True it is, the free blacks have been rendered by prejudice and persecution, an ignorant and degraded class; but they are still competent to appreciate the practical character of Colonization philanthropy.

The following resolutions, passed by a meeting of free blacks in New Bedford, in 1832, express the unanimous opinion of all their brethren who have intelligence to form,, or courage to express an opinion on the subject.

"Resolved, that in whatever light we view the Colonization Society, we discover nothing in it but terror, prejudice, and oppression. The warm and beneficent hand of philanthropy is not apparent in the system, but the influence of the.Society on public opinion is more prejudicial to the interests and welfare of the people of color in the United States, than slavery itself.

"Resolved, that the Society, to effect its purpose, the removal of free people of color (not the slaves) through its agents, teaches the public to believe that it is patriotic and benevolent to withhold from us knowledge, and the means of acquiring subsistence; and to look upon us as unnatural and illegal residents in this country, and thus by the force of prejudice, if not by law, endeavor to compel us to embark for Africa, and that too apparently by our own free will and consent."

And now let us ask what purpose is to be answered by persecuting this people, and keeping them ignorant and degraded? Does any one believe that they will ever be removed from the country? They now amount to 362,000. In 16 years, 2,162 have been sent away, some at first voluntarily, but many of them through coercion. But can cruelty, be it ever so extreme, furnish the Society with funds and ships sufficient to transport such a multitude? They must, in spite of Connecticut and Virginia persecution, remain with us. And if they are to remain with us, what conduct towards them, do policy and religion prescribe? Conduct precisely opposite to that pursued by the Society. We must instruct and elevate them, if we would not be incumbered by an ignorant and depraved population; we must treat them with justice and kindness if we would avoid the displeasure of HIM who has declared, “Ye shall not oppress one another."

CHAPTER III.

INFLUENCE OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY ON AFRICASUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.

VERY many, who now despair of extirpating slavery by means of the Society, continue to support it, from a belief that it will confer rich blessings on Africa. These anticipated blessings are the suppression of the slave trade, and the diffusion of religion and civilization. Let us at present

inquire, how far the first may reasonably be expected.

In the declarations of the Society, and its members on this subject, we shall find an astonishing medley of ignorance, rash assertion, and honest confession.

"Sierra Leone has repaid Africa with still greater blessings; her example, her influence and efforts, have given peace and security to the neighboring coast; and who can estimate the extent of misery prevented, and of happiness conferred, to a population delivered from all the horrors of the slave trade." Fifth Rep. p. 18.

"The line of coast from Sierra Leone to Cape Mount, is now under British protection; and from Cape Mount to Tradetown, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, the slave trade cannot be prosecuted with the least hope of success." Af. Rep. II. p. 125-Editorial.

66

Every colony of civilized inhabitants, established on that coast, and resolved to stop this trade to the extent of its means, will, at all events, put an end to it for a considerable distance. The colonies of Sierra Leone, and of Liberia, both produce this effect within their respective vicinities." Judge Blackford's Address to Indiana Colonization Society. Af. Rep. VI. p. 66.

Of these compliments to Sierra Leone, it must be observed, one is paid officially by the Board of Managers, and the other by the Editor of the Repository. We beg the reader to keep them in mind, as we shall hereafter inquire into their truth. We will now proceed to notice some assertions relative to the agency of the Liberia colony in suppressing the slave trade.

"In fact, the Colonization Society proposes the ONLY means by which this accursed trade can ever be effectually stopped; and, indeed, the Colony of Liberia, which this Society has planted, has already freed about two hundred and fifty miles of that coast from the ravages of these enemies of the human race." Address of J. A. McKinney, 4th July, 1830. Af. Rep. VI. p. 231.

"The flag that waves on Cape Montserado, proclaims to the slave trader that there is one spot, even in Africa, consecrated to freedom, one spot which his polluted foot shall not tread." Speech of G. Smith, V. Prest. 13th Jan. 1831. 14th Rep.

"Did we desire to put an end to these outrages upon humanity, (the slave trade,) the Colonization Society offers itself as the ONLY efficient means. The slaver has dared to show herself but once within the limits of Liberia, and then she received the rewards of her temerity." Proceedings of N. Y. Col. Soc. 1832.

"No slaver now dares come within one hundred miles of the settlement.” Rev. Dr. Hawkes' Speech at Col. Meeting in New York, Oct. 1833.

"In less than 13 years since its foundation, Liberia contains about 3000 free and happy citizens, who have removed from oppression and bondage to the enjoyment of liberal institutions. The slave trade has been UTTERLY DESTROYED along its ENTIRE COAST, formerly the most frequented mart of human flesh." Report of Philadelphia Young Men's Col. Soc. made 24th Feb. 1835, U. S. Gazette, 4th March, 1835.

The above are specimens of the assertions which have been rashly made, and credulously received. Let us now attend to the honest confessions on this subject, and let the reader compare them with the foregoing assertions. That these confessions may be better understood, it may be well to mention, that in the remarks accompanying a map of Liberia, published in the 6th vol. of the African Repository, it is stated, "the colony of Liberia extends from the Gallinas River to the territory of Kroo Settra, a distance of about 280 miles along the coast. The territory at present, (1830,) under the actual jurisdiction of the colony, extends from Grand Cape Mount, to Trade Town, a distance

of about 150 miles." It appears, from the map, that the last limits embrace Cape Mount, Cape Montserado, on which is built the town of Monrovia, Bushrod Island, Bassa Cove, and Trade Town.

"The records of the colony afford abundant and unequivocal testimony of the undiminished extent and atrocity of the slave trade. From eight to ten, and even fifteen vessels have engaged at the same time in this odious traffic, almost within reach of the guns of Liberia, and as late as July 1825, there were existing contracts for eight hundred slaves to be furnished in the short space of four months, WITHIN EIGHT MILES OF MONROVIA." Rep. X. p. 44,

1827.

"From all I can learn, I am induced to believe, that the slave trade is now carried on at the Gallinas, between Cape Mount and Sierra Leone, and to the leeward of this place, to a greater extent than it has been for many years." Letter from R. Randall, Agent at Liberia, 28th Dec. 1828. Af. Rep. V. p. 4.

"Frequently within sight of the colonial factories, the slave traders carry on their operations. The slave trade never has been carried on with more activity, than it is at this time. There is established at Gallinas, a regular slave agent, who furnishes slaves to the slave vessels. He receives his goods from trading vessels, and it is said principally from an American vessel. He purchases large numbers of slaves, and furnishes the slave vessels, who principally bring out specie. These vessels run up and down the coast until a convenient opportunity offers, when they run in and get their cargoes of slaves. Some of them are captured, and I have been informed, they have been bought afterwards by their original owners, and that the same vessel has frequently been bought and sold several times." Letter from R. Randall, Agent at Liberia, Feb. 1829. Af. Rep. V. p. 148. The same letter states the astounding fact, that "Mamma, the proprietress of Bushrod Island, just in front of Monrovia, whose town is not more than a quarter of a mile from our settlements on that island," was engaged in the slave trade, and had sold several hundred-p. 150.

"It is painful to state, that the managers have reason

to believe that the slave trade is still prosecuted to a great extent, and with circumstances of undiminished atrocity. The fact that much was done by Mr. Ashmun to banish it from the territory, under the colonial jurisdiction, is unquestionably true, but it now exists even on the territory; and a little to the north and south of Liberia, it is seen in its true characters of fraud, and rapine, and blood.” Rep. XIII. p. 13.-1830.

Now, be it recollected, that it was after this official annunciation by the Board of Managers, that the slave trade existed even on the territory of Liberia, that the African Repository published without contradiction the vaunt of Mr. McKinney already quoted, that the Colony had freed about two hundred and fifty miles of the coast from the slave trade!

"I hope the Board will adopt some more effectual measures for suppressing the slave trade within the territory of Liberia. Since the death of Don Miguel of Bassa, Peter Blanco, a Spanish slave trader, for some years a resident in the Gallinas, has opened a slave factory at GRAND CAPE MOUNT. Such a thing ought not to be, as it is only forty-five miles from here. I am sorry to remark, that this abominable traffic is carried on with the utmost activity, all along the coast. Capt. Parker, during his trading at the Gallinas of about three weeks, saw no less than nine hundred shipped." Letter from A. D. Williams, Agent of the Society at Liberia,-10th Sept. 1830. Rep. VI. p. 275.

Af.

"With undiminished atrocity and activity is this odious traffic now carried on all along the African coast; slave factories are established in the immediate vicinity of the colony," &c. Rep. XIV. p. 11.-1931.

"The cursed practice of slave trading, I regret to say, is still carried on between this and Sierra Leone." Letter of Rev. Mr. Cox; Monrovia, 8th of April, 1833. Af. Rep. IX. p. 252.

"Bassa Cove was purchased" by Governor Pinney from

* Bassa Cove is situated between Monrovia and Trade Town, and has therefore been for years under the jurisdiction of the colony; of course the purchase alluded to, must have been of the possession of the native occu

pants.