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permitted to avail themselves of all the
good effects of a friendly intercourse which
they had opened with the Grand Bassa
nation, by the negotiations of the preceding
yenr. These people reside near the com
mencement of the Grain Coast of Guinea,
about 100 leagues to the southward of Si
erra Leone, and between the sth and 6th
degrees of North latitude. The country
bordering on the sea assumes a different as
pect immediately after passing Cape Mesu
rado ; the low and marshy seaboard exhib
ited to the northward, in a great measure
disappears ; the forest trees are more el
evated, and the water generally of a good
quality. As these appearances commonly
indicate, in tropical countries, the absence
of the most formidable causes of disease,the
managers considered themselves justified in
the conclusion, that the healthiness of the
Grain Coast is equal to that of any other
portion of Western Africa. Messrs. An
drus and Bacon, who performed the ser
vice of exploring the coast, found every
other point which they visited, either clos
ed against them by the hostility of the na
tives, or liable to one or the other of the
objections already alleged against the Sber
bro.
The only common interest known by the
natives of Western Africa,consists in theiral
most universal participation in the practices
connected with the acquisition and sale of
slaves. Their pursuits,their gratification*,
and nearly their existence itself, seems
suspended on this traffick. To this
ever active cause of misery and crime are
the treachery and duplicity of the chiefs of
Sherbro, evinced in the progress and issue
of the unsuccessful negotiations for the
Bagroo lands, to be ultimately attributed.
Xo the prevalence of this trade, must be
also referred the delays and repulses sus
tained by the agents in all their subsequent
attempts to obtain from the natives the ces
sion of a territory to be occupied by their
exiled brethren. When, at last, they suc
ceeded in obtaining the promise of lands,
they found it altogether impossible to pre
vail on the native chiefs to renounce a
practice which constitutes at once the
strongest evidence and the worst feature
of their barbarism. They expressed the
utmost willingness to receive the colored
people of America; but would yield to no
persuasions, drawn either from its injustice,
or its desolating effects, to abjure the slave
trade. This obstacle, therefore, pre vented
the ratification of a contract for a settlement
in the Bassa country, the particulars of
which, and the visit and conferences of the
agents with the natives, it is unnecessary’
to detail. As the dry season was too far
advanced to admit of the removal of the
people from Sierra Leone before the be
ginning of December, the agents waited
the arrival of further instructions from the
Board, which it was expected would have
time to reach Africa before that period.
The obvious course to be pursued, was ac
cordingly indicated to them, in the instruc
tions communicated by Dr. Eli Ayres, who
was attached to the service of the Society
and sailed from the United States in (he
armed schooner Shark, Lieut. Perry, com
mander, in the month of July.
Scarcely had Messrs. Andrnsand Bacon
returned to Sierra Leone from their visit
to the Bassa country, when the latter, to
gether with Mrs. Bacon, experienced re
peated and severe attacks of fever, which
obliged them to return to the United States,
where they arrived about the middle of
August.
The Rev. Joseph R. Andrus, the first
agent of the American Colonization Socie
ty, whose devotion to its interests, and la
bour* in its service, had been marked with
singular disinterestedness and integrity, af
ter a short illness, and when it was suppos
ed he had overcome the violence of the
disease, suddenly died on the 27th of July.
By a subsequent communication from Mr.
Christian Wiltbergur, was, shortly after
wards, announced the afflictive tiding* of
the death of Jonathan B. Winn, E*q. the
agent of the government, on the 25th of
August ; which was followed by the death
of Mrs. Winn, on the 31st of the same
month. The fidelity and zeal evinced bv
these meritorious and respected individuals,
during the period of their connexion with
the service, in which they were so soon
called to surrender, with the attractions of
country, and of Christian society, their val
uable live*, demand from the managers an
honourable mention, and from all the
fripnds of the cause, a grateful and cher
ished recollection.
This less of persons, so devoted to the
cause, at the very period when the welfare
of the settlement appeared most deeply
concerned in their preservation, forms a
melancholy supplement to the scenes of
the preceding year.
It i* a circum*tance which the managers
arc disposed to refer lo the special direc
tion and goodness of a Divine Providence,
that Dr. E. Ayres, a medical gentleman,
believed to be possessed of every qualifica
tion, fittirg him for the trust reposed in
him, should have offered his services to the
-Board, and sailed for the coast of Africa at
so seasonable a juncture. They are ob
liged, *ikewise, to advert with gratitude, to
She intelligence lately received from that
country, that, among nearly one hundred
black and colored people, the natives of
America, nowon the coast, some of whom
have been exposed to the effects of two
rainy seasons, not more than four deaths
have occurred during the last year; and of
those, only pne is properly attributable to
the climate, exhibiting no greater average
mortality than in many parts of our own
country. Besides several other extraordi
nary causes of sickness, necessarily arising
out of their exposed circumstances, it de
serves to be considered that, until the arri
val of Dr. Ayres, the people had not enjoy
ed ffie regular attendance of a physician.
From a comparison of the deaths occur
ring among the white and black classes of
the population of Sierra Lggne, respective
ly, with the mortality expffienced-by the
corresponding classes of emigrants from
America, the conclusion appears to be au
thorized, that the climate is much less nox
ious to the black people, although the na
tives of temperate countries, than to the
whites. The result of all the experience
hitherto had of the African climate, goes
directly to establish the conclusion, that it
is not materially unfavourable to the health
of coloured people emigrating to Africa from
countries situated in the lattitude of the
northern States of America, or even in that
of Nova Scotia and Great Britain ; and that
the natives of the middle ami southern
states may sustain the transition, with little
danger arising from the change of climate.
The small number of deaths which have
occurred among the coloured people, and
their general health since their removal
from Campelar, confirms the opinion ex
pressed in the last annual report of the
Board, that much of the sickness and mor
tality experienced at that place, was caused
by circumstances of a peculiar character.
Shortly after the arrival of Dr. Ayres, he
prepared, agreeably to hi* inductions, to
avail himself of an opportunity expected to
be offered by Lieut. Stockton, of the Alli
gator, to explore the coast and select and
purchase a territory; and accordingly,
leaving the people at Fonra Bay, and the
affairs of the sdciety in the care of Mr.
Wiltberger, he accompanied Lieut. Stock
ton, and mled down the coast from Sierra
Leone, on the 6lh of December, in the
schooner Augusta.
On the 11th they anchored in Mesorado
Bay, and the appearance of the coast con
firming (he favourable accounts they had
received of it, they determined to land and
attenvpt a negotiation.
They obtained an interview with the
king, and, after many difficulties, their per
severance and address succeeded: and on
the 15th of December, a contract for the
purchase of a territory Was drawn up and
executed with the usual solemnities, which
together with the letters of Lieut. Stockton
and Dr. Ayres, relating to the progress aod
issue of the negotiations, appears in the Ap
pendix. These letters will show how
greatly the society is indebted to the judg
ment and zeal of Lieut. Stockton, for an ac
quisition, of the value and eligibility of
which, the concurrence of his opinion gives
every confidence.
Dr. Ayres immediately afterwards, e
turned to Sierra Leone, intending to re
move the people and stores to MeSurado
as soon as practicable.
The part of Africa thus selected, and (it
is hoped) by this time, occupied by our peo
ple, has always been represented as pos
sessing great advantages for a settlement.
The land purchased appears to include the
whole Cape, with the mouth and a consider
able extent of the river.
This river empties itself into the Atlan
tick, and is in length about three hnndred
miles, beiug the largest African river be
tween the Rio Grande to the North, aDd
the Congo to the South. Its headwaters
are near those of the Niger and the Gam
bia, both of vyhich rise on the northeast side
of the same chain of mountains. Lieut.
Stockton considers that station not only im
portant for the relief and refreshment of
our vessels of war cruizing on the African
coast, but as affording the same facilities to
our merchantmen engaged in the East In
dia trade. To these advantages may be
also added, besides those connected with
the immediate object of the Society, ano
ther of still greater interest. Such a set
tlement as we trust this is destined soon to
become, cannot fail of producing an imme
diate and decisive effect upon that trade
that still preys upon Africa, and still dis
graces the civilized nations of the world.
What Sierra Leone has done, and is doing,
may confidently be expected in every simi
lar establishment on the coast. What ha*
been there done, who can sufficiently estim
ate? We may indeed there see a colony
of free blacks, increasing in number, intel
ligence, and respectability. We may there
see a still more interesting spectacle, in the
thousands of victims rescued from chains
and tortures; once ignorant barbarians,
now instructed and devout converts to the
Christian faith, manifesting in the simple
piety of their characters, the reality of that
faith, and giving a lesson of humility and
reproof, to Christians inheriting the best
privileges in the most favoured countries.
I hese are great effects, demanding our
praise and thankfulness. But Sierra Leone
hag repaid Africa with still grester bles
sings : her example, her influence, and ef
forts, have given peace and security to the
neighbouring coast: and who can estimate
the extent of misery prevented, and of hap
piness conferred, to a population delivered
from all the horrors of the slave trade ?
Every year the limits of this beneficence
are extending, and the cheering rays of
her light dispelling a wider portion of the
moral darkness that surrounds her. And
is it unreasonable to rejoice that another
rampart is to be raised against the power of
the spoiler, that another light is to arise
and shine upon this benighted continent?
Or to expect that He who is thus blesang
one such labour with success, will give his
help in favour of another?
We have unfortunately, in our country,
ample materials for the rapid growth of
such a colony, and greatly does it concern
ns so to apply them. There is in Africa an
abundant and almost spontaneous produc
tion of the necessaries of life. Her deso
lated fields call fur inhabitants. We can
not fail to see, in these circumstances, ev
ery evidence to assure us that an establish
ment of free people of-colour from our
country upon the coast of Africa, will in
crease with nro common celerity, and exert
no ordinary influence in redeeming the
land of their forefathers from its present
degradation. Whether the slave trade will
ever b entirely abandoned without the aid
of such settlements may he questioned ; but |
that they afford a most powerful means for j
the accomplishment of such an object, ex-1
perience places beyond doubt.
The serious, and hitherto but too effec
tual obstacles thrown io the way of the so
ciety's benevolent measures in Africa, by
| the protracted existence of the slave trade,
have continued to keep awake in the man
agers, a lively interest in whatever relates
to the suppression of so great an evil.
Great Britain still continues active in this
work, both by the negotiations of her cab
inet, and the operations of her naval com
manders; and apparently with perfect sin
cerity, and a very encouraging share of
success. Since the last annual meeting of
the society, a principal object of her nego
tiations with the government of the United
States, has been to effect with the latter
an arrangement, by which the most entire
concert of action should be established be
tween the publick vessels of both nations,
on those parts of the ocean over which this
trade is principally carried on. The com
mittee on the slave trade, shortly before
the termination of the last session of Con
gress, presented, in the House of Represen
| tatives, a report, in which the necessity and
propriety of such an arrangement were
shewn by conclusive arguments, and a rec
! ommendation to that effect, Strenuously ur
| ged. The Board regret that, owing to the
j advanced period of the session, this inter-
I estiiig report could not be called up before
its close.
This delay afforded the managers the op
portunity of interposing a memorial on the i
subject of the slave trade ; in which all the j
necessary information in their power to’
furnish, ha 9 been detailed. They have |
likewise received assurances from different;
parts of the Union of the readiness of influ
ential individuals and associations, to concur
with them in their object. It is confident
ly believed that the co-operation of Great
Britain, France and America, in measures
of suitable energy, for a very moderate pe
riod, could not fail to remove so great a re
proach from the civilized world. In this
conclusion the managers are confirmed by
the extraordinary change which has been
wrought in the manner of conducting the
trade since the appearance of an American
naval force on the coast of Africa. Until
the beginning of the year 1820, a large
share of the trade was covered by the
American flag, and a large proportion of it
was owned by American citizens. But at
present, after a lapse of two years, the
American flag has nearly disappeared, and
the number of ship 9 owned by Americans
has greatly diminished, and wholly in con
sequence of the occasional visits of a ship
of war to that coast, and the passage of the
law of the 15th of May, 1820, declaring the
crime to be a specie* of piracy, and punish
able as that offence. Lieutenants Perry and
Stockton, who have both lately cruised up
on the African coa9t, agree io representing
the slave ships as now using, almost exclu
sively, the flag of France. That nation
has joined in the general denunciation of
the slave trade, and has prohibited their
subjects to engage in it. That her law is
disregarded is obvious; and now that the
fact is apparent, it may surely be expected
that a regard lo her own dignity, and con
sistency with her pledged engagements,
will induce her to unite with England and
America in some system of concert, by
which this last refuge may be taken from
these persevering adventurers. If our
government shall confer, (a9 we trust will
be done,) wilth that of France upon this sub
ject, we have reason to hope that a suffi
cient and honourable arrangement will be
adopted.
In the last report, the Boatd of Mana
gers had the pleasure to refer to the decis
ion of Judge Van Ness, in the case of the
Plattsburg ; they have now the high grati
fication of recording, to the honour of our
judicial tribunals, another decision still
more important. The cose of the Jeuoe
Eugenie, with extracts from the able opin
ion of the circuit court, and references to
the authorities on which it relies, will be
found in the appendix. A court possessing
warm feelirgs in favour of liberty and hu
manity, may be supposed, under such an
influence, to have sought for new princi
ples to justify a judgment which pronoun
ces that the common usage and understand
ing of nations no longer legalizes a crime,
which had once, to the disgrace of mankind,
such a sanction. That the solemn acts and
declarations of nations, denouncing the
slave trade to be inhuman and illegal, tear
away from the subjects of those nations,
the shelter of their protection, and allow
them no longer to plead, io justification of
crime, the crime of nations.
But it will be found that this decision is
not only supported by the justest principles,
but by the authority of the previous decis
ions of tribunals entitled to and receiving
universal respect. This nation itself has
submitted, in the case of her own citizens,
to such a decision, and, therefore only pro
nounces the law as she has herself assent
ed to it. Nor have we ever learned that
the British decisions alluded to have been
complained of by any nation. Nor can it
be reasonably expected that any govern
ment, which has joined in the denunciation
of this trade, and forbidden it to her sub
jects, can seriously object to the course
pursued in relation to this vessel, which
leaves to her own determination, this viola
tion of her own laws, and of the common
rights of nations.
The consequences of this decision, uptjn
the continuance of the 9lave trade, are im-.
portant. If our ships of war, and those of
England, were to be restrained from exam
ining slave ships, under the flags of nations
who have prohibited the trade, and bring
ing them in for adjudication where there
were reasonable doubts of their national
character, then it is plain that the only
point to which all our laws and efforts have
yet pressed these violators of humanity/, is
to a mere change of outward character,
and that the only inconvenience to which
they are exposed, is that of changing their
flag.
The Board have received, since the last
annual meeting, from individuals o! very
respectable qualifications, an offer ol their
services in any useful capacity on the coast
of Africa ; of one only of which, that of
Dr. Ayres, have they yet judged it neces
sary to avail themselves.
One hundred black persons in the city of
Philadelphia, have expressed their desire
to remove to Africa ; and been recommen
ded, on respectable authority, to the .pat
ronage of the society. Seventy-nine indi
viduals have communicated the same re
quest through the Auxiliary Society of
New York. A considerable number have
likewise offered themselves to the society,
from the city ofßaltimore, from Richmond,
Petersburg, and Norfolk, aod from the
Eastern Shore of Maryland, with the addi
tion of families and individuals from vari
ous parts of the United States.
The Board continue to receive addition
al proofs of the existence of a disposition
in many extensive proprietors of slaves in
different parts of the United States, to lib
erate and aid them in returning to Africa,
at the earliest period at which the settle
ment will be in a state to receive them.
The funds of the society, derived from
the annual subscription of the members,
from the donations of individuals, and the
contributions of the auxiliaries, have, (lu
ring the past year, proved sufficient to
meet the necessary disbursements. But,
as a juncture has now arrived, when the
sphere of the society’s operations abroad,
must be extended to embrace the great ob
jects of its institution, a proportionate in
crease of funds will be indispensably neces
sary. And now that the work is commen
ced, they trust thpt their friends will per
ceive the arrival of a crisis in thmp affairs,
requiring all their efforts. Success now
seems to depend upon the operations of the
present year, and means must be furnished
to make effectual, or (he opportunity, and
perhaps also the object, may be lost. On
the efficient and persevering efforts of its
auxiliaries and friends, the society must
now, under the blessing of Heaven, place
it 9 dependance. And the Board of Mana
gers may avail themselves of this occasion,
to render their acknowledgments for the
important aid this institution has already
derived from their zealous co-operation;
aod respectfully to solicit their attention
to their present request.
This Society was told at its commence
ment, by those who opposed its object as
chimerical, of the many difficulties which
it would find insuperable. It was said the
people of colour would not consent to such
an emigration.
It is now proved that great numbers of
them, far more than can be sent, earnestly
desire it. It was said that the climate would
destroy them. It is proved that the mor
tality, though under most unfavourable cir
cumstanses, has not been greater among
them, than in many parts of our own coun
try.
It was said that the native# would not re
ceive a settlement. The experiment has
proved the contrary ; all the obstacles ap
pear to have been overcome. Another,
it was said, would be the want of resources.
This is yet left, but the board have never
felt it, and will not now fear it. Confiding
in the liberality of their countrymen, and
appealing to them as men,and as Christians,
trusting that the Almighty prompter and
promoter of benevolent efforts, will event
ually prosper what he has enjoined, and
knowing that he holds the hearts of all in
his hands, and the wealth of the world at
his disposal, it shall be their endeavour
faithfully to direct whatever his providence
may supply, to the accomplishment of the
view 9 of the Society.
Extract of a letter received in Washington
City , dated Montgomery County , Georgia ,
March 18, 1822.
Dear Brother,
The situation of our savage neighbours,
and some of our own people upon our bor
ders, is truly distressing. I was informed
by a friend, that some of our brethren with
whom I am well acquainted, had lately
been so far as St. Augustine, in East Flori
da ; that on the St. John river they were
inquired of by persons fully grown, to
know how a minister acted when he
preached, never having heard a sermon in
their lives. 1 was appointed ty the Gov
ernour of this State about two years ago to
make a survey of the Okafanoka, a large
desert in the southeastern part of this State.
This desert is stated by Morse to be 180
miles round. I found he had mistaken the
distance by 100 miles, it being only 80. In
this route I fell in with JWteco, an Indian
chief. I interrogates him through an in
terpreter, respecting his views of another
world. He said, very gravely, “ that af
ter death, the souls of good white men go
to Heaven, (pointing upward) and the spir
its of good Indians go towards the sunset;
and added, that though the same Great
Spirit had made U 9 all, “ yet he had not
given the red people the same means of in
formation he had given the whites.” Oh,
my dear brother, you can only guess at
what I felt during this interview. C.
Col. Star.
Publick charities and benevolent associ
ations for the gratuitous relief of every spe
cies of distress, are peculiar to Christianity.
No other system of civil or religious policy
has originated them; they form its highest
praise and characteristick feature ; an order
of benevolence so disinterested, and so ex
alted, looking before and after, could no
more have preceded revelation, than light
the sun.
Absence of occupation is not rest;
A mind quite vacant is a mind distrest.
LIBERAL SENTIMENTS.
The following paragraph from the Methodic
Magazine, published at New York, breathes ?n, |,
a spirit of enlarged benevolence and Christian ‘
charity, that we cheerfully transfer it to ourco!
umns, in the hope of diffusing the salutary intln
ence of the disinterested sentiment” which it con
tains, as well as of digesting them in our own
minds.— Ch. Watchman. ,
Nothing can be more delightful to tbs ‘
pious mind than to contemplate the mighty
exertions which are making in every part
of the Christian world for the spread of
gospel truth and holiness. As if impelled
by one common impulse, the various de
nominations throughout Christendom are
collecting their forces and arranging them
under the Captain of their salvation, evin
cing a determination never to ground their
arms until the strong holds of Satan shall
be demolished. This is no time, there
fore, for inaction. To he uidilforent at
such a time of general and generous move
ment, manifests an apathy of soul at one*
disgraceful and criminal. If those who are*
not on the Lord’s side are against Him, and
if no man can 9peak lightly of Jesus who
performs a miracle in His name, then cer
tainly we ought to rejoice in the labours
and success of all those who evince the
smallest attachment to His cause; because
Christ is preached vie do rejoice , yea , and
will rejoice.
While we confess ourselves most cordi
ally attached to our own Church, and that
from a choice made upon mature delibera
tion, we cannot suffer that contraction of
heart which shuts up the avenues of the
soul against receiving an accession ofjwj’
from witnessing the happy results of the
evangelical efforts of others. And while
some are indulging a splenetick disposition
by snarling at every thing not uoinp.d in
their own mint, and not bearing the image
and superscription of their own party ; and
while others are wasting their tithe and
strength with shooiing their venom at those
whose elevation bids defiance to their ma
levolence ; we will enjoy the unmolested
satisfaction of participating in the joy of
those brave souls who are gathering fresh
laurels by their intrepidity in the common
warfare, and who are determined to die
rather than yield to the enemy.
Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me,
and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful
generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be
ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Fa
ther.
Many and severe are the threats which
we find denounced by Christ against those
who pretended an extraordinary sanctity in
their manners and conversation without
having any true sense of religion or morali
ty in their hearts. The words before us
are a threat likewise against hypocrites,
but hypocrites of a very different sort ;
those who pretend to be more profligate
than they really are, and therefore may
properly be called hypocrites in wicked
ness. These are much more numerous in
the present times, and perhaps much more
mischievous than the former ; as those do
honour to religion and virtue bv their pre
tences to them—these affront them by an
open disavowal. Those make others bet
ter than themselves, and these worse, by
their example. We meet with this kind of
hypocrisy every day ; we see men affect
ing to be guilty of vices for which they
have not constitutions, and of crimes which
they have not courage to perform. They
lay claim to the honour of cheating, at the
same time they are cheated, and endeavour
to pass for knaves when in fact they are
but fools.
These are the offenders of whom Christ
will be ashamed when he cometh in the
glory of his father; which wilkhe a dread
ful but just punishment, and a proper retal
iation of that foolish and impious modesty,
which induced them to be ashamed of him
and his word, in compliance to a sintul
and adulterous generation ; and to be less
afraid of incurring the displeasure of the
best of Beings, than the profane ridicule of
the worst of men.
INFIDELITY DISCOUNTENANCED.
Lord Byron's “ Cain." —lt.appears by
the London papers, that the drama of Cain
from the pen of Lord Byron, has been pi
rated by the noted radical Benbow, who is
endeavouring to raise money out of vlbv
circulating a cheap edition. Mr Moray,
the proprietor and publisher of Byron’s
pieces, applied to the Lord Chancellor for
an injunction against Benbow’s copy, to
which the latter did not offer any opposi
tion. The Chancellor however, after pe
rusing the work, declined interfering, on
the ground that it inculcated principles
hostile to the Christian religion, which was
part of the law of the land ; that the Court
of Chancery was not armed with a criminal
jurisdiction to punish offences of that na
ture; neither was it called upon to inter
pose its civil jurisdiction in the protection
of works of 9uch a character. After hit
Lordship had given this opinion, the copy
of “Cain,” which had been handed up to
the bench for his perusal, was lo
the counsel for Mr. Murray, who observed
that after what his Lordship had said he
was afraid to claim a property in the book.
On which the Lord Chancellor replied “I
know I have no wish to claim a property
in it, 1 assure you.”
If there be a pleasure on earth which an
gels cannot enjoy, and which they might al
most envy man the possession of, it is the
power of relieving distress. If there be e
pain which devils might pity man for en
during, it is the death-bed reflection that
we have possessed the power of doing
good, but that we have abused and per
verted it to the purposes of ill.
American Bible Society. —The Treasurer
reports that he has received during
month of March $4744 99 ; and i““i> e(l
from the depository, Bibles, 309 C ; ‘! 1 ~a ’
ments 28f>3 ; valued at $3700 GG.