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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0052 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0052 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| 58 MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. The Board trust that the society which has thus been formed, will uot be suffered to languish for want of that share of the public patronage that it richly deserves. In the last repon, the Board announced that they had appointed a citizen of Maryland in Liberia, J. B. Russwurm, Esq. governor of the colony, and they gave at length the reasons that influenced them in so doing. They are happy to be able to state, that the experience of the year has corroborated their policy in this respect, and that the inconve- niences which were anticipated have not yet been felt. Mr. Kusswurm promises to make for himself a high reputation, and the Board have every reason to be satisfied with their selection. The relations of the colonists with the na- tives, have been in the main friendly, the occasional difficulties that occurred being hut of short duration. New purchases of territory have been made, and that of Kocktown, the next town to windward, and a very conside- rable rice market, is deemed most important. The advantages of settlements of civilized men to the natives, and the establishment of schools, in addition to the trilling dash or present, which is given when the treaty is made, are the only considerations for these cessions. Among the inconveniences experienced in the conduct of affairs in the Colony, one of the most troublesome has arisen from the want of a suitable circulating medium. The system of barter, which was necessarily re- sorted to, threatened to defeat the wishes of the Board in regard to native trade, by forcing each colonist to keep on hand an assortment of goods to exchange for the articles wanted from the natives for the use of his family. It was at first proposed, to send small silver coin to the Colony, hut the information ac- quired by the committee having the subject in charge, satislied the Board, that if silver was sent, the first trader that stopped to trade at the Cape, would bring it all off, and that it would be at present, impossible to keep a sufficient quantity there, to answer any useful purpose. There were objections to issuing a base metal which seemed to have conside- rable weight; and at last, as the subject pressed, the Board determined to send certi- ficates for five, ten, twenty-five, fifty, and one hundred cents, receivable in payment for goods at the public store. To make these intelligible to the natives, there were repre- sented on them, objects to which the natives attached the values represented by the certifi- cates—as for instance, on the five cent certifi- cate, there was a head of tobacco—on the ten cent, a chicken—on the twenty-five cent, a duck—on the fifty cent, two ducks, and on the dollar certificate, a goat. The success of this experiment is not yet known, although it is expected to answer at all events, among the colonists. It will be at once seen, that no view towards profit has influenced the Board in adopting the paper currency here described; for the certificates will be returned to the store as fast as issued, and can only answer the purpose of facilitating exchanges, and break- ing up the present system of baiter. In their present report, the Board cannot refrain from expressing the satisfaction which they feel at the success, which during the past year has attended colonization in other quar- ters. The settlements of the American Colo- nization Society, seem to have recovered from the depression occasioned by the native wars around them, which in forcing them to direct their attention to agriculture, by cutting them off from native trade, opened to them, even through present distress, prospects of permanent prosperity. It is gratifying also to the Board to know that the American Colo nization Society's settlement is under the actual government of a coloured agent, Mr. Williams, whose success in the management of affairs still further corroborates the Board in the choice of Mr. Russwurm as their agent at Cape I'almas. The settlement of the New York and Pennsylvania societies is evidently in a nourishing condition, and the Board are gratified to see, that recently, on the addition of Edina to their jurisdiction, the people of the last named place were only admitted as citizens of Bassa Cove, on taking an oath of allegiance recognizing the temperance pledge. The settlement of Greenville, belonging to the Louisiana and Mississippi societies at Sinou river, has been made, and may he con- sidered now in prosperous operation. The country is described M admirably adapted to the purposes of a settlement, and the agnail who have the control of operations in Afri- ca, appear to be sensible and experienced men. With a view to competent medical skill in the Colony, the Board have now under their charge, the son of the assistant agent, S. F. McGill, who is studying the profession of medicine in Vermont He is an intelligent and persevering young man, and Ififl Board believe, that when he leaves this country on his return to Africa, he will not only be well qualified to practise himself, but be able also, to instruct others in his profession. If funds enough can be obtained for the purpose, the Board propose to send an expe- dition from Baltimore to ('ape I'almas, in May next: and in a short time, the agent of the Society, will make an appeal to the friends of the colonization cause for assis- tance : it is hoped that the appeal will not be made in vain. By order of the Board of Managers, John H. B. LATROBE, Pres't, Baltimore, December, 1837. Report of the Board of Managers OF the Maryland State Fund. To the Governor and Council of Maryland: The Report of the Board of Managers appointed under the second section of an act of Assembly, passed at December session, 1831, chapter 281, entitled an act relating to the people of colour of this state, respectlully represents: The number of persons of colour removed from Maryland to Africa, during the past year, has been one hundred and forty. They have been all sent to the settlement of the Maryland State Colonization Society, called Maryland in Liberia. Hitherto great opposition has been encoun- tered among the free people of colour to remove to Africa: and with every effort that they have been able to make, neither the agent of the Board, nor the agent of the State Society, have succeeded at times, in removing the impressions against colonization, created by the calumnies of its enemies. It is the opinion of the agents, and many well judging and observing citizens of the counties in the State, that this condition of things was owing to the active, but secret efforts of the abolitionists; who considering, as it is well known they do, that colonization if successful, must destroy their wild and impracticable schemes, have sedulously de- voted themselves to follow and defeat the agents of the Board of Managers and the State Society, as the best mode of forwarding their views and plans in a State where public opinion and the strong feelings of the com- munity would not tolerate, for an instant, the open promulgation of their doctrines. The importance of the colonization plan is made the more evident by these efforts of the abo- litionists to paralize its operations. Within the last year, a great change has evidently taken place, in several of the coun- ties, among the free people of colour: and when the last expedition was in preparation, there were upwards of one hundred and twenty applicants for a passage to the colony, eighty-five of whom were sent. The greater part of the remainder were prevented, by want of lime, from getting ready—but with many others, are preparing now to embark in the spring. The agent reports, that, here- after, he expects to be able to obtain as many emigrants as it will be desirable to send in any one year. The Board attribute this change wholly to the labours of the agents, and to the success of the Maryland colony in Africa. The Board believe that in proportion as the colo- nization scheme becomes known, will the willingness of the free people of colour to emigrate increase. They believe that the unwillingness, heretofore, and still existing, is to be traced to the dissemination of abo- lition doctrines. By the act appointing them.the Board were authorized 'from time to time to make such preparations at the colony of Liberia, or else- where, as they may think best, which shall seem to them expedient for the reception and accommodation and support of the persons to be removed, until they can be enabled to support themselves.' In carrying the act of 1881 into effect, so far as it depended upun them, the Board found it absolutely necessary to use the au- thority given by the act as above quoted, and provide a place for the reception of emi- grants from Maryland. This, with the aid of the State Colonization Society, has been done. The colony of Maryland in Liberia was founded February 22d [884, Its popu- lation is now near four hundred souls. The soil is inexhaustibly productive. The cli- mate is genial to the coloured emigrant— subsistence is easily obtained—and comfort and competence are the rewards of industry. A salutary system of laws is in operation: and the advantages of the situation have attracted to it the attention of the religious community, until it has become the must im- portant and largest missionary establishment in Africa. The Board are therefore able now to report, that a settlement on the coast of Africa, under the exclusive control of the State Society, and for the use of emigrants from Maryland, has been firmly made, which is competent to receive any number id'emigrants which it is probable can be sent to it, with the means appropriated by the slate, or derived from the contributions of individuals: and also that there is the appearance of such a feeling among the people of colour as will keep up a constant tide of emigration hereafter. The settlement has been made by the State Society, upon whom all the complicated duties connected with its government de- volve. It has been made with an economy unexampled in the history of similar under takings, and at an exponas, to the Stale, much less than if the Board had established it, under the law, withotil the intervention of the State Society; fortius last has added to the funds obtained from the Board, a large amount of individual subscriptions, all ap- plied to the same object. The Board present herewith the Annual Report of the State Society, in which the situation and prospects of the colony are given in detail. The Board have endeavoured to conduct their operations in the State upon the most prudent and economical plan. They employ an agent and a clerk, who are the only per sons receiving salaries connected with the disbursements of the slate fund, the services of the Board beiag gi'nluitons. The Stale Society employ another agent who is paid by them out of collections made from individual benevolence, and is therefore no charge upon the fund. The account current connected with this report, exhibits the expenditures of the Board, and their objects. When the colonization laws, as they are generally termed, Were first adopted, the want of a place to which the free people of colour and emancipated slaves might emi- grate, furnished reasons why they should not be carried into full effect. This reason no longer exists, and it will be for the legislature to determine upon such additional measures, if any be necessary, to give full efficiency to the system adopted in 1831. Public opin- ion should particularly be brought to bear upon the subject; and if the residents of the different counties in the state would take the matter in hand, the immigration of free people of colour from other states, or the introduc- tion of slaves into Maryland from thence, or the residence here of slaves, manumitted on condition of removal, could be much more effectually prevented, than it can be by the efforts of a Board of Managers, who, to accomplish these objects would have to em- ploy more agents than the whole annual ap propriation to the colonization fund would be sufficient to compensate. The number of persons manumitted during the past year, as reported to the Board, has been two hundred and four, including those whose freedom is prospective. The number previously reported Was thirteen hundred and seventy-seven, making the total number re- ported, fifteen hundred and eighty-one, since the enactment of the law of Dec. 1831, All which is respectfully submitted. Charles Howard. Wm. R. Stuart. Franklin Anderson. Baltimore, December 20, 1837. COLONIZATION JOURNAL. THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1838. All communications intended for the Mary- land Colonization Journal, or on business of the Society, should be addressed to the Rev. Ira A. Easter, Home Agent, Colonization Rooms, Post Office Building. MANAGERS OF THE STATE FEND, Under 'An Act relating to the People of Colour in this State,'—for 1838. Charles Howard, Wm. R. Stuart, Franklin Anderson. At a meeting of the Maryland State Coloniza- tion Society, held at the Society's Rooms in lial- timore, Dec. 30, 1837, John H. B. Latrobe, Pres't of the Society, in the chair, and William Mason, Secretary. On motion of Mr. Woodward, an election of officers was then gone into, when the following gentlemen were duly elected : Board of Managers of the Maryland State Coloni- zation Society. President. JOHN H. B. LATROBE. Vice-Presidents. Thomas E. Bond, Sen. Hugh D. Evans, Charles Howard, John H. Briscoe, Philip R. Hoffman, John O, Proud. Managers. William Crane, Francis H. Smith, William Woodward, George M. Rogers, William H. Stuart, Jos. J. Nicholson, George S. Gibson, Charles F. Maver, Luther J. Cox, Thomas Wilson, William Mason, Galloway Cheston. Franklin Anderson, Cor. Secretary. William F. Giles, Rec. Secretary. Robert Mickle, Treasurer. SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. The Board of Managers having determined to publish a much smaller edition of the Amiu.il Report, than on former years, the Colonization Journal is issued a month in anticipation of the usual time, with a view of furnishing the docu- ments for more exclusive circulation through the medium of its columns. The next number will appear on the first of March, when it is hoped, we sli.dl he able to furnish some intelligence from the Colony. We have heard nothing from the Niobe since she left the Capes. SPRING EXPEDITION. Already our friends are writing from different parts of the state, making inquiries relative to the spring expedition. This is very gratifying; us il evinces an increasing interest for the proaparitj of the Colony, and the success of (ha enterprise. Bad this feeling prevailed a few years ago, a vei v different state of things would now exist, both here and in Africa. We are not authorized to fix on a day, so long in anticipation of the usual time for sailing ; but presume it will be about the middle of May. There are already thirty-three names entereil on the li-t of applicants for the spring expedition, and we know of many more who are making their arrangements to sail in the next vessel. Indeed, as far as it is possible to foresee events, tbcre appears to be no difficulty in the way of having as many emigrants as there will be means for sending future expeditions. AUXILIARIES TO THE CAUSE. With the beginning of the new year, there is reason to expect an increased efficiency from the American press, in support of African coloniza- tion. We learn with pleasure, that the Pennsyl- vania Colonization Society, arc contemplating the enlargement of their Herald, and will issue it weekly, instead of once in two weeks as here- tofore. We are also informed, that the able Se- cretary of the American Colonization Society, the Rev. R. R. Gurley, will publish in Washington city, a large weekly paper, to be called the Chris- tian Statesman, in which the principles and in- terests of this enterprise will be advocated. From the personal knowledge which we have of the talents of the editor, and the long experience he has enjoyed in managing the affairs of the American Colonization Society, we arc fully persuaded, no man in this country is better qualified for the task he is about to assume, and surely no one can better deserve the patronage of a liberal commu- nity. As he richly merits, so we hope he will receive extensive encouragement. It has long been the settled conviction with us, that it is only necessary to put the American com- munity fully in possession ofthe facts and arguments which can be abundantly furnished in support of this scheme, for ameliorating the condition of the coloured race, to raise up an immense number of such friends as will render it most efficient assis- tance. Just in proportion as we have given cir- culation to the Maryland Colonization Journal in the state, Bare there been most gratifying evi- dences of the increase of friendly feeling for the cause. In the cify of Baltimore more especially, the effect has been most gratifying. The editors of the city papers have in this respect, rendered the most important service, and tbey deserve the thanks of the friends of the cause, for their kindness in publishing whatever tbey have found to con- tain mailer of interest, in connection with any of the existing societies. There is one remarkable fact which ought not to he overlooked in the history of Colonization; While its enemies have exerted all their influence by the press, and the employment of numerous agents to bring it into contempt, its friends, with few exceptions, have done very little to counter- act their inlliience. It is only recently, that per- sons of intelligence could he induced to believe, that the agents of abolition societies are travelling secretly, and in disguise in every part of this state, endeavouring to counteract the labours of the friends of colonization. So secretly have they carried on their operations, that the ell'ect of their plana has assumed the appearance more of magic than reality. It is high time that the community were awake to a system which promises evil with- out any mixture of good: whose zeal never slum- bers,—whose energy does not tire. It is therefore, with no ordinary satisfaction, that we hail new and efficient auxiliaries in wielding the power o[ the press, by which it is hoped the American com- munity will lie effectually put on their guard. THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. The very gratifying manner in which his excel- lency, Governor Vcazey, has noticed the Sixth annual Report of the Maryland State Colonization Society, will, it is hoped, exert a salutary influ- ence on the whole State. The truth is, that not- withstanding the general assembly has given such efficient aid to the cause of African colonization, the community generally, are but superficially acquainted with its merits. The subject is, bow- ever, we are pleased to see, attracting a much larger share of attention, and many minds have been waked Dp to examine its claims, to confi- dence and support, thai a short time since regard- ed it only in the light of an experiment. We sin- cerely hope that the governor of Virginia, is his next annual message to the legislature, will follow the enlightened policy adopted by governor Veazcy, in calling their attention to the impor- tance of sustaining this noble enterprise, by a liberal appropriation from the State. With these remarks, we respectfully invite the attention of our readers to that portion of the governor's manage, which relates to the Society's operations during the past year. ' We herewith present the annual report of the Board of Manager! appointed under the act of December session, 1831, chapter 281, entitled, 'An act relating to the people of colour of this state,' and it gives us pleasure to call the atten- tion of the legislature to the diligence and success of the gentlemen, whose gratuitous services have been rendered to the State, since the adoption of the system Indicated in the act last mentioned. The plan of independent State action, fust sug- gested in Maryland—pursued by the State Society, and countenanced by the managers of the State Fund,—appears to us, to be that, which is best suited to the condition of the slave-holding states of the union. It repudiates all foreign and unso- licited interference, whether by the general gov- ernment, societies or individuals, with the subject of slavery within the limits of the state- where it exists, and leaves it to such State, exclusively, to adopt such measures in regard to it, as are suited to its peculiar circumstances. The plan has here beta so far successfully pursued, as will be seen by the accompanying report, that there is now, in prosperous existence on the coast of Africa, a set- tlement of mar four hundred emigrants from this State, under the separate control of the State Colo- nisation Society, appropriated to the use of emi- grants from Maryland, and now, capable of re- ceiving any numberthat may be prepared to emi- grate. It has often been said, that colonization was an antagonist to the schemes of the immediate aboli- tionists; and, that where the former was cherished and flourished, the latter could find no favour. The Report of the managers of the State Fund, and the experience of every observing and reflect- ing man in the state must prove this; nor could |