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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0099 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0099 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. 103 dispel ? or vice, that he did not try to do it away I or virtue, that he did not endeavour to encourage and confirm ? Has not the ministry of his succes- sors been essentially the same ? Our fathers were wise enough to let his influence live, aye more, to nourish it! Far was it from them to devote his pulpit to a purpose which he thought unbefitting its sacredness, as his children have done, even in stealth, with that of him who now occupies his place. I repeat I would not invest the christian min- istry with civil power, or give them any undue influence or authority. Still it is an institution of God"s appointment, and within its legitimate sphere cannot be innocently assailed. Let the radical spirit of the age bear that in mind ! Let uic admonish you, with all the fervor of the love I bear you, look well to your position when you think to lay rough hands on the 'anointed of the Lord !' Is not that cause suspicious whose advo- cates trifle with things holy I In the end, let me advise you to withdraw from the companionship of those wild men, to say the least of them, by which your judgment has been so far perverted ! Let me tell you that they will never succeed. I rejoice to know that even with you the great mass of intelligence and worth is against them. They ought not to succeed. Their measures are senseless, fitted to defeat the end at which they aim. They may divide the union, but give liberty to the slave they cannot. Nay, they rivet together their chains of bondage. I could weep tears of bitterest sorrow over the effect of abolitionism upon African freedom! Your 'eloquent lecturer'—who not satisfied with the trouble he has given his own church, was willing to walk into the pulpit of another denomi- nation over the head of its rightful occupant—like others of his kind doubtless declaimed vehemently against African colonization. I cannot, therefore, close without saying, I have investigated this sub- ject long and thoroughly, am favourably situated for discovering its true tendency, and my full conviction is, tint this cause is inferior to no one of the benevolent institutions upon which philan- thropists and christians are bestowing their prayers and benefactions. The Lord give it success! Yours in the love of the gospel. Convention of Societies HAVING COLONIES ON THE COAST OF AFRICA. At a meeting of committees from societies hav- ing colonies on the coast of Africa, held in the office of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society, September 25th, 1838, the following named per- sons were present, viz : From the New York City Colonisation Society.— Dr. Alexander Proudfit, and A. G. Phelps, Esq. From the Marylantt Stale Colonisation Society.— Messrs. J. II. B. Latrobe, Stuart.and Wm. Crane. From the Jlmerican Colonisation Society.— Messrs. R. R. Gurley, Seaton, and Wilkeson. From the Pennsylvania Colonisation Society.— Messrs. Joel Jones, John Cell, Thos. Buchanan, Stephen Caldwell, Lewis P. Gebhard, and Robert B. Davidson. Dr. Proudfit was called to the chair, and Messrs. Latrobe and Davidson appointed secretaries. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. R. R. Gurley. After which, Mr. Buchanan stated the object of the meeting to be—to devise a plan for uniting the colonies in Africa under one general government. Judge Wilkeson then offered the following re- solution, viz:— Resolved, That to promote the best interests of Liberia, it is expedient to unite the several colonies under a general government. Alter considerable discussion and several sub- stitutes being offered for the above resolution, the meeting determined that the votes should be taken of the individuals present, and two votes allowed to each society represented. The first vote in order was on Mr. Gurley's sub- stitute, viz:— Resolved, That a more perfect union of the friends of African colonization, in their counsel and measures in this country is most desirable, and that it is expedient to adopt a general government for the several colonies in Liberia. The foregoing resolution being withdrawn, Mr. Latrobe's substitute was next in order—a motion was made to by it on the table, but was lost. New York and Pennsylvania both being divided, and Washington voting in the affirmative, and Maryland in the negative, Mr. Latrobe's resolu- tions gave rise to considerable debate, and at a late hour a motion was made to adjourn until Wednes- day morning at 9 o'clock, which was lost—several of the members being obliged to leave town. Mr. Latrobe's resolutions were then adopted unani- mously—the Washington members not voting— on the ground that they were not authorized to adopt the measures proposed. 1. Resolved, That it is expedient that there should be held a convention of delegates from the several societies having colonies on the coast of Africa, to consider a general plan for the commer- cial concerns of the colonies and their mutual in- tercourse and harmony. 2. Resolved, That a committee be appointed by the chair of members from each society here repre- sented, which shall be instructed to prepare a gene- ral plan for the commercial concerns of the colonies and their mutual intercourse and harmony. 3. Resolved, That such committee be directed to furnish to each of the said societies a copy of such general plan as they may agree upon—with a day and place named by said committee—at which each society shall be invited to send dele- gates to a convention—for the purpose of discus- sing and adopting the plan aforesaid, either as reported or amended by said convention. The following named persons were then appoint- ed the committee under the foregoing resolutions. From New York.—Dr. Proudfit. Pennsylvania.—Mr. Buchanan. Maryland.—Mr. Latrobe. Washington.—Judge Wilkeson and Mr. Gurley. Mr. Latrobe then moved to adjourn—for the purpose of letting the Maryland members retire- as they could unite no further in the plans pro- posed. The motion was lost. Judge Wilkeson called up Mr. Gurley's resolu- tion which had been withdrawn. Mr. Phelps moved to adjourn sine die. Lost. The question was taken on Mr. Gurley's resolu- tion and carried—the Maryland delegation declin- ing to vote. Mr. Gurley then moved to adjourn sine die. Lost. Mr. Buchanan moved a re-consideration of Mr. Gurley's resolution in order that the Maryland delegates might be permitted to retire, as they could not unite in any plan (or a general govern- ment. The motion prevailed, and without taking the question again on Mr. Gurley's resolutions, on motion of Mr. Latrobe, the convention adjourned. John H. B. Latrobe, Rout. B. Davidson, Secretaries. Articles at Association Between and anions; the Colonies of Liberia, being Colonies of free coloured persons frum the United States of America on the western coast of Africa. 1. The style of the Association shall be the Associated Colonies of Liberia in West Africa. 2. Any colony composed of free coloured per- sons from the United States of Ameiica, may be- come a member of this association if its legisla- tive authority adopt these arlicles, and notify the fact to the legislative authorities of the older members of the association. I. There shall be perpetual peace and friend- ship between and among the associated colonics of Liberia in West Africa. Each of them lor itself renounces the right of making war upon each or any of the others. Any differences which may arise between them shall be referred to the arbitration of the conventioi. of delegates herein- after spoken of, or of all or some of the associated colonies, and the award made by such arbitrators shall be iinal, and the faith of each of the associated colonies is hereby pledged to abide by the same. 4. The associated colonies of Liberia in West Africa shall have a common flag, which shall be that now used by the colonies in Liberia and Mary- land in Liberia, until the convention of delegates hereinafter mentioned shall otherwise provide. 5. The associated colonics hereby adopt the de- cimal currency of the United States of America as the currency of the said associated colonies ami each of them. 6. Fugitives from justice in any of the associa- ted colonies, shall be given up by any other of them upon the demand of the principal executive authority of one colony upon the principal execu- tive authority of another, accompanied by a proof of the crime and of the identity of the criminal. The execuliveof each colony shall have authority to issue a warrant lor the arrest of any such fugitive. No person shall be accounted a fugitive from jus- tice, unless at the time of committing the offence he was personally and actually within the juris- diction of the colony, whose laws he is charged with violating—a mere constructive presence shall not be sufficient. 7. Full faith and credit shall be given in each of the aforesaid colonies, as well in courts of jus- tice as elsewhere, to the legislative and judicial records of each of the other colonies, which, when produced on evidence, shall have the same effect in any other colony as in the colony in which it may originate. The proof of a record shall be a copy of it attested by the proper officer, to which shall be attached a certificate from the governor or chief magistrate of the colony that the said certificate is in due form of law, and by the proper officer. 8. The citizens of each of the associated colo- nics shall have in each of the other associated colonies all the rights ot citizens, except the right of suffrage and such other rights as are necessarily connected with residence. They shall also have the privilege of becoming residents of any of the colonies at their pleasure, and shall be admitted to the lights of resilient citizens upon the easiest terms upon which the most favoured class of per- sons are so admitted. 9. Slavery and involuntary servitude, except involuntary servitude for a limited time as the punishment of c.imes, 9hall be forever unlawful in each and all of the associated colonies. 10. The slave trade shall be forever unlawful in each and all of the associated colonies. They each hereby yield to each of the others, the right of search for ascertaining whether a vessel is engaged in the slave trade, and of capturing and condemning as prize any such vessel belonging to any of the citizens of any of the associated colo- nies, which may be so engaged, together with her whole cargo. The presence of a slave on board any such vessel shall not be necessary to consti- tute or prove her a slave-trader, if the proof of the intention to take slaves on board can be otherwise satisfactorily made out. 11. Each of the associated colonies by adopt- ing these articles, recognizes the law of nations as understood by the civilized nations of Europe and America, as binding upon it ami upon its courts of justice and citizens individually. 12. Each of the associated colonies by adopting these articles, adopts the admiralty and maritime law, as understood and practised in the courts of the United States of America, as well in prize causes, or other, as its admiralty process to the enforcement of the revenue laws, and the laws for the suppression of the slave trade. 13. Every vessel arriving at any port, within any of the associated colonies, for the purpose of trade, or of delivering goods, wares, or merchan- dise, shall be entered upon the books of the cus- tom-house of such port, and it shall not be lawful to sell or land any part of her cargo until such entry has been made, and the duties hereinafter imposed paid upon the goods so landed or sold, un- der penalty of forfeiting the goods so landed or sold, and also the vessel, if the amount of the goods so landed or sold shall exceed five hundred dollars. 14. In order to make an entry under the provi- sions of the last preceding article, it shall be ne- cessary for the master of the vessel to deliver to the collector, or other proper officer, a manifest or manifests in writing, verified by affirmation, and signed by him, containing a list of his whole cargo, with the name or names of the port or ports, place or places, where goods in such mani- fests, as mentioned, shall have been respectively taken on board, and the port or ports, place or places, for which the same are respectively des- tined, and the name, description and tonnage of such vessel, and the nation to which she belongs, and flag under which she sails, and the name of all consignees of any part of the cargo resident within such colony. 15. It shall not be lawful for any merchant vessel to sail from any of the ports of the asso- ciated colonies, without obtaining from the col- lector or other proper officer, a clearance in the following—(insert usual form of clearance in the United States.) No such clearance shall be granted until the requisitions of the revenue laws shall have been complied with. 16. All goods, wares and merchandise, imported, landed or sold in any of the associated colonies, shall pay duties alter such rates as the colonial legislature may have imposed. 17. Each colony may enact such revenue laws and regulations consistent with the provisions of these articles, as it may deem proper. 18. AH persons and vessels violating the reve nue laws of any of the associated colonies, may be arrested or attached and proceeded against in the courts of any of the other colonics, in the same manner as in those of the colony whose laws have been violated. 19. These articles shall be binding on each colony which adopted them, provided they are adopted by at least two, and they shall be consi- dered as the supreme law of the land in every place in which they are binding. The mode of adoption shall be by the action of the supreme legislature in each colony. 20. No change shall be made in these articles, or any of them, or in any of the laws, or obliga- tions which they impose, by any of the associated colonies without the unanimous assent of all. 21. There shall be a convention of delegates held from time to time for the purpose of revising these articles, in which each of the colonies shall have an equal voice, or one vote, to be entrusted to so many delegates as its supreme legislature may think proper. The convention shall not meet ol'tener than once in three years, or seldomer than once in four years. Each convention shall by a plurality of colonial voices or votes, fix the time and place of the next meeting. It may also decide by a majority of votes, differences between the colonies referred to it. It shall have no other authority except to propose alterations in these articles to the legislatures of the several colonies, which when adopted by the legislatures of all the associated colonics, and not before, shall be bind- ing on them all, and until so adopted shall be binding on none. 22. The supreme legislative authority in each colony, may from time to time suspend within its own jurisdiction, the operation of the thirteenth and fourteenth article aforesaid, until such time as this article may be abrogated in the manner pre- scribed in the twenty-first article. 23. The terms legislative authority and supreme legislature throughout the articles, are to be under- stood as applying in the first instance to the society or board in the United States, which exercises legislative powers over any colony ; and whenever such society, or board, renounces its authority, and it passes over to a legislative body in Africa, then and not before, to such local legislature. (From the Christian Statesman.) African Colonization. The following letter from a member of the Theological Seminary at Andover, to the Rev. Dr. Proudfit, corresponding secretary of the New York Colonization Society, will be read with satisfac- tion,—we were going to say by every friend of the coloured race. But the present day is prolific in solecisms and absurdities, and accordingly we rind many who regard the only institution in this country which has yet accomplished any thing good lor the slaves, or effected the liberation of any, (except possibly by enticing them away from their masters,) denounced an enormous evil, and the gentleman who has done most for the promo- tion of its interest, declared to be the 'guiltiest man in the nation.' We are however rejoiced to find that so large a portion of the theological students at Andover, the future clergymen ot the country,—are staid enough to resist the tide of denunciation which of late has rolled in upon the Society and its objects, and bold enough to do it justice.—Jour, of Com. Thelogical Seminary, Andover, 2\st Dec. 1838. Respected Friend—Knowing the pleasure with which you regard any information which bears favourably on the great and benevolent object to which your labours are devoted, I am induced to furnish you with a short account of what has re- cently transpired in this place. The results of an examination into the excellency and practicability of colonization which we have been permitted to witness here, must he in a high degree gratifying to its friends, for it furnishes a clear illustration of what 1 am fully convinced is true; that all that is necessary, to secure the most favourable regard and warm support of the intelligent and christian community in favour of colonization, is the more general diffusion of fads, showing the great good which must flow to the coloured race from its operations. A short time sincp, Mr. Cresson, of Philadel- phia, visited this plate, and gave several lectures on colonization. These were well attended, and listened to with great interest, both by the citizens and students ot the various institutions of this place. The Rev. Mr. Gurley was present on one evening, and exhibited the cause in so luminous and satisfactory a manner, as to secure the highest regard of the audience for his enlightened bene- volence and christian philanthropy. On the next day, Messrs. Cresson and Gurley met the students of the Seminary, at their request, for the purpose of answering any question which the friends or opponents of colonization might wish to propose. A paper was handed to Mr. Gurley containing the most common objections which are urged against the Society, to all of which Mr. Gurley replied most fully; and in the most frank and candid manner. Indeed the freeness and eloquence with which all the questions were answered, and the interesting view which was presented of the prin- ciples ami operations of the Colonization Society, left a most favourable impression of the cause, on the minds of those who were present. That much interest was excited on this subject was evinced by what immediately followed. A discussion was proposed, to be conducted by the Rhetorical So- ciety of this institution, on the following resolu- tion; 'that the Colonization Society, is deseiving the confidence and support of the people of the United States.' I need not say, that this resolu- tion was ably supported, both by the eloquence of argument and the convincing power of facts. The first meeting was adjourned, and on the second, alter a very animated discussion before a large audience, the debate was arrested, though the interest was still high. On calling for the ayes and nays, the resolution was carried by a decided and handsome majority. I need not add, that the discussion throughout was conducted in a most christian spirit, and that there is reason to believe that its influences in favour of our cause will long continue. 1 have adverted to this discussion only because I supposed you would be gratified to know the fact of which it affords proof—that there are so many in this insti- tution whose feelings are identified with the glo- rious cause which promises so much good to the African race, and that they will doubtless hereaf- ter stand up as its firm supporters. And now, dear sir, pardon me for troubling you with so long a communication, and permit me in conclusion to express my ardent desire that all your efforts in behalf of our degraded fellow-men way be successful, and that the blessing of a mer- ciful Providence may accompany every enterprise, tending to elevate the African race, and to hasten the time of their deliverance, and the day when 'Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands unto God." With great respect, I remain your sincere friend. - Look on this.—Opinions of free people of colour in Boston.—It is well known that many of the most intelligent free coloured persons in this country, were at the origin of the society, its warm and decided friends. Captain Paul Cuf- fee, a most respectable free coloured man of New England, before the origin of the Society, made two voyages to Africa, and one to England, and expended much money to aid his coloured brethren in New England to remove and settle in Sierra Leone, and the Rev. Peter Williams, a coloured preacher of distinction in the Episco- cal church in New York, in a discourse on his death, commended his efforts as full of benevo- lence to the coloured race. It is true, some of this class early opposed the Society, but the oppo- sition was never general or strong any where, we believe, until aroused by the abolitionists. We have no doubt they will shortly be as much in favour of the scheme as they are at present op- posed to it. A coloured congregation in Hart- ford, Connecticut, recently listened to our state- ments on the subject, with candour and liberality. It is not true that we were unwilling to bring the subject before the coloured people ot Boston, and hear their objections to the scheme. Engage- ments elsewhere did not allow us to remain after their wishes to that ellect were expressed to us. How the meeting was got up.—The Li- berator ot the 7th of December, contained the following notice : Coloured citisens of Boston— Take notice.—The coloured citizens of Boston and vicinity, are invi- ted to assemble—one and all—at the infant school room, in the basement story of the Belknap-street meeting-house, on Wednesday evening next, at seven o'clock, for the purpose of bearing their testimony afresh against that mischievous and unrighteous association, the American Coloniza- tion Society, the deadliest foe of the coloured race, and the main prop of the diabolical slave system ; and also to express their righteous indig- nation in view of the recent attempts of R. R. Gurley, the artful and implacable agent of that Society, to excite new interest in the colonization scheme in this region. A full and punctual at- tendance is requested. John T. Hilton, John E. Scarlett, S. R. Alexander, Daniel Hanson, John Robinson, Coffin Pitts, Leonard Black, Boston, December 7, 1838. Among the resolutions adopted at this meeting on Wednesday evening, the 12th of December, were the following. Resolved, That we owe it to our self-respect, to our enslaved brethren at the South, to bleeding Africa, to the cause of justice and humanity uni- versally, once more in our united capacity, and in the most solemn manner, to enter our protest against the American Colonization Society, as purely selfish in its origin, basely desceptive in its pretences, utterly corrupt in its principles, and truly diabolical in its designs. Resolved, That just in proportion as we fear, deprecate ami abhor that Society, as our bitterest foe and the giant protector of the slave-system, is our regard for the American Anti-Slavery Society and its auxiliaries, which makes no compromise with slavery, denounce that prejudice seeks our banishment to Attica, and claim lor us equal rights and privileges with others on this our native soil. Resolved, That we recognize in the Rev. R. R. Gurley. General Agent and Secretaiy of the Ame- rican Colonization Society, the most guilty and prominent of all our persecutors—the man who, as editor of the African Repository, and as the writer of the annual reports of the Society, is re- sponsible for all the apologies in behalf of slavery, all the slanders heaped upon us as free coloured citizens, all the atrocious sentiments which jus- tify our proscription while we remain in this country, which have disfigured the pages of those periodicals. Resolved, That we are constrained to regard him as double-tongued, two-laced, callous-hearted, hostile to our continuance in the land of our nati- vity, the friend and coadjutor of those who trade in slaves and souls of men, a northern man with southern principles, and a wolf in sheep's clothing. Resolved, That in Elliot Cresson, who is now in this region attempting to deceive the people, we discern one who is unsurpassed in his con- tempt of the colored race, in his malignity toward our abolition friends, in his deceitfulness and cunning—one who has stolen the livery of the court of Heaven to serve the devil in—one who wears a Quaker garb, in order that he may the more successfully dupe the people into the support of a scheme which, like the human heart as de- scribed by our Saviour, is 'deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.' Resolved, That the lawless man, who, as fore- man of the grand jury of Philadelphia, recently in his presentment reprobated the tree discussion of the subject of slavery, libelled the characters of our truest friends, justified in effect, riot and arson, and presented the rebuilding of Pennsyl- vania Hall (sacred to 'virtue, liberty, and inde- pendence,' as a nuisance, instead of being wet- corned into New England pulpits as a friend of Africa, rather deserves to be put in close confine- ment, as the enemv of mankind. Rewlved, That Elliot Cresson is that man. Resolved, That for these men to pretend that they desire to suppress the foreign slave-trade, while they are in league with our domestic slave- traders ; that they are opposed to slavery, while they court the society and companionship of slave- holders : that they deplore trie condition of tha natives of Africa, whom they have not seen, while they calumniate and persecute the free colored citizens of the United States, whom they have seen but dare not confront face to face ; that they are the friends of religion while they main- tain that it is not in the power of religion to sub- due American prejudice; all this is amazing effrontery, and a gross insult to the Deity, and to the human understanding. Resolved, That those clergymen who, notwith- standing all the light that has been shed upon the subject, now countenance the false pretensions of the Colonization Society, are without excuse, and merit the condemnation of every friend of liberty. |