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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0087 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0087 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. 91 English reader, the other classes read ami spell as in the morning, school dismissed at four o'clock. In this way I proceed daily. I hope I may meet the approbation of the ladies. In addition to the week day is a Sunday school attached, chiefly composed of adults who arc learning to read, and receive religious instruction. I feel much interested with my employment, and am using all diligence to qualify myself better to act in so responsible a situation. In relation to the school-house that is to be built, nothing ku been done since my arrival except conveying some of the building materials to the spot on which it is to be built. We are still residing on the mission lot. in a vacant house kindly lent by Mr. Wilson. He and lady are unremitting in their kindness and attention to us. The ladies will confer on me a great favour by advancing so much on iny account, as may be re- quired by Mr. Easter, to purchase some articles I have requested him to forward by the lull expedi- tion. At the request of the agent of the colony I left with him your instructions given me for. perusal, on application for them I was told he had mis- placed them, I would feel obliged for another copy. Respectfully I conclude, praying lor tile success of so benevolent an object as that in which the ladies are engaged. Subscribing myself their humble servant, &c. Benjamin Alleyne. LETTER FROM MRS. SOPHIA ALLEYNE TO THE LADIES' SOCIETY. Cape Palmas. July 5th, 1838. Respected Ladies.—It was fully my inten- tion to have written to you by the ship Emparor, which left this place about the last of April, but was prevented. Mr. Alleyne, however, wrote so fully respecting our situation and prospects, that my intended communication was not needed. It it somewhat better than two months since Mr. Alleyne commenced his school, anil during that time I do not think he has been obliged to impend his operations a day from sickness. The school now contains thirty-five children, of all ago and both sexes. I have not as yet given any assistance to him in school, as my health has not been firm, still having occasional attacks of fever; and no one to assist me in domestic atliiirs but a miH boy. If however, the girls increase, I hope soon, if mv health improves, to have them put of the day engaged with their needles. Their parents are very anxious that they should be instructed in that necessary part of a female's education. At present two girls come, and are improving. AVe are still in the house of Mi. Wilson, and I really do not know when we shall move into another; and should Mr. Wilson have a reinforcement of missionaries our prospects would indeed be dull, as the house we occupy is the only one for them. As this is the spot that my husband has selected for his home, and as I suppose we may be useful here, I am contented. I hope ladies you remember us in your prayers, we need them, we have the same evil heart of un- belief—with many temptations of a new and heavy nature. You are retained in our recollections with deep interest. The little book given me by Mrs. Fisher and Miss A. Turnbull, are my daily com- panions—and recall those ladies forcibly to my memory. Wishing you, respected ladies, success in your benevolent operations with good health and hap- piness. I remain yours, allectionately, Sophia Alleyne. Names of subscribers to the Colonization Journal, obtained by Mr. Roberts, in Frederick. Newmarket. Hamilton Stier, Jacob Frayer, J. E. Bromwell, John Harding, James Smith, Basil Shriver, V. L. Cleary, Amos Cleary, Evan D. Hammond, Daniel Titler, J. G. Cassady. Liberty. Benjamin Nelson, Joseph Ratcliffe, Peter Hines, Archibald Estler, Abram Jones, Elihu H. Rockwell, Henry Curtis, Wm. Dean. Walkersville. Hines & Walker, Geo. Baruch. Frederick City. Frederick H. Schley, Dr. Wm. B. Tyler, John J. Thompson, Thos. Gurley, Geo. Englebreight, W. R. Saunderson, Joseph Schell, Dr. Wm. Waters, John Markel, G. J. Fischer, Allen Juyran, A. B. Harrison, N. H. Pitts, Casper Mantz, M. Brantz, Dr. Kemp, David Boyd, William Motter, J. C. Worthington, K. D. Marshall, Jane Crable, Washington Co. Boonsboro' John Carr. Williamsport. William Stickel, John Hurbert, J. F. Dillinger, B. Reigle, Rev. M. Dickerson, G. W. Rogers, Samuel Culbertson, Dr. Finlay, J. W. Anderson, John Van Lear, John Lefevre, Park Head. Jeremiah Mason. Clear Spring. Tobias Johnson, Samuel S. Pruther, Francis Darram, Robert M. Small, Paul Marker, Rev. John Winter, Samuel Sprickler, J. R. Ward. Sheppardstown, Va. John Bilmyer, Conrad Bilmyer. dividual* in New York, ami arc assured lhat it is equally approved in Philadelphia, anil oilier parts ol the Union. The following article appears in several of the New York papers: 'The plan proposed of Immediately purchasing a suitable vessel, to be sold to such Free persons of colour as will agree to man her with coloured sea- man, and navigate her as a regular packet be- tween this country and liberie, on condition that payment be made for her In conveying emigrant! from time to time, limn the United Slates to the colonies or settlements in that country, appears lo the undersigned admirably adapted lo promote Ihe cause of African colonization, ami the enterprise, the commerce, and the elevation of the coloured race. The funds that may he given for this object will prove a double chanty, first to those who may purchase the ship, and next to the' society or socie- ties that may be engaged in the colonization of Africa. The plan will place in the hands of coloured persons the means of improving their Afiican settlements, of building up their fortune!, and of Commanding respect, and it will relieve the society or societies, from the heavy expense of re- moving so large a body of emigrant!, It will secure regular and frequent intercourse between Ihis country and Africa, develop* the resource! ot that land to our coloured population, incline them to engage in commercial operations, and in other laudable pursuits that may tend to increase the advantages of tueb. eoBamerc*. In line, it must, in our judgment, render far more ellicient than heretofore the enterprise of colonization, and open new ami uuliied avenues to usefulness and pros- perity to the minds of men of colour, both in this country and in Liberia, We cordially and ear- nestly recommend the plan to the aid of uur gene- rous fellow citizens. Mr. John Anketel, of Claiborne Co. Mississip- pi, has emancipated twenty-seven slaves; and is expending upwards of jteS,Dim m their outfit, and in securing their comfortable ami prosperous set- tlement in the colony. He has taken much pains to prepare them lor usefulness, and has attended to their Instruction in the princples of the christian religion. Other emigrants are ready to take their departure. The prejudices of the negrofs against coloniza- tion are giving way before the success of the en- terprise. Confidence la taking the place of suspi- cion, and alarm is yielding to allectiouate gratitude towanl their benefactors, Their own interest al- tiaets them to the colony. The Mississippi Colonization Society is furnish- ing its colon; with a large supply of agricultural and mechanirs' tools; and making provision lor opening a large public form, for the cultivation of coliee, sugar, cinnamon, pepper, gum elastic, &c. articles valuable to its commerce, and every facility is granted to the introduction and settlement in the colony of competent teachers and ministers. (From the Connecticut Observer.) Colonization. BENJAMIN T. ONDERDONK, Bishop of the Diocese of New York. L. S. Ives, Bishop of North Carolina. J AC KSON KEMPER, Missionary Bishop for Missouri andIndiana. Gardiner Spring, William L, Stone, J. Boorman, Gilbert S. Smith, William A. Duer, J. M. Wainwright, N. Bangs, Thomas Lyell, Alexander Proudfit, Isaac Peck, Francis L. Hawks, Erskine Mason, James Milnor, Thomas Macauley, Manton Eastburn, John Knox, J. C. Spencer, Thomas De Witt, Spencer H. Cone, Anson G. Phelps, G. P. Disosoway, Rufus Prime, Absolam Peters, J. D. Beers, J W. Mulligan, Beur Hale, Edward G. Higbee, R. R. Gurley, Contributions to Maryland Colonization Society, received by Mr. Roberts. Casper Mantz, $5 Frederick H. Schley, 3 G. W. Rogers, 5 Jeremiah Mason, 5 Rev. John Winter, $11 Tobias Johnson, 3 Abram Jones, 2 (From the Christian Statesman. ) Noble Project. The project (first suggested by Judge Wilke- son, we believe.) of raising funds fur the purchase of a suitable vessel, to be sold to free men of colour, who may engage to man and run her as a regular packet between this country ami Liberia, and to pay for her by conveying emigrants to that colony, has been regarded by the friends of the Colonization society, as a most fortunate concep- tion, well adapted to infuse new vigour into the operations of the institution, both in Africa and this country, and especially to excite the enter- prise ami elevate the hopes of such persons of colour as are resolved to rebuild the fortunes of their race. We observe that the plan is recom- mended by many distinguished and benevolent la- In announcing this plan, the Journal of Com- merce, among other things, says : 'We woulil ask the attention of our readers to a notice published in another column, relative to a project set on foot, we believe, hy Judge Wilke- son, of Butlalo, for procuring a sliij> orstnps, to he owned, commanded and manned, hy coloured peo- ple, and to be paid lor in the transportation ol emigrants to Africa. It appears to us the plan is extremely feasible? and that its execution will be easy, and its eflects gloiious. Not that we expect the purchase of a ship, will, in itself, revolution- ize the world, but, if we are not deceived, we see remoter hearings of the enterprise, intimately con- nected with the welfare of two continents. What gives us greater confidence in the success of the experiment, is the tact that it will be made under the superintendence of Judge Wilkeson, who has entered into the subject with a zeal worthy the cause which be seeks to promote. This wealthy and influential gentleman, we learn, has been ap- pointed General Agent of the American Coloniza- tion Society for the whole Union. He receives no compensation, (except the usual reward of bene- volence, the enjoyment of itself,) it being his pur- pose and wish to see the society speedily freed from all pecuniary embarrassments, and a channel opened or enlarged, in which the sympathies of a generous people in behall of the unfortunate peo- ple of colour, may flow forth in action. That such a sympathy exists, and that it is deep and pervad- ing, is honourable to our nature; and it only re- quires to be turned from the muddy channel into which it is now flowing, into a purer and better one, in order to be productive of the happiest results.' Judge Wilkeson has been empowered by the society to appoint and diiect .such agents as he may deem expedient for accomplishing the great and benevolent objects to which he generously and efficiently devotes his exertions, and is now engaged in obtaining the means for the purchase of a vessel, which it is expected will be on her way to Liberia, manned by coloured seamen, during the month of December. Wo trust the friends of the society throughout the Union will send forward their donations for this object. The society is about to advance with great power and success. The evils of a policy wanting some, of the chief elements of unity, harmony and strength, are, we believe, at an end, and henceforth the cause must proceed with united counsels, unim- paired confidence, and the undivided energy ol American wisdom and benevolence. The next annual meeting of the society will be one of unexampled interest and importance in its history. Let every state society be well repre- sented. Africa and all her children anxiously await the result. The project of Judge Wilkeson has heen here- tofore .strongly recommended by the parent society. In the following resolution, the New Vork so- ciety expresses its opinion of this plan: 'At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the New York City Colonization Society, held in the colonization rooms, October 1, 1838, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : Resolved. That the plan proposed by the Hon. Samuel Wilkeson, of procuring a ship to be manned by coloured men, lor the purpose of con- veying emigrants to Africa, and for bringing in return the piodiietions of that country to this, is in the opinion of this Hoard, admirably calculated to elevate the coloured race on both continents, and to advance the cause of colonization ; and that he be, and hereby is, recommended to the patron- age of the public, lor pecuniary aid in the execu- tion of In- benevolent and honourable enterprise.' Colonization. An arrangement has been nude by the Missis- sippi Colonisation Society and some Individual! in New Orleans, for the purchase of a vessel to run as a regular packet, between the United States and the various American colonies on the coast of Afiica. The brig 'Mail,' of 180 tons burthen, has been purchased for this purpose. She is admirably constructed, (or the business. On the evening of the 28th. ult. Dr. E. Skinner, late governor of the colony of Liberia, delivered an address, before a full and attentive audience, in the South Baptist Church in this city, lie began by remarking on the obligation he felt, as if under the solemnity of an oath, to 'speak the tiutb. the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,' in relation to the points on which he might touch. And so evidently honest and candid was bis man- ner, that we believe all his hearers wire satisfied of bis intention to give what he really thought Ihe truth, fairly and fully, in relation to the state and prospects of the colony.—The testimony of an eye witness, in such a case— of a witness who lias shown the depth of his interest, by corresponding action ami sacrifice—of a witness of uuimpeached character as a man, a christian, and a christian minister, comes upon the unprejudiced mind with peculiar force, lie told us what he had been in I'avouiahle circumstances to know, and what, for aught we can conceive, he can have no motive for discolouring or misrepresenting. To be sure, he denied the truth of some late statements which bad been circulated, en the authority of letters from a white resident in Liberia— but when the circiinistani'i s attending testimony on both sides are known, and taken into the account, we think few will doubt where it is safest to Ffs1 our belief. Dr. Skinner mentioned tin. (act which seems not to engage the notice of many philanthropists in this country, who arc eager to hasten the ex- tinction of slavery, that 50,000,000 of the inhabi- tants 'if Africa are held in a degrading bondage. These slaves. Dr. Skinner said, are as distinct finm the rest of the population as the slaves in our country are from the whites—and thev are marked in such a manner as to be distinguished as slaves all over that extensive region. Each of these, we suppose, may as properly rise up and ask, 'Am / not a brother?' as if he wore Lis chains on this side of the Atlantic—and may as properly demand a share of our sympathies. An enterprise that seeks their elevation to the dignity of human nature, and the enjoyments of christian and civilized life one would think, must excite interest in the mind of every friend of that unfortunate race—and an institution that lays claim to have done something to promote these objects already, and to have strong hope and encouraging prospect of doing far more as time advances, one would think, would meet from the friend of the coloured man, any other treatment than opposition, and arouse in his heart any other feeling than ill will. Dr. Skinner alluded to the protection given by the American (lag to the slave trade—and to that nefarious tralfic. which he said gathered new hor- rors every time he looked at it. At least one half of the risk of capture is removed from the slave dealer, by means of the flag of our country. In reference to a late statement that the result of colonization in Africa Would be the extermina- tion of the natives—as it was of the Indians in this country—Dr. Skinner denied its correctness. The natives in the territory purchased, are allow- ed all the rights of the colonists, if they will draw and cultivate the land. There is no barrier from colour and difference of rare, as there was between the first white settlers of America and the abori- gines. The number of emigrants to Liberia, Dr. Skin- ner estimated at 4,000—of which three-fourths were emancipated for the express purpose of re- moval to Africa. Of the colonists, a large portion are professors of religion. In the settlement of New Georgia, which is composed of native Afii- eans who had been in America but four months, out of 375 there are 157 members of the church. Dr. S. said that in his residence of 14 months in Liberia, he had seen and heard of only two intem- perate persons; and had beard only one profane oath. In regard to the charges of bitter prejudice against the white man, among the colonists, he said that the whites are treated with respect in Liberia, when they treat the inhabitants with respect. Dr. S allowed that there are cases ol poverty and suffering in Liberia, as well as in our own and every other country ; hut so easy is it to ob- tain a subsistence, that none hut the idle need sutler from want—ami that these suffer be said he was heartily glad. Were it otherwise, the exam- ple would be of pernicious tendency. He would rota to have idlers sutler, that others might be deterred from walking in their steps. Wi- cannot but think that these statements will tend to remove prejudices against the enterprise of the Colonization Society ; which, whatever may be said of its bearings on our country, seems cer- tainly fraught with the richest blessing to Africa— and to this point of view alone, if in no other, should unite in its favour the pi aver* the contri- butions, and the untiring efforts of every philan- thropist and christian. fathom the designs of Providence, we will not attempt to indicate the peculiar destiny, or the similarity ol the children of Ham to the descen- dants of Abraham, but it is manifest that the dis- tinctive character of the Israelite, does not sff effectually cut him off from a full communion with the human family, as does the prejudice raisine from colour separate the Anglo-Saxon Iroin the African. No matter whether this pre- judice be implanted for wise and holy purposes, or whether it be the curse of the age, it exists, ils roots are deeply implanted, it is a part of our- selves, and he is but a shallow observer of man. a blind and bigoted philosophist, who will overlook or despise this pervading and resistless feeling, originate whence it may. The only hope for the African slave is in bis removal tiom the house of bondage to the land of bis forefathers. The unqualified advocate of sla- very and the abolitionists occupy the two ex- tremes of this much vexed question. But the scheme of colonization is the juste milieu. This is the broad platform upon which the friends of this unhappy race may meet in soberness and sably. The morals and misery of the free negroes in the northern states, the perpetual and bloody conflicts between them ami the white man in New V'ork, New Kngland, and Philadelphia, show that to them freedom carries no healing on its wings, and liberty, that blesses all, has iio blessing for them. Denied the protecting care which the interest, if not the feeling of the owner, extends to the slave ; subjected to all the prejudice of colour ; with some of the rights of a freeman, and all the sentiments of a slave; they constitute an inter- mediate class, having no bonds of common inte- i'-i, M ties of sympathy to suslaiu them ; too in- dolent to labour, and too insolent to serve, they are the most depraved and unhappy race under this government. It has been the constant prac- tice of northern writers to dwell upon the oppres- sion and cruelly of the taskmaster of the south, and the ill iis:»";c and SMtlorings of the slave; hut those who are familiar with their domestic insti- tutions well know, that where the agitator is un- known, there is not upon the face of the globe, a people doomed literally to earn their bread in the sweat ol their brow, who uie more cheerful, con- tented and happy. Kxamples of fidelity and de- votion to their masters not iinfrequently break forth upon an admiring world, and but that the agitator is wilfully blind to all such cheering views upon the broad waste of slavery, his rest- less eye might dwell for a season upon them. In that dark hour of danger, when the pride and the chivalry and the beauty of the south were smitten on Hie waters by the angel of death, a slave was found coolly and diligently labouring to construct a rait of the fragments of the illlated Pulaski, to 'try and save his master.' Such owners are no tyrants, and such a slave has no taskmaster. Cast him loose fiom his bondage, and this estimable but bumble being becomes that most wretched of the human family—a free negro. Redeemed from slavery by the mild influence of the laws, by the generosity of their owners, or by the persuasive force of a wholesome public opinion, and translated to the shores of Africa, these men will be a superior to the native races, as the whites are to them. And the prejudice of colour being thus removed, the natives may be civilized and enlightened through their agency. They can there blend by intermarriage, without the aid of Mr. Tappan. They may plant the cross amid the sterile sands of the desert, and be the heralds of salvation to a benighted people. We feel little inclination to offend the moral reader by any attempt to expose the ridiculous and revolting scheme of amalgamation ; let its projectors be classed with those fanatical advo- cates of temperance, who shall substitute butter- milk for wine in the Lord's supper. It is by colonization alone that the descendants of Ham can be redeemed. There are at present but few spots on the African continent settled for this pur- pose, ami their growth is feeble and sickly, as were the colonies of Jamestown and Plymouth on our own shores. But the little fountains that now swell up in the desert may multiply and blend, and roll on until they sweep onward, not unlike their own Nile, in one resistless and fertilizing stream. How long was it before the early colo- nists of America toiled up the summit of the Allegany, and from another Pisgah looked down upon the land of promise ? Yet as they descend- ed, in little more than one generation of the chil- dren of men, empires have arisen and cities have peopled the wilderness. The fust fruits of abolition we have already gathered, and the branch which bore them is of the tree of death. In its destructive progress abolition would more speedily effect a revolution, but when its wild fury shall have been exhausted, its stormy depths will settle down into a sullen and stagnant pool, not unlike the sluggish waters which sleep upon ruins in the valley of Siddim, containing no living thing within their bosom. Colonization, with its mild and wholesome influ- ence, operating slowly but effectually, will lead the children of captivity forth from the house of bondage to homes of their fathers, in a clime peculiarly fitted for their habitation. The strong arm of the Diety is no longer stretched foith visi- bly to chastise and subdue with famine, and pes- tilence, and fiery plague; but the inconveniences and evils of slavery press with a constant accele- rativc force, and may ultimately compel the while man to strike away the fetters of the captive. Although the bars of the prison door may not be again thrown hack and the bonds of servitude forcibly torn asunder, yet, under the blessing of heaven, and with prudent councils, the good jail- er may himself relent, and invite the captive to come forth. Hut should the abolitionists succeed in their turbulent efforts, in the hour of departure which they prepare, every 'lintel and door-check will be snringled with blood, but not as a token to the reil light arm of the archangel that the in- mates are to be consumed.' It is not the discussion of this exciting and alarming topic to which the south objects; but they do object to making their slaves a party to the controversy. They object to the aitincial formation of a spurious public opinion through the agency of associations acting directly upon the slr.v and stimulating him to rebellion. For they think with Milton : 'who knows not that truth is so strong, next to the Almighty; she needs no policies, no stratagems, no licensings, to make her victorious.' She disdains all combinations, clerical or political. Like the mighty eagle, truth soars with steady flight and unblenchinggaze into the higher heavens, while those timorous com- panions of her early flight, penetrates these abyss- es of light in which she floats in solitude, undaz- zled and unalarmed (Extracts from the Southern Literary Messenger ) Abolition and Colonization. Abolition of slavery in the southern states, and the admission of slaves to tin' rights of freemen, constitute the wildest scheme that ever entered Ihe brain of visionary enthusiasts. The colour, the character, the capacity of the negro, the con- dition and morals of the free negro in the free as will as in the slave states, bear melancholy testi- mony to the truth, that if Ihe coloured population are to remain among us, the safely of the white man. and the happiness of the black, as the weaker party; require that the blacks should he retained In slavery. We will not presume to |