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AFRICA.
CRUELTY OF THE HEATHEW.
Extract from the Journal of Mr. Henry
Helm, Missionary at Griqua-Town.
July 22, 1820. Andrew Waterboer told
me, that some Bushmen, who lately remov
ed from Griqua-town, bad left their aged
mother, who was very ill, in the following
manner: she being unable to move, re
mained lying on the ground in her hut,
when her children, intending to take the
materials of it with them, took it to pieces
over her head, and left her in this condi
tion to the mercy of others. She remain
ed in this state till next morning, when A.
VVaterboer hearing of it, took her to his
own house, and charged her daughter,
who is in bis service, to take care of her
mother; but she refused, saying, that her
mother being too old to get her living by
labour, did not deserve to be taken care of,
or to have any more victuals. Andrew
provided for her till the 25th of this month,
when she died.
It is customary among the Namaquas,
Corannas, and Bushmen to put an end to
the lives of old and infirm persons in a man
ner equally cruel. The Namaquas, when
removing to another place, put them into
a kraal of bushes, leaving nothing with
them but a little water. The Corannas
place such persons on a wild ox, which is
driven into the woods on the banks of the
Great River. The ox having discharged
his rider, returns to the kraal of his mns
{nam
Bushmen, beside the above method, will
drag them into the fields far from their
kraal, and leave them there a prey for
wolves. A few weeks ago, at Jan Kaar's
place, two days journey from hence, some
of the Bushmen dragged an old woman in
to the fields in the afternoon ; Jan Kaar
heard of it, but not till next morning, when
he went in search of her, and found her
destroyed by the wolves!
What a comment is this on the apostle
Paul's character of the heathen, Rom. i.
81. “ Without natural affection .”
Journal of the Mariners’ Church.
To the Editor of the Seamen's Magazine.
Sir, —Knowing the interest you take in
all the efforts that are made for the salva
tion of seamen, and your desire that God
would make them instruments in carrying
the Gospel throughout the world, I feel
happy in informing you, in addition to what
you have already received, of the blessed
effects produced by the Mariners’ Church,
and the Bethel Union Society. At the
staled meeting in the Mariners’ Church, on
Wednesday evening, 29th August, the fol
lowing note was read by the Rev. Mr.
Chase:— 44 i earnestly request, that prayers
be offered up to Almighty God, that he
will have mercy on my soul.” (Signed
“ Richard Welling.” Mr. C. being pre
sent, stated he had visited him ; that he
was a seaman, in great distress in body and
mind. Some very appropriate remark*
were made on the note, and fervent prayers
were offered up in his behalf. Being re
quested to call and see him, I was accom
panied by Mr. C. to his boarding-house, ,
where I was soon satisfied the Lord had be
gun a blessed work in hi heart. “ Where ,
did you receive the first impressions that
you are a lost and undone sinner?” 11 In ‘
this house,” was his answer. 44 Do you
go to the Mariners’ Church ?” “ I do.” j
“ Do you believe you ever received any .
benefit by goin g there ?” 41 Yes, Ido ; on
the Wednesday evening week, I was at the
prayer meeiir.g there, and an address,
made by an old man,* and the prayers of
fered up for seamen made me feel very
solemn, but those feelings soon left me;
but on Thursday and Friday I could not
encu eiv torget ihem. On Friday evening
last, I was sitting below with my shipmates,
and did nut feel well ; between eight and
nine o’clock i was suddenly tilled with hor
rour about my soul—l could not sit where
I *■ as ; I retired to a place alone, and the
agony of my body for the concern of my
soul, was so great, the blood flew from m
nose, and before it cold be stopped, four
quarts discharged from me, which made
me very weak ; and ever since, whe.n I am
in distress for my soul, it produces a dis
charge of blood. But lam now better :
I can pray, which gives me some relief.
But my prayers must be short.” Do you
think, and believe your prayers are‘in
cere ?” 4 O Sir, l never had any thing that
ever came from my heart with more sincer
jty. And I hope this sudden change in my
heart will be followed with the same effect
it had ten months ago on one of my ship
mates while on our passage home to Neu -
York. He was the profanest man 1 evei
saw, and always treated religion with awful
contempt; —and his parents the same, be
cause they were pious. Oue day, whife
we were all forward, and he was blasphem
ing in the greatest degree, which made us
all look at him with astonishment, he on a
sudden stopped, and said, 4 0, what a sin
ner I am ! 1 am fit for nothing but hell, I
cannot live so; I must pray, and you must
not disturb me.” He did pray three or
four times everyday all the passage home,
and exhorted us all to do as he did. for we
were all lost sinners; and he has not sworn
one oath from that time to this. He has
been here to see me, and he talks like a
Christian, and I hope the Lord will deal
with me as he has with him.”
A captain H, received conviction of his
sinful state in our Bethel meetings on board
of vessels; and these convictions have now
got to such a height that he is in great dis
tress, and is anxious for the salvation of bis
soul.
I am, Sir, yours, &c. C. P.
To the Editor of the Seaman's Magazine.
Sir—l know you will join in ipjoicing
* Rev. Joseph Eastburn, of Philadelphia.
I with me and many others in the goodness
1 and mercy of the Lord among our seafaring
brethren. He has been convincing sever
al, within the last fifteen days, “ofsin, of
righteousness, and a judgment to come.”
But yesterday, he permitted our eyes to
see, and our ears to hear, that which was
never seen nor heard in Ameiica, and
perhaps in no part of the world before. As
we have had morning and evening service
only in the Mariners’ Church, for four or
five Sundays past, we had a prayer meet
ing, commencing at two o’clock in the af
ternoon, and our intention was to continue
one hour only. But yesterday week, and
yesterday, we were under the necessity of
continuing our exercises until 4 o’clock, oa
account of the number of seamen present,
and the solemnity that pervaded every
countenance. Yesterday, after prayisg,
exhorting, singing, and reading some inter
esting communications, we dismissed the
audience, and invited all such to stay who
wished to converse on the subject of their
precious and immortal souls. Seventeen
returned and took their seats, with counte
nances that depicted great distress of mind.
After having engaged in prayer we began
to converse with them individually, andnot
one out of all present could refrain fram
weeping, and some were so distressed they
could not be pacified—one in
who was convicted on board the brig
Phoebe Ann, at our Bethel meeting last
Friday evening. I cannot describe the
‘"mlf a^ctln^To
see such a number of weatherbeaten men,
from 20 to 40 years of age, weeping all
around us, crying, “ what shall I do—l am
a lust sinner—l know I deserve hell—l
have abused the goodness of God.” The
fear of hell did not seem to terrify them as
much as their sinning against God in vari
ous ways. Some had promised God, when
in danger, if be would spare their lives,
they would live devoted to Him, and his
holy religion ; but they had despised those
promises, and had been more wicked than
before—(heir confessions were various,
and mingled with grief and distress.
Fours, &c. C. P.
October 1.
EXTRACT
From (he Charge of Chief Justice Mellen to
the Grand Jury for the Cojiaty of Somerset ,
Maine.
“Our government is founded on princi
ples of equal rights and privileges. Everv
man has claims to distinctions, to honour,
and to offices, when he can found those
claims on his own merits and the virtues of
his life. We are not at liberty, then, to
thwart our own principles, and by neglec
ting to furnish the means of early educa
tion, deprive thousands in the community
of the privileges which belong to them ;
the privilege of becoming men of talents :
men of extensive usefulness, and ornameats
to their country.
“In connexion with the subject of pub
lick schools, it is natural to lo!c to the in
numerable advantages resulting to the
community from the religious instruction of
the pulpit. Enjoying, as we do, the most
ample liberty of conscience, we are with
out excuse if we do not prize it as it de
serves, and avail ourselves of the count
less blessings which it places within our
reach. We have the privilege of worship
ping God according to the dictates of our
own consciences: Let us not then abuse
the privilege by neglecting it. Indeed, a
steady, serious, and sincere observance of
the worship of God in his sanctuary, and
reverence for the institutions of religion,
are the only sure and effectual proof which
we can give to the world of tbe exahed es
timation in which we hold this privilege.
“ As we prize and cherish onr liberty,
we have, as citizens of a free country, pe
culiar reasons for cherishing and advancing
the Christian religion. In illustration of
this truth, 1 cannot express myself so hap
i>ily as in tbe words of h distinguished Di
vine and excellent man* ; ‘ Religion,’ he
observes, ‘ befriends liberty. It diminish
es the necessity of publick testrniuts, and,
in a great measure, supersedes the use of
force in administering the laws, and this is
done by making men a law to themselves.
Take away the purifying and restraining
influence of religion, and selfishness, rapa
city, and injustice, will break out into new
excesses, and, amidst the increasing perils
of society, government must be strengthen
ed to defend it. Diminish principle and
you increase the need of force in a com
'■unity.
In this country, government needs not
<he array of power which you meet in oth
“r natious. No guards of soldiers, no host 9
• if spies—no vexations regulations of police.
But it accomplishes its beneficent purposes
by a few unarmed judges anil civil officers,
and operates so silently around us that ma
ny of us enjoy its blessings with hardly a
thought of its existence. And this is the
perfection of freedom. We owe all this to
the power of those laws which religion
writes on our hearts; which unite and
concentrate publick opinion against injustice
and oppression; which spread a spirit of
equity and good will through the commu
nity. Thus Religion is the soul of Freed
om ; and no nation under heaven has snch
an interest in it as ourselves.”
* Dr. Channing.
ANECDOTE OF WHITFIELD.
It is reported of this eloquent, powerful,
but ecccntrick preacher, that, in a sermon
exhorting his hearers to read their Bibles
more than they did, he added, 44 I love to
see the Word of God well thumbed , as if it
had been read till the inside is dirty ; but
there are some whose Bibles I grieve to
say, lie in a corner so outwardly covered
with dust, that damnation may be traced on
them with the finger in legible characters.”
Govcrnour’s Message.
Executive Department, Georgia. >
Milledgeville, 6th November, 1821.
Fellow-citixeus of tte Senate,
and House of Representatives
You have again convened as the repre
sentatives of the people, clothed with the
authority of Hr*- I—‘-o 1 —‘-o e —
goot\ Regarding the period m auspicious,
l indulge the hope that it will he zealously
improved in giving strength and durability
to those institutions which it is the pride
and the duty of every patriot and philan
thropist to cherish. You have entrusted
to you the destinies of a rich and rising
state; rich in her genius and resources,
and rising in her consequence and impor
tance as a member of the Union.
The constitution, in distributing its re
quirements, has made it the duty of the Ex
ecutive to “give to the General Assembly
from time to time, information of the state
of the republick, and recommend to their
consideration such measures as he may
deem necessary and expedient.” In obe
dience to this command, I proceed to lay
before you such subjects as present them
selves to my mind, as being proper for le
gislative consideration. In a state like ours,
undergoing continual changes on account
of the extension of its limits, much local
legislation is made necessary, which might
Mherwie be avoided. The leading points
to which yor attention ought to be more
particui*ity-- j .. irmTruie, appear lO
me to be Ptiblick Education and Internal
Improvement. To define the objects and
to trace the effects of these, would be an
unnecessary labour, because they are alrea
dy obvious to every attentive and observ
ing mind. But that the first should not be
overlooked or forgotten, those who have
gone before us, have directed in the 13th
section of the 4th article of the Constitution,
that “ the arts and sciences shall be promo
ted in one or more seminaries of learning
and the legislature shall as soon as conve
niently may be, give such further donations
and privileges to those already established
as may be necessary to secure the objects
of their institution.” Here an obligation is
imposed, the wisdom of which becomes the
more manifest, when we consider the cha
racters of those who founded our republick
and thp concurring opinions of distinguished
statesmen of the present day. But a still
higher sanction is derived from the father
of our republick, who has said, “ that in
proportion as the structure of government
gives weight to publick opinion, it is essen
tial that publick opinion should be enlight
ened.” Under the influence of principles
like these, the endowment of a University
and of County Academies, has at different
periods been attempted by the legislature.
It is a fact however, much to be lamented,
that our literary institutions have not as yet;
answered the expectations of their benevo-j
lent founders. The reason perhaps may j
be found in a want of age and experience,’
and in a disproportion between the means I
furnished and the ends intended. We have
now, I consider, passed beyoud the embar-1
rassments of the first, and our increasing!
resources are sufficient to obviate the last. j
1. he legislature of 1817, acting under this
belief, appropriated the sum of 250,0001
dollars for the future establishment and
support of Free Schools throughout the l
state. This fund has been increased by j
the addition of lands designated in an act of
1818. The system of Free Schools seems
to have been ingrafted on the original
scheme as suggested in the constitution.
W tnle I consider it more benevolent in de
sign* I tear it will be more difficult to be
carried into effect. With a view to a fur
therance of the plan, a committee was ap
pointed at the last annual session, to pre
pare, arrange, and digest a system for free
schools, and to report the same to the
House of Representatives on or before the
10th day of the present month. Looking
to this committee for an examination of the
subject in detail, l indulge the hope that
such result will be furnished as will ope
rate to the general diffusion of knowledge
amongst the destitute part of our popula
tion. The resources of thp state when re
duced to our control wiil be sufficient to sup
port the most liberal encouragement of the
University, County Academies, Private
Schools, and Internal Improvement. For
the advancement of these objects, resour
ces were created, and to these they ought
to be applied.
You will discover from a report of the
Surveyor General herewith transmitted,
that fifty lots subject to he drawn for in the i
last lottery remain undisposed of. These,
together with districts 12 and 13 in Appling i
county, nod (lie very valuat/hr frnoliuus and i
reserves furnished by the lands lately ac- 1
qu/red, form a fund with which the the Le
gislature may conduct an extensive enter
prise of any description for the respectabil-’
ity of the state and the good of the commu
nity.
In connexion with this subject, and in
compliance with the requests of the legis
latures of the states of Maryland and New-
Haitpshire, I lay before you resolutions of
those legislatures relating to appropria
tions made by Congress for the purposes of
education. These proceedings are so sound
in principle, and so ably supported, that I
consider them entitled to particular con
sideration.
Resolutions have been passed heretofore
in 1817 and 1819, directing an investment
of the Free School Fund, and the Fund for
Internal Improvement in safe and profita
ble stock. These resolutions hare not been
| carried fully into effect. The omission has
J arisen iu part from the difficulty of finding
la sufficient amount i mrUt which could
ibe considered, both 44 safe and profitable.”
Although the resolution did not so direct,
yet I considered it good policy to make the
investment in stock of the banks of our own
state. In looking to the condition ot those
institutions, a great difference is found to
exist in the price of their stock; some at
so great an advance beyond par value, and
others so much below it, as to render it
equally imprudent to purchase either. If
individuals remarkable for the prudent
management of their funds, have well-foiyy 1
ded reasons to curtail tbeir ep
tffftffinfhjiaftant appropriation. But
the present and future generations being
deeply interested in the product of the
Free School Fund, it becomes matter of
concern that it should be so managed, as to
be safe and productive. llow this is to be
effected will be for the legislature to de
termine. By an examination of the char
ters of the different banks, it will be easily
ascertained which affords the most security,
and experience will settle the question as
to profit. I would suggest it as matter of
proper investigation, whether the capital
stock of such bank could not be 90 enlarg
ed as to admit the investment of such funds
as the state might wish to dispose of in that
way.
The internal improvement of the state, 1
consider a9 an object which well deserves
& will no doubt meet your serious conside
ration. The state ha 9 certainly acquired
that strength and maturity which enables
her to take efficient measures upon a sub
jdet so immediately connected with her fu- j
ture growth and prosperity. The extent;
of our territory, the amount and value of j
its productions, its r.anaritji ..flr—J ..
xel tor bluer states, render it a mailer of,
the first consequence, that the facilities of
intercourse and transportation should he as 1
extensive as possible. The improvement
of our highways through the agency of road
laws, has had a fair experiment. This has
been a fruitful subject of legislation, and ‘
but little benefit has resulted to (Tie com
munity. In fact, the difference between
the effect produced by the present road
laws, and no laws at all, would not, I con
ceive, be very striking. Whether tbe de
fect be in the law or in the want of its ex
ecution, the consequence to the communi
ty is the same. Other states have made
advances in this department, highly to their
credit, but more conspicuously to their
couvenience. Difficulties seemingly insur
mountable have been overcome, and points
originally remote have been brought in
near connexion. These great and desira
ble objects have been effected by the means
of Turnpikes and Navigation. In the first,
Georgia has made no experiment, and in
tbe latter her experiments have in a great
degree been unsuccessful. These lessons
however in the school of experience, wiil
be profitable, and we shall he able to pro
ceed more advantageously for the future
by avoiding the errours of the past. There
are great and leading market roads in the
state, which might be subjected to (he turn
pike system, much to the convenience of
the community, and perhaps to the individ
ual profit of Ihose who might feel disposed
to embark in such an enterprise, iam of
opinion that such a work would succeed
best by the incorporation of companies, and
by uniting the funds and exertions of indi
viduals with those of the state. In any
plan of internal improvement, much aid
was anticipated by the legislature from the
appointment of an Engineer. No appoint
ment, however, has yet been made. 1 lay
before you the correspondence which has
been had upon the subject, by which you
will be the better enabled to determine
whether the office should have been con
ferred, or for the present withheld. For
the past year no satisfactory survey could
have been made, of any of our rivers on
account of the continual rains by which
they have been flooded. The law creat
ing this office provides a competent salary
to attract the attention of one of compe
tent genius and practical information, and
none other ought to be selected. Upon
his draughts, reports and estimates, it is
probable much legislation would be found
ed. It is therefore the more important,
that they should be such as to form a safe
reliance. A wasteful use of the publick
treasure has already occurred by large ex
penditures on useless or impracticable
works, founded on loose and erroneous cal
culations. The improvements which are
progressing upon the Savannah, Tugalo
and Oconee rivers will be more fully ex
, plained to you by the documents herewith
! transmitted containing a correspondence
with his Excellency the Governour of South
j Carolina, and the reports of different boards
of commissioners. The policy of that state
seems to be liberal and energetick, and 1
j should hope that none other will be adopt
, ed by Georgia.
Proceedings are still pending in the dis
trict court ofthe United States, in relation
to certain Africans introduced into the state
in violation of law. For a time these pro
ceedings were delayed by claims interposed
by William Bowen and Miguel de Castro.
Upon the dismissal of these claims, it was
hoped that no further obstacle to a speedy
decision would have presented itself. But
while an allegation was in progress, at the
instance of the state, for the purpose of a
condemnation of the property, anew and
unexpected claim has made its appearance
in the name of John Madrazo, seeking a
recovery of the negroes on hand, and the
proceeds of those that have been sold.
For want of such condemnation, the reso
: lution of the last legislature, directing a dis
position of the Africans has not been com
plied with. This last claim having been
represented to me by the counsel employ
ed, as being prosecuted by counsel, able
and numerous, to wit: Messrs. Harris,Charl
ton, Bulloch, Wayne and Wilde, I have en
gaged the services of assistant counsel,
Messrs. Davies and Law, and directed an
early determination of the case. From a
late interview with Judge Davies, I have
reason to expect a decision on the second
Tuesday of the present month. But from
i the invention of lho9e claiming to be in
teresled it may be protracted still long (;r
I communicate to you the proceedings
the legislature of the stale of Ohio up 0|)
the subject of a contest between the ;
of the United States ai l -
that statAuu arising from the sale of f rac ®
nons in the years 1806 and 1807, has been
so delayed in its collection, as that consi ( ] e .
rable loss is expected. For further infor
mation I refer you to a correspondence
with the Solicitor General of this circuit,
and with John W. Burney, Esquire, a copj
of which is communicated.
Soon after the adjournment of the extra
session of the Legislature in May last, as di
rected by resolution, 1 wrote to the Secre
tary of War, with a view to obtain an en
largement of the instructions issued to James
P. Preston, Esquire, the commissioner ap
pointed by the President to settle the claims?
of our citizens agaiust the Creek Nation!
under the late treaty made at the India!
Springs. 1 transmit you a copy of the leli
ter and the reply. The commissioner prog
ceedmg under the enlarged instruction®
has beeu for some time at Athens, amiH
I am informed, has acted on a large amounl
of citizens claims. Claimants are still pre®
senting themselves, and 1 consider it pro-1
per that the commission should conlraoel
open in Ibis state or elsewhere, to meet!
the exigencies of those who have not coins I
j in, either from want of information, or from
j the difficulty of procuring testimony. It isj
! itor of congratulation that these demands
, so just and so old, are about to be ascertain
ed and satisfied.
The Govemours of Alabama and Ten
nessee have been written to upon the sub
ject of a further acquisition of territory
The subject is deeply interesting to (lie
state, and to (he individuals who compose
it. Until we stand upon the whole of tin
territory which we own and carry on.r set
tlemenis to our ultimate limits, any go-Viera
and permanent system of publick improve
rnent will be attended with difficulties am
measurably retarded. Copies of the let
ters above alluded to are laid before you.
A statement of warrants drawn on th<
Treasurer, during the political year eigh
teen hundred and twenty-one, and a list c
Executive appointments accompany this
message.
Two statements, one by the president of
the State Bank, and tbe other by the pre
sident of the Darien Bank, as required by
resolution, are in the Executive Office, sub
ject to your examination.
The printing of the Digest compiled by
L. Q.. C. Lamar, Esquire, under the author
ity of the state, has been contracted to be
performed by T. S. Hannon. By the con
tract, the delivery of the requisite number
of copies was to take place by the fir- 1 lav
of March next, yet I have assurances tnat
the books will be ready for distribution in
the course of your present session.
By the copy of a letter herewith commu
nicated, you will be informed that the Hon.
Freeman Walker has resigned his seal in
the Senate of the United States. This re
signation is to be regretted, that gentleman
having been enabled by his talents, and dis
posed from principle, to he serviceable to
his country, and to give efficient opposition
to some great and leading measures, by
tbe success of which, it is believed, the
southern interests would have been mate
rially affected. The appointment of a suc
cessor will devolve on you, and it is desira
ble that is should be made as early as con
venient.
A question of some magnitude has lately ‘
been submitted by the legislature to the
decision of the people. A stui*iem ot itie
result you win find annexed, by which it
appm-e that a large majority are opposed
to a convention.
The constitution under which we live
has been in operation near twenfty-lour
years.—lt was formed it is true, wheii the
9tate of our country was comparatively r, '.de
and uncultivated, yet partaking of the re
publicanism for which our fathers Anight,
it has led us to an elevation from which we
have a full view of our growing prosperity.
In these times of publick excitement, I am
of opinion that the people have derided
rightly in not committing their safety 1 the
storm. It cannot be supposed that this pub
lick excitement has escaped my attention,
and no man more than myself regrets its
extent, and the painful feuds which it has
produced. This regret would be greatly
heightened, if, upon a dispassionate review
of the whole ground, I could believe chat
the cause of such dissention, could lie pro
perly attributed to myself. The impartial
observer must have discovered the true
source, and having done go, must be pre
pared to acquit me of all accountability.
It is no matter of surprize that parties should
exist, for they are always to be found where
the people are free; and no evil is to he
apprehended until they degenerate into fac
tion.—When this occurs, the publick good
gives way to the unworthy feelings of disap
pointed ambition. Amid the struggles
which have taken place for some time past,
we have heard an honest difference of opin
ion temperately expressed, we have seen
the warmer conflicts of party, and we have
seen too, some of the works of faction.
The traces of the latter are to be found in
some of the attempts which have been made
to disparage my administration. Os this
character, I view those proceedings, which,
in the pretended form of legislative privi
lege, and in language heated and indecorous,
exjpress a censure of one of my official acts,
as being 44 a departure from the essential
limits of the constitution.”—This act may
have contained too much of energy, and pro
duced too much good to accord with the
views and wishes of some, yet I feel that it
is consistent 44 vyith the unalterable princi
ples intended for all times,” and shall have
no fears in submitting it to the decision of the
wise and unprejudiced. I was a Georgian
before the constitution was formed, and
’ have reason to remember some of the events
