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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0032 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0032 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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32
COLONIZATION JOURNAL.
Another Expedition to Liberia—The
American Colonization Society, are about
despatching another vessel with emigrants and
stores to Liberia. 'The emigrants to embark
number about 70—at (lie head fit whom is a
respectable colored man by the name of Lewis
Sheridan. He is a man of wealth, and many
of the emigrants have considerable properly.'
The brig Luna, which look out the last
emigrants for Liberia, has arrived in New
York, after the remarkable quick run of
twenty-five days from Monrovia. She brings
information of the prosperous state of affairs
in Liberia. We are pleased to learn one fact,
as honourable to the colonists, as it is gran-
tying to our citizens. Mr. II. Tenge, editor
of the Liberia Herald, on July lust, loaded in
this port the schooner Caroline, with a full
cargo of goods for Monrovia. Several mer-
chants gave him credit for some thousands,
and we are gratified lo learn that this xcsecl
is on her return, and expected shortly in this
port with a sufficient amount of the products
of Africa to discharge all debts contracted
here. This promises well for the future pros-
perity of the commerce of that new and rising
republic. If confidence is once established
between the two countries, a flourishing trade
will spring up to benefit both. And why
should not the citizens of our country secure
a good portion of that trade which has here-
tofore enriched many in Europe, and winch
is destined in time to pour a neb harvest into
the laps of those who attend lo their interests?
Phil. Gaz.
The receipts of the American Colonization
Society, from 'he 20ih of June to the 21st ol
July, amounted to |7,330, piincipally obtained
by Mr. Gurley, the indefatigable secretary,
during Lis tour through the Western and
South-western states. The large sum is in-
dependent of those obtained by the Maryland
and Philadelphia societies.
Through the kindness of Mr. Caspar W. Wevcr,
we are permitted to make a short extract from a letter
sent him by John Randolph Hevanport, one of the in-
dividuals manumitted by Mr. Adam AVever, of
Frederick, who went out in the expedition, by the
•chooner Financier, in July hut.
'I take this opportunity of writing these
few lines to inform you that I have arrived
safe in Africa, am well and glad that J come
to this country. Since my arrival here 1
have found a kind friend in Mr. Snetter, who
has rendered ine some assistance, and pro-
mises to do more. 1 wa» married on Saturday
last, by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, missionary of
this place, to Mis» Mary Ann Payne, who
came out with us in the Financier. I like
the place very much, Bnd hope that more ot
my friends will come out here ; for we have a
good new house provided for cur reception
tor the first six months after our arrival. 1
send out by the vessel a bottle of palm oil,
which can be used as lard or burnt as lonip
oil. I have also sent some shells, the largest
for Miss Cstharme, the next lor Miss Char-
lotte, and the children.
DEPARTURES OF MlSSIONARIES FOR AFRICA.
This morning, at 11 o'clock, the Rev. John
Seys, Rev. Squire Chase, and the Rev. Geo.
S, firown, the last mentioned a coluured man,
sailed for Liberia, in the schooner Portia.
These gentlemen are all missionaries of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. They were
accompanied to the vessel by a committee of
the Young Men's Missionary Society of this
city, with a number of the Board of Mana-
gers,two of Mr. Beys' children, and several
kind friends.
After embracing each other in token of
affectionate and christian adieu, they kneeled
together upon the wharf, and were commended
in fervent prayer to the Cod of missions, when,
with many tears, tiiey parted with their
friends, probably to meet no more on carlh.
We learn that this parting scene, occurring
upon one of our crowded wharves, was touch-
ing indeed—so the busy avocatiuiis of those
employed upon the dock were suspended, mid
many of the by-slanders removed their hats,
while tears of sympathy were seen in the
eyes of the sailors who manned the boat which
was to convey the missionaries on hoard. It
waa a spontaneous tribute to a tender and
affecting scene, and one which had not been
pre-arranged. It was truly a ceremony of the
heart.—N. Y. Com. Adv.
The Work Goes On.
In passing along Pearl rtieet, and its crowd-
ed lots of merchandise, we noticed yesterday
a row of boxes in front of DilWfJ & Bio-
thers, marked Liberia, Wtttttn A/riia. We
are informed that this trade is becoming so
important as to make it necessary lor the mer-
chants in the colony to visit this country regu-
larly for their supplies. The gentlemen just
mferred to received, not lung since, a lut ol
cam-wood from a firm at Monrovia, winch sold
in this market for seven thousand five hundred
dollars. Willi the proceeds the parties pur-
chased a vessel, which was filled with a return
cargo—JV. Y. Com. Adv.
Colonization Meeting at Saratoga
Springs.
Mr. Pinny, former Governor of Liberia,
and Mr. McElroy, who spent four mouths in
the colony, addressed a public meeting at Sara-
toga on the 9th Augiibt, submitting statements
of which the following is the subbtance:—
LIBERIA, THE HOME OF THE COLOURED MAN.
That the const of Africa was admirably fitted
to he the happy home of the coloured population
of this country, they both were most sincerely,
and lully persuaded ; and they were equally
satisfied thnt nothing was winning but n more
ample development ol the plans of the colony,
mid a knowledge of its condition and prospects
to render it lo the intelligent and entt> pricing
people of colour in this country the most at-
tractive of bonus, ti ml the most desirable | 8i>
sessions. Mr. McEli.oy is expecting lo he
the heir to a large plantation, of slaves ; and
the great nnd commending desire of his heart
is to do that forlhcm, which shall be most lor
their good. His visit lo Afrira. however in-
convenient, expensive, or pinions it might he
to himself, was mode for tlie single purpose of
enabling bin lo deUiuiir.e, whethir the estab-
lishment of them In Liberia would secure this
end—whether a reasonable prospect opened
lo ihcm there, of self-support, comfort, educa-
tion, and happiness; and alter a four months'
residence in the colony, he was satisfied that
no spot accessible by Ihtm. in this country, or
on earth, premised them M much of nil that
renders lite desirable as Liberia. His aim now
is to qualify thrm, by education, and a know-
ledge of agriculture and the mechanic arts,
for u residence and a pirmanent home theie.
Mr. Pinky viewed it as the natural home of
the coloured man, because all there stood upon
a looting of absolute equality. 'I he black man
is the school-master, the lawyer, the judge,
the juror; he is the enterprising merchant, tlie
wealthy farmer, the ship master, and ship-
owner, ond moy rise to any tfficc of the
colony.
CLIMATE GOOD AND HEALTHFUL.
Mr. McElroy stated that he never enjoyed
better health than while at the colony. He
weighed more than it any previous period of
his life ; fifteen pounds more than when he left
this country.
Mr. Pinny slated that the low grounds at
the mouth of the rivers, were like the low
grounds of this continent, wet, and when first
cleared up, unhealthy, hut were greatly im-
proving in this respect by cultivation. The
interior, even within a few miles of stations
the most unhenliliy, were eminently salu-
brious; and had the colony been assisted more
hboially in its eoily history, to remove back,
and occupy more cle\atcd positions, it would
have Idund n gions as mountainous as New*
England, and us hi lie visited with disease as
was New Engluiid in its early settlement.
The natives ol the interior are remarkably
healthy, enjoying a fine mountain air, ami as
pure water as Hows in any of the living limit
of our own hilly districts. It is common for
them to take journeys of hcnlth from the coast
to the interior.
TEMPERANCE.
Mr. McElroy stated that a sick man ot
Millsburgh wos ordered some medicine in
tpiritt, and sent to ¦ store lor si me, but could
obtuin none litre. He thin sent lo the other
stores of the settlement, but they had none.
He therefore directed the ninn to begin ol one
end ot the village, and inquire at every house,
tor spirits, as he wanted a little and only a
httle ; which was done, but without success ;
and the sick man was obliged to take his
medicine as he could.
Mr. M. called nt a hotel kept and owned by
a black man. He, however, saw no bar, and
no appearance of ardent spirits, or wines in
any part of the house. He inquired of the
innkeeper, Y\ hire is your bar? who indig-
nantly replied : '• Why, sir, J keep a hotel,
not a grog-shop.''
INFLUENCE ON THE NATIVES.
Mr. Pinny was well satisfied that the most
efficient means of elevating, and evangelizing
the native and interior tribes was through Iht
colony, liy means of the colony, Ihey sec
what they may become ; they see youth able
to read and write; the wives of the colonists
trcnttd by their husbands with respect and
afliction; families orderly and happy; their
brethren dressed comlorlably like the whites,
and they aspire to the same elevation. 'l'here
is not a tribe along the coast, said Mr. P. which
it not calling jor colonists. Gov. Skinner
lately received a deed of a large district be-
longing to u tribe of which ho hud never heard
a word, giving him the land OB condition that
he would commence a colony among them In
every native village, within considerable dis-
tances of the colniy, two, three, or a dozen
persons may be found who speak the English
language ; so that you have no need now to
lake an interpreter with you in passing along
the coast; nor to speak in commendation of
the colony, for its piaises are in the mouths of
all. The trade with ihe native tribes is be-
coming brisk, nnd is teaching them to work
rather than live by plunder and fighting. They
see the immense difference between selling
men to the slavers, and goats, poultry, and
cam-wood to the colony ; aud.are forsaking the
former, and labouring lor the latter.
INFLUENCE OF SL AVERY U PON THECOLONY.
It is pleasant to see good coming out of evil,
and especially so atrocious on evil as slavery.
The slaves of this country, degraded as they
ore, are as much ubove the native tribes of
Africo, as the whites of this country ore above
the slaves. They see civilized lite, they are
accustomed to labour; ihey have before them a
standard far above them of information, activi-
ty, enterprise; and when they go lo Aliica
Ihey bear that con munity up, os here they
bring this down. Hence, to be an 'America-
tnan' in the colony is a ptoud distinction ; ond
an appellation of honour, as distinguishing him
who bearB it far above Ihe native born Afri-
can, who had never seen the manners of cul-
tivated society, and had known nothing but
the untutored bmhority of his own clime. A
remarkable illustration ol this rlovntion on the
one hand, ond depression on the oilier, was
given by Mr. Pinny, lie remarked lhat one
hundred nnd sixty slaves captured fini slnvc-
ships. who had in ver had a glimpse of civilized
life, were placed in a colony in a selth mi nl
by tl mitclvcs. nnd that it wos with difficulty
thnt they could he induced 10 dress, or manage
their lands like Ihe colonists token cut fiom
this country, but chose to live much in the
cureless, iiisy, uirmprovirg way ol their de-
graded tribe." On the other hand, about SOO
Africans were tnlin Ircm the c< ost and cap-
tured, nnd brought fo the United States, who
remained in Gemgia one ytar, witnessing Ihe
intelligence of the whites,' ond pcrtoiming va-
rious kinds of labour, when they were placed
in the colony of Liberia, end calling them-
selves 'Ami rica-men,' begon at once to
clothe themselves, lo lay out their lands, ond
to impiovc their forms, as became colonists of
the first order. Their enterprise, as conitast-
ed with the heedlessness of the one hundred
and sixty was most remarkable.
Mr. McElroy was invited by a colonist of
this grade,—once a slave in this country, now
a Major in the militia ot Liberia,—lo o dinner
party at his own house. He went; ond on
his arrival at the house, which was stone the
first story, and white above, he found quite a
party of gentlemen of the colony present ; the
room wos richly curpcttcd ; on one side of it
wos a sofa ; on another o bureau, and oround
it a full supply of hair-bottomed chairs, and all
in good taste. The entertainment was in ele-
gant style ; and the major conversed on mat-
ters of state, ond discussed the character of
Napoleon with great fullness and freedom, in-
dicating a mind of fine order, and a degree ot
information, which made bun at home on must
topics. Yours, truly.
Resolved, That this meeting, has heard with
great pleasure the statement of Mr. Pinny
and Mr. McKlroy in regard to the condition
and prospects of ihe colony at Liberia, and
that in the opinion of thin meeting the plan ot
colonizing, with their own consent, ihe free
people or colour ot Ihe United States, on the
Western Const of Africo, merits the counte-
nance and support of the benevolent in our
land.
(From the Frederick Herald )
The following letter which hos been oblig-
ingly handed us fur insertion, is from a colour-
ed mon, who left this neighbourhood, some
two or three yeais ago tor Cape Paltnas: it
conveys a fluttering account of the happiness
of his present condition, in comparison with
his former. It will be read with interest by
those who knew him, as conveying informa-
tion which may be relied on with certainty,
and as contradicting falsehoods which have
been widely circulated in relation lo this pros-
pering colony.
Cape Pai.mas,
Sept. 4, 1836
Dear Sir,—J have received and rcadynir
very kind letter of June 27lh, wiih a satisfac
lion in some degree proportioned. 1 humbly
trust, to your christian courtesy and affection,
and 1 feel that 1 con never be loo sensible of
your merit, nor too grateful to you for the
pains you have tuken to communicate to de-
sirable information to me and my lamily. An
onxious solicitude (as you anticipated) lor the
welfare of my children, ond the situation of
your appeal to my christian sympathies, and
have already expressed in port, my opinion
os to the country to which 1 have emi-
grated. 1 hove hod but one mind, but one
sintiment, but me purpose. That is, that
the hand of Almighty God is in it, and his
sleepless eye over it, und that whosoever avail
Ihtmsclvrs of the opportunity and offer of the
Society, may be subsequently, nay, elernnlly
benefitted. But in any place, if people are
dittatitfu el. ihey will he unhappy und misera-
ble ; ami there ore some here not pleased with
the ploce, and the probability is that there will
be more or less in every expedition. All per-
sons have not enterprising minds, and this is
one essential thing in people, circumstanced as
we ore here. This is the reoson why you hear
of so moiiy evil reports about our Colonics ;
but for my own part, I see nothing here to
frighten people, but rather much to encourage
them. It 1 know any thing about things lovely
ond of good report, liberty, civil or religious,
ought lo inspire any slave to be free; but
when loth these ond niony other things oro
presented os incitements, the spirit of freedom
should impel hiin to action, and when that
freedom can he legally and quietly procured,
a circle of endeared acquaintances, the pros-
pect of pecuniary benefit, the sepulchres of de-
ported kindred behind, nor difficulty, nor dan-
ger before, should restrain him. Though I
meet wilh some difficulties here as well as
others, it is nit more than I expected, and I
am fully persuaded that no man properly
weighing the matter, need lament the hour of
his embarkation. In religion I enjoy myself
better than 1 ever did in America, and better
than I ever expected to here; but our way is
opening, our borders are enlarging, and the
church is winning its widening woy rapidly.
Upwards of forty have been added to us this
year, more or less of every expedition is
brought in. Our prospects among the natives
are Mattering, and we are praying that the
Great Head Of the Church will give us a great
harvest of souls among these ignorant people.
My family ore all well. I hope indeed that
you will be so kind as to answer this, and let
inc know what prospect there is of my getting
my children—1 need not ask you this, you will
do all fur me you can. Give my regurds to all
that inquire utter me.
1 am, my dear sir,
Your very obliged humble servant,
Jacob Gross.
To Chester Coleman, Esq.
Frederick City, Md.
my friends and neighbours, hod long borne
with oppressive weight upon my mind. Many
a tear and wakeful hour con witness how or-
dently 1 desired to hear from them, if no more
before I die—but, sir, by your kindness this
consuming wont has been fully redressed. I
sincerely lenient that si.eh un increduity as
you expressed, nnd one too so replete with
embarrassment and difficulty to themselves
and to their colour universally, exists omong
the coloured population in America, in refe-
rence lo the existence of such a place os Cope
Polmns—likewise tbut ihey question and try
to invalidate the ninny assertions lhat tmnnci-
palcd persons wishing to come to Aliicu, and
shipping for that purpose according to the di-
rections of the Colonization Society, do not
safely arrive ut I hut place, and ure received
and welcomed lo our shores as a free people ;
I lament that there are designing men actua-
ted by motives of self-interest, or parly spirit,
who are so abandoned by truth und upright-
ness, as to coin and circulate such glaring
falsehoods. We are here, blessed be God, nnd
though some weak and fickle-minded, who
badly want a master, or whose minds are de-
stitute of strength, solidity or enterprise, moy
look to the land of bondage, long for their
chains, talk about their flesh pots, or weep lor
the tombs of their fathers, 1 and many others
are determined to stay here to live, and here
to die, knowing that 'belter is a little with
contentment, than much und trouble there-
with.'
As to the repeirt about starvation, of which
you make mention, it is a palpable falsehood.
I never wrote it, I never thought it, and what
grieves me worse than all, is, that 1 hove any
relatives concerned in such a fabrication ; and
if ihey continue such a course, 1 awfully fear
'the curse of the Lord will be upon their
houses, and their children far from :alety.'
1 heard from Calbert about six weeks ago,
hi was then well and doing well, but as the
young we man you wrote of, I am not prepared
to cimmunicate any information. Calbert is
at Co hi well, one of ihe up| er colonies.
Sir, I feel the weight and importance of
A correspondent of the New York Ameri-
can, under the signature of 'New Englander,'
presents some valuable and curious statistical
information, as to the mortality among whites
ami blacks, slaves and free, deduced from the
bills of mortality of the cities ut' New York,
Philadelphia, and Baltimore, during the years
1820, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25, and '26. The fol-
lowing are his calculations:
Annual deaths among whites in New York :
To population (black excluded) as one in 40.17
do. in Philadelphia, " 39.05
do. in Baltimore, " 39.99
Deaths among blacks in N. York as one in 19.01
do. in Philadelphia, " 19.52
do. in Baltimore, " 39.99
Deaths among free blacks in Baltimore to population
(slaves and whites excluded), " 32.08
do. among slaves, " 77.68
This calculation presents some very impor-
tant facts; first, the great disproportion be-
twitn the deaths among the whites and blacks,
ond second, the still more striking difference
bit ween Ihnse of the free blacks and slaves of
the city of Baltimore. It speaks volumes in
favour of the cure bestowed on the slaves by
their musters, who, it seems, have only half
Ihe chance of living, uhkh the tlaves themtetves
hare, |