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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0037 Enlarge and print image (4M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0037 Enlarge and print image (4M) |
| COLONIZATION JOURNAL. 39 American Society FOR the Promotion of Eduction in Africa. Just as our paper was going to press, we received the following letters from the cor- responding Secretary of the American Socie- ty for the promotion of education in Africa, and other matter was removed to give pluce to a mhject in which all the friends of the African race must feel a lively interest. We have neither time nor space for further re- marks, but feel warranted in saying that the society appears to possess the elements ol popularity and of course, success. With all our heart we wish that abundant success may attend the effort, and if managed with discre- tion and prosecuted with energy we can see nothing to prevent it. At another time we muy resume the subject. Office OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION IN AFRICA, March 23rd, 1837 Rev'd and dear Sir—Your interesting com- munication of the 21st int., addressed to the Rev. Dr. Proudfit, making inquiries in regard to the 'American Society tor the promotion ol Education in Africa,' was hatuled to me a few moments ago, and 1 hasten with great pleasure to answer it. The queries contained in your letter are an- swered in the circular of the so iety, which accompanies this. You perceive the plan ol o:ir society embraces education in all its de- partments, from the elementary school to the college; and the field of our effort compre- hends the continent of Africa, including ol course all the American colonies. Our first teachers must be sent from this country, white or coloured, as we can obiniu them of suitable qualifications. We expect to commence our operation-- in Africa immediately, by tending out in the next expedition, which will sail in the course of six weeks or two months, several able teachers, together with one or more me- chanics. We have not yet fixed upon any particular location t">r our school-, uml I wiao particularly to know the advantages of your colony at Cape Pahuus, us regard* health, sod, relation to the different colonies, communica- tion with the natives, coinmunic;itiou with the coast, and any other circumstance that might affect, the interest of education in Africa. 1 should be greatly obliged for any suggestions which the experiment of Mr. Wilson might furnish. In devoting themselves to the promotion of education in Africa, the Society feel that they have assumed the responsibilities of a moot important department in the great scheme which is now engaging the hearts and ener- gies of so many of the pious and philanthro- pic, for the (liseiitliriihiient and elevation of the coloured race. They believe also, that the time has fully come, and that the exigen- cies of the cause demand a separate and con- centrated action upon this particular form of benevolence. The society was also deeply anxious that their institution should be so organized, both us regards its principles and objects, as must effectually to unite in its behalf, ull the friends of the col >ured race, however they may differ from each other on some questions of policy and even of principle. It is a gratifying reflection that they cuii, and what is most cheering, there is reason to be- lieve they will unite in blessing the colonies, and through them, the ignorant and dying millions of Africa, with tin; means of educa- tion. Already bus the indifferent been trowed to interest, the lover of African colonization felt the glow of deeper emotion lor the cause he has espoused, and been stimulated to grea- ter efforts in promoting it—while some who have looked upon Liberia with fear, or dis- trust, or opposition, have been enabled, through the medium of tho plan now devised, to be- hold it with f.ivuiir. Will not your society, my dear sir, and the friends of colonization, and of Africa, in Mary- land, aid us in this great and good work.— Will you not write me fully on this subject, and believe me, m great haste, your unwor- thy co-labourer for Africa. R. D. Turner New York, March 23d, 1837. Dear Sir: The American society for the promotion of education in Africa, us its name implies, pro- poses to extend the blessings of christian edu- cation to the benighted millions of Africa.— The society cherishes the hope that the plan which has been adopted will recommend it to the favour and sympailiy of' the benevolent in the United States. We would for a moment speak of this. Education for a people' igno- rant and degraded like those we would bene- fit, must fur some tune bo confined to ele- mentary stages. It is therefore proposed to commence with several branch** of useful knowledge lliat are ino=l needed, and to estab- lish a department 1. For Agriculture, 2. For Mechanics, 3. For Grammar, Geography, and Arith- metic, 4. For commerce and navigation. Over there departments to place practical and well qualified professors; that is to say, a farmer for the first, two or more mechanics, (as a shoemaker, blacksmith, and halter.) for the second ; and educuted and scientific teach- ers, with a carpenter and boat builder over the third and fourth. These branches will, to a good degree,sus- tain themselves; perhaps, alter two or three years, all but the third will exceed this, and become sources of profit. 2. Assoc luted with this part of our scheme, and under the superintendence of I be society, will be common and Sabbath schools, in both of which the Bible shall be read and studied. 5. As the enterprise advances, and the con- dition of the people ju.-tilies it, the higher branches of education will be unreduced. 4. It will be an object of early solicitude and constant care, to qualify teachers of com- mon schools from among the nuiive population of Africa, so that the work of moral elevation shall, us much is practicable, be carried on by themselves; for we are persuaded that no sim- ple moral cause can be more effective towards the restoration of a degraded people, than to awaken a realizing sense of their rospousibili- ties, to induce a conviction that tho burden rests upon them; and when they shall leel this-, they will begin to rise. 5. The schools, with the necessary build- ings, and improvements, to be established ut some suitable place in Africa, and the whole to be under the superintendence, and care of a board of trustees in the United Slates. This hoard tu appoint all the officers ol the institu- tion, to exercise u constant supervision, and to receive and to lay before their patrons slated report! of the condition and progress of the schools. Such is a brief outline of our scheme; and wo ask for it the patronage and prayers of our fallow citizens. That it attempts great things wc know; that it will accomplish great things we hope; if God shall bb'ss it, and the wise and virtuous sustain us, we confidently expect results, extensive as tie; wretchedness of u whole continent, and la t'ug as eternity. \\ hen we consider t is charity in Us rela- tions to our country, let us not forget to view it in the claims of its justice. We have deep- ly injured Africa. She has a long und bloody- page of wrongs booked against us. Among the blackest in the catalogue, is the use we have made of her degradation. We did not, as we Blight, persuade her people into the ha- bits of lawful und christian coininerce; on the contrary, we tempted their Cupidity, and bribed lliein to steal and sell their brethren. The slave trade, with all its atrocities, Wat oncc a cherished brunch of our uctive com- merce. The American flag has waved a thousand limes over groaning cargoes of kid- napped iinn. Who will not contest that re- compense to the injured is our duty. W'e owo it to history. The record of our wrongs can never be effaced. Let us, then, place on the same page, the only atonement in our power, t full und overflowing measure of re- paration. But the subject has broader relations. It there were nu appeals to our justice, the con- templated work is among the. uublest in the range of philanthropy. It befits a free people, like ourselves, to impart the blessings of civil and religious liberty to our fellow men. We seem to bo exalted for this end. It is identi- fied with our true glory thus to consecrate the influence which God has bestowed. Tho very magnitude of the scheme betokens its accom- plishment. It fills the large heart of philan- thropy, thus to grasp a continent in its blessed purpose. Let no one be appalled by the diffi- culties and dangers of the enterprise. That it will cost time ami means, and trials of faith and patience, is true; und so it should ; no- thing Valuable was ever gained without these. Let us, then, relying on the divine blessing, devote of our time and talents, and prayers, to the sublime endeavour. The men to tuke hold of the wheels, to labour at the oars, to toil and die on the field, nrn ready for their work. To the christian and patriot we look for the patronage that will uphold tliem. In accordance with the plan of the Ameri- can society for the promotion of education in Africa, the following gentlemen have been appointed a board of trustees. New York,—Benjamin F. Butler, George W. Strong, Hugh Maxwell, Gulian C. Ver- planck, Walter Lowrie, James Lenox, G. P. Disosway, James Boorman, Anson G. Phelps, Israel Corse, George Douglas, Rev. James Milnor D. D. Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D. Rev. Alexander Proudfit, D. D. Rev. Spencer H. Cone. New Jersey.—Theodore Frelinghuysen, S. L. Southard, Caleb H, Shipman, Rev. John Breckenridge. Albany.—Rev. Courtlandt Van Rensselaer. Virginia.—Charles Fenton Mercer, Wil- liam Maxwell, John H. Cocke. Pennsylvania—Gerard Ralston, Matthew Newkirk, Rev. Rufus Babcock, D. D. Rev, Stephen H. Tyng, D. D. William Short, W. Kirkpatrick. Boston—Henry Edwards, Daniel Noyes. Dedham, Mass.—Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, D. D. Mobile.—Judge Hitchcock. Connecticut.—Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D.— Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet. New Orleans.—I. McDonough. Philadelphia. — E. Cresson. President—William H. Crosby, of New York. Corresponding secretary.—Reuben D. Tur- ner, Virginia. It is designed to secure to this board, by an act of incorporation, the power to bold perma- nent funds, the income of which to be upphed to tho support of the higher institutions ol learning in Africa, id' which they will have the exclusive control; und they will also be competent to till their own vacancies, and thus perpetuate their responsible existence through future years. The elementary und preparatory departmenu of education, which will be sustained by the uniuiul contributions of the friends of Africa, will be under the im- mediate direction of the society itself. Be- lieving that the plan and objects of this society wilt commend themselves, both to your judg- ment and your sympathies, 1 have taken the liberty, in its name, most respectfully to ad. dress to you this communication, to ask your aid in support of its objects. Your answer may be directed to the sub- scriber, at the office of the American society for the promotion of education in Afrieu, No. lit! Nussuu street, New York. Most respectfully yours, Reuben D. TURNER, Cor. Sec. and Gen'l. Agt. Am. So. &c Important Project.—The march of the colonization cause at the South is onward — The corresponding secretary of the New York Colonization Society has received n letter from the Rev. R. S. Policy, agent of the State Colonization Society of Mississippi, dated Natchez, February 22, 1837, informing him that the societies in the states of Mississippi and Louisiunu, have each resolved to establish a colony on the coust of Africa, and thut cadi society will expend 20,000 dollars a year lor five years, in sustaining them: that the Mis- sissippi Society has already purcbttcd a suit- able territory for their object, and it is sup- posed I hat a purchase lias also been made fur the Louisiana Society. Mr. Fuiley nieinions. we 'have nearly secured the sum of §20,000 for the first year, in the Mississippi Society, and ure confident of raising the same sum in Louisiana, as the enterprise is popular in both states. We are preparing to send out an ex- pedition to Africa soon after the first of April, and Mr. illodget, a gentleman of piety and learning, is appointed physician and surgeon, and there are ubout fifty emigrant! at or near Natchez, waiting fur a putlge to Liberia.— We also propose to open u large farm for the purpose of raising bread stuff-, for the colony, and to develop* the agricultural resources of the country, by cultivating, on an extensive scale, cotton, sugar, coffee, Re. We also pro- pose to purchase one or more vessels, to run constantly between New Orleans and the co- lony. I have made these suggestions, suppo- sing that your Society might co-operate with us ill some of the objects. If N w York and Pennsylvania will purchase one vessel and we another, you might make arrangements to obtain emigrants from Tennessee, Kentucky, &c, and the vessel might sail for Africa from New-Orleans, and return by the way of New- York.—Commercial Adv. Tho corresponding secretary of the Now York coloni/..ition society, acknowledges with pleasure the receipt of f&Q from the ladies of the Baptist church in Oliver street, tu constitute their pastor, the Iter. Spencer H. Cone, a manager for lite; and also $60 from the ladies of the Associate Church in Grand St., to constitute their pastor, the Kev. Andrew Stark, a manager for life; and ulso ijfJO from a few ladies la St. l'aul's church, to constitute their pastor, the llev. John P, Schroeder, a manager for lite; and also £50 from the Indies ol' the Baptist Church in Mulberry St., to constitute their pastor, the llev. f)r. Macluy, a mana- ger for life. In addition lo all these receipts, the corresponding secretary has just received a second donation of S 100 from the same liberal hand which save bun a contribution ol" 'jvSOt) some months Bincc.— We wish we were at liberty to mention the name of the donor; but he is one of those true philanthropists who allows not the left hand to know what is dune by the right.—R. Y. Coin. Advertiser. (From the Baltimore American.) AMERICAN COLONIES IN AFRICA. Our readers will peruse with much gratifi- cation the annexed highly interesting official communication to the secretary of the navy from Capt. Joseph I. Nicholson of the navy. The author of the letter has evidently taken great pains to inform himself in reference to the condition, moral and physical, of the vari- ous American colonies in Africa, and makes highly judicious remarks upon the results of his investigations. To the people of Mary- land the very prosperous situation of the colony at Cape Palmas must afford heartfelt gratification, presenting as it does strong in- ducements for emigrants to become citizens of that thriving community. The labours of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, who lias a school of native children and adults, one hundred in number, promise the most beneficial consequences to the African race. It appears that uinong the pupils of this gentleman are several children of native kings, who will, ere long, exercise kingly authority,and be thus enubled to extend among their subjects t!-.e blessings of Chris- tianity. The judiciousness ef the course pur- sued by tho Maryland colonists in devoting themselves to agriculture, instead of entering into traffic witli the natives, hus manifested itself in the happy state of the settlement, and the promise of pcrinutient prosperity which they enjoy. U. S. Ship, Potomac, Rio de Janeiro, 8th January, 1837. Sir—I have the honour to inform you that we arrived at Cape Mesurado on I he '20m November, whence she sailed for Bassu Cove on the 27lh, and to make the billowing report ut its stute us tar as 1 could ascertain from my own observation, the reports of the authori- ties at Monrovia, and the inlurinutiuii derived from the officers of tho ship. Its elevated location was selected with judg- ment ; it may be effectually fortified, and its anchorugu is good. The population is about one thousand, uud their exports amount to seventy-five thousand dollars annually, in cam- wood, ivory, palm oil, uud a few hides ; but at present their trade is much depressed in con- sequence of the wurs among the natives.— The forests abound with medicinal herbs, gums, and valuable wood of almost every description. About seventy-five vessels touch hero annnully, of which one third are Ameri- cans. Their agriculture appears lo have been neglected, owing they say lo the pecuniary embarrassment of the people and the want of cuttle and agricultural instruments. Cotton, coffee, and the richest sugar cane arc indige- nous to in,: soil, and with encouragement and industry, could be produced in any quantities. The salubrity of the climate is found to increase as the fi.rests arc cleared away. Vegetables of many kinds may be raised in plenty; and nogs, sheep, goats and cows appear to thrive. Fish in abundance are found m the streams, and it is generally admitted that a very com- tbrtuble subsistence can be procured by any man of moderately industrious habits. But they complain that the waste of capital pro- ven's the farmer from raising a surplus. The slave trade Within the three last years has seriously injured the colony. Not only has it diverted the industry of the natives, but it has effectually cut off the communication with the interior. The war parties being in the habit of plundering and kidnapping for slaves all wbum they meet, whether parties to the war or not, the daring of the slaver in- creases with the demand for slaves, which could not of late be supplied by the usual means.— Ti.e slavers have therefore excited the natives to war, by the distribution of their goods, an appeal to their avarice which is but too suc- cessful, and within a year four slave factories hive been established almost within sight of the colony. But the colonists say they are deterred from marching to destroy them, by tho certain revenge lo which their lielp'ess trading vessels are exposed. It' the shivers were kept from the coast, which, I am inform- ed, could be effected, if the colony possessed an armed vessel, to be manned by their own people, this cause of four-fifths of the wars would be removed, and the natives would re- turn to their peaceful pursuits. Il is complained, that many of the emigrants are forced to expend what little capital they may hn\e in erecting their buildings, &c, and to resort to petty tratlic lor tmiucd.utc subsis- tence, to tlie neglect of slower returns of agriculture ; and that the drain of the inha- bitants of Monrovia to form the other settle- ments, has been a serious obstacle to its grow tin Some of the officers who have been here before tell me that it evidently is not as prosperous as it was at their former visit, which I would ascribe to the neglect of agriculture for the pursuit of trade, which being now cut off by the native wars, bits left them without resources. The traders, too, who arrive upon tho coast, fearing no competition, and know- ing their necessities, demand exorbitant pro- tits, which ure again increased by the traders on shore before the articles reach the con- sumers, whose earnings nre thus absorbed.— II appears to me that it would be advantageous to all parties, if the society should place their public store on such a footing as would enuble the agents to issue at a moderate profit to tho colonists, the groceries and clothing for which they now pay so dearly, without, however, prejudicing the interests of the fair trader.— The monopolist could not then take advantage of their necessities, and their earnings might be saved to than for the improvement of their hinds. It is important that a greater proportion of farmers be sent among them, fur on the pro- duct of the soil by their own labour must tho colonists mainly depend. Doctor Dodd, the surgeon of this ship, who ascended the river, informs me, that about four miles from Monrovia, on the Stockton river, is the settlement of New Georgia; it contains about two bundled nnd fifty inhabitants, re- captured Africans, who are devoted to agri- culture, which amply repays the labourer. This settlement it certainly in advance of the others in agriculture. Caldwell, another of the settlements, is ubout three miles above New Georgia; it extends about four miles along the south bunk of the St. Paul river, and contains about four hundred inhabitants. The soil is good, and in a tolerably good state of cultivation. Thirteen miles above Cald- well is Mill-burg, finely located on the same river, and flourishing; tho soil fertile, and the climate more salubrious than the others; it contains about three hundred inhabitants. The schools at the settlements are general- ly well attended ; the children make very good progress. The morals of the upper set- tlement generally stand fuir. We arrived at Bassu Cove on the 29lb of November, and I have great pleasure in saying, that those who visited ihe shore were agreeably surprised at ihe progress that had been made in clearing away the land, laying out streets, draining a finu piece of low grounds, and building bouses, as well lor the actual settlers, as for those who are expected. The present inhabitants are mosl of the re-united remains of the first Bottlers, whose defenceless situation hud been taken advantage of by tho natives, to pillage and bum their houses, and murder a number of men, women, and children. Tlie commis- sioner, Mr. Buchunuii, deserves more praise thin my report muy confer upon linn, for hav- ing n-estiiblished lliein. Eleven months have noi elapsed since Uussii Cove was a dense wilderness, uud now exhibits the evidence of a thriving village, and of tin industrious peo- ple, obedient to the laws, und understanding their interest in maintaining them. Tlie schools appear to be well attended by the adults and children, of which the necessa- ry good effects will be felt in their moral influ- ence over ihe ualives. The town is beauti- fully situuted on the southern side of the St. John river, at its mouth, about fifty-five miles S. E. of Monrovia, enjoying the sea-breeze every day. The Benson river is in its rear. abounding with fish and oysters, and the land il the neighbourhood is favourable to agricul- ture. The population is about one hundred and fifty souls, occupying forty dwelling houses. |