a number of the free people of colour of this country ; a considerable number of whom are anxiously waiting to avail themselves of such an oppor- tunity. Already the number of applicants exceeds, considerably, the accommodations of a single ship ; and frequent and pressing applications are still continually occurring. As most of these persons must not only be supported during their voyage, but will require, for a time, many articles to contribute to the comfort of the settlement, a considerable and immediate supply of funds will be necessary. The friends of the Society, in many places, have already given liberally ; but our expenditures have been necessarily great. The magnitude of the object and the evident prospect of success, will, we hope, induce its friends every where, to come forward at this important juncture, and render that prompt and etfeetual aid whioli ^e emergency demand?. 12 When wc present to the view of the American pubhc the estab- lishment of free coloured people on the land of their forefathers, transported thither from this, and settled and supported by the be- nevolence of our citizens, we trust we cannot appeal in vain for the continuance of their liberality. The progress of such a work can- not fail to excite an increasing interest. The patriot will hail it as promising the highest blessings he can hope for his country, and the heart of the philanthropist will exult at the wide prospect of happi- ness it presents ; while the christian, with the superadded impulse of diffusing among all around him the light and the hope in which he glories, will thank God that he is permitted to be a co-worker in such a cause. The letters subjoined, will show the various articles that arc wanted for the settlers ; and donations in such goods will be thank- fully accepted from those who may not have it in their power to give money on this occasion. The different Auxiliary Societies throughout the United States, are respectfully solicited to collect and send on their supplies of money to Richard Smith, Esq. Treasurer of this Society, at the Branch Bank, Washington, ard to hold the donations they may receive in goods and other articles, until it is ascertained from what port the vessel will sail. We beg leave to conclude by particularly addressing ourselves t& the Rev. Clergy of the United States of all rehgious denominations, from whose interest and influence we cannot help expecting, with confidence, considerable assistance* We would respectfully request them to consider, in all its bear- ings, the object we present to them, and its probable consequences -, to give to their respective congregations, information on this subject, and to solicit and collect for the Society, whatever their means may enable them to give. A ready and important addition to our funds, we have no doubt, might thus be made, perhaps with more ease than in any other way. A small sum from each congregation in the United States would enable us to redouble our exertions. Whatever they may thus collect, they will please to remit as above directed, , . , n. By order of the Managers, E. B. Caldwell, Cot. Seci 15 i:etteT from Mr. Samuel A. Crozer to E. B. Caldwell, Esq. Secretary of the American Cblouizaiioti Society. River Sherbro, Marcli 31, 1820. SIR, Having received tny appointment as first agent of the Coloni' zation Society, to reside on the coast ot Africa, on the seventeenth of .January, 1820, I immediately made the requisite preparations, and proceeded to New-York, where I received instructions to ap- propriate the funds in that place, (except one thousand dollars re- mitted from the city of Washington,) to " the providing of the ne- cessary presents to the natives, and for making preparations for the comfortable establishment and subsistence of the first colonists tvho shall need the aid of the Society." They amounted to four- teen hundred and forty-eight dollars and fifty cents, which I endea- voured to dispose of to the best advantage that the shortness of the time would admit of, in procuring articles which, according to the best information I could obtain, were the most suitable for the pur- pose, and which, together with the goods received by donations, were put on board the ship Elizabeth, captain Sebor, bound to the coast of Africa, in w'hich I embarked on the sixth of February in the character of physician. After a passage of thirty days we ar- rived at Sierra Leone. Governor M'Carty was absent in the coun- try, but returned on the Saturday evening following ; and, consider- ing the danger of making any delay, we determined to make our Communications on the following day, when, with the letter of the Hon. B. Washington, I despatched the ensuing letters to his ex- cellency : " Sir — Having arrived as officis(ting physician on board the ship Ehzabeth, as stated in the communication of the Rev. Samuel Ba- con, Principal Agent of the United States for providing for iibeiat- ed Africans, I beg leave to inform your excellency, that I am au- thorized by the Colonization Society to select and purchase a suit- able site on the western coast of Africa, (?n which to colonii:e those free people of colour of the United States, who may be desitous of settling there ; and to take charge of the government of the colony when established. A contract having been entered into b^ the Princes, Headmen, &;c. of Sherbro, to furnish land for the proposed colony, if it meet w^ith the views of the Society to establish it there, I am instructed in the first instance to direct my attention to that country, and if it should not answer their expectations, to the most eligible situation that can be procured on the ooast. The United States having appointed agents to provide an esiablishment for lib^ erated Africans, the Society conceive it will be niutuully advanta- geous, to fix upon the same local position ; and that concert between the agents of both parties, will contribute to the advancement of their several objects. I have presumed to make this statement t» your excellency that my future proceedings may be properly ap- prehended by the oiiitters ©f th« governmejit «f Sierra Leone- 14 ivhose friendship and co-operation, in meliorating the unhappy con- dition of the niucliinjurcd Africans, we ardently desire to obtain; and which, from the friendly and polite attention, shown to the for- mer agents of the Soci«ty, we have every reason to expect. It is believed that a colony at bherbro. will be of material advantage to that at Sierra Leone ; the proposed colony being intended as far as possible to be an agricultural establishment, will, it is believed, considerably enhance the commercial interests of the colony at Sierra Leone ; and that many advantages will arise from the mutual succour and support, which it will be in their power to render each other." To develope as candidly as possible the views of the Society, the second letter was as follows : " Sir — Should the colony, proposed to be established by the Co- lonization Society, be located in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone^ 1 beg leave to propose^ with a view to a mutual good understand- ing, that neither colony shall employ, or grant lands or other pri- vileges, to the citizens of the other, without the approbation of their respective governments : An arrangement of this kind will effec- tually prevent any unpleasant interference with the interests of each other." The foregoing letter was written wilh some hesitation, fearing lest I should encroach on the Society ; jet it was with the approba- tion of Mr. Bacon, and a conviction that it was relinquishing nothing which the constitution of the Society called for. These communi- cations were received respectfully by his excellency, who invited us to dine with him the next day, when he received us with the ut- most politeness, and tendered his services. Being chagrined and worn out with unavoidable delays, Mr. Bacon purchased a small armed schoonei- for the purpose of unlading the ship, and we sail- ed for Sherbro on the seventeenth of March. Mr. Bankson had previously been sent to confer with Mr. Kizell, who has resided in the Sherbro country almost constantly, since Messrs. Burgess and Mills left the coast 5 we met him on the passage, and he informed us that Mr. Kizell had agreed to furnish us with house-room and storage, until we could ihul other accommodations. V\ e anchored the next day in the river Sherl)ro. twent) -fne miles from Campe- lar (the name of Mr. Kizell's place.) where we landed our goods as soon as possible. V\ e have not yet held a j)alaver wiUi ihe chiefs, but I have no doubt of their checi fully granting us land, although there is a trilling alarm among them OA\iiig to false im- pressions, that we are the enemies of Mr. Kizell, kc. Mr. Kizell is staunch as a rock in our fa\our; he had not received any infor- mation concfuning the Society, since the departure of Messrs. Bur- gess and Mills: lie left Sierra Leone soon after their departure, and went down to Sherbro, where he built a little town, and clear- ed a small spot of ground for our reception. On our arrival he tad begun to despair of ever seeing us. Laud may be procured on IS the coast ; and I feel resolved (if it be the will of the Society,) what- ever may occur, not to leave the coast until a satisiaotory station is procured. It is not now in my power to render any dchnite mlor- mation concerning the face of the country, not having liitherto been able to make other than superficial observations and not desiring to give a hasty opinion ; but the land appears very fertile, it produces fruit of all kinds in the greatest abundance, and no doubt will produce almost every thing that can satisfy or gratify the real or artificial wants of man, with half the labour that they can be produced in the United States. This is my opinion from the little observation which I have had an opportunity of making, and this is the least produc- tive season of the year. I have been agreeably disappointed in tne temperature of the climate ; instead of the burning sands of Africa, I have found the land clothed with the most exuberant vegetation ; and instead of the pestiferous Sirocco, pleasant and refreshing breezes : I have not ob^erved the thermometer higher than eighty- five of Farenheit. The water at Campelar (which is the only place in Sherbro at which I have had an opportunity of trying it) is not good 5 it is by no means unwholesome, but is highly impreg- nated with iron, and a very small portion of sulphur ; but 1 under- stand there is fine water at the situation we have in view for the colony. The river Sherbro in which wv now lie, I am satisfied is navigable for a ship of at least four hundred tons as far as the Ba- groo : further I have not had an opportunity of ascertaining, but have been informed that there is bold water up that river as tic as the Meno ; but the pilots here appear to have but very little know- ledge of the channel, and if they chance to run aground immediate- ly attribute it to the shifting of the banks. The most proper arti- cles of trade in this place, are tobacco (which ought to be of the longest leaves that can be procured, even tliough it should cost tr ble the sum that short leaved can be procured for,) pipes, rum. or w liskey of the most common kind, blue baftas, gun-powder, trade-guns, assorted kiiives, Dutch looking-glasses, gilt jewelry, gaudy handkerchiefs, iron pots, showy beads, common chairs, painted with high colours and ornamented in the most gaudy manner, to- gether with toys of various kinds. These articles are all highly necessary, and will command any thing in Africa. I am aware that it was not the intention of the Society to use rum ; but it is abso- lutely necessary until we obtain proper footing in the country ; the natives will do nothing without it, and the withholding it might en- tirely cut off the future usefulness of the Society. Mr. Kizell made the following observations on this subject, requesting me to transmit them to the Society — " That a child could not be weaned from the breast of its mother immediately — and the poor natives of Africa cannot be torn at once from the use of ardent spirits, but must be gradually weaned." This he thinks is the only effectual method of conquering that propensity ; he also thinks that the best method of preserving their attachment will be to keep a small vessel 16 an the coast to trade with them ; their articles of trade are palm oil, rice, ivorv, cam-wood, bees-wax, hoiiej, goid-uusi, leopard skins, 2't) I ^ "♦©eoi-iew© coo COOOCCO©r-«o OOO «5^^ t-i TJi to CT T-« OD 16 05 O". to u »o t~ 1 _ c; ' « t^ ■* -f G^ 1 "^ 1 1 o — 1., OT W ^'■ - o c o Si ^^ S ?* • 2 > O jT " S-:: ^ -o •5_ Q _t5 ^_o ^■- c 'p; SQ S =>' s'=iH 2;Z 23 .^ a << tt! .'= u ^ ^•^fc ^^ T •= v 2 "c U -a 0; CO :: ■° r:'^ O m d "3 r- fcJO p - " ;: ^ oi o 3 -^^ ■^ 5^3 C C C C oojcrcccc C C H< C; Tj" s c; <5* •^ >j rN O t- o o r- r^ O = £ -^ Q s-i ^ c — re ?, S > CD CD C5 CM •* ^ w s ^ = ci ^ u -^ « ») = 11 = s s: = « ?: ^* O '^ ^ ' a; "B-O 5 0) c '5 c ^ oj ^ o a< a i< M Q « S " " £ « "n 2 .E !^ O — ^ O o 03 o -^ "^ O ©♦ (M 13 >, 2 c (Si- ,- o o i: rt 3- k' > -C Ceo W< h W 5 y. *^ ° a. u tt ^ X o = S a> = ~ 3 « rt -T- ° ■" > s: S < O 21 An act in addition to the acts prohibiting the slave-trade. Passed March 3d, 1819. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, whenever he shall deem it expedient, to cause any of the armed vessels of the United States to be employed to cruize on any of the coasts of the United States or territories thereof, or of the coasts of Airica, ur elsewhere, where he may judge attempts may be made to carry on the slave-trade by citizens or residents of the United States, in con- travention of tlie acts of Congress prohibiting the same ; and to inbiruct and direct the commanders of all armed vessels of tlie United States to seize, take, and bring into any port of the United States, all ships or vessels of the United States wheresoever found, which may have t. ken on board, or which may be intended for the purpose of taking on board, or transporting, or may have transported an\ negro, mulatto, or person of colour, in violation of any of the provisions of the act, entitled " An act in addition to an act to pro- hibit the importation of slaves into any port or place v.ithin tlie jurisdiction of the United States from and after ihe first da) of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, and to repeal certain parts of the same," or of any other act or a.:ts prohibiting the traffick in slaves, to be proceeded against according to law. And the proceeds of ail ships and vessels, their tackle, apparel, and furniture, and the goods and eliVcis on board of them which shall be so seized, prosecuted, and condemned, shall be divided equally between the United Slates and the ofticers and men who shall seize, take, or bring the same into port for condem- nation, whether such seizure be made by an armed vessel of the United States or revenue cutter thereof. And the same shall be distributed in like manner as is provided by law for the distribution of prizes taken from an enemy. Provided, That the officers and men to be entitled to one half of the proceeds aforesaid shall safe keep every negro, mulatto, or person of colour, found on board anj ship or vessel so seized, taken, or brought into port for condemna- tion, and shall deliver every such negro, mulatto, or person of co- lour, to the marshal of the district in which they are brought, if into a port of the United States, or, if elsewhere, to such person or persons as shall be lawfully appointed by the President of the Unit- ed States in the manner hereinafter directed, transmitting to the President of the United States, as soon as may be after such de- livery, a descriptive list of such negroes, mulattocs, or persons of colour, that he may give directions for the disposal of them. And provided further, That the commanders of such commissioned ves- sels do cause to be apprehended and taken into custody, every per- son found on board of such vessel so seized and taken, being of the officers or crew thereof, and bim or them convey, as soon as cor- - 28 yeniently may be, to the civil authority of the United States, to be proceeded against iu due course of law in some of the districts thereof. Sect. 2. And be it further enacted. That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to make such regu- lations and arrangements as he may deem expedient for the safe- keeping, support, and removal beyond the limits of the United States, of all such negroes, mulattoes, or persons of colour, as may be so delivered and brought within their jurisdiction ; and to appoint a proper person or persons, residing upon the coast of Africa, as agent or agents for receiving the negroes, mulattoes, or persons of colour delivered from on board vessels seized in the prosecution of the slave trade by commanders of the United States' armed vessels. Sect. 3. And be it further enacted, That a bounty of twenty-tive dollars be paid to the ollicersand crews of the commissioned vessels of the United States, or revenue cutters, for each and every negro, mulatto, or person of colour, who shall have been as hereinbefore provided, delivered to the marshal or agent duly appointed to re- ceive them. And the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby author- ized and required to pay, or cause to be paid, to such olhcers and «rews or their agent, the aforesaid bounty, for each person delivered as aforesaid. Sect. 4. And be it further enacted, That when any citizen or other person shall lodge information with the attorney for the dis- trict of any state or territory, as the case may be, that any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, has been imported therein, contrary to the provisions of the acts in such case made and provided, it shall be the duty of the said attorney forthwith to commence a prosecu- tion by information, and process shall issue against the person charged with holding such negro, negroes, mulatto, mulattoes, per- son or persons of colour, so alleged to be imported contrary to the provisions of the acts aforesaid. And if, upon the return of the process executed, it shall be ascertained, by the verdict of a jury, that such negro, negroes, mulatto, mulattoes, person or persons of colour, have been brought in contrary to the true intent and mean- ing of the acts in such cases made and provided, then the court shall direct the marshal of the said district to take the said negroes and mulattoes or persons of colour, into his custody for safe- keeping, subject to the orders of the President of the United States ; and the informer or informers who shall have lodged the information, shall be entitled to receive, over and above the portion of the penalties accruing to him or them by the provisions of the acts in guch case niade and provided, a bounty of lifty dollars tor each and every negro, mulatto, or person of colour, who shall have been de- livered into the custody of the marshal ; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and required to pay, or cause to be paid, the aforesaid bounty, upon the certiiicate of the cleyk *r tlie court for the district where the prosecution may liave been had, with the seal of office thereto annexed, stating the num- ber of negroes, niulattoes, or persons of colour so dehvered. Sect. 5. .4nd be it further enacted, That it shall be a duty of the commander of any armed vessel of the United States, whene\er he shall make any capture under the provisions of this act, to brmg the vessel and her cargo for adjudication into some of the ports of the state or territory to which such vessel so captured shall bclopii;, if he can ascertain the same, if not, then to be sent into any conve- nient port of the United States. Sect. 6. And be it further enacted, Tliat all such acts or parts of acts as may be repugnant to the provisions of this act, shall be and the same are hereby repealed. Sect. 7. And be it further enacted. That a sum not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated, to carry this law into eiiect. To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. The President and Board of Mangers of the American Colonization Society, respectfully represent that, being about to commence the exe- cution ot" the object to which their views have been long directed, they deem it proper and necessary to address themselves to the legislative council ot their country. They trust that this object will be considered, in itselt, of great national importance, will be found inseparably con- nected Avith another, vitally affecting the honour and interest of this nation, and leading, in its consequences, to the most desirable results. Believing that examination and refiection will show that such are ita connexions and tendency, they are encouraged to present themselves^ and their cause, where they know that a public measure, having these advantages, cannot fail to receive all the countenaaee and aid it may require. The last census shows the number of free people of colour of the United States, and their rapid increase. Supposing them to increase in the same ratio, it will appear how large a {)roportion of our population will, in the course of even a lew years, consist of persons of that de- 8cri[)tion. No argument is necessary to show that this is very far indeed from constituting an increase of our physical strength ; nor can there be a population, in any country, neutral as%) its etfects upon society. The least observation shows that this deswiption of persons are not, and cannot be, either useful or happy among us ; and many considerations, Avhich need nut Ue mentioned, prove, beyond dispute, that it is best, for all the parties interested, that there should be a separation; that those who are now free, and those who may become so hereafter, should be provided with the means of attaining to a state of respectability and bappines-!, which, it is certain, they have never yet reached, and. thers- fore, can never be likely to reach in this country. 7^ u \ Several of the states, deeply interested in this subject, hare already aval t lemselves ot the opiioriuiiiij, inij,'" " ;..ii-ta riinppt*.-iU thr one single ol)i< cl ol' Ihe society, which your memonaltsts rciireSK it, tl e&ct thifeod I'he, have made the most cautious ami particu.ar m,j[riel as to the „ractfcal,iltly of such a plan and its ,.,os|,ectsol sue inquiries, as to . i ^^^ ^^^ „„ri-anted in de- «ess,hot. ia.mco,mlr, at ^^^_.^^ ^^ ^^^ conlidentiy :L;""fwlli he eas«y ovJIcotne by a moderate exertion of discretion and '"i:rthis"count,y, and in almost every part of it, they have fotind a ''■■?fr.rort^^,Zs"^oft?et;eLt;\v:hi'^r;rten,or>^istshe, .eaU-prho: -,--s of .^. ™--o A,nca,^ana the resnU :ii!;rL'T.;'r;Siro^.>>st;onrah,et„co.^ mmmE^m ""bI" Ihi: ThreAT" : I a 's [,fch;:f in° «es, rron, its conneetion «ifh L n as ri wlitl. has! ili-.ad'y, lo the honotir ol »- "Uii.ry, oecu- ''■'^'TriL''oTfh':\^7ri.lrTL':,aLt,^o:;ed.h'y 'the provisions :r r«ctt nie acci',^,„ishnieni of its ohject, are "•;■'»'■"?«-»'! °h'ut";Se ,ot'aV:.tirpati„n oi* ''"-'j^^X'l,',™ npo^rtU e e'^ oy-^t expected from any measures vvhicli re j , dloae, upon i J of a maritime force, however ^■«"^"\^'-"^*^';;^^^^ ,. . „,e ,„,,i,lity of the The profits attemliMir it are so «^^<''««^^"^'^y;"^'\'''ta" there is any .norinc^pled will still be tempted t. ^^^^;;:^:ZrJ^^ ^^^l chance of escapin;^ the vigilance of ♦^^^^^^^"^.'Jfi^Vel.een enabled to From the best information your '"^'"^^^f, ,''^.X\,', ^f the present obtain, of the nature, causes, and ^«;;';-;;^,!^' f^,^^^'^ "^^^^^^ the situation of (he «"- ,^|,^:^ [^ ^h U.e su p i of thl African slave- Sr:.:llJ dv^l'lr :;• the" :l:::;'ire measures of .nd^spensable connection. i ^.^^ vpnrq acrn bv those heat ac- 25 The documents and papers which your memorialists had heretofore the honour ol presenting to Congress, and those contained ia the late feporls ot the Society, prove this position. Since the establishment of the Enuiish settlement at Sierra Leone^ the slave trade has been ra|)idly ceasing upon that part of the coast. Not oidy the kingdoms in its iiriniediate neighbourhood, but those upon the Sherbro and Bagroo rivers, and others with whom the people of that settlement have opened a eonimuniciition, have been prfevatled H|ion to atjaudon it, and are turning their attention to the ordinary and innocent pursuits of civilizt-d nations. That the same consequences wi'l result from similar settlements, c?a- not be doubted. When the natives there ^ee that the European com- modities, for which they have been accustomed to exchange their fellow- beings, until vast and fertile regions have become almost depopulated, can be more easily, and safely obtained by other |)Ui>uits, can it hp be- lieved that they will hesitate to profit by the experience? Nor will the advantages of civilization be alone exhibited. That religion, whose mandate is " i)eace on earth and good will towards men," will ' do its errand," will deliver them from the bondage of their miserable super- stitious, and display the same triumphs which it is exhibiting in every land. That such points of settlement would diffuse their light around the coast, and gradually dispel the darkness which has so long enshrouded that continent, would be a reasonable hope, and would justify the at- tempt, even if es|)erience had not ascertained its success. Althouiih, therefore, much may be ofected by the vigilant operations ot a well disposed naval force, it is to be feared that much will always remain to be done, until some degree of civilization is attained by the inhabitants of the coast of Africa. The present measures, therefore, for the sup- pression of the slave trade, if unconnected with others for the improve- ment of the natives, must hR long continued, and the etiects produced by them will be partial, tedious, and uncertain; and the least relaxatioii of this vigilance will revive it. But those measures, and all others involving expense and labour, may be withdrawn, as soon as these establishments upon tl e coast be- CO'nfe strong enough tu participate in the contest against avarice and inhumanity, and shall obtain from their evident advantages over the natives, a proper influence among them. And here your memorialists beg leave, respectfully, to suggest their fears that many of the protJisate adventurers in this trade will evade the search of our cruizers by their artful contrivances in disguising their national character. We have reason to believe that the slave ships of other nations assume the Hag and character of Americans, to evade the search of British cruizers. Is it not, therefore, to be expected that the act lately passed will often be defeated by American slave ships assuming a foreign flag and charac- ter ? A careful consideration of this subjeo! has convinced us that all our efforts will be insufficient to accomplish their purposes, unless some friendly arrangement can be made among the nviritime powers of the world, which shall leave no shelter to those who deserve to be consi- dered as the common enemies of mankind. A ■ 26 Whether a permission, under any modification, to certain specified thips, or in certain latitudes, lo search and seixe slave-ships, under our flag, such as Great Britain, and oiher Euru;>ean poivers hiive mutually given to each other, can be properly granted by our government, we cheerfully leave to the wisdom and justice ot" Congress to determine. Your memorialists will only ex;>ress their hope and belief, that your deliberations upon this interesting subject will enable you to discern a way, without any compromitment of our national honour, by which our country may be placed among the tor- most ar.d mosi efficient as- serters ol the rights of humanity. But your memo;ialists humbly con- sider, that the colonization of Africa offers the most jjowcrl'ul and indis- pensable auxiliary to the means already adopted, for the exteiminatiou of a trade, which is now exciting, in every country, that just indigna- tion which has been long since felt and expressed in tins. No nation has it so much in its power to furnish proj)er settlers for such establishments, as this; no nation has so deep an interest in thu» disposing of them. By the law passed at the last session, and before referred to, the captives who may tie taken by our cruisers, trom the slave ships, are to be taken to Alrica, and delivered to the custody of agents appointed by the President. There will then be a settiemeut of cajdured neg-oes upon the coast, in consequence of the measures al- ready adopted And it is evidently most inijiortant, if not necessary to such a settlement, that the civilized people of colour, of this country, whose industry, enter[)rize, and knowledge of agriculture, and the arts, woidehalf, it cannot fail to jirocure a proportionate reward. It is by such a course that a nation insures to itsell the protection and favour of the tioverrior of the world. Nor arc there wanting vie\\ s and coiisideralioas arising from our peculiar political institutions, w Inch would justify the sure expectation of the most s.g.ial blessings to our- selves iVora the accomplishment of such an object. If one ot these •onsequences shall be the gradual, and almost imperce|)lible, removal of a national evil, which all unite in lamen ing, and for which, with the most intense, but hitherto hopeless anxiety, the patriots and statesmen of our country have laboured 'o tliscover a remeosed ol the above named officers, and twehe other mem- bers of the Society. They shall be annually elected by the members of the Society, at an annual meeting on the last Saturday of December, and continue to discharjre their re?*;iective duties till others are appointed. Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at ill meet- ings of the Society, and of the Board of Managers, and to call meetings of the Society, and of the Board, when he thinks necessary, or when required by any three memliers of the Board. Art. 6. The Vice-Presidents, according to seniority, shall discharge these duties in the absence ot' the President. Art. 7. The Secretary shall take minutes of the proceeding's, prepare and publish notices, and discharge such other duties, as the Boar*!, or the President, or in his absence, the Vice-Fresident, according to the seniority, (when the Board is not sitting) shall direct. Ami the Recorder shall record the proceedings, and the names of the members, and dig- charge such other duties as may be required of him. AuT. 8. The treasurer shall receive and take charge of the funds of the Society, under such security as m iy be prescribed by the Board of IManagers : 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. Art. 9. The lioard of Managers shall meet on the first Monday in January, the first Monday in April, the first VIondaj' in July, an«l the first Monday in October, every year, and at such other times as the President may ^) ^i>" fy> .Si>> ^^o> ^^5 » : ^^» » Q^J> 'jr>>J: ->3^ jT :2> >5^ 5» -3 >T> > JSi>:> ^je>'>^ > »>' : ^ 1>Z> > ^ ^^:>^ 3 ii>:> . ■ J) ">■)>■„ :> »> 3^ »£> \ ■■> ■■>i> ~S>^ J» -2>- 0^j2> J3gS> ^->T»*:> :) >,,xipJ3i>5>^^^ ^^ ^: >0> ~>>^-^J> >^^S»"3i> ^y> ■■■•,_ ■^j;^, "^^ ^^ ^^ Vy X"A LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 011 898 807 3