B Lliams, Peter 
 
 C°A^lw A discourse delivered on the 
 
 1818 death of Capt„ Paul n u pp ee, before 
 
 the New-York African Institution, in 
 the African Methodist Episcopal 7A on 
 Church, October 21, 1817.
 
 LINCOLN ROOM 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 MEMORIAL 
 
 the Class of 1901 
 
 founded by 
 
 HARLAN HOYT HORNER 
 
 and 
 
 HENRIETTA CALHOUN HORNER
 
 
 A BISCOURSE 
 
 DELIVERED ON 
 
 Tlie DEATH of Capt. PAUL CUFFEE, 
 
 BEFORE 
 
 The New- York African Institution., 
 
 IN 
 
 The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church* 
 
 OCTOBER 21, 1817. 
 
 By PETER WILLIAMS, Jim. 
 
 A MAN OF COLOUR. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF SOME MEMBERS OF THAT 
 
 INSTITUTION. 
 
 YORK: 
 
 REPRINTED FOR W. ALEXANDER; 
 
 SOLD Af.SO BY DARTON & CO., W. PHILLIPS, AND W. DARTON, 
 JUN., LONDON. 
 
 1818.
 
 Printed by Hargrove, Gawthorp, and Cobb^ 
 HeraldrOffice, York.
 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO 
 
 Tlie ENGLISH EDITION. 
 
 IPaUL CUFFEE, an American and a man 
 of colour, to whom the following Discourse 
 relates, was well known to many in this 
 country, not onty as an efficient agent of the 
 African Institution in London, and a zea- 
 lous coadjutor in its benevolent exertions ; 
 but also as a firm and active friend of the 
 whole African race. 
 
 Soon after Captain Cuffee had been in 
 England, the Editor published a Memoir 
 of him in the year 1812, which, though brief, 
 contains a more full account of events re- 
 specting his life, than was likely to be intro- 
 
 A 3
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 duced in a Discourse ; yet in this will be 
 found some interesting particulars, which are 
 not in the Memoir. 
 
 These, however, are not the principal 
 inducements for publishing the Discourse, 
 which is the production of a young man of 
 colour, and said to be delivered extempore. 
 It does not indeed possess the polish of re- 
 fined erudition, or of a highly cultivated 
 mind ; but its imperfections enhance its va- 
 lue ; because they evince that the Author's 
 unadorned eloquence, is the result of natural 
 powers, which, like those of the individual 
 concerning whom he spoke, contribute an 
 additional striking proof, that superior abili- 
 ties do not attach more to a white than to a 
 coloured skin.
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 ON 
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 
 
 JtLLL around us is crumbling to ruins. The 
 globe totters on the brink of fate. The sun and 
 moon, with all the lesser lights of the firmament, 
 are about to be extinguished, and this whole 
 creation to sink in the night of chaos. Already 
 has that fearful sentence of Jehovah, " dust thou 
 art, and unto dust shalt thou return," been exe- 
 cuted on the bulk of Adam's race. Compared 
 with those who have taken up their abode in the 
 silent mansions of the tomb, few are they who 
 remain on the face of the earth. Before the 
 strokes of Death, the generations of men have 
 fallen and perished, even as the leaves before the 
 autumnal blast ; and so widely and thickly scat- 
 tered are their remains, that the whole world has 
 become a Golgotha, in the which there is scarcely 
 left a spot whereon one can set his foot, without 
 standing on the bones of our ancestors and 
 brethren. 
 
 A 4
 
 8 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 Contemplating this scene of desolation, a train 
 of reflections, incomparably gloomy and afflictive, 
 overshadows the mind, and drives down the 
 mounting spirit. What is the destruction of 
 splendid edifices, of flourishing cities, of the most 
 noble works of genius and art, compared with 
 that which death hath made in the family of man ! 
 Over the wide and still expanding empire of 
 death, humanity wanders mourning her offspring, 
 the noblest workmanship of God, creation's pride 
 and head, laid prostrate in the dust ; the prey of 
 corruption and of worms. Among the fallen, she 
 recognizes her favorite sons, those excellent ones 
 of the earth, whose deeds shed a lustre over her 
 character, and deserve to be held in everlasting 
 remembrance.- At their tombs she stops, and re- 
 counting their virtues, gives vent to her feelings 
 in loud and bitter lamentations. While, with 
 her, we weep over the graves of departed merit, 
 our attention is peculiarly drawn to the spot 
 which contains the mortal part of our late worthy 
 brother, Capt. Paul Ccffee. There, whatever 
 other occasion we may have to mourn the tri- 
 umphs of the mortal foe, we find cause for the 
 liveliest expressions of grief. There, without the 
 least tincture of flattery, may be inscribed — 
 " Here lies one whose exertions, in behalf' of 
 oppressed humanity, have entitled him to the 
 esteem of the world, and the grateful remeni' 
 brance of latest posterity"
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEti. 9 
 
 Draw near, O ! ye sons of men, and learn, not 
 merely what the common subjects of mortality 
 teach, that "the days of man are but as vanity — > 
 that he cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down 
 — that he fleeth as a shadow, and never conti- 
 nueth in one stay ;"" but the more important les- 
 son of so conducting yourselves as to secure re- 
 spectability in life, peace in death, and unfading 
 felicities in a future state. 
 
 Draw near, but let it be with respectful steps* 
 That Grave is peculiarly consecrated to Sorrow. 
 Over it Europe and America mourn; and Africa, 
 unhappy, bereaved Africa, pours a deluge of 
 tears. 
 
 Were I required to delineate a character of 
 distinguished greatness, I would not seek, as my 
 origin*?!, one whose blood has been ennobled 
 through a long line of ancestry, who has had all 
 the advantages of fortune, education, wealth, and 
 friends to push him forward ; but for one who, 
 from a state of poverty, ignorance, and obscurity, 
 through a host of difficulties, and with an unsul- 
 lied conscience, by the native energy of his mind, 
 has elevated himself to wealth, to influence, to 
 respectability, and honor; and being thus elevated 
 conducts with meekness and moderation, and de- 
 votes his lime and talents to pious and benevolent 
 purposes.
 
 20 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 Such an one's character deserves to be drawn 
 by the ablest artist, and to be placed up on high 
 for public imitation and esteem ; nay, the portrait 
 should be placed in our bosoms, and worn as a 
 sacred treasure ever near to the heart. Such an 
 one was Paul Cuffee, the son of a poor African, 
 whom the hand of unfeeling avarice had dragged 
 from home and connexions, and consigned to ri- 
 gorous and unlimited bondage ; subjected to all 
 the disadvantages which unreasonable prejudice 
 heaps upon that class of men ; destitute of the 
 means of early education ; and more frequently 
 struggling under the frowns of fortune than bask- 
 ing in her smiles : by perseverance, prudence, 
 and laudable enterprize, he raised himself to 
 wealth and respectability : and, having attained 
 that eminence, he so distinguished himself*bv his 
 amiable and upright deportment, and his zealous 
 exertions in the cause of humanity and religion, 
 that he became, not only an object of general 
 notice and regard throughout the civilized world; 
 but even the untutored tribes, that inhabit the 
 regions of Ethiopia, learnt to consider him as a 
 father and a friend. 
 
 If ever there was a necessity for me to apolo- 
 gize to an audience for my inadequacy to my sub- 
 ject, I feel it so on the present occasion. I knew 
 the man. I had the honor of an intimacy with, 
 him; and having, from the Hist, moment of my
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. II 
 
 acquaintance, an exalted opinion of his worth, 
 which time and a more thorough knowledge of 
 him has served to heighten and confirm, I cannot 
 but regret my inability to present him to you, as 
 he was. In the minds of those who were ac- 
 quainted with him, my deticiences will be readily 
 supplied by their recollections ; but of those who 
 knew him not, 1 must beg that they will consider 
 what will now be offered, not as a finished picture, 
 but as the rude outlines of the character of a man 
 who was truly great. 
 
 In his person, Capt. Cuffee was large and well 
 proportioned. His countenance was serious, but 
 mild. His speech and habit, plain and unosten- 
 tatious. His deportment, dignified and pre- 
 possessing; blending gravity with modesty ami 
 sweetness ; and firmness with gentleness and hu- 
 mility. His whole exterior indicated a man of 
 respectability and piety. Such would a stranger 
 have supposed him to be at the first glance. 
 
 To convey a further idea of him, it is necessary 
 to recur to his history. He was born in the year 
 1759, on one of the Elizabeth Islands, near New- 
 Bedford. His parents had ten children— four 
 sons and six daughters. He was the youngest of 
 the sons. His father died when he was about 14 
 years of age, at which time he had learnt but little 
 more than his alphabet ; and having from thence, 
 with his brothers, the care of his mother and sis-
 
 12 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 ters devolving upon him, he had but little oppor^ 
 tunity tor the acquisitions of literature. Indeed, 
 he never had any schooling, but obtained what 
 learning he had by his own indefatigable exer- 
 tions, and the scanty aids which he occasionally 
 received from persons who were friendly towards 
 him. By these means, however, he advanced to 
 a considerable proficiency in arithmetic, and skill 
 in navigation. Of his talent for receiving learn- 
 ing, we may form an estimate from the fact, that 
 he acquired such a knowledge of navigation in 
 two weeks, as enabled him to command his vessel 
 in the voyages which he made to Russia, to Eng- 
 land, to Africa, to the West India Islands, as well 
 as to a number of different ports in the southern 
 section of the United States. 
 
 His mind, it appears, was early inclined to the 
 pursuits of commerce. Before he was grown to 
 manhood, he made several voyages to the West 
 Indies, and along the American coast. At the 
 a£,e of 20, he commenced business for himself, in 
 a small open boat. With this, he set out trading 
 to the neighbouring towns and settlements ; and, 
 though Providence seemed rather un propitious to 
 him at iirst, by perseverance, prudence, and in- 
 dustry, his resources were so blessed with an in- 
 crease, that, after a while, he was enabled to ob- 
 tain a <rood sized schooner. In this vessel he 
 enlarged the sphere of his action ; trading to
 
 • AI'TAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 13 
 
 more distant places, and in articles requiring a 
 larger capital ; and thus, in the process of time 
 he became owner of one brig, afterwards of two, 
 then he added a ship, and so on until 1806, at 
 which time he was possessed of one ship, two 
 brigs, and several smaller vessels, besides consi- 
 derable property in houses and lands. 
 
 In this part of his history, though not the most 
 interesting, we may discover one of those distin- 
 guished traits of character, which rendered him 
 so eminently useful, i. e. a steady perseverance 
 in laudable undertaking, which overcomes obsta- 
 cles apparently insurmountable, and attains its 
 object while others fall back in despair. 
 
 Shall I say to you, my African brethren, "go 
 and do likewise?" Subjected, as we too gene- 
 rally are, to the multiplied evils of poverty, made 
 more intolerant by the prejudices which prevail 
 against us, his example is worthy our imitation. 
 It is only by an honest, industrious, and prudent 
 husbanding of the means which are placed in our 
 power, that we can hope to rise on the scale of 
 society. 
 
 Persons in indigent circumstances, even while 
 neglecting to do what good they can, are very apt 
 to entertain so exalted an opinion of their own 
 benevolence, as to suppose, if they had wealth, 
 they would abound in deeds of philanthropy and 
 charity. But when, in the vicissitudes of human
 
 14 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 affairs, their condition becomes improved, their 
 charitable intentions generally decrease, in the 
 same ratio that their abilities to execate them in- 
 crease. Thus the same man, who was once 
 loudest in his declamations against the rich, for 
 their want of liberality and compassion to the 
 poor, on a change of circumstances, is frequently 
 found equally as unfeeling and illiberal as they, 
 towards those, whom Providence has continued 
 in the humble walks from which he was raised. 
 But Capt. Cuffee was a noble exception. He 
 rose like the sun, diffusing wider and wider the 
 rays of his beneficence ; until having attained his 
 zenith, even the nations beyond the seas were 
 made to rejoice in his beams. Inspired, in early 
 life, with a desire of benefiting his fellow men, 
 the extent of his means might always be deter- 
 mined by the sphere of his usefulness. 
 
 When the state of his affairs were such as to 
 render it necessary that all his resources should 
 be employed in the promotion of his private in- 
 terests, he was nevertheless, as far as was consist- 
 ent with this primary object, always willing to 
 advance the interests of his friends, and of the 
 community at large. 
 
 Hence, during the rigours of winter, when he 
 was detained from going abroad in the pursuits 
 of business, he usually devoted his time to the 
 teaching of navigation to the young men of the
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 16 
 
 neighbourhood and the family. And, even on 
 his voyages, when opportunity would admit, he 
 employed himself in imparting to those under him 
 a knowledge of this invaluable science. In these 
 ways he has raised up a number of skilful navi- 
 gators, both white and coloured. I said that even 
 when it was necessary that all his resources should 
 be employed to his own private advantage, as far 
 as was consistent with this primary object, he was 
 always willing to advance the welfare of his 
 friends and the community. But I was wrong* 
 He went farther. He was so conscientious that 
 he would sooner sacrifice his private interests 
 than engage in any enterprize, however lawful or 
 profitable, that might have a tendency, either di- 
 rectly or indirectly, to injure his fellow men. 
 For instance, he would not deal in ardent spirits, 
 nor in slaves, though he might have done either 
 without violating the laws of his country, and 
 with great prospects of pecuniary gain. — O! that 
 all Christian traders had been actuated by a simi- 
 lar spirit! It would have made the aggregate of 
 human misery an hundred fold less than it is. 
 
 In the year 1780, Capt. C. being just then of 
 age, was with his brother John, called on by the 
 collector to pay his personal tax. At that time 
 the coloured people of Massachusetts were not 
 considered as entitled to the right of suffrage, or 
 to any of the privileges peculiar to citizens. A
 
 16 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 question immediately arose with them, whether it 
 was constitutional for them to pay taxes, while 
 they were deprived of the rights enjoyed by 
 others who paid them ? They concluded, it was 1 
 not; and, though the sum was small, yet con- 
 sidering it as#n imposition affecting the interests 
 of the people of colour throughout the state, they 
 refused to pay it. The consequence was, a law- 
 suit, attended with so much trouble and vexatious 
 delay, that they finally gave it up, by complying 
 with the requisitions of the collector. They did 
 not, however, abandon the pursuit of their rights; 
 but at the next session of the Legislature, pre- 
 sented a petition, praying that they might have 
 the rights, since they had to bear the burden of 
 citizenship ; and though there was much reason 
 to doubt of its success, yet it was granted, and all 
 the free coloured people of the state, on paying 
 their taxes, were considered, from thenceforth, as 
 entitled to all the privileges of citizens. For 
 this triumph of justice and humanity over preju- 
 dice and oppression, not only the coloured people 
 of Massachusetts, but every advocate of correct 
 principle, owes a tribute of respect and gratitude 
 to John and Paul Cuffee. 
 
 In 1797, Capt. Cuffee, lamenting that the place 
 in which he lived, was destitute of a school for the 
 instruction of youth; and anxious that his children 
 should have a more favorable opportunity of ob-
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CTJPFEE. ]7 
 
 taining education than he had had, proposed to 
 his neighbours to unite with him in erecting a 
 school-house. This, though the utility of the ob- 
 ject was undeniable, was made the cause of so 
 much contention, probably on account of his 
 colour, that he resolved at length to build a 
 school-house on his own land, and at his own ex- 
 pense. He did so, and when finished, gave them 
 the use of it gratis, satisfying himself witn seeing: 
 it occupied for the purposes contemplated* I 
 would not draw a contrast, brethren. The neigh- 
 bours, no doubt, have long since atoned for their 
 conduct on this occasion in a generous sorrow. 
 But let not prejudice denounce such a man as 
 possessed of an inferior soul. 
 
 But it was in his active commiseration in be- 
 half of his African brethren, that he shone forth 
 most conspicuously as a man of worth. Long 
 had his bowels yearned over their degraded, desti- 
 tute, miserable condition. He saw, it is true, 
 many benevolent men engaged in releasing them 
 from bondage, and pouring into their minds the 
 light of literature and religion, but he saw also 
 the force of prejudice operating so powerfully 
 against them, as to give but little encouragement 
 to hope, that they could ever rise to respectability 
 and usefulness, unless it were in a state of society 
 where they would have greater incentives to im- 
 provement, and more favorable opportunities 
 
 B
 
 18 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 than would probably be ever afforded them where 
 the bulk of the population are whites. 
 
 Under this impression, he turned his thoughts 
 to the British settlement at Sierra Leona ; and, 
 in 1811, finding his property sufficient to warrant 
 the undertaking, and believing it to be his duty 
 to appropriate part of what God had given him 
 to the benefit of his and our unhappy race, he 
 embarked on board of his own brig, manned en- 
 tirely by persons of colour, and sailed to the land 
 of his forefathers, in the hope of benefiting its 
 natives and descendants. 
 
 Arrived at the colony, he made himself ac- 
 quainted with its condition, and held a number of 
 conversations with the governor and principal in- 
 habitants ; in which he suggested a number of 
 important improvements. Among other things, 
 be recommended the formation of a society for 
 the purposes of promoting the interests of its 
 members and of the colonists in general ; which 
 measure was immediately adopted, and the so- 
 ciety named " The Friendly Society of Sierra 
 heona*." From thence he sailed to England, 
 where, meeting with every mark of attention and 
 respect, he was favored with an opportunity of 
 opening his views to the board of managers of 
 the African Institution ; who cordially acquiesc- 
 —«*)»»•- 
 
 f The " Memoir of Capt. Cuffee" contains an Epistle from this 
 gociety, to their countrymen in different lands.
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 19 
 
 ing in all his plans, gave him authority to carry 
 over from the United States a few coloured per- 
 sons of good character, to instruct the colonists 
 in agriculture and the mechanical arts. After 
 this he returned to Sierra Leona, carrying with 
 him some goods as a consignment to the " Friendly 
 Society," to encourage them in the way of trade; 
 which having safely delivered, and given them 
 some salutary instructions, he set sail and re- 
 turned again to his native land. 
 
 Thus terminated his first mission to Africa ; a 
 mission fraught with the most happy conse- 
 quences; undertaken from the purest motives of be- 
 nevolence ; and solely at his own expense and risk. 
 
 Returned to the bosom of his family and friends, 
 where every comfort awaited his command, he 
 could not think of enjoying repose while he re- 
 flected that he might, in any degree, administer 
 to the relief of the multitudes of his brethren, 
 who were groaning under the yoke of bondage, 
 or groping in the dark and horrible night of 
 heathenish superstition and ignorance. Scarcely 
 had the first transports of rejoicing, at his return, 
 time to subside, before he commenced his prepa- 
 rations for a second voyage ; not discouraged by 
 the labours and dangers he had past, and un- 
 mindful of the ease which the decline of life re- 
 quires, and to which his long continued and 
 earnest exertions gave him a peculiar claim. In 
 
 B2
 
 20 mstouRSE on 
 
 the hope of finding persons of the description 
 given by the African Institution, he visited most 
 of the large cities in the union, held frequent 
 conferences with the most reputable men of co- 
 lour, and also with those among the whites who 
 bad distinguished themselves as the friends of the 
 Africans; and recommended to the coloured 
 people to form associations for the furtherance of 
 the benevolent work in which he was engaged. 
 The results were, the formation of two societies, 
 one in Philadelphia, and the other in New York, 
 and the discovery of a number of proper persons, 
 who were willing to go with him and settle in 
 Africa. But, unfortunately, before he found 
 himself in readiness for his voyage the war com- 
 menced between this country and Great Britain. 
 This put a bar in the way of his operations, 
 which he was so anxious to remove, that he tra- 
 velled from his home at Westport, to the city of 
 Washington, to solicit the government to favor 
 his views, and to let him depart and carry with 
 him those persons and their effects whom he had 
 engaged to go and settle in Sierra Leona. He was, 
 however, unsuccessful in the attempt. His gene- 
 ral plan was highly and universally approbated, 
 but the policy of the government would not admit 
 of such an intercourse with an enemy's colony. 
 
 He had now no alternative but to stay at home 
 and wait the event of the war. But the delay,
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 21 
 
 thus occasioned, instead of being suffered to damp 
 his ardor, was improved by him to the maturing 
 of his plans, and extending his correspondence, 
 which already embraced some of the first charac- 
 ters in Great Britain and America. After the 
 termination of the war, he with all convenient 
 speed prepared for his departure, and in Dec. 
 1815, he took on board his brig 38 persons of the 
 dispersed race of Africa ; and after a voyage of 
 55 days, landed them safely on the soil of their 
 progenitors. 
 
 It is proper here to remark that Capt. C. in his 
 zeal for the welfare of his brethren, had exceeded 
 the instructions of the Institution at London. — 
 They had advised him not to carry over, in the 
 first instance, more than 6 or 8 persons ; conse- 
 quently, he had no claim on them for the passage 
 and other expenses attending the removal of any 
 over that number. But this he had previously 
 considered, and generously resolved to bear the 
 burden of the expense himself, rather than any 
 of those whom he had engaged should be deprived 
 of an opportunity of going where they might be 
 so usefully employed. He moreover foresaw, that 
 when these persons were landed at Sierra Leona, 
 it would be necessary to make such provision for 
 the destitute as would support them until they 
 were enabled to provide for themselves. 
 
 B 3
 
 22 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 For this also he had to apply to his own re- 
 sources, so that in this voyage he expended out 
 of his own private funds between three and four 
 thousand dollars, for the benefit of the colony. 
 
 Whether this sum will ever be made up to his 
 heirs, is not for me to determine, but whether it 
 is so or not, this act of his deserves to be placed 
 on record, and handed down to posterity as a 
 proof of the warmth of his benevolence, and of 
 the purity and disinterestedness of his attachment 
 to the African race. 
 
 On the arrival of Capt. Cuffee at Sierra Leona, 
 he presented his passengers to the Governor, who 
 gave to each family a lot of ground in the town, 
 besides from 30 to 50 acres of land, according to 
 their number, on a spot about two miles distant 
 from it. Afterwards, in a letter which he wrote 
 to England, in answer to one which he had re- 
 ceived, requiring him to saj what should be done 
 for the advantage of the new comers, he pru- 
 dently advised, that a house should be built for 
 the accommodation of their families on each of 
 their farms. 
 
 His stay at the colony, at this time, was about 
 two months, and when he took his departure, 
 particularly from those whom he brought over 
 with him, it was like a father taking leave of his 
 children, receiving the tokens of their overflow-
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CLFFEE. 
 
 23 
 
 ing affection, and with pious admonition, com- 
 mending them to the protection of God. 
 
 Oh ! never, never to be forgotten scene. When 
 the doleful tidings shall be there announced, that 
 he is numbered with the dead, what tears will flow 
 at the recollection of its every circumstance. 
 
 The exclusion of American vessels from the 
 trade of the British colonies, by the late treaty, 
 rendered Capt. C. (in order that he might prose- 
 cute his designs) very solicitous to obtain a licence 
 for his vessel to trade to Sierra Leona. He had, 
 indeed, been urged to connect himself with the 
 institution of London, and to sail as supercargo 
 in British bottoms and to British ports ; but with 
 this he was unwilling to comply, though he knew 
 the business would be very lucrative. Consider- 
 ing himself, to use his own phraseology, as a 
 member of the whole African family, he was un- 
 willing to leave that part of it which was in Ame- 
 rica, in its present state : " My wish," said he, 
 " is for the good of this people universally." 
 His last voyage had been undertaken at the risk 
 of having his vessel and cargo seized and con- 
 . demned ; and, though he escaped, he could not 
 think it advisable to run the same hazard again. 
 He, therefore, wrote to his friends in England, 
 to try to obtain a licence for his vessel, and to 
 make some other arrangements which he deemed 
 necessary for another voyage. Whether these 
 
 B 4
 
 24 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 arrangements were ever made, I cannot say, but 
 if they were, it was not until after he was seized 
 with that complaint which terminated his labours 
 and his life. He was taken ill some time in Fe- 
 bruary, and expired on the 7th day of September, 
 in the 59th year of his age. 
 
 During his illness, the subject of ameliorating 
 the condition of his brethren, continued deeply 
 impressed on his mind, and occupied his decay- 
 ing powers in an extensive correspondence with 
 their friends ; and, though he was unable to serve 
 them as he had done, he was gratiiied at finding 
 his views adopted by a number of the most bene- 
 volent ana influential men in the American Union. 
 Such was his public character. Such was the 
 warmth of his benevolence, the activity of his zeal, 
 and the extent of his labours, in behalf of the 
 African race. Indeed his whole life may be said 
 to have been spent in their service. To their be- 
 nefit he devoted the acquisitions of his youth, the 
 time of his later years, and even the thoughts of 
 his dying pillow. 
 
 As a private man, he was just and upright in 
 all his dealings, an affectionate husband, a kind 
 father, a good neighbour, and a faithful friend. 
 Pious wsthoui ostentation, and warmly attached 
 to the principles of Quakerism, he manifested, 
 in all his deportment, that 'he was a true disciple 
 of Jesus 5 and cherished a charitable disposition,
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CTFFEE. 25 
 
 to professors of every denomination, who walked 
 according to the leading principles of the gospel. 
 Regardless of the honors and pleasures of the 
 world, in hiynble imitation of his divine master, 
 he went from place to place doing good ; looking 
 not for his reward among men, but in the favor 
 of his heavenly father. Thus walking in the 
 ways of piety and usefulness, in the smiles of an 
 approving conscience, and the favor of God ; he 
 enjoyed, through life, an unusual serenity and 
 satisfaction of mind, and when the fatal messen- 
 ger arrived to cut the bonds of mortality, it found 
 him in peace, ready and willing to depart- In 
 that solemnly interesting period, when nature 
 with him was struggling in the pangs of dissolu- 
 tion, such a calmness and serenity overspread his 
 soul, and manifested itself in his countenance and 
 actions, that the heart of the greatest reprobate, 
 at beholding him, would have responded the wish: 
 " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let 
 my last end be like his." 
 
 A short time previous to his exit, feeling sen- 
 sible that it was near, he called his family toge- 
 ther to bid them adieu. Tt was an affecting scene. 
 A scene of inexpressible solemnity — of tears and 
 bitter anguish, on the one hand, and christian 
 firmness and resignation on the other. His wife 
 and children, and several other relatives, beinir 
 
 7 O 
 
 all assembled around him, the good old man
 
 26 DISCOURSE Off 
 
 reached forth his enfeebled hand, and after shak- 
 ing hands with each, and given them some pious 
 advice, he commended them to the tender mer- 
 cies of Jehovah, and bade them all a final farewell. 
 After this his mind seemed almost entirely occu- 
 pied with the eternal world. « Not many days 
 hence," said he to one of his neighbours who came 
 to visit him, " Not many days hence, and ye shall 
 see the glory of God ; I know that my works are 
 all gone to judgment before me ;" but he sub- 
 joined, " It is all well ; it is all well." 
 
 I could add many particulars, but it is unne- 
 cessary. He is gone. He lived the life, and died 
 the death, of a christian. He is gone whence he 
 shall never return, and where he shall contend 
 no more with raging billows, and* with howling 
 storms. His voyages are all over ; he has made 
 his last, and it was to the haven of eternal repose. 
 The clods of the valley now cover his mortal part, 
 and screen it from the tempests which rage and 
 spread desolation on the earth; and, his spirit 
 made free from the wearisome load, has tied to 
 its account at the bar of its God. Thither could 
 we follow it, we should learn the importance of 
 fulfilling our duty to our Creator, to our fellow- 
 creatures, and to ourselves. He is gone, and 
 where shall we find his fellow ? Among the al- 
 most innumerable multitudes that have sprung 
 from the land of Ethiopia, where shall we find
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 27 
 
 one that is qualified to fill his place? Oh! why 
 was he not longer spared? For bleeding Afric's 
 sake why was not the mortal shaft warded from 
 his bosom, and lodged in the hearts of some of 
 those monsters who prey upon her blood? O, 
 Lord ! we presume not to arraign thy councils. 
 Thou knowest what is best. Though clouds stud 
 darkness are around thee, justice and judgment 
 are the habitation of thy seat. Teach us, O hea- 
 venly father! teach us resignation to thy will, and 
 we shall Hnd it all to be right in the end. 
 
 My brethren of the African Institution, lie is 
 gone! and he has left it as his dying request, that 
 you should continue together for the furtherance 
 of the great work in which he was engaged. Hear 
 an extract from one of his late letters on the sub- 
 ject. After mentioning the societies, that which 
 we compose, and that established in Philadelphia, 
 he says: " I wish these Institutions to be brought 
 as much into action as possible ; by tjiese means 
 the coloured people of these large cities would be 
 more awakened than from an individual, and a 
 stranger, and thereby prevailed upon for their 
 own good." 
 
 Will you then regard this earnest desire of his 
 heart, or will you now, that he shall be no more 
 among us, neglect the object for Which we were 
 formed, and depart every man his own way? Oh,
 
 28 DISCOURSE ON 
 
 no! let us continue, if not from respect to his me- 
 mory, from regard to the great interests of Africa, 
 which, at this moment, require that you should 
 watch over them with peculiar care. You should 
 now supply the place of Paul Cuffee. Your exer- 
 tions may have much influence over those impor- 
 tant measures, which are now in agitation about 
 colonizing the coloured people of these states. 
 
 My brethren of the African race in general, 
 Capt. C. was an advocate of African colonization. 
 He wished to see that part of our nation, which 
 are dispersed and kept in a state of bondage and 
 degradation in christian countries, returning to the 
 land of their ancestors, carrying with them the 
 light of science and religion, and diffusing it 
 through those vast benighted regions. By this 
 means he hoped, that our curse would be con- 
 verted into a blessing, and Africa speedily brought 
 to enjoy all the advantages of civilization and 
 Christianity. My brethren, Capt. C. was a judi- 
 cious and a good man. His thoughts run deep, 
 and his motives were pure. Such was his repu- 
 tation for wisdom and integrity, that his neigh- 
 bours always consulted him in all their important 
 concerns ; and, oh ! what honor to the son of an 
 African slave, the most respectable men in Great 
 Britain and America were not ashamed to seek to 
 him for counsel and advice !
 
 CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE. 29 
 
 Moreover, brethren, he was our friend. Let 
 lis not then hastily condemn a measure to which 
 every fibre of his heart clung, and from which it 
 could only be separated by the strong hand of 
 death ; a measure in which he was made the in- 
 strument of interesting a number of the wisest and 
 most benevolent men, both here and in England, 
 and which is generally approbated by those who 
 have proved themselves friendly towards us. 
 Let us suspend our judgments of it, until we see 
 its further developement. Let us watch, over it 
 as that from which God, in his providence, may 
 be intending to bring us good ; and if, after we 
 have seen the whole arranged, and carefully ex- 
 amined its parts, we find cause to disapprove, it 
 will then be time enough to rise up in opposition 
 against it. 
 
 In the meanwhile, let us instruct our children 
 in the knowledge of letters, the necessary mecha- 
 nical arts, and all the branches of useful science. 
 Let a spirit of union and friendship prevail among 
 us, and every facility in our power be given to all 
 who are endeavouring to rise to wealth, to know- 
 ledge, and respectability. Above all, let us en- 
 deavour to promote morality and the interests of 
 the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. So shall we 
 be the better prepared for whatever may be our 
 future destinies ; we shall pay the most suitable
 
 se 
 
 DISCOURSE, &C. 
 
 tribute of respect to the memory of our departed 
 friend ; we shall improve our condition in this life, 
 and attain the felicities of God's kingdom, when 
 this scene shall close. 
 
 H*»«*fjNw 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
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