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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0091 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0091 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. 95 (From the Christian Advocate and .Journal.) Narrative of James Williams. This narrative has been widely circulated, both through the periodical press and in pamphlet form, and thus exerted an txteniiva influence on the opinions and practice of many into whose bands it has fatten. For this reason, the renun- ciation, by the committee appointed to investigate it, of many of the statements it contains as •wholly false,' anil all of them as unworthy of confidence, is honorable on their part; and the exposure ought to be made co-extensive with the circulation of the narrative itself. Justice to the readers of it require this. We have delayed copying the re- port from the Ihnancipator, in which it made its appearance some time ago, because we understood that something farther was intended to be publish- ed respecting It, and we did not wish to give it un- accompanied with all the circumstances and expla- nations which the committee might deem proper to present. We apprehend, however,that the ex- pectation of any thins; farther on the subject was founded in misapprehension, and that the report below is to be taken as final. (From the Emancipator.) Statement authorized by the Executive Committee. About three months ago, the executive com- mittee of the American Anti-Slavery Society, ap- pointed tne undersigned a ipeeiaJ committee to investigate, and report on, certain allegation!, published, together with the testimony to support them, in the Alabama Beacon, against the credi- bility ol the •Narrative of.lames Williams.' This they have done with the most cautious circum- spection, inasmuch as the party, whose veracity was called in question, was absent from the country, and his aid in the investigation could not be had. The tnveetigation was given to the pub- lic in the Emancipator of August 90th. It will be remembered that the objections taken, were not so much to the force and applicableness of the testimony, as to the loose and suspicious form in which it was presented in the Beacon. The ma- terial bearing of much of it ma not denied, pro- vided the actual entily and the credibility of the witnesses (of which the' committee knew nothing) could be made to appear, in such a manner as to remove from them all reasonable ground of doubt or impeachment. That the editor of the Beacon might be adver- tised of what-—in the eyes of others less excited by the subject than he appeared to be—was want- ing to his testimony, the deficiencies were pointed out, and an opportunity thus afforded him of cor- recting any error, or supplying any omission that night have occured in the preparation of his cause. Immediately on the publication of the statement, the undersigned individually addressed letters of inquiry to between forty and fifty persons residing in Virginia, Alabama, and elsewhere. Some ol the letters were written in such a manner as not to disclose to those to whom they were directed, the abject of the writers in seeking the information requested—or, their connection with the anti-sla- very cause. Where these letters have been an- swered at all, it has been done, as it is thought, without any knowledge, on the pert of the respon- dents, of such object or connection. This is mentioned, in the absence of any personal know- ledge of the respondents possessed by the under- signed, to show the full confidence may be re- posed in the sincerity with which their answers have been (riven. Other letters were written to persons who were made fully acquainted with the object of the waiters and their anti-slavery con- nection. Where these have been replied to, it has been done in a manner, not only unequivocal and direct, but respectful and courteous. Letters have been received from the following persons in Virginia: 1. From Dr. John Brockenbrough, who has re- sided in Richmond forty years, and been long and extensively known as among the most respectable and intelligent of its citizens. 2. From John Ruthford, Esq, Mr. R. was born in Richmond, ami has resided there ever since, with the exception ol two or three years spent at Princeton College, where he was a class-mate and friend of one of the committee, and where he was considered, in every way, a young man of unusual worth. It is believed that he has maintained this character in his native place unimpeached up to this time. 3. From Thomas Miller, Esq. two letters have been received. It will be remembered that two communications from Mr. M. appeared in the Beacon. It was in this way the committee fust became acquainted wi'h his name. They take pleasure in stating—and in doing it explicitly— that they have ascertained from various sources, that Mr. M. is not only all he represented himself to be in the communications referred to, but that in Virginia, his standing is very high as an upright and intelligent citizen. 4. From Hon. John Scott, judge of the sixth circuit court, reeiding in Fauquier county, 5. From William J. Dance, clerk of Powhattan County court. 6. From James Roy Micou, clerk of Easel county court. 7. From James H. Micou, father of the one last mentioned. 8. From John. L. Pendleton, clerk of Caroline county court. The committee know no reason for impeaching or suspecting the testimony of these witnesses, apart from the fact that they are slaveholders, and interested in the system whose enormities are exposed in the narrative The committee abstain from any detail touching the credibility of the greater part of the narrative, that would unnecessarily protract this statement; they will only present the substance of the testi- mony furnished by the letters above cited. 1. There is an estate in Powhattan county of but little value, called Mount Pleasant, but it'has not been owned or possessed, in the memory ol the existing generation, by any one bearing the name of Larrimore, or any other name resembling Larriinore. 2. No such man as the Larrimore described in the narrative, or any other of that name, has been known, at any time, to have resided either in Powhattan county, or in any of the neighbouring counties; or in Richmond, either in summer or winter. There is but put family named Larimer, (none named Larrimore,) known as having re- sided in Virginia. This consists of two brothers only ; one of them, a few years back, removed to Floiida; the other is George T. F. Larimer, of Essex county, the same whose letter was publish- ed in the Beacon. 3. There has been no intermarriage between the Larrimores and Roanes, Brockenbroughs or Scoffs, for the last fifty years, if ever. 4. The late Mr. lirockenbrough, of Charlottes- ville, never held a slave who was brother to James Williams. 5. Neither John Smoot, described in the narra- tive as a planter of Port Italian; nor John flreen, and Benjamin Temple, as administrators on the estate of the elder Larrimore; nor John Gatewood, as the master of Williams' wile, and as living about four miles from Mount pleasant, are known as having at any time resided in said county or else- wh-te. 6. Neither is such a man as Stephen Ransdell known ever to have resided in Caroline county. 7. Nor has John Scott, a respectable merchant of many years standing in Fredericksburg, ever resided in Richmond. There is but little, if any thing, set forth in the narrative, ami denied in the letters, that can fairly be considered as matters merely of opiinion, about which a person of hasty or weak judgment might be expected unconsciously to err. The statements are of facts on the one side, met by absolute denials on the other. That one of the parties has Mett- lionly misrepresented is placed beyond all doubt. The committee, called on, in the discharge of their duty, to say which, in coming to a decision, It to- scrupulously guarded themselves against the influence of the prevailing prejudice, which would lead them to decide of course, or hastily, against a black, where his testimony was contradicted by a white. Thus prepared, as they feel themselves to be, for Impartially weighing all the circumstances of the ease, they have been drawn fully to the conclusion, that the statements in the narrative, so far as they are cited above, and contradicted by the writers of the letters, are wholly false, and then lore they cannot with propriety ask for the confidence of the community in any of the state- ments contained in the narrative. Without wait- in.; longer for answers to letters (bat have been addressed to several persons in Alabama, the un- dersigned presented at the last meeting of the executive Committee, a report in accordance with the opinion expressed above :—whereupon it was resolved. 'That the said special committee prepare, as soon as may be, Ia statement in relation to said narra- tive, to be inserted in the Emancipator; and that the publishing agent be directed to discontinue the sale of the work.' In accordance with this resolution, the foregoing statement is submitted. JA.MES G. BlRNEY, LEWIS TAPPAN, American Colonization .Society. Washington. Nov. 19 1838. The twenty-second annual meeting of the above society will It- In Id in this city, on Tuesday the 11th of the ensuing month, It is desirable that the several auxiliary societies in the several states should appoint, without delay, delegates (any num- ber not exceeding five) lo this meeting, and that as many of the subscribers to its funds who have at any time contributed thereto thirty dollars, and are thereby become meiubeis for life, as can make it convenient, should also be present, as it is ex- pected plans more or less vital in their character will come under discussion for remodelling the constitution of said society. The place and hour of the meeting will be an- nounced in due time. R. R. GURLEY, Secretary. By a recent arrival at New York from the coast of Africa, we received the Liberia Herald for May, June, and July, from which we make liberal ex- tracts, prefering to give publicity to information from that country to any matter of our own. What course the fiiends and patrons of African Colonization will now adopt to sustain their colo- nies, ami to give them the firmness and solidity of well established, thrifty and independent commu- nities, cannot be at present, with any certainty conjectured, at least by us, at this distance from them. Perhaps they are themselves at a loss, in what direction to proceed. Nothing can be done without me.tits, and these means must be money. But where it will come from, and how it is to be raised, may be questions that pu/zle the most sagacious. We once fell a delicacy in enunciating certain truths, in respect to tile colony, lest our enemies should wrest them to our injury and dis- credit. We had been declared by the wise and philosophic, incurably lethargic, and incapable of self-government. It had been most confidently asserted, that those incentives lo high and noble doing.—that urge the philosopher on in his inqui- ries—the hero, in his career of victory—the ambi- tious in the acquisition of empire—and the literary aspirant to the temple of fame,—exert their influ- ence "it us in vain; in a Word, that are are insus- ceptible of (hose finer touches that give a finish to the human character, Lest any reference to the arduous nature of the work before us, or solicita- tions of assistance, should be regarded, confirma- torj of an opinion so humiliating and degrading, we have voluntarily turned otu cms from the diffi- culties as they would occasionally present them- selves to contemplation, and resolutely imposed an unmurmuring silence on our lips, and indulged a vague and Indefinite hope, that some auspicious brees • should disperse the scowling cloud that hangs so portentously upon our path. Serious reflection upon the matter has sometime since convinced us, that the delicacy is morbid, and abandoning it as foolish, we have now the moral courage thus publicly to confess, that our unaided energies are unequal to the task before us. An arm nerved with more power and guided by more wisdom than we po-sess, is requiied to strike a path, and to direct a course, through the physical and political forests, that darken and hedge our way. But we feel it due to ourselves, to observe here, that to redeem our character from the odium thrown upon it, to falsify the self-complacent as- sertions of those sage theorists upon the African character, who, weie it not lor DM Opportunities they have enjoyed, would be as ignorant as those they abuse, we only ask the same measure of aid that would he indispensable to any other race sur- rounded by similar circumstances. Among the Causes which have combined to close the hand of Charity against the colony, are those florid and glowing descriptions that have been given of the pecuniary ability of the people, the docUit] and tractability of the natives, the fertility of the toil and the general resources of the country. Visitois feel- ing a feverish interest in the colony, and prurient to disseminate news, bare visited only the best houses in the colony,where every netve has been strained to make a decent exhibition,—and feeling no die position to 'dive into the infections of hospitals, and take the gauge of disease,'they have assumed what they there saw as the general measure of circumstances, and gone oif anil rt'iiorteil accord- ingly.* When individuals who feel but a general and indefinite interest in the colony, have heard tlut the natives are throwing away their idols to the moles and bats of the earth, and en masse becoming christians; that the slave-trade is withering under the moral breath of the colony—that the country produces every tiling, and that every thing grows without labour, and that the colonists have only to pluck the fruits, eat and be happy, they have rejoiced la the success of a scheme, to which they cannot rid themselves of a feeling of indebtedness, but to which the bounties of nature have precluded the necessity of any pecuniary ottering from them. This tampering with a disease, may lull the patient for a while, but its etfect will be to sutler the complaint to acquire strength insuperable to all attempts at cure. Where is there a country on earth more fruitful in resources than America ? but where would the colonies planted on those shores, now be, had they not been sustained by the powerful hand of European patronage. On all the principles of human calculation, they would exist now, only as a historic fact, that an attempt had been made to colonize that country. The first requisite to the prosperity and advancement of the colony, is the suppression of the slave-trade in our vicinity. This trade has been gradually acquiring strength, for the last four years. Its ravage* have been more fearful, and the vessels engaged in it more numerous than at any former period of the colony's history. An exterminating war has raged over an extent of fifty miles around us,—nearly all communication with the interior has been cut off: lands have remained unfilled; every article of Ibod has advanced MS per cent, in price, and horror and confusion have raged on every side. If the colony hail the actual posses- sion by purchase from the natives, of all the coast between Tradetown on the south and east, and Cape Mount on the north-west, and Sinoe and Maryland in Liberia, similar territorial extent, which lor a small consideration might be easily acquired, they would then possess the right of excluding from their limits all specie*of trade and communication inimical to their interests. But a bare possession of the country, and promulgation of inhibitory laws, would not keep out the slave- trade. The immense lucrativeness of the trade would impel the avaricious on, in quest of the detestable gains. All then that would be wanted, would be a sullicient force, which the colony pos- sesses, to break up any factories that might be established for the purpose, and a naval protecting armament from abroad, when such exterminating operations should be carried on. This would be making sure work of the business. The natives then would from necessity turn to the cultivation of the soil and to the pursuits of an honourable commerce. The cost of such a protecting arma- ment would be comparatively small. No large and formidable force would be required. A small arm- ed vessel with the support and countenance it would receive from the regular cruisers stationed on the coast would elfectually protect the com- merce of the colony, and prevent all pernicious intercourse in its territory. For such assistance ample returns might be made in the aggregate trade of the colony (which would increase with every succeeding year), if poured into the quarter whence the aid shall come.—Liberia Herald. from that section. We have, however, no data, from which to controvert any portion of Soorie's statement. From the reports of dub-rent tiavel- lers, we have reason to believe that a vein of the precious metal, runs along the edge of this conti- nent, between the western shores of the Great Sahara, and the eastern boundary of the eternal forest that guards the interior. What sinuosities may have, or how nearly it may, bend to this point of the coast, is not yet determined. We have been long of the opinion that a full supply ol the propel merchandise kept constantly on hand in the colony (which has never yet been the case), would draw much of the gold and cattle, hides, wax, etc. from their wonted channel to Sierra Leone, and other places to the windward.—lb. The following beautiful lines by the late Rev. S. O. Wright, of the M. E. Church, will, we pre- sume be the more acceptable to our Liberia readers from the fact, that the ardent and glowing predic- tion they contain was but the echo ot a heart determined to 'brave the ocean and the grave' and to present itself an ottering on the altar of Afric's redemption, BY S. O. WRIGHT. Afric ! awake from thy slumbers I The night of thy death sleep is o'er, The day star is gleaming in heaven. And darkness shall shroud thee no more, Lo! light is now tinging the skies ! Awake with the day-spring arise ! Afric ! the cup of thy sorrows Is drained, and dashed at (by feet; Thy sutl'rings the hand of our kindness With mercy's full chalice shall meet: Drink freely,—and stille thy fears; Tis gladness we give for thy teare .' Afric '. thy chains are all riven, And moulded to bracelets of gold; Now hushed in the sigh of thy sadness; The price of redemption is told;— No more the sad face of despair Thy sons and thy daughters shall wear! Afric! the wave of the ocean Bears tidings of freedom to thee— f'he voice ol'Jehovah proclaiming Thy land shall be happy and Wee ! OUT sons and our daughters shall brave, To bless thee, the ocean and grave.—74. Gold Thade.—Soorie, a native of the Soosoo tribe, inhabiting the north of Sierra Leone, in a recent trading excursion from this place to the interior, pushed his journey a considerable dis- tance beyond the utmost point which any of our American traders have yet reached. He says the route to this place from the country from which gold and cattle arc carried to Sierra Leone, the Nunez, Pongas, and Gambia is shorter, and more direct than to any of these places. He states that the country that bounded his journey is inhabited cliiellv by Mandingoes, and is governed by a Mandingoe chief, and that they possess cattle in large abundance. And he further states that the reason why gold and horses are not brought here, as plentifully as they are carried to Sierra Leone, is that 'lie Cape no hub money fit da trade.' We have known Soorie a long time;—became ac- quainted with him twelve years ago in Sierra Leone, and feel no hesitancy in vouching for his fidelity, and the general accuracy of his statement. Soorie, must not however be supposed to possess any very critical geographical knowledge. His estimation of relative distances is founded not on measurement or beatings of one place from mother, but upon the reports of travellers, and acquaintance with whom lie met and paitly upon the fact that he sawsomc gold and a large quantity of cattle. If Soorie's statement wanted confirma- tion as to the circumstance that gold is to be pro- cured there, we have it in the straggling parcels that have been occasionally purchased from traders • See Captain Able's report, which has been echoed from Dan to Beersheba, of the colonization world. Monroria, June 19, 1838. Mr. Editor :—Permit me to trouble you with a few remarks, on the constitution and laws of Liberia. You are aware, that the board of mana- gers lias long since, promised a new constitution and also a code of laws. They, as well as the colonists, agree that the present Constitution and laws, are insufficient for our government: and the reason is very obvious. The present laws were made when tlie colony, as it were, was one mere handful; but the blessing of an all-wise Provi- dence, and the increase of population, have so Improves the state of things, as to render a change in the constitution and laws, all important. This, together with a promise of the board of managers, made to the colonists some years ago, has excited a considerable interest here; and indeed, if read aright, in America too. You are' aware, sir, we have already received a proposed constitution on an entire new plan. The new constitution 1 allude to, is to be lound in the twentieth annual report; which was intended to go into operation, should then be a confederacy between the different colo- nies ; but the proposition seems to have been rejected. I would lure observe, that no man of sense among us, could object to a confederacy, as such which mi/*t take place at some future day. 1 say as surh, because it appears to me that any movement that alfccts any important relations of a people, should at least he submitted to them, if not tor their concurrence, at least to enable them to prepare to conform to it. But we are minors, and I suppose our good parent do not think We are capable at present of knowing what is best for us. Hut at the present crisis, we of the old colony would neither be losers nnr gainers, while those of our sister colonies would certainly be the gain- ers, should a confederacy take place. For this plain reason : We are certainly ahead of them in some all important matters; and it suffice, sir, to mention one of them. We have passed through ordeals to which the other settlements, as yet, have not been submitted, and whether when the day of trial come, they will be able to stand, time alone can prove. But to the constitution ;—I observed in the be- ginning that our friends in America, as well as the colonists, seem to think that a change in the con- stitution and laws of the eolony is all important. This grievance has had the etfect to make some of our friends here quite impatient, because the pro- mise of the board has not been fulfilled ; they begin to say, that if the board of managers have not time to alter it, or if they think that personal observa- tion here is requisite to qualify one to make the alteration, give us the chance to exhibit our con- stitutional and political abilities; and when we have committed them to paper, let them be sent to the board of managers for their approval. The most important objections to the present constitution, is, the blending of the executive and judicial authority together and the holding of an- nual elections ot civ il officer*. These two features in the constitution are objected to, by every man of sense in the colony; and as far as this is con- cerned, I am as impatient fof a change as any individual. For corruption must be the conse- quence of such mingling of the executive and judicial offices and of the frequent elections, which is greatly to be regretted in a new country like this; for the people in all countries will be like the laws, anil the laws like the people. How iinpoitant then, is it here, that our constitutional laws should guard against political corruptions and speculations. I do not say, Mr. Editor, that there is more of it here than in other countries, not so much as in some. Yet, we are but men, and men of less experience than men of other countries ; and it will follow as a matter of course, the less experience in governmental affairs, the more liable we are to political corruption, unless the constitu- tion and laws which ought to be the great moral agent of the country,—guard us against it. The present constitution provides too, for the election of certain officers, which ought not to be, especially here; they should receive their appointment from the executive or legislative authority. There are many leason-- for this, which I wiii withhold for the present; but they are well known to you, as well as every other thinking man in the colony. In conclusion, sir, let me comfort myself by say- ing, that 1 hope the first vessel that arrives here with any communication from the board, will bring us the long promised laws of the colony, to the great disappon tmeut of those who think the hoard of managers are unconcerned about the matter. Yours, &c. B. Farming.—Our people are making rapid pro- gress in farming. We have but little fear, that WS shall not have a full supply of the coarse stall' of life, during the ensuing rams, maugrc the scar- city among the natives. Our fear of total loss of cattle, have subsided, and we have still some left. The sugar-cane on the society's farm we fear will be a total loss, for the want of a mill to grind,—a circumstance exceedingly to be regretted, on many accounts, especially as the manufacture of the article would disprove the declarations of many, that the article cannot be produced in Liberia. There are about six acres of ran* on the agency farm,—said by some called judges, to be of excel- lent quality. It is now ripe for cutting, and as we have no mill for compressing it, it must of course be a total loss. Measures have been taken to have a temporary machine constructed here, but it seems the only man in the colony that understands any thing of mill business, is labour- ing under a disorder that entirely incapacitates hiui for work. We have now to regret that we do not possess some small share of the mechanical genius of Governor Johnson, of Bassa, and ore this score must be content to stand charged with the crime of cupidity. This gentleman, by his own genius, has constructed the model of a wind- mill, upon the plan of which the structure is now going rapidly up, and approaching fast the point of completion |