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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0140 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0140 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| 144 MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. African Colonization. Even tli« most casual observer must have been struck with the manifestations of public feeling, lor some time past, in behall of Aliicni coloniza- tion. Whatever may have been the cause, the change of sentiment "has been such as to give as- surance that time alone is required to effect the consummation of a scheme as purely philanthropic in its character, as it is widely extended in its ef- fects. In districts of counlry where doubts were formerly entertained, even by the best friends ol the cause, as to its practicability, there appears to be no longer hesitation, and persons now look to the fulfilment of the designs of the society as a matter subject to delay, but eventually certain. Instead of the occasional donations of moderate amounts, which were formerly made, like angel visits few and far between, we now hear of con- tributions by bequest and otherwise, sufficient of themselves to effect a great deal. Maryland may well be proud of the prominent part she has taken in behalf of this great project, and the day is not far distant when her agency in the matter will be regarded as one among the proudest circumstan- ces connected w ith her history. The policy here- tofore pursued by the State Society has been marked by sound discretion, the good effects of which are shown in the prosperity which has at- tended the settlement that bears the name of our native State, on the Coast of Africa. The great difficulty to be encountered in planting colonies, has always arisen from the jealousies ol the abori- gines of the country to be occupied, and the hos- tile disposition engendered between them and the colonists. In this respect Maryland in Africa has been particularly fortunate. So far as we are ad- vised, no serious collisions have occurred, and if there have been occasional misunderstandings, they have been of so trivial a character as not to alfect the prospects of the settlement. Such being the fortunate state of affairs, the next thing to be considered is how to make the thriving con- dition of those who have emigrated known to their friends here, and appreciated by them as it de- serves. The policy of the opponents of coloni- zation in the United States has uniformly been to cherish a distrust on the part of the coloured po- pulation, and make them incredulous of the ac- counts which from time to time have been brought to this country. These ignorant people are taught to believe that the tidings of prosperity, so much greater than was anticipated, are merely gotten up for the purpose of deceiving and entrapping those to whom they are addressed. A circum- stance which is calculated to give weight to such misrepresentations, is the fact that the channel of communication is through the agents of the So- ciety, who are naturally suspected of wishing to give such a colouring to matters as may favour their own views. That this impression should be corrected is evident to all, but the difficulty is how to effect this end. The only mode of doing it, as far as we can see, is to let the intercommu- nication between America and the colonies in Africa be under the control of the colonists on the one side, and their friends in the United States on the other, which can alone be done by a line or lines of packets, which'1 shall ply regularly be. tween the two countries. There is not the slight- est doubt that a most advantageous traffic might be carried on in the exchange of African products of various kinds for manufactured articles made in this country; and, besides, if these packets were established, persons having a desire to emi- grate could take a trip and judge for themselves. There need be no compulsion nor any undue in- fluence exercised, as, if they found things such as represented they would stay, and if not, they could come back at their pleasure. The mistake that seems to have been committed in reference to these colonies is, that they are looked upon as a sort of banishment instead of what they in re- ality are, places to which coloured people who desire self-government may go if they think proper. The same thing has existed in reference to other colonies, among which may be named some of those of our own country. To be sent to the colonies was, during the early settlement of America, esteemed a punishment, and there- fore persons declined coming, but it was very soon found that to come to America was to secure in- dependence in a pecuniary as well as a political point of view, and then persons of the greatest respectability were found eager to better their for- tunes by a trip to the new world. The simple circumstance of being separated from family and friends has its weight on such occasions, but how unworthy of consideration is the momentary pain of a separation when compared with the advanta- ges to be gained. Nor is this separation indis- pensable ; families and connections may embark together, and then the place of residence alone is changed—a matter of very little consequence when old associations are preserved. African Colonization has always appeared to us, when •tripped of the mystification that some people would cast about it, nothing more nor less than a plan by which descendants of the African race are enabled to go to the land of their forefathers, and there enjoy the political independence and civil and social consideration which, owing to Peculiar circumstances, they can never possess here. The advantage to be gained is on the part of the blacks, and "they should be eager to em- brace it.—American. principles on which the theory of the art depends. To the second they are uselul in allordine simple and easy experiments tor directing his labours, and enabling him to pursue a certain and syste- matic plan of improvement.' And again that inge- nious and exci'lient writer observes, 'the pheno- mena of vegetation must be considered as an important branch of the science of organized nature; but though exalted above organic matter, vegetables are in a great measure dependent for (heir existence upon its laws. They receive their nourishment from external elements ; they assimi- late it by means of peculiar oigans ; and it is by examining their physical and chemical constitu- tion, and the substances and powers which act upon thein, and the modifications which they undergo, that the scientific principles of agricul- tural chemistry are obtained. According to these ideas it is evident that the study ought to be com- menced by some general inquiries into the com- position ami nature of material bodies, and the laws of their changes. The surface of the earth, the atmosphere and the water deposited from it, must either together or separately atlbrd all the principles concerned in vegetation : and it is only by examining the chemical nature of these princi- ples, that we are capable of discovering what is the food of plants, and the manner in which this food is supplied and prepared tor their nourish- ment.' These quotations are fully sufficient to show to every farmer, the vast advantages which are to be derived from the study of well written books on agriculture. They expand the mind, inform the judgment, correct errors, and dcvelope nature in her multifarious operations in combining the several elements so admirably as to cause vege- tation throughout the earth. It is by the junction of their various properties and powers that the fruits of the field are not only brought to shoot, but matured; and it is not probable that any one component or separate element, purely considered, could bring to perfection a sheaf of wheat or ear of corn. It is scarcely possible to indulge for a single moment the impression of scepticism, when we take a slight view of that vast laboratory, every where discovered in the earth, acting on, and moving all the elementary powers combined to bring forward and hasten to perfection all those vegetables which constitute so large a portion of our aliment, and the principal food of animals.— The power of roots and the organized construction of leaves, both contribute their portion of labour in advancing the growth and maturity of all grains and plants which afford him so much enjoyment of our tables. Every where we behold an asto- nishing, vast and complicated machinery in opera- tion, to produce the felicity of man. What a debt of gratitude we owe to the Almighty, whose wis- dom and goodness is every where exerted in pro- ducing such immense benefits for his earthly family! The earth on which man is placed seems to be in some respects the object demanding his peculiar attention : it is his domain. The first art which heaven enjoined on him was agriculture. Before moral evil made an inroad into his mind, or his heart and passions were corrupted, he was constituted a farmer and a monarch. In this dou- ble or conjoint character he dressed the garden of Eden. Honourable employment! Over the ele- ments we can have no control. But it is the duty as well as the province of a farmer to make a judicious use of the rains, the dews, the light, the heat of the sun, as they all, more or less, come in contact with his cultivated fields. All these powers diffuse benefits to the earth; and it is of consequence to the farmer to perceive how he can derive the greatest share of those benefits.— Good husbandry will prove to his satisfaction, the great advantages arising from keeping his fields in fine tilth and frequent ploughing, particularly in the fall of the year. And it is easy to perceive how necessary it is for a farmer to cultivate his mind at well as to labour on his fields. Improve- ment in husbandry, the increase of crops, as well as their perfection in quality, depends very much on the care and knowledge of the cultivator him- self—it is the dictate of reason, and is the order of Providence. --Cambridge Chron. The Carob Thee—Female Labourers in Cyprus.—Mr. Ladd, in a letter from the island of Cyprus to the editors of the Missionary Herald, dated June 1, gives the following information: This tree, much resembling the apple-tree, is quite abundant here, and its fruit, the carob, is an article of commerce. It is very similar to a large, thick, bean-pod, about three-quarters of an inch wide, and from four to eight inches long. It con- tains several small, dark coloured, hard beans, which are of no value; although during the pinching famine here last year, even these were sometimes boiled and eaten. The carob when dried, is a kind of pithy or corky substance, of a dark brown colour, and contains considerable saccharine mat- ter, and in its dried new state, is eaten consider- ably by the poor country people, especially in time of scarcity of bread stuff. A kind of mo- lasses, eaten by the poorer class, is also obtained from the carobs, and those of an inferior quality are given to the swine. It is to these dried carobs that our Saviour undoubtedly referred as to the food of the prodigal son, Matthew, xv. 16.— •American. There is a sweet and simple custom prevalent in Iceland, which marks the habitual devotion of its inhabitants. Whenever they leave home, though for a short journey, they uncover their heads, and for the space of five minutes silently implore the protection and favour of the Almighty. Dr. Henderson, from whom the fact is derived, and who observed it in the Icelanders who often attended him on his excursions, also remarked it in the humblest fishermen when going forth to procure food for their families. After having put out upon the sea, they row the boat into quiet water, at a short distance from the shore, and bow- ing their uncovered heads, solicit the blessing of their Father in Heaven. Even at passing a stream, which in their country of precipices is often an operation fraught with danger, they ob- serve the same sacred custom.—This affecting habit of devotion has been imputed to the fact, that from their isolated situation, and mode of life, the mother is almost the only teacher, and her instruction seems to have become incorpora- ted with their very elements of being. Agriculture. As yet there are two few of our laborious culti- vators who devote a sufficient portion of their time in obtaining useful information of the nature and properties of soils; of the effects of the ele- ments on their fields and to their plants; what constitutes their suppoit ; or how, or what is the principle of their failures in their grain and other natvests. These are all considerations which should occupy the attention of every agricultu- rist ; for on his correct knowledge the fruit of his industry depends in a great degree.. If he rejects useful information and rejects experience and des- pises system, he does violence to reason and expects more from the clouds, wind, rain and dews, than ever heaven promised, or the laws of nature warranted. On this subject, Sir Humphrey Davy, in his admirable work, remarks,—'Agricul- tural chemistry has for its object all those changes in the arrangements of matter, connected with the growth and nourishment of plants, the compara- tive values of their produce as food; the constitu- tion of foils, the manner in which lands are enriched by manures, or rendered fertile by the different processes of cultivation. Inquiries of such a nature cannot but be interesting and im- portant, both to the theoietical agriculturist, and to the practical farmer. To the first they are ne- cessary in supporting most of the fundamental Wars of England. A London paper of August 19, contains a table of the wars of Great Britain since the revolution of 1688, with the sums expended in each war, and the progress of taxes and of the national debt. The war of th» revolution, 1698, which lasted nine years and cost 36 millions of pounds. The war of the Spanish Succession, eleven years, cost 62 millions and a half. The Spanish war of 1739, and the war of the Austrian Succession, 1741, of nine years, cost 54 millions. The seven years war with the French, Spaniards, Austrians and Russians, 1756, cost 112 millions. The Ameri- can war, 1775, of eight years, cost 136 millions. The war of the French Revolution, 1793, lasted nine years, and cost 461 millions. The war against Bonaparte which began in 1803, and lasted twelve years, the three last of which was with the United States, cost 1159 millions. The total of expenditure was two thousand and twenty-three millions five hundred thousand pounds sterling, or eight thousand nine hundred and ninety-three millions three hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars. The London paper makes these reflec- tions on the facts stated: 'It appears from the above details that we have made much greater sacrifices to Moloch than our ancestors, and that the degradation of the poor, and a rise in the price of the staff of life, nave been the result of our national expenditure in war, the total amount of which exceeds two thousand millions of pounds! The immense in- crease of expense during the last two wars, arose from the rapidly augmenting interest of the debt, and the depreciation of our paper currency ; this paper currency, however, could not be superse- ded, as the enormous taxes and loans could not possibly have been raised in coin. Of the 140 years which have passed since the revolution, 65 have been passed in war, and 75 in peace; in the 65 years of war, 834 millions and a half of pounds sterling of debts have bten incurred, of which debt there have been paid off during the seventy five years of peace, about forty millions, leaving the present National Debt about eight hundred millions. The Sponge Fishery.—When at the Island of Rhodes, I went to the Sponge fishery, which is curious and interesting. It is a laborious and dangerous employment, but so lucrative, that five or six successful days afford those engaged in it the means of support for an entire year. The sponge is attached to rocks at the bottom of the sea, serving as a retreat to myriads of small crus- taceous animals, which occupy its cavities. The fishermen dive for it to the depth ol even a hun- dred feet, and sometimes continue for five or six minutes under the water, unless the quantity of sponge they may have collected becomes incon- venient or unmanageable, when they are hauled to the surface by the crew of the boat to which they belong. The divers occasionally fall victims to sharks that attack them under water. The sponge is prepared for the market by being pressed to dislodge the animalcule it contains, and afterwards washed in lye to deprive it of mucilaginous matter.—Marshal Marmont. The annual report of the American Temper- ance Union states that in Massachusetts, from 15 to 20,000 persons have, within the last year, sign- ed the pledge to abstain from all intoxicating liquors. In New Voik city, more than 10,000. In Philadelphia, more than 4000. The New York Seamen's Temperance Society reports 200 cap- tains and 2000 seamen as regular and consistent members. The amount of domestic spirits inspected at the public office in New York in 1838, was but little more than half as great as that inspected in 1837. In the same year there was a decrease in imported spirits of twenty-five percent. Of 1200 distilleries once in operation in the State of New York, not 200 now remain. The chief of these are nine in the vicinity of the city, much upheld by the manufactories of imitation wines. In Massachusetts, in 1834, there were 118 distille- ries ; in 1837 there were only 46. A Destructive.—A writer in the last No. of the Journal of the American Temperance Union makes the following specific charges against alco- hol. He asserts that it occasions, 1. Three fourths of the crime in the Stale of New York. 2. Seven-eighths of the pauperism. 3. Three-fourths of the taxation. 4. One-third o( the deaths of adult male). 5. Nearly half of the diseases. 6. From twenty to thirty thousand drunkards 7. Loss of twelve years, on the average, from each drunkard's life. 8. The destruction of millions of property, an- nually, in one way and another. But there is a great amount of evil produced by alcohol which is not usually referred to this source. A very great part of the li.stlessnes;, in- dillerence, inattention to family alfairs, loss of time, want of enterprize and energy, and general delinquency which are noticed among the poorer classes, anil which are spoken of only as natural failings or moral defects, are doubtless the result of drinking ; and this too in many cases in which a character for intemperance is never acquired.— Philad. North Amer. Trinity Church, N. Y.—A record has been preserved of the persons buried in the cemetery of this church, since I702, excepting during the years of the revolutionary war, when no account appears to have been kept, and it is stated by those who have examined, that one hundred and sixty thoutand bodies have been there deposited. A city of the dead, truly is this, containing piled up, one above another, in its confines, a mighty mass, equal to the half of that which daily swarms in the streets and dwellings of the great metrop- olis of the new world.— Southern Churchman. Smithsonian Bequest.—The Hon. Johi> Quincy Adams lately delivered a lecture before the Quincy Lyceum on the subject of the Smith- sonian bequest to the United States tor the estab- lishment of a College at Washington. Mr. Adams is chairman of the committee appointed by Con- gress to report on the subject. No definite action has yet been had, and various conflicting notions and projects arc entertained concerning the flint disposition of the legacy. The bequest, when conveyed in 1836, amounted to about half a mil- lion of dollars.—Ibid. Slander.—How frequently is the honesty and integrity ol a man disposed of by a shrug! How many good and generous actions have been sunk into oblivion by a mysterious and seasonable whisper. Look into companies of those whose gentle natures should disarm them, and we shall find no better account. How large a portion of chastity is sent out of the world by distant hints— nodded away and cruelly winked into suspicion, by the envy of those who are past all temptation of it themselves. How often docs the reputation of a helpless creature bleed by a report—which the party who is at the pains to propagate it be- holds with much pity and fellow feeling—that she is heartily sorry for it—hopes in God it is not true—however, as Archbishop Tillotson wittily observes upon it, is resolved in the meantime to give the report her pass, that at least it may have fair play to make its fortune in the world—to be believed or not, according to the charity of those whose hands it shall fall into. A clergyman was once accosted by a doctor, a professed deist, who asked him if he followed preaching to save souls? 'Yes.' 'Did you ever see a soul.?' 'No.' 'Did you ever hear a soul ?' 'No.' 'Did you ever taste a soul.?' 'No.' 'Did you ever smell a soul.?' 'No.' 'Did you ever feel a soul?' 'Yes/ 'Well,' said the doctor, 'there are four of the senses against one, upon the question whether there is a soul.' The clergyman then asked if he were a doctor of medicine ? 'Yes.' 'Did vou ever see a pain.?' 'No.'" 'Did you ever taste a pain ?' 'No.' 'Did you ever hear a pain ?' 'No.' 'Did you ever smell a pain.?' 'No.' 'Did you ever feel a pain. ?' 'Yes' 'Well, then,' said the clergyman, 'there are also four senses against one, upon the question whether there be a pain ; and yet, sir, you know that there is a pain, and 1 know that there is a soul.' A Great Smoker.—A wag, listening to a vain and pompous fellow, who was boasting of the amount expended by his uncle, while he was a member of Congress, for cigars, exclaimed, 'I sup- pose you think your uncle was a great smoker, but he was nothing to be compared to an aunt I had in the state of Rhode Island, who was the greatest smoker in the world. She smoked for years with two pipes constantly in her mouth— and at length she was not satisfied with that, and so she took her old china tea-pot and filled it with tobacco, and smoked resrularly every day out of the spout.— Cambridge Chron. The Typoface—The Bordeaux papers men- tion that a young sculptor of that city had disco- vered a method of taking casts of the human face, which, without requiring that the features should be reduced to a state of perfect rigidity, allows them to preserve all their natural play and thus produces an exact resemblance with the animation of life. His name is Pellet, and he designates his apparatus the Typoface. The Polygamist.—The story runs, that once in the dark ages, a young man was brought be- fore the authorities charged with having married several wives. When called upon for his de- fence—'It is true,' said he, 'most learned judges, that I have married several women, but judge for yourselves whether my object in so doing was not praiseworthy. A man has surely a right, if he buys an article for good, and it turns out to be bad, to reject it. Now I found that the first wife I married was ill-tempered, the second lazy, and the third false, and so forth. All I want is to get a good one, and I shall be satisfied.' The bench were puzzled at first at this novel defence, but after a consultation decreed, that as it would be impossible for the defendant to find a perfect wife, except in the other world, he should be immedi- ately put to death, to enable him to look for one.— N. Y. Mirror. Short Extracts. Luther and the Deril.— We are told that when Luther was busy on his version of the Psalms, the Devil came to trouble him, but the reformer flung his inkstand at him, and the fiend flew away. Now-a-days, it is not the Devil that gets bespattered with ink, but worthy men and good citizens. Truth and Falsehood.—Falsehood flies swift as the wind, and Truth creeps behind her at a snail's pace. But Falsehood makes so many twistings and turnings that Truth, keeping steadily on, looking neither to the right nor the left, overtakes her before long. Harsh Judgments.—If you must form harsh judgments, form them of yourself, not of others ; and, in general, begin by attending to your own deficiencies first. If every one would sweep up his own walk, we should have very clean streets. Envy.—It is easier to pardon the faults than the virtues of our friends; because the first excite in us self-complacency, always agreeable, and the second a sense of humiliation w hich makes us dis- like the inflicter. Avarice.—How absurd is avarice in an old man ! It is like a man scraping money anxiously togeth- er to nay his turnpikes, after he has got to the end of the road. Metaphysicians.—The speculations of some of our metaphysical writers are as fine and delicate as spider's webs, like them too, unfortunately, they catch nothing but flies. Self-praise.—When yon hear any one making a noise about himself, his merits and his good qual- ities, remember that the poorest wheel of a wagon always creaks the loudest. Contented Poverty.—Do not sigh for this world's goods, nor lament thy poverty. Out of the mean- est hovel thou canst get a sight of heaven. Experience.—Experience is the most eloquent of preachers, but she never has a large congrega- tion. Adversity.—We never read of any saint in heaven who did not have to endure sorrow and suffering in this life. Silence.—A tool that holds his tongue is almost a wise man.—Southern Churchman. PRINTED BY JOHN D. TOY, corner of market and st. paul streets, Who executes Book and Job Printing with neatness and accuracy. |