 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0096 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0096 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| 100 MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. (From the Christian Advocate and Journal ) The Missionary's Farewell. Most affectionately inscribed to the Rev. G. Coles, in grateful remembrance of the piece late- ly addressed by him to his obliged friend and brother. John Seys. Yes! urge no more, I go— I'm gliding far and fast, I've shed that burning tear of wo, It's bitterness is past'. God's spirit in the ship will dwell, I feel that I can say, 'tis well! Adopted land, adieu! No father-land more dear. My home—my all—I leave in you— No home to heart so near, Brethren, kindred, friends, farewell! Pray still that God may with me dwell. I leave your temples fair. Your altars where we've knelt, Where oft we've joined in social prayer, And holy fervour felt— I fly to press a heathen shore, And there the christian's God adore. I go to tell of love, Of truth divine, of light, A Saviour's wondrous grace to prove, And broken hearts delight; To teach the dark untutored mind, And tell them where a Christ to find. Farewell! let oceans roll. Let waves on waves surround, Let distance far as pole from pole, Our utmost vision bound ; Let seasons change—and cheerless climes— And idol worship—savage crimes— Let scenes like these appear, While lov'd ones are afar, The heart that finds a Jesus there, No change its peace can mar; It looks to nim—the Author—guide Of faith, like gold, that's often tried. Then hinder not my flight, Wish me not to stay, I dare not such an errand slight— The Saviour cries, 'Away!' We'll meet in spirit at the throne, And though apart, yet not alone. Yes! hours, weeks, are all past, And home no more in view— Turn, turn my soul to joys that last, These faithfully pursue! Farewell! farewell! we'll meet in bliss, In everlasting blessedness! Ship Emperor, off Sandy Hook, 1 o'clock, P.M. 12th Dec. 1838. Departure of Missionaries.—We announc ed in last week's paper that the missionaries des- tined for Liberia, departed on Tuesday. This was a mistake in regard to the day, owing to a change which took place after our paper went to press. The subjoined account contains some ad- ditional particulars, of which we were not in pos- session at the time. Missionaries for Liberia.—The ship Em- peror, Captain Lawlin, sailed this (Wednesday) morning, at 11 o'clock, with a fine westerly breeze, for Africa. The following passengers are on board the Emperor; Rev. Or. Savage and lady, and the Rev. Mr. Perkins and lady, of the Protestant Episcopal mission; the Rev. John Seys, Rev. William Stacker, Rev. George S. Brown, Mr. Walter P. Jayne, printer, Mr. Jabez A. Bui ton, and Mr. Henry B. Barker, teachers, attached to the Methodist Episcopal mission. Mr. Burton is from Alleghany College, and Air. Barker from Wilbiaham Academy. All are well qualified for the offices which they are to fill. I'hey were attended to the ship by a large number of their friend?, and a deputation from each missionary board. May prosperous gales waft them to their destined haven!—coin. Adv. part I am well, except for occasional fits of indi- gestion. 1 weighed six pounds more a short time ago than when I started from America. Mr. Draper is about planking his vessel; she measures 23 tons, and will be totally different in workmanship and appearances from the small craft at the Cape, and I think no disgrace to an American port. The mill (a wind saw-mill) is ready to be raised, except the framing of some more braces and making pins. I have been the cause of much delay, for the want of time and strength to make brace patterns.—Have been obliged to do a great part of the marking out the timber for framing with my own hands, and was for some time thus employed either in the afternoons or all day. We have ploughed and planted the kitchen garden, but few of the American seeds came up. Our ploughs are too small and awkardly made, and by no means fit to till the ground, which is covered with grass, and filled with roots. We need two horse plough?—we want jacks. The vessels now in harbour took 30 of these from the Cape de Verds to Sinoe. There is a general intention expressed by those who have farms south of St. Johns to cultivate them in the next dries, and 1 hope to have estab- lished a good sugar plantation. A small wind mill, which would cost about $300, might be built by two persons, and the wind is good there as on the beach. The two farms would contain !>fi acres, and would be a source of great profit to them, and benefit to the colony. There are seven farms very eligibly located at Bexley, for the settlement of as many emigrant families by the next expedition, if it does not arrive belore we can get the place prepared lor them ; and 1 intend to engage Frank to clear 10 acres for a good plantation, to be situated on Third street rather than on the river, so as to break open the country and facilitate the settle- ment of emigrants. 1 can contract with him for 400 bars. I find that a good fort can be built at Bexley, of the rocks in the river, nearly as cheap as was estimated for a block house. During the dries we shall have a most excellent selection of granite blocks from the river, and if not used for this, they will be for some other use of less importance. It is our opinion that the neighbouring chiefs will be more ready to sell their land upon having such a fort erected near them, and also, that it may probably be the means of opening trade with the Mandings' country. Our trade is now with the nations more limited than it has been heretofore, and so must continue as long as so many English vessels and factories are on the coast, with goods cheaper and more saleable than ours. The Presbyterian church is nearly finished. The citizens of Edina are removing their fences, and will finish after I shall have done sur- veying the town; nearly all the space allotted for the town is now taken up, and I shall lay out Fourth and Filth streets. I think seriously of teaching a school again six months or a year, provided I am relieved from my present duties, should I be appointed by the society. The vessel now unexpectedly sails. I have just now for the first time thought that this might be published ; if so, do not expose my careless and loose style. Very respectfully and humbly yours. Rev. J. J. Matthias. W. Johnson. (From the Christian Advocate and Journal) Liberia—Latest Intelligence. , The following interesting letter from the acting governor of the United Colonies of Bassa Cove and Edina, first appeared in the Commercial Ad- vertiser of December 6:— 'Bassa Cove, August 2, 1838. Dear Sir:—A brig arrived today from Sinoe, where she has been to transport emigrants ; and an opportunity is presented by her return to New Orleans, of communicating to you. From your acquaintance with the general course of atrairs here, there will be but little novelty in my letter, things having gone on much as usual since your de- parture. The colony, I believe is quite as pros- perous as ever. Health is generally good; and though our stock of merchandise and provisions is much reduced, yet there is very little complaint of any want. From the best information that I can obtain, 1 conclude that the crop of rice is three or four times as great as it was last year. We have planted 2,000 cotfee trees, and Messrs. Sheridan and Savage 8,000, intending to increase their number to 100,000, Mr. Sheridan is more and more disposed, as he observes the success of agriculture, to prosecute it on a larger scale. He has appeared to be quite friendly—has made no trouble, except by the bad calculations he has made lor the emigrants, and the expense we have consequently incurred. He was inexperienced in the country, and, I think, the circumstances of the emigrants should have been investigated, as they were liable to fall into our hands sooner or later, and that he should have agreed to carry them throirgh the six months, or have delivered them and their property to us. He has been in bad health for some time past, but has not applied to me for advice. He is active in conducting the Sunday school in Edina. Messrs. Corothers and Benson have planted 4,000 coffee trees which are doing well, anil many others, a large number. Mr. Humphries has deceased, after lingering with a pulmonary affection until he was extremely- emaciated. I intend to have the highland, at this •nd of the B. plantation, cleared at one contract as soon as the dries commence. It is the only good coffee land that we have in this neighbourhood, and is of great value. Green appears to be a very honest good man, but has the intermittent fever frequently; and Wesley and James have it occasionally. For my (From the Christian Advocate and Journal) Interesting from Liberia. White Plains Manual Labour School, August 4, 1838. My precious Mother:—Often since I left you have I wished that you could see how com- fortably, yea, how happily I have been all the time situated, because I thought it would afford a great alleviation to the anxiety that it is natural to suppose you feel about me. I have in my former letters tried to give you as correct an idea as possible of my outward circumstances of com- fort, as well as the state of my mind; but now, to the honour and praise of God, I have an additional blessing to mention,—it is the restoration of as good health as I ever had in my life. My flesh is much like dear sister Sarah's when she enjoyed her best state of health, and my complexion is fresh and lively, and my appetite so good that I have to watch myself to avoid indulging in it too freely, and involving myself in the sin of intem- perance in eatiiur. Nearly every kind of food that Ibis country produces is very delicious to my taste. I have not had a touch of fever since the 20th of March. Is not the Lord good to me I Praised be his holy name, this is according to the confidence I hail in him before I left home, and he does not disappoint me. Surely 'it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.' His promise is, that 'they who trust in him shall never be confounded;' and I, though utterly unworthy of his notice, have always found his promise true. My dear mother let not my absence grieve you, for it is but for a time, even if it should be our whole life-time in this world: and then, O let us look forward to the moment of a happy meeting in a blissful scene that will never end, and where we shall for ever unite in celebrating the praise of him who now calls us to offer up our mutual sacrifice; you to give up your only remaining daughter, and me to resign the pleasures of home and the society of many much-loved friends , but let us remember that the separation of christians is but partial,— 'We part in body, not in mind, Our minds continue one;' and often we may hold sweet communion around our Father's throne. I often feel, when engaged in earnest prayer for you all, as if our spirits meet, and I seem in a measure insensible ol the distance between our bodies. The day before yesterday, when I came into my room as my custom is, I kneeled before the Lord in humble adoration, and felt my soul drawn, as by divine power, to ardent supplications for all my friends, and for all mankind; when my dear mother was presented to my mind's view, and as I named you in prayer, my heart melted with tender feelings which suffused my eyes with tears I thought it probable that you were at the same moment petitioning the throne of grace for me, and that our spirits were then uniting in the same delightful exercise, and were calling down bless- ings on each other. I cannot express the sense I feel of the love of God to poor me: really I feel myself to be a very unprofitable servant, but yet my Lord, in mercy, stoops to notice and bless me, he gives me to feel that the precious bloodof Jesus cleanseth me from all sin;—to walk also in the light of his counte- nance. Truly I have felt, since keeping a partial fast yesterday, as if my soul is renewed in all its powers, and as if my whole body was filled with light. I feel confidently, though humbly, to say, Jesus is mine, and I am wholly his. O my dear, dear mother, I cannot tell you what bliss my soul enjoys; but it seems to me like an antepast of heaven. It makes me content with my lot, to be far from home, among a people of strange lan- guage, and a colour diverse Irom my own; in a word, I feel my own will all swallowed up in the will of Him whose I am, and who does all things forme. I would not exchange my present situa- tion and enjoyment lor any earthly aggrandizement that could be named. No, my mother a queen with a whole nation to pay homage at her feet, without religion, could not be as happy as I am, simply by believing in Jesus as my redeemer. This pure religion lifts the thoughts above, and excludes distressing anxiety about earthly vanities. I hope, dear mother, that as you are drawing nearer to the close of this earthly scene, you are also drawing nearer to the blessed Saviour, and experiencing more and more of the cleansing and healing power of his precious blood. I often feel as if my sister's spirit is very near me; and who knows but that she is commissioned to attend me as my guardian angel, to protect and defend me, and to brace up my feeble mind ? I dwell in this heathen land, and go out and come in without fear. I do not know that I ever felt as sale in New York city, for any considerable time, as 1 feel in Africa. I believe there are several causes for this, but probably the chief cause is the kindly influence of the holy spirit, assuring me of his care of all those who sincerely try to do his will, so that I feel to say, 'God's guardian shield is round me spread.' Another cause, probably, is the influence of the colonists, who are mostly very moral in their out- ward deportment, and many of them truly pious, which it is to be supposed tends in some degree to soften down the wild ferocity of the natives, who are also in some fear of the former. How- ever that may be, this much is certain, that I have never seen any thing contrary to friendship in the natives, and in those who gain a little ac- quaintance there are marks of warm affection. They sometimes show generosity by bestowing what they call a 'dash.' a present; hut they always want a larger dash in return than they give ; so it is always better to buy trout them than to receive a dash. It is delightful to the christian to see those natives, with sincere heart and tearful eye, earnestly seeking the pardon of their sins, and then to see and hear them, alter they have found the blessed Saviour, arise and shout 'Glory to God,' as 1 have seen them; hut those whom I have seen converted were those who have lived some time in the families of pious colonists. So we see that the colony is doing more good to the natives than many in our country believe, and more than 1 expected before 1 saw it. I am very anxious to'hear from you all, and have been sorely disappointed in not getting any letters from tny relations, though I have had eleven from those who are only related to me in the spirit. These afforded me inexpressible plea- sure ; but how much that pleasure would have been enhanced by accompanying letters from my beloved mother, brothers, and sisters, (who might have told me many things that would be gratify '':ig to me to know,) and numerous other relatives, I cannot tell nor imagine. I think much about my grand-parents, and pray daily for them. As they were aged and infirm when I left home, I often think it probable that they may have passed the bourne of time ere this ; but do let me know. My earnest desire and prayer to God for them and all others is, that they may be saved; and that we all, after being sepa- rated awhile on earth, may join in one eternal theme of praise to our kind Father in his heavenly kingdom. Then the things which now seem dark and mysterious will he made plain, and we shall see cause to adore the wisdom and goodness which ordered many things, and permitted or suf- fered others to be, which we cannot now fully understand. Till then may we content ourselves with knowing that God is lore, and that in him all fullness of wisdom and truth and goodness dwell, and that all that he directs must be for our good. One sentiment 1 wish ever to have engraven on my heart; it is this,—I do not live for myself alone, but for him who created, who redeemed, and who preserves me; whose I am,and to whom I owe every thing. I shall be expecting many letters from you all when brother Seys returns from America the ensuing autumn, as I hive written many and as there will be an excellent opportunity to send them then. My love to all inquiring friends. Ann Wilkins. Extract from the message of Governor Clarke to the Legislature of Kentucky. The similarity of condition between Maryland and Kentucky in their exposure fo unlawful and injurious effects from abolitionists, on their slave population, makes that portion ofthe message of Governor Clark, which relates to this subject peculiarly interesting to us. What official infor- mation of the mischievous movements of this set, may have reached the Governor of this state, we know not; but the agents of this society trace their footsteps wherever they go, through the effects of their labours on the people of colour. We have for some time looked forward to a pe- riod, when the interests ofthe state would require the enactment of laws for the protection of the rights of our citizens, as well as for the more rigid enforcement of those already in our statue books. What is done in Kentucky, through her proximity to the free states of Ohio and Indiana, is to a great extent practised here, from the relative position of Pennsylvania. We cannot but invite attention to the extract from Governor Clarke's message, with the hope, that the citizens of Maryland may preserve the necessary diligence in guarding their rights against the insiduous plans of a covert and unprincipled foe. •It has become an unpleasant and painful, but a necessary duty on my part, to solicit your atten- tion to a subject of vast importance to the peace and tranquillity of society, as well as to the security of those rights that belong individually to the citi- zen. Greatly do I fear, that this happy laud is on the brink of a fearful convulsion. The question that now* agitates it, urged on by the feelings of infuriated fanaticism, involves the rights and insti- tutions of the whole southern portion of the con- federacy. A question more powerful, more reck- less, and more menacing, than any that has ever disturbed the tranquillity of our peaceful country. It regards no law—it quails at no consequencej, although those consequences threaten the dissolu- tion of the political and social ties that bind us together as a nation. Its misguided advocates, driven on by principles at war with the existence of social rights—principles denounced by every patriot—the growth of disordered intellect, and disorganized feeling, stop tiot to consider either the morality or the means to further their wild and illegal projects. These men are dangerous, not from their numbers, but from the piinciples by which they are actuated, and which influences them to action, in defiance of all law, regardless of all consequences, under a feeling of desperation and recklessness that usually characterizes the misguided anil the fanatic. •Some of the abolitionists of an adjoining stale, not contented with the mere promulgation of opin- ions and views, calculated to excite a feeling of disaffection among our slave population, and to lender this description of properly insecure in the hands of its proprietors, have extended their ope- rations so far as to mingle, personally, with our slaves, to enter into arrangements with them, and to afford them the means and facilities of escape from their owners. This flagitious conduct is not to be tolerated—it must be checked in its origin by the adoption of efficient and energetic measures, or it will, in all human probability, lead to results greatly to be deprecated by every friend to law and good order. 'There is a spirit of abolition now abroad in the land, that threatens fearfully the overthrow of all social intercourse between neighbouring states, and is ominous of consequences appalling to every true lover of his country. It is a fact, no longer to be disguised, that the conduct of the abolition- ists, is at war with the acknowledged and legal rights of the citizen—that he tramples under his feet, laws that hold sacred the property of others, and leels no simple in the commission of a crime, to advance that cause in which he has embarked with such reckless desperation. Kentucky has already exercised too much Ibibearance on this subject, and the advocates of these doctrines have been emboldened to progress from that which may be considered speculative to practical abolition- ism; or, in other words, from the use of absurd and fanatical arguments, to the actual abduction of our slaves for the purpose of emancipation. The true patriot, the honest and virtuous citizen—he who looks with ardent solicitude to the perma- nency of our fiee institutions', and the welfare of the republic—must deeply deplore the existence of an infatuation, in any portion of these United States, producing such results; prostrating so en- tirely the moral sense of enlightened freemen, and threatening consequences so destructive to those feelings ol amity and kindness that ought to per- vade every portion of our common country. We had fondly cherished the hope, that the good sense of our countrymen would have ultimately con- vinced them of the fallacy of these doctrines, and that perceiving their error, they would have aban- doned a position, so fatal to the best hopes of the patriot, so false and dangerous in itself, and so obviously inconsistent with the general tranquillity and the legal rights of a considerable portion of our citizens. Influenced by this expectation, we have Ibrborn, until forbearance is no longer a virtue. Not now to act would be a criminal disregard of our rights—it would be a dereliction of those high du!ies that every citizen owes to himself. The evil is not imaginary, but has exhibited itself in a tangible shape, and must be encountered. This demon-like spirit that rages uncontrolled by law, or sense of moral right, must he overcome—it must be subdued; its action in this state should be prohibited under such penalties as will effec- tually curb its lawlessness and disarm its power. Property in slaves is guaranteed to the citizen of this state by the laws and the constitution. He holds his slaves by the same tenure that he holds all other property. He has as strong a demand upon the laws for the protection of this right an lor the protection of any other. The laws should, therefore, be made adequate to this purpose, and this can only be effected in opposition to that feeling of fanaticism to which I have alluded, by inflicting capital punishment upon every indivi- dual who is instrumental in aiding or assisting a slave from this to any other state. We are ex- posed to losses of this kind upon the whole of our north-western boundary; the facilities, therefore, alloided for the perpetration of this crime are numerous, and its suppression requires enactments of proportionate severity. In the faithful discharge of my official duty, I am required to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of his property, and in the accomplishment of this end, if milder means will not answer, I shall feel constrained to call into requisition every power with which I am invested by the laws and the constitution. 'Permit me, respectfully, to mention the pro- priety of an enactment to prevent the propagation in this state of the views and arguments of the abolitionists. They are professedly circulated for the conviction ofthe master, but really intended to operate on the slave. Why should a man be tolerated in the publication of opinions dangerous and ruinous to the security of my right to property, and at the same time be restrained from a publi- cation injurious to tny character? It is true that the abolitionist holds this to be an abridgment of the freedom of opinion—but does not common sense teach all men, that if it be wrong to injure the character of his neighbour, by the circulation of slander against him, that it is equally wrong to circulate opinions injurious to any other right secured him by law, and the tendency of which is to put that right in jeopardy ? No reason is neces- sary to demonstrate a proposition so entirely self- evident; and upon those, upon whom the voice of reason is lost ami remonstrance makes no impres- sion, no salutary influence can be exercised, ex- cept through the medium of the apprehension of direct and certain punishment.' The Slave Trade.—The British government has a squadron of thirteen ships and smaller ves- sels, on the western coast of Africa, constantly on the look out for slavers. The mortality on board these ships renders it a distressing enterprise. PRINTED BY JOHN D. TOY, CORNER OF MARKET AND ST PAUL STREETS, Who executes book and job printing with neatness and accuracy. |