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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0094 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0094 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| 98 MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. The Colonization society had been called an ex- patriating society. But it had never exerted any influence to compel the coloured people to go to Africa. Emancipations had been made with this condition ; but the society did not make the con- dition. And, however much the minority of the south may desire to emancipate their slaves, they cannot do it, unless they send them out of the state. But, even in these cases, he believed it had been, in every instance, with their own con- sent. He was not aware that any individual in the southern country had exerted any in/luence to compel the slaves they desired to liberate to receive liberty in Africa. It has been proposed to the servant and accepted by him ; and it is con- ferring benefits which they cannot receive in this country, even though they were free; for he maintained that a distinct people, occupying a position beneath the shade of an overpowering nation, could not rise up and compete success- fully with the superior race. Ami shall we wait till prejudice is removed, and every slave free, be- fore we do any thing for them ? He was willing to give full weight to these ob- jections; and lie admitted that there were difficul- ties. But was America settled without difficulty ? Why did not the little band that sailed in the Mayflower stop to inquire whether there were any difficulties in their way I You know the dillicullies encountered at every step in the pro- gress of this nation ; and they have made us the greatest people under heaven. He would have the coloured people follow our example and make Liberia to Africa, what Plymouth has been to America. He admitted that he was deemed, even by some of his friends, as something of an enthu- siast in this cause, and that he was presenting it as too comprehensive; but he had only (bllowcd the views of the greatest and best of those philan- thropists to whom it owes its origin. If these colonies become a prosperous commu- nity, presenting opportunities for enterprise and wealth, can it be believed that the free people of colour in this country will not seek a residence there ? Think you that we shall then have to ask them to go, and pay their passage! No, they will flock there of their own accord, and by their own means. Although this society bad been chilled in New- England it would survive. It was destined soon to rise in public favour. He knew there were many who believed that missions might be prose- cuted better in Africa without than with colonies. But the United brethren had repeatedly, and un- successfully attempted to establisli themselves on the African coast. The reason is, that the native tribes in concert with the traders, have combined to perpetuate the slave trade ; and tin y of couisc, oppose the introduction of christian missions. There was therefore as much reason to support the colonics as there was for sending missions there. And is there a son of New England, who can cast his eye across the ocean, and not feel a sym- pathy with this people? I go then, said he, for colonization, as I have for many years, because I regard it as a scheme projected in the greatest be- nevolence—because the southern people propose to unite on this principle—because a feeble bond of union is better than none—because it may be the preliminary for other measures—I go for it, because it connects the improvement of those who choose to emigrate, with that of their more wretched brethren in Africa—because it is des- tined to break up the slave trade—because it sends renovation to that continent—becanse it is the beginning of good to that land, such as were the trials of our ffew England fathers to this—because those who succeed us will point to a great and prosperous republic on the coast of Africa, as a specimen of the capabilities of the coloured race. Rev. Mr. Malcom said he held in his hand some resolutions which were to have been offered by Rev. Mr. Winslow ; but as that gentleman was not present, he had been requested to present them; which he should do without saying any more than to express his hearty and cordial ap- probation of the cause. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the plan of the American Colonization Society is entitled to the firm and generous support of the whole United States. Resolved, That the scheme of this society is specially adapted to unite the efforts of patriots and christians of the north anil south, and east and west, for the benefit of the coloured popula- tion, both in this country and in Africa He loved the Colonization Society, because it set before us a specific object. If his brethren, who had spent their time and money to wake up the people, consider that the most important object to be done—and if they choose to spend all their energies in waking up—very well. Hut, if any of us see and feel that here is a noble object to be accomplished, then let us go for this thing. As to the difficulty and danger of the enterprise, twenty- five of Briton's best men, with more than three hundred retainers, had perished in the attempt to discover the source of a single river; and this was more than had been lost in this enterprise from its commencement. It had been said that coloniza- tion tends to keep up the feeling of separation ; but so far as he could understand it, he thought it most happily calculated to bring itdown. Society was divided not by colour, but by the progressive state of improvement; and if in Africa or Hayti. the coloured people should become elevated, it would raise them to a level with the whites in this country. It was not long since he had hail an opportunity to invite some coloured gentlemen from Liberia to his table ; and without any fears he invited some of the most respectable members of his congregation to the same table. They took their station according to their Worth. One of them was the governor of a colony. The aboli- tionists had expended $46,000, in measures for acting on the public mind ; and be thought some- thing ought to be done for the method of elevating the people of colour proposed by the Colonization Society. Rev. Mr. Gansett offered a resolution, in sub- stance, that the accomplishment of any great and permanent object is not to be expected with- out temporary difficulties and discouragements; and that the errors and calamities incidental to the scheme tor the colonization of Africa, should but inflame our zeal, confirm our hopes, and give new energy to our efforts. The whole history of the world, he said, was a history of reverses and successes—(he triumph of efforts that, in their early existence, were encom- passed with difficulties. The early history of New England could never be named without awakening a deep response. It was a history of constant struggle with disaster and difficulty. And what was the result? Why do we now see New Eng- land the glory of the world ? Because the people who came to these shores would not be discour- aged nor disheartened by the difficulties they had to encounter. He adverted, also, to the rise and progress of the reformation, and also, the early history of the christian church, to illustrate the same point. Errors and calamities are ever growing out of our weakness and ignorance, even in the prosecu- tion of the most benevolent objects; and so far from being a ground of discouragement, they should but increase our ardour. It is a scheme for raising one quarter of the globe from ignorance and degradation. He was aware, however, that, by many good men, it was viewed with distrust. It is said that this is a secret scheme to perpetuate slavery. Hut how are we to judge of the secret motives of men. so as to declare them to be what they do not profess ? We have the reports and speeches, from the commencement of the society; anil no evidence can be found in them of any such design—on the contrary they all profess that the design was to benefit Africa. As candid men, we are bound to believe their profes- sion". Hut he contended that the colonization scheme was adapted to produce this result. It was immediately introducing into Africa, a popu- lation very much higher in point of intellectual improvement than the native tribes—it was preach- ing the gospel there immediately—it was giving to the western coast of Africa all the advantages of trade and commerce—planting schools—and connecting Africa with America and Kurope, by the additional ties of interest—it was planting there churches, christian communities, and the diffusion of freedom and truth. Then let these settlements grow—let them cement themselves together —let new seUfunents be formed alt along the coast, and far into the interior of Africa; and thus let civilization and Christianity every year take a wider range ; and he did contend that Africa must lie raised by the laws of Divine Providence from dishonour, barbarism, ignorance and wretch- edness, under which she has for ages groalned. He spoke of the difficulties which had been encountered by the society, and maintained that great difficulties were to be expected, from the very nature of the enterprise ; and in speaking of the condition of the free coloured people of this country, he said, to our shame be it spoken, that they are the subjects of a most unrighteous preju- dice, bv which, instead of treating them as equals, as good by nature as ourselves, we have treated them as an inferior race, as if it were condescen- sion in us to bow to a coloured man in the street. Shame on such feeling! He went on to show the difficulties in the way of this enterprise, arising from the condition of these people, which he main- tained would be much greater than with the same number of whites. The soil arid climate, also, being different from that to which the colonists had been accustomed in this country, presented another disadvantage. They were also surrounded with barbarous hordes, where the prevailing traffic was in human beings. That, in the midst of all these difficulties, the society and colonies should have been brought into difficulty is no wonder. The grand wonder is that these colonies have gone on with a progressive increase from year to year. He therefore regarded the colonization scheme as one that should engage our earnest endeavours— that we should persevere untrammelled, and undis- mayed ; and if we go down to the grave without seeing our hopes realized, those that follow us shall feel that we have laid the foundation wall, that the edifice may stand forth in its beauty and strength, that they may look back upon our toils and disasters, and press onward and win for them- selves enduring renown, and for others a happy home, in the midst of the barbarous African coast. Mr. Brigham offered several resolutions, com- mending the plan of fitting out a ship, as men- tioned by Mr. Gurley on a former occasion ; and agreeing to appoint a delegate to the parent socie- ty, and a committee to make arrangements for the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Society, which were adopted ; and Hon. Richard Fletcher was appointed delegate, and Howard Malcom, Win. Brigham, Henry Edwards, Henry Holmes, and T.R. Marvin, were appointed a committee of arrangements. The meeting was dismissed with the benediction by the Rev. Mr. Gannet. 'Why, sir, I think that if you will let me go, it Will be THE MAKING OF A MAN OF ME, that's all.' 'In what respect ?—people have to work at Cape Palmas as well as in Baltimore—somewhat harder too, in the first instance, for it is a new country, and hardships are to be expected.' 'I know I'll have to work, sir, and to work hard ; but I'm used to that. I've been for seven years working with Mr. Crey, the street paver, and at the end of seven years I'm no better oil' than when I begun. Mr. Crey treats me well too, and pays me regular; but it all comes to nothing after all—I was a labourer seven yeais ago, and I am a labourer now. The white men I labour with don't respect people of my colour. I'm shoved here and there, and don't feel encouraged, and I don't see any change. Things if any thing, are getting worse, (iermans come, Irish come, and if any thing, its harder for me to get on every year. I think from all I hear, that if I work as hard at Cape Palmas as I've been working in Baltimore, 1 could raise out of the ground enough to live on, and alter a while, lay something by — and if I behaved well, I might get to be respecta- ble. They tell me I'd have a lot of land given to me, and that's more than I'll ever get here, the way things are going. I've thought the matter over as well as I could, and I've made up my mind—I may have a hard time at first, hut some how orother, I have a notion that if I go to the Colony it will, me making a man of me.' 'Well, my friend, your views are certainly very satisfactory to ine, and if you will bring evidence of your being a free man, and a certificate of good character, from some respectable white person. who has known you, Mr. Easter, the agent, will see whether you can be got ready to go out this fall.' The man left the office, and in a short time re- turned with the necessary proof of his freedom and good character, and he is now on his wav, with the other emigrants of the Oberon, to Cape Palmas. How many other coloured persons are there in the state of Maryland to whom this man's description of his situation is applicable ? Are there not ninety-nine out of the hundred of them all? The difference between this individual and those whom he has left behind him is, that he has a liberal and proper view of his interest—they are blinded by ignorance, prejudice, or evil purposes. He is worthy to be a freeman in fact, as well as in name, they are not. He, the poor street paver, has set them all an example. He has enterprise, judg- ment and courage. In them these qualities have yet to be developed. Colonization In Alabama. The cause of African Colonization is rising in every section of the Union. A society auxiliary to the Parent society, has just been organized in Baldwin county, Alabama, and one hundred and eighty five dollars collected in aid of its ob- ject. The proceedings of the meeting for the es- tablishment of this society, appear in the Mobile Chronicle. We trust the State Society of Ala- bama, will soon be revived and reorganized in accordance with the present constitution of the American society. The officers of the Baldwin county Auxiliary Colonization society of Ala- bama, are— Cyrus Sibley, president; Joseph Hall, 1st vice- president; Wm. Kitchens, second vice-president; Aaron Barlow, Gerald Byrne, Wm. Hall, John Gallagher, Joseph Booth, managers ; Origen Sib- ley, secretary ; Wm. C. Dennis, treasurer.—lb. COLONIZATION JOURNAL. TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1839. The Home Agent acknowledges the receipt of sub- scriptions to Colonization Journal, and donations to the Society, made to Mr. Roberts, by the citizens of Prince George and Charles counties, in the month of December, 1838. Piscattaway. Thos. J. Marshall, $1 00 Miss Marshall, 1 00 Wm. Lyles, 1 00 Clement Nott, 1 00 Daniel Moxley, 2 00 Michael Martin, 1 00 H. R. V. Cawood, 1 00 Eliza S. Brown, 50 Ann G. Marshall. 50 Thos. H. Marshall, 5 00 John A. Marshall, 4 00 E. D. Hardesty, 1 00 John M. Brown, 2 00 Sarah Marshall, 1 00 Wm. S. Marbury, 5 00 John H. Marbury, 5 00 J. N. Tubman, S. E. Tubman, G. W. Tubman, 5 00 M. D. Tubman, M. R. F. Wilmer, Thos. B. Berry, 1 00 John H. Claggett, 1 00 Thos. D. Claggett, 1 00 W. H. Hurbert, 1 00 Pomonkey. Mr. Chapman, 1 00 Henry Brawner, 5 00 Jas. F. Brawner, 2 50 Aug. P. Brawner, 2 50 F. Nelson, 1 00 Benj. Berry, 5 00 Robert Brawner, 1 00 Nangemoy. Thomas Perry, 1 00 Thos. L. Speak, 1 00 Peter Wheeler, 1 00 James Wheeler, 1 00 John Skinner, 1 00 Colonization in the West A distinguished gentleman in the State of Illi- nois, under date of the 2d inst. expresses himself to Judge Wilkeson, general agent of the society, in the following terms: "My great anxiety now is, that I may sprml the remainder of my days in the most useful manner I can to promote the happiness of my fellow- beings, ami advance the cause of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. I most cordially enter into the views taken by the managers of ihis grand, and [ would say. glo- rious plan of promoting the happiness and Inde- pendence of our coloured population. From my eailiest youth I have been opposed to involuntary rdavery, and when the Colonization Society was first organized, my heart rejoiced that a plan had at last sprung up free from any reasonable objec- tion which, if patronized, would five liberty to a tern portion of our blacks, and at the same time be the means under God to evangelize that dark and benighted portion of our world, which has al- ways been the great reservoir of slaves for all na- tions of the earth, and I have been ever solicitous for tin' advancement of the society's interest, and whenever it prospered my heart was elated, and whenever it declined n,y spirits drooped with it. You, sir, are entitled to the honour of hitting upon a plan which is calculated to be of lasting benefit, and which will lift a new impetus to the cause of colonization throughout our whole continent, and as you have very justly remarked, will place the society in her true attitude as the 'conserva- tive' between the two tactions that are rending asunder the bonds of our beloved country.' I do most cordially agree with you in the views you have suggested. Whether I possess the necessary qualifications for an agent I do not know. I am now near sixty years old, and not very healthy, but what of me remains vou are welcome to. I have all the zeal and affection for the cause you could ask, but whether there are not better materials at hand/is the question.—lb. All communications intended for the Maryland Colonization Journal, or on business of the Society, should be addressed to the Rev. Ira A. Easter, Home Agent, Colonization Rooms, Post Office Building. A Man of Sense On the morning of the day fixed for the em- barkation of the emigrants for Cape Palmas, in the brig Oberon, a stout, athletic coloured man of about thirty years of age, to judge from his ap- pearance, came to the colonization office, and said he wanted to join the expedition, then on the eve of departure. He was referred to the president of the society, and as neaily as the writer can recollect, the following dialogue took place. 'Well, my friend, what may your business be with me ?' 'I wish to go to Africa, sir.' 'When ?' 'I wish to go to-day, sir. They tell me a ves- sel is to sail today, and I wish to sail in her.' 'I am afraid you are too late, the emigrants are now on their way, and it will take some time to get you ready. Why did you not apply sooner I Why do you apply at all .•' 'I hope I'm not too late sir. I was employed last week to do some work at the house where the people who are to go to-day boarded, and I heard them talk, and say what led them logo, and I thought 1 should like to go myself—but I did not know where to apply for leave. This morn- ing early, I met one of them, and he brought me here.* 'Well, my friend, it is a short notice for you to get ready, or for us to receive you as an emigrant: What do you think you'll get by going to Africa. We should be sorry if you went from a mere freak, and without having weighed the matter well.' Dr. J. P. Gilroy, 1 00 Robert P. Boyd, 1 00 Fielding Dean, 1 00 Maj. A, Greer, 5 00 M. A. Mitchell, 1 00 Dr. Bennet Dyson, 2 00 Alex. Urev, 3 00 Rev. Rob't Prout, 10 00 Port Tobacco, Charles P. A. Pye, l 00 James R. Brant, 1 00 John Ferguson, 2 00 Rev.Thos. Lilly, 1 00 Eliza E. Hanson, 1 00 Mrs. Chapman, 1 00 Bryan Town. E. Turner, 1 00 Thos. O. Bean, 1 00 Wm. Matthews, 1 00 W. N. Bean, 1 00 Aquila Turner, 1 00 W. S. Shaw, 1 00 Mark Richards, l 00 Benj. N. Blanford, 1 00 Allison Roberts, 1 00 Wm. H. Cook, 5 00 Woodville. Henry T. Parker, 1 00 Benedict. Elijah Moran, 1 00 J. T. Thomas, 2 00 John F. Gardner, 1 00 Alexandria Ferry. Thomas Berry, 2 00 Donations in sums of one dollar and under, 9 40 Harris' Lot. Mrs. E. H. Edelin, 5 00 Colonization Society. Rev. Dr. Proudfit, Dear Sir:—About eighteen months since I be- came a member of the New York Anti-Slavery society, but not a conspicuous one. Last fall I travelled through the South-west, the slave states, and had then an opportunity of seeing American slavery in all its full bearings; and I am happy to say that American slavery is not in reality what it is represented to be by the abolition lecturers. In consequence of this, I have withdrawn myself from the said society ; I now feel strongly persua- ded that the Colonization society is destined, un- der the blessing of God, to become the means of conferring the greatest amount of happiness and real good to the coloured population of this country. I have the honour to be, dear sir, vour most obedient servant, C. SPARRY, General agent to the American society for promoting the principles of the Reformation. New York, 18th Dec. 1838, We have a letter from a very respectable cler- gyman, in New F.ugland, one of the signers of the original 'Anti-Slavery declaration of senti- ments' in which he declares his deep attachment to the cause of colonization. He says 'I have not time to tell you the why and wherefore, which should lead a signer of the Anti-Slavery declara- tion to address you in this strain, but when we meet I will do myself that pleasure. For the present suffice it to say, I hope I am a christian, and I pretend to common sense.—lb. The fine and fast sailing ship Saluda will sail from Norfolk about the 15th of next month, (January,) and the friends of colonization in Vir ginia and elsewhere, are requested to give notice of this opportunity for emigration. Application for passage in behalf of respectable free coloured persons may be made to Joseph Gales, Sen. Washington ; B. Brand, Richmond, or John Mc- Phail, Norfolk. Kditors are respectfully invited to copy this notice.— Christian Statesman. The Abolitionists purpose sending an agent to Liberia, 'to ascertain what persons, if any, are desirous, and at the same time unable on account of their deep poverty, to get back to the United States.' Mr. Gerre't Smith, of Peterboro', offers $300, out of his own private purse, towards de- fraying the expetises of such an agent. We hope the necessary funds will be raised, and the 'trust- worthy agent' despatched. We anticipate, as the result of his inquiries, a report that will strengthen the confidence of the country in the security, hap- piness and prosperity of the colony. There will probably be found a few indolent, discontented, refractory spirits, desirous of returning ; but the abolitionists, we doubt not, will provide for their maintenance, and perhaps exempt them from some of those wholesome restraints, to which they are now subjected.—lb. A Noble Act. We have received information, on which we can rely, that Mrs. Reed, of Mississippi, daughter of the laie Captain Isaac Ross, has bequeathed her large estate to the Mississippi Colonization Socie- ety. This donation consisted of her farm, one hundred and twenty-three slaves, anil about six hundred bales of cotton. The Rev. Z. Butler, and others, were appointed to carry the benevolent purpose of this lady into eli'ect. Captain Ro.-s, some time since, left his estate to the American Colonization Society, hut from some cause, to us unknown, etlorts are now making to break the will. Should this be done, Mrs. Reed has made such arrangements, as to secure her pa- trimony, which is an* third of the whole estate, to the Mississippi Colonization Society. This truly benevolent act serves to show most conclusively that the colonization cause is on the inaich, and that its influence is doing much in the South and South-west, lor the cause ol gradual and voluntary emancipation, by this single act, 123 of Africa's degraded children have not only been permitted to return to the country originally as- signed them by heaven, but the means to convey them thither also furnished. The friends and patrons of this noble enterprise have great reason to rejoice and take new courage since they have the most conclusive evidence that their labour of love is not in vain.—Kentucky Colonizationist. We are assured by the best authority that one of the executors of the estate of the late Capt. Ross, recently said that no attempt would be made by the relatives of that noble-minded man, to defeat the provisions of his will. The executors, we believe are all desirous that this will should be promptly executed. The anx- iety of Mrs. Heed (one of the most intelligent, accomplished and benevolent of women) on this subject before her decease was great. Surely the high-minded friends and relatives of Captain Ross, can never permit a regard to property to make them unmindful of what is due to his fame, or what by their own, as well as the public sense, is due to philanthropy. |