ing preponderance in the white population. A comparison of the census of 1830, with that of 1820, affords us the following ratio of increase in the free and slave population, for the intermediate ten years:

N. Carolina, Free 13.4 per ct.

Slave

S. Carolina,

8.7

20.2 per

ct.

22.1

180.4.

100.1

58.7

144.7

77.7

30.4

180.

Arkansas Territory, 104.3

It is obvious, from these details, that, if the present system be continued, the time cannot be far distant, when the slaves will possess a frightful numerical superiority over their masters. Already do they bear to the whites, in the slave States and Territories, the proportion of 1, to 2.79, or more than 'one-third. In South-Carolina, and Louisiana, they are now a majority.

But in our contemplation of slavery, the sufferings of the slaves claim our consideration, no less than the dangers to which the whites are exposed. The ordinary evils of slavery are in this country greatly aggravated, by a cruel and extensive slave trade. Various circumstances have of late years combined, to lessen the demand for slave labor in the more northern, and to increase it in the more southern and western portions of the slave region; while the enlarged consumption of sugar and cotton is enhancing the market value of slaves. The most profitable employment of this species of labor, is unfortunately found in those States, which, from their recent settlement, possess immense tracts which are still to be brought into cultivation, and in which, consequently, there now is, and will long continue to be, an urgent demand for slaves. Hence has arisen a prodigious and annually increasing transportation of slaves to the south and west..

There are no official data, from which the amount of this transportation can be ascertained; but from facts that have transpired, and from estimates made at the South,

there is reason to believe that it exceeds 30,000 a year! One of the peculiar abominations of this trade is, that its victims are almost exclusively children and youths. Instead of removing whole families and gangs of negroes, the dealers for the most part, according to their own advertisements, select individuals "of both sexes, from twelve to twenty-five years."

He surely can have little claim to the character of a patriot, or a Christian, who does not desire, that his country may be delivered from the sin and curse of slavery; or who refuses even to consider the means proposed for effecting this great object.

A powerful institution is now in operation, which professes to be, not merely a remedy for slavery, but the ONLY remedy that can be devised. It appeals to religion and he patriotism, for those pecuniary aids, which, it contends, are er alone wanting, to enable it to transport our whole colored e population to Africa, there to enjoy the freedom denied to 9 them here; and there to become the dispensers of religion, and the arts and sciences, to that benighted continent.

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If the claims of the American Colonization Society are of founded in truth, they cannot be resisted without guilt. rs Very many, however, who are alike distinguished for of piety and talents, instead of allowing these claims, strenuelously maintain, that the practical tendency of the Society, ve is to perpetuate the evils it professes to remove; and to extend to Africa, the vices, but not the blessings of civilizah- tion. These conflicting opinions, on a subject so momenhe tous, demand a calm and patient investigation; since he he who either supports or opposes the Colonization Society, without first ascertaining its true character, the results it has produced, and the influence it exerts, incurs the n- hazard, as far as his example and efforts extend, of inn, creasing the wretchedness he would relieve; and of fastenging upon his country, the burden under which she is struggling.

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as

n If, in a question, involving the temporal and eternal happiness of unborn millions, we could satisfy our conof sciences, by bowing to the authority of great names, we would still be painfully embarrassed in selecting those, to whose decision we would surrender our own judgments.

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The excellent of the earth, are to be found among the friends and enemies of this association; and if various ecclesiastical bodies in our own country, have recommended it to the patronage of their churches, it is regarded with abhorrence by almost the whole religious community of Great Britain; and the last effort made by WILBERFORCE, in the great cause of negro liberty, was, to enter his solemn protest against the doctrines and conduct of the American Colonization Society.

This Institution may have been formed by good men, and from the purest motives, yet it is possible, that its operation may not have been such as they anticipated. "So many

unforeseen, concealed, and inappreciable causes," says a very eminent writer, "have an influence on human institutions, that it is impossible to judge a priori of their effects. Nothing but a long series of experiments, can unfold these effects, and point out the means of counteracting those that are hurtful."

The following inquiry has been commenced, and pursued, under a deep sense of the importance of the subject, and with a solemn recollection, that no deviation from truth, can escape the notice and displeasure of HIм, unto whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid.

CHAPTER I.

Origin, Constitution and character of the American Colonization Society.

ON the 23d December, 1816, the Legislature of Virginia passed a resolution requesting the Governor to correspond with the President of the United States, "for the purpose of obtaining a territory on the coast of Africa, t or at some other place not within any of the States, or territorial governments of the United States, to serve as an asylum for such persons of color as are now free, and may desire the same, and for those who may hereafter be emancipated within this commonwealth."

Within a few days of the date of this resolution, a meeting was held at Washington to take this very subject into consideration. It was composed almost entirely of southern gentlemen. Judge Washington presided; Mr. Clay, Mr. Randolph, and others took part in the discussions which ensued, and which resulted in the organization of the American Colonization Society. Judge Washington was chosen President, and of the seventeen Vice-Presidents, only five were selected from the free States, while the twelve managers were, it is believed, without one exception, slave-holders.

The two first articles of the constitution are the only ones relating to the object of the Society. They are as follows:

Art. I. This Society shall be called the American Society for colonizing the free people of color of the United States.

Art. 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 place as Congress shall deem most expedient. And the Society shall act to effect this object in co-operation with the general government and such of the States as may adopt regulations on the subject.

It is worthy of remark, that this constitution has no preamble setting forth the motives which led to its adoption, and the sentiments entertained by its authors. There is no one single principle of duty or policy recognized by the constitution, and the members may, without inconsistency, be composed of Christians or of Infidels: they may be the friends or enemies of slavery, and may be actuated by kindness or by hatred towards "the free people of color."

The omission of all avowal of motives was, probably, not without design, and has not been without effect. It has secured the co-operation of three distinct classes. First, such as sincerely desire to afford the free blacks an asylum from the oppression they suffer here, and by their means to extend to Africa the blessings of Christianity and civili. zation, and who at the same time flatter themselves that colonization will have a salutary influence in accelerating the abolition of slavery Secondly, such as expect to enhance the value and security of slave property, by removing the free blacks And, thirdly, such as seek relief from a bad population, without the trouble and expense of improving it.

The doors of the Society being thrown open to all, a heterogeneous multitude has entered, and within its portals men are brought into contact, who, in the ordinary walks of life, are separated by a common repulsion. The devoted missionary, ready to pour out his life on the sands of Africa, is jostled by the trafficker in human flesh; the humble, self-denying Christian listens to the praises of the Society from the unblushing profligate, and the friend of human rights and human happiness greets as his fellowlaborer the man whose very contribution to the cause is extorted from the unrequited labor of his fellow men. This anomalous amalgamation of characters and motives has necessarily led to a lamentable compromise of principle. Whatever may be the object each member proposes to himself, he is conscious it can be effected only by the harmonious co-operation of all the other members. Hence it is all important to avoid giving and taking offence;