with us. Let these provisions stand in ALl their rigor, to work out the ultimate and unbounded good of this people." In plain English to coerce their consent to go to Africa. Memorial to New-York Legislature, 1832.

We have seen what are the Connecticut and Virginia plans for promoting Colonization-now for the Pennsylvania plan. At a public meeting held in the borough of Columbia, (Penn.) at the Town Hall, 23d August, 1834, the following among other resolutions were unanimously passed.

"Resolved that we will not purchase any articles that can be procured elsewhere, or give our vote for any office whatever, to any one who employs negroes to do that species of labor white men have been accustomed to perform

'Resolved, that the Colonization Society ought to be supported by all the citizens favorable to the removal of the blacks from this country."

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Here we find the support of the Society avowedly coupled with a most detestable plan of persecution. And now for the practical operation of this meeting of the friends of the "benevolent Colonization system." It appears from a Columbia paper, that one or two nights after the meeting, a mob collected, and partly tore down the dwelling of a black man; they then proceeded to the office of another black man, who had had the presumption to deal in lumber, species of labor white men had been accustomed to perform," broke open the windows and door, rifled the desk, scattered papers in the street, and attempted to overturn the building. Surely the Society may reasonably anticipate the consent of the blacks to emigrate, when in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia such cogent arguments are used to obtain it. Were the Society governed as it ought to be, by Christian principles, it would shrink from encouraging persecution by accomplishing its object, the exportation of its victims. It would say explicitly to the authors of these atrocities, "you shall gain nothing by your cruelty, through our instrumentality; we will not encourage your farther persecutions, by removing those whose consent you have obtained by such unjustifiable means; we will not to please

you,

"Keep the word of promise to the ear,

And break it to the hope."

But alas, it has virtually given official notice, that it will transport all whose consent can be obtained, no matter by what barbarity. Hear the declaration of Mr. Gurley, the

Secretary of the Society.

"Should they (the free blacks,) BE URGED BY ANY STRESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES to seek an asylum beyond the limits of the United States, humanity and religion will alike dictate that they should be assisted to remove and establish them. selves in freedom and prosperity in the land of their CHOICE." Letter to gentlemen in New-York.

True it is the free blacks have been rendered by preju. dice and persecution, an ignorant and degraded class; but they have retained sufficient intelligence to comprehend the practical character of Colonization philanthropy.

The following resolutions passed by a meeting of free blacks in New-Bedford in 1832, express the unanimous opinion of all their brethren who have intelligence to form, or courage to express an opinion on the subject.

"Resolved that in whatever light we view the Coloniza tion Society, we discover nothing in it but terror, prejudice and oppression. The warm and beneficent hand of philan thropy is not apparent in the system, but the influence of the Society on public opinion is more prejudicial to the in terests and welfare of the people of color in the United States, than slavery itself.

"Resolved that the Society, to effect its purpose, the removal of free people of color (not the slaves) through its agents, teaches the public to believe that it is patriotic and benevolent to withhold from us, knowledge and the means of acquiring subsistence; and to look upon us as unnatural and illegal residents in this country, and thus by the force of prejudice, if not by law, endeavor to compel us to em. bark for Africa, and that too apparently by our own free. will and consent."

And now let us ask what purpose is to be answered by persecuting this people, and keeping them ignorant and degraded? Does any one believe that they will ever be removed from the country? They now amount to 362,000. In 16 years,2,162 have been sent away, some at first voluntarily, but many of them through coercion. But can cruelty, be it ever so extreme, furnish the Society with funds and

ships sufficient to transport such a multitude? They must, in spite of Connecticut and Virginia persecution remain with us. And if they are to remain with us, what conduct towards them, do policy and religion prescribe? Conduct precisely opposite to that pursued by the Society. We must instruct and elevate them, if we would not be incumbered by an ignorant and depraved population, we must treat them with justice and kindness if we would avoid the displeasure of HIM who has declared "Ye shall not oppress one another."

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CHAPTER III.

Influence of the Colonization Society on Africa-Suppression of the Slave Trade.

VERY many, who now despair of extirpating slavery by means of the Society, continue to support it, from a belief that it will confer rich blessings on Africa. These anticipated blessings are the suppression of the slave trade, and the diffusion of religion and civilization. Let us at present inquire, how far the first may reasonably be exhe pected.

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In the declarations of the Society, and its members on this subject, we shall find an astonishing medley of ignorance, rash assertion, and honest confession.

"Sierra Leone has repaid Africa with still greater blessings; her example, her influence and efforts, have given peace and security to the neighboring coast; and who can estimate the extent of misery prevented, and of happiness conferred, to a population delivered from all the horrors of the slave trade." Fifth Rep. p. 18.

"The line of coast from Sierra Leone to Cape Mount, is now under British protection; and from Cape Mount to Tradetown, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, the slave trade cannot be prosecuted with the least hope of success." Af. Rep. II. p. 125-Editorial.

"Every colony of civilized inhabitants, established on

that coast, and resolved to stop this trade to the extent of its means, will, at all events, put an end to it for a consi derable distance. The colonies of Sierra Leone, and of Liberia, both produce this effect within their respective vicinities." Judge Blackford's Address to Indiana Colonization Society. Af. Rep. VI. p. 66.

It would seem from the following, that the truth of these compliments to Sierra Leone is at least questionable.

"The acting Attorney General of Sierra Leone declared in 1812, on the trial of certain persons, for the infrac tion of the British abolition laws, that the town of Sierra Leone was the heart from which all the arteries and veins of the slave-trading system had for years been animated and supplied.'" Dr. Thorpe's view of the present increase of the slave trade, p. 71.

We shall have occasion to refer again to the connection of this colony with the slave trade; but now for Liberia.

"In fact, the Colonization Society proposes the ONLY means by which this accursed trade can ever be effectually stopped; and, indeed, the Colony of Liberia, which this Society has planted, has already freed about two hundred and fifty miles of that coast from the ravages of these ene mies of the human race.” Address of J. A. McKinney, 4 July, 1830 Af. Rep. VI. p. 231.

4th

"The flag that waves on Cape Montserado, proclaims to the slave trader, that there is one spot, even in Africa, consecrated to freedom one spot which his polluted foot shall not tread." Speech of G. Smith, V. Prest. 13th Jan. 1831. 14th Rep.

"Did we desire to put an end to these outrages upon humanity, (the slave trade) the Colonization Society offers itself as the ONLY efficient means. The slaver has dared to show herself but once within the limits of Liberia, and then she received the rewards of her temerity." Proceed ings of N. Y. Col. Soc. 1832.

"No slaver now dares come within one hundred miles of the settlement."

Rev. Dr. Hawkes' Speech at Col

Meeting in New-York, Oct. 1833.

The above are specimens of the assertions which have been rashly made, and credulously received. Let us no attend to the honest confessions on this subject, and let the

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reader compare them with the foregoing assertions. That these confessions may be better understood, it may be well to mention, that the territory of Liberia commences at Gallinas River, and extends about two hundred and eighty miles southwardly along the coast, and embraces Cape Montserado, Cape Mount, Tradetown and Bushrod Island.

"The records of the colony afford abundant and unequivocal testimony of the undiminished extent and atrocity of the slave trade. From eight to ten, and even fifteen vessels have engaged at the same time in this odious traffick, almost within reach of the guns of Liberia, and as late as July 1825, there were existing contracts for eight hundred slaves to be furnished in the short space of four months, WITHIN EIGHT MILES OF MONROVIA." Rep. X. p. 44, 1827.

"From all I can learn, I am induced to believe, that the slave trade is now carried on at the Gallinas, between Cape Mount and Sierra Leone, and to the leeward of this place, to a greater extent than it has been for many years." Letter from R. Randall, Agent at Liberia, 28th Dec. 1828. Af. Rep. V. p. 4.

Frequently within sight of the colonial factories, the slave traders carry on their operations. The slave trade never has been carried on with more activity, than it is at this time. There is established at Gallinas, a regular slave agent, who furnishes slaves to the slave vessels. He st. receives his goods from trading vessels, and it is said principally from an American vessel. He purchases large numbers of slaves, and furnishes the slave vessels, who principally bring out specie. These vessels run up and down the coast until a convenient opportunity offers, when they run in and get their cargoes of slaves. Some of Pthem are captured, and I have been informed, they have been bought afterwards by their original owners, and that the same vessel has frequently been bought and sold seveatral times." Letter from R. Randall, Agent at Liberia, Feb. 1829. Af. Rep. V. p. 148. The same letter states ch the astounding fact, that "Mamma, the proprietress of Bushrod Island, just in front of Monrovia, whose town is not more than a quarter of a mile from our settlements on

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