Newspaper Page Text
No. 49— —Vol. V.]
American Colonization Society.
Extracts from tbe Seventh Annual Report.
Officers for the present year.
The Hon. Bushrod Washington, President.
Pice Presidents.
Hon. William H. Crawford, of Georgia.
Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky.
Hon. William Phillips, of Massachusetts.
Hon. Henry Rotgers, of New York.
Hon. John E. Howard, of Maryland.
tiJn. John C. Herbert, of Maryland.
Hon. Daniel Webster, of Boston.
Isaac M’Kina, Esq. of Maryland.
Gen. R. G. Harper, of Maryland.
Gen. John Hartwell Coke, of Virginia.
Geo. Charles F. Mercer, of Virginia.
Robert Ralston, Esq of Pennsylvania.
Right Rev. Bishop White, of Pennsylvania.
Jeremiah Day, D.D. of Yale College.
Gen. John Mason, of tbe Dist. of Columbia.
Samuel Bayard, Esq. of New Jersey.
Wm. H- Fiizhogh, Esq. of Virginia.
Managers.
Francis S. Key, Esq. Walter Jones, Eq.
Rev. Dr. James Laurie, Rev. Dr. S. D
Raich, Rev. O. B. Brown, Rev. Dr. VV. H
iVilmer, Rev. Wm. Hawley,Jacob Hoffman,
Esq. Wm. Thornton, Esq. Joseph Gales, jr
Esq. Col. Henry Ashton.
Elia B. Caldwell, E a q. Secretary.
John Underwood, Esq. Rec. Sec.
Richard Smith, E-q Treasurer.
Ralph Randolph Gorley, Jlgent.
REPORT.
Aware of the exposed and suffering con
dition of the colony, the managers proceed
ed, immediately after the publication of
their last Report, notwithstanding the unfa
vourable season, to select emigrants and
obtain supplies for an expedition. Dr. Ay
res,whose previous exertions as the govern
meni agent had been so important, consent
ed to return ; sixty-one coloured persons
wpre received as colonists, and the brig
Oswego, Capt Wightraan, was chartered to
convey this reinforcement, with its stores,
to Africa. At this crisis, most alarming in
telligence was received from the colony.
In the hope of relieving themselves from
strangers whose operations begao to excite
apprehension, and of pillaging their dwell
iogs, all the tribes in the vicinity of the
Cape bad Cviutiinrd for lbs destruction of
the settlement, and, strengthened by num
erous mercenary warriors from the interi
our,Ba3 proceeded to violent and repeated
attacks. Though the whole military force
of the colony did not at this time exceed
thirty men, yet their favourable position,
superior arms and skill, and valorous spirit,
enabled them to repel, on the Bth of Nov.
800 of the natives, and on the Ist of De
cember, according to the estimation of the
Agent, nearly double this number, with a
loss of only four killed and three wound
ed.
The same letters which informed the
Board of this unfortunate contest, announc
ed the cessation of hostilities, in conse
quence of the consent of the natives to refer
all matters of difference to the Governor of
Sierra Leone.
The Oswego sailed from Baltimore on
the 16th of April, and arrived at Cape Mont
serado on the 24th of May. The joy exci
ted at the colony by this event cannot be
described. Unfortunately, the war, and
subsequent attention to works of defence,
had prevented any due preparation for re
ception of emigrants, and though this cir
cumstance, at any seasoD, must have occa
sioned deep regret, at the commencement
wibe rains it was peculiarly distressing. A
lever commenced, and spread with great
rapidity amongst the new colonists. This
was not unexpected; and considering the
previous exertions of these people to on
load the ship, their wretched accommoda
tions, their early deprivation of the person
al attentions of Dr. Ayres, who was among
the first seized by the disease ; the occur
rence of eight deaths furnishes, in (he view
ot the Board, no reason for change in the
•pinion which they have entertained of the
African climate.
B Since the origin of the Society, two hun-
Baredand twenty-five emigrants, exclusive
Bt those now on tbeir passage, in the ship
BCyrus, have sailed to Africa under the pa-
of the hoard. The census receiv
ed with the last letters from Dr. Ayres,
stales the number then at the colony, to be
one hundred and forty. Let it not be sup
posed that this diminution of numbers has
resulted from mortality alone. Previous
to the purchase of Cape Montserado,sever
al discontented individuals abandoned the
colony and settled at Sierra Leone, others
returned to this country. Information of
46 deaths only has been received by the
Hoard. That more have occurred, the
Board have no reason to believe. Twen
ty-two of these were among the passengers
to the Elizabeth, the first vessel sent by the
society to Africa, and occurred soon after
her arrival, near the commencement of the
rains, through the unhealthiness of the spot
pn which, for a season, they were compel
led to reside, and various other causes, by
which future emigrants can never be effec
ted. Four others took place while the
Zionists were at Sierra Leone, two of them
only were the result of fever. Twenty
Others have tukeD place at the colony since
THE MISSIONARY.
its establishment at Cape Montserado early
in the spring of 1822 ; of these, four were
killed in Ihe recent contest with the na
tives ; two were drowned, one died at the
age of eighty through gradual decay, and
one perished through his own rashness.
Four others were children nnder four years
of age. Now, the Board appeal to Ihe can
dor of their contrymen, and ask, whether,
when the difficulties and trials which must
for a season, be inevitably experienced by
every new setllement oo a distant and bar
barous shore, are duly considered, the facts
just related furnish reasons (o conclude,
that the establishment of a colony in Africa
is impracticable.
Several children who had been taken
captive from Ihe settlement during the war
were, on the return of peace, immediately
restored. An advantageous trade was com
menced with the tribes in Ihe interior, aod
before the arrival of the Oswego, the con
dition of the colony was evidently improv
ed. The United States’ sloop of war Cy*
ane, Capt. Spence, had been at the colony
in the month of April, and her officers and
crew left there the objects of their zealous
and persevering exertions. It is impossible
to estimate too highly the services of Capt.
Spence and his generous companions.
When informed of the sufferings of the co
lony, they immediately repaired to Sierra
Leone, fitted for sea the schooner Augusta,
belonging to the United States, and hasten
ing to the colony, offered it most cheerfully
every aid in their power. Though the
cruise of the Cayne had been already pro
tracted in a unhealthy climate, Capt. S.
resolved without hesitation to remain so
long on the coast as should be necessary to
complete a work of defence, and make suit
able provision for the approaching rains
He furnished the colony with supplies and
ammunition, built a house for the Agent,
and erected a tower of strong mason work,
which, though somewhat injured by the
subsequent rains, will, it is believed, prove
an entire defence against the barbarians
Having nearly accomplished his designs,
this efficient officer was interrupted in his
exertions by the sickness of his crew, in
creased, no doubt, by the burning sun of
that climate, and he was compelled to leave
the colony on the 15th of April.
The benevolence and zeal of Capt. S. on
this occasion, are the qjore striking, from
the circumstance of his labouring under
great debility from a fever contracted du
ring a cruise of several months previous in
{Jje West Indies.
Determined, however, to neglect noth
ing, which might contribute to the results
expected by government from an agency on
tbe African colony, Spence instructed Lieut
Dashiell to take command of the Augusta,
with a'crew of six white and six coloured
men, and to cruise in the vicinity of the col
ony, for the purpose of at once subserving
its interests and aiding in the suppression of
the slave trade.
The Board deeply regret to say that
Lieut. Dashiel! died at Sierra Leone, on the
22d of June. This mournful event has de
prived the navy of an able officer, and the
church of a distinguished Christian. Mid
shipman R. R. M’.Mullin succeeded him in
the command of the Augusta, which is still
on the coast of Africa.
Since the arrival of Dr. Ayres, the num
ber of buildings at the colony has been con
siderably increased; certain irregular hab
its among the yonngeremigrantscorrected;
and a system of government adopted, which
promises to exert an efficient and most sal
utary influence. The division of the land
iu the vicinity of the settlement, among (he
several families, has before this, do doubt,
been effected, as Dr. Ayres observes in bis
last communications, “I have fixed upon
the Ist of November for the time when all
rations will cease to be delivered pxcept to
invalids.” Such a division must minister
every encouragement to industry, the great
promoter of virtue, peace, and universal
prosperity.
The evidences of publick favour which
the Board have received during the year,
have afforded the highest encouragement,
and they can no longer doubt that a gener
al knowledge of their plans will be succee
ded by the common and vigorous efforts of
the country to execute them, and that the
design of the Colonization Society, notwith
standing the opposition it has experienced,
will yet be consummated by the combined
energies of a nation, and approved by the
civilized world. A thousand powerful
minds scattered throughout the Union, are
at work for this institution; the objects
which it is intended to promote are every
where becoming subjects of thought and
conversation, and the spirit of deep concern
for its result is rapidly extending, securing
to it the counsels of wisdom, the donations
of wealth, and the prayers of religion.
A Urge number of the free people of
colour have the last year sought the pa
troDage of the Board, and the disposition to
emigrate to Africa seems co extensive with
a knowledge of the motives to induce such
emigration. It were easy to excite enthu
siasm on this subject, but the Board do not
desire it. The means will never equal the
demand for transportation.
The resolution adopted by the Board in
the month of June, to increase, if possible,
the strength of the colony during tbe pres
Os all the dispositions and ha'bit/whi'ch Radio pobbcal 1 U r f°® pe ’ Jesus Christ.
P prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.— Washington.
(HANCOCK COUNTY MONDAY, MAY 24. 1824.
ent season, has not been neglected. By in
cessant effort such means have been obtain
ed, as, though not equal to (he expense ne
cessarily incurred, have induced the Boars
to charter a vessel; aod they are happy to’
announce the departure of the ship Cyrus,
on tenth of last month, with more than one
hnndred emigrants. These people were
all from Petersburgh, Richmond, and the
lower country of Virginia. Most of them
were, it is believed, inferiour in intelligence,
industry, and morality, to none of their
class in the country. Among these is the
Rev. Colston M. Waring, a coloured preach
er, who, after having visited the colony,
now returns with his wife and children, and
a considerable number of his pious and af
fectionate flock. May the benediction of
Heaven attend them; may the purity of
their lives recommend Christianity to bar
barians; may religion console them amid
all the discouragements of their work.
The Board slate with pleasure (bat tbe
expense of transportation to Africa is far
less than has been supposed. One hundred
emigrants have beeD taken out in the Cy
rus, liberally supplied with provisions, for
twenty-six hundred dollars, making the
cost of each individual twenty-six dollars.
Even this sum will, the Board are convinc
ed, suffer a very considerable reduction
when tbe resources of the colony shall be
so augmented as to allow of the simultane
ous arrival of larger reinforcements.
In conclusion, the Board venture to ex
press the hope, that the time is not remote,
when the hearts of all the people in this
country shall be set as the heart of one
man, to advance the cause of colonization ;
when the state governments and even Con
gress shall bring its mighty power to the
execution of a plan, which the society most
earnestly, hut in weakness, endeavours to
promote; a plan, fraught with the richest
benefits for a suffering and degraded peo
ple, most intimately, essentially connected
with the wealth, strength, and glory of our
country.
Since the above Report was penned, Dr.
Ayres has arrived in this country. His
statements are such as to afford the strong
est encouragement to the friends of our So
ciety ; indeed, the question whether a col
ony can be established in Africa, seems to
be decided in the affirmative. The emi
grants were left in the enjoyment of good
health, and had commenced the cultivation
of their grounds. Constant attention, until
very recently, to works of defence, has
prevented any very considerable improve
ments; yet, as the colony is now consider
ed secure from the power of the natives, we
may expect its prosperity rapidly to ad
vance. It must, however, for some time
longer, depend in part for a subsisteice up
on the charities of this country. Vegeta
bles and corn will probably soon b raised
in abundance, but ihe articles of meat and
clothing must for one or two years be re
ceived from the United States. Supplies
for the Colony are at this time demanded.
The Board of Managers appeal to their
friends for aid. Those who have confided
in the generosity of the Society, must not
be abandoned. The several auxiliary so
cieties are most earnestly requested to
transmit immediately such funds as they mav
possess, or as they may find it possible to
obtain. May the liberality of the Ameri
can people correspond with the greatness
of the cause.
■3Z2ZZZZ3SZZZZZZC—
A COMPEND OF
JEWISH ANTIQUITIES.
[To be continued weekly.]
Q. What were the origin and peculiari
ties of the Sadduceee ?
A. They were more ancient than the
Pharisees, and took their rise from Sadoc ,
about 200 years A. C. The Jews supposed
this man fell into error by misappreheod
ing some of the doctrines of Antigonus, who
taught that men ought to practice virtue
disinterestedly, without any view to reward.
In the New Testament we learn what were
their principal errors. They neither be
lieved in the resurrection of the dead, nor
in the existence of angels and spirits. Jo
sephus says, they denied the immortality of
the soul—the doctrine of fatality in eveiy
case—they held that every man had bis
destiny at his own disposal. It is common
ly believed that they received no other
books of the Old Testament but the Pen
tateuch ; but there is no proof of this, ex
cept that our Lord drew his proof of the
resurrection from the Pentateuch; from
which, however, this conclusion does not
by any means follow. Josephus charges
them with no such error, but says expressly
they received Ta gegrammena , but rejected
all traditions. And in the Talmud the Sad
dacees are introduced as disputing with the
Pharisees from passages in the Prophets.
Neither do the Rabbins, although opposed
to this sect, accuse them of rejecting any
part of the Old Testament. This sect was
not numerous, but rich and powerful, as ap
pears from Josephus—and from the Acts of
the Apostles it seems they had the chief
management of the state in their hands.
Q. Were the Ilcrodians a distinct sect ?
A. Some think they were, and were so
named from entertaining the opinion that
Herod was the Messiahbut there is no
evidence of this. If there bad been a sect
of this denomination, Josephus must have
mentioned it, for he wrote expressly’ on
this subject. They were doubtless the
devotees of Herod, and attached to his in
terest. The Syriack version of Ihe New
Testament makes them (he domesticks of
Herod. As to their religious opinions they
seem to have agreed with the Sadducees ;
lor that which is called “ the leaven of He
rod” in Mark, is termed the “ leaven of the
Sadducees” in Matthew.
Q. Who were the Essenes ?
A This sect, though not mentioned in
Scripture, is particularly described by Phi
lo,'Josephus and others. They generally
resided in remote and desert places. It is
probable they took their rise in the time of
the persecution ot Antiochus Epipbanes,
when multitudes of the Jews were driven
into the wilderness, and (here became inur
ed to a bard and laborious life. There
were two sorts of Essenes—the first lived in
society’, aud were married, but were very
circumspect in their intercourse with the
world—they dwelt in towns and villages,and
applied themselves to husbandry and to in
nocent trades. The othersort who were a
kind of hermits,gave themselves up wholly
to meditation. These were the contempln
live Essenes, and obtained the name of
Therapeutic, not on account of skill in medi
cine, but on account of their course of life
and discipline, which appeared adapted to
cure the diseases of the mind. It does not
appear that they received traditions like
the Pharisees, but being Allegories, they
had mystical books which they followed in
explaining the Scriptures. Both sorts.how
ever, followed the same maxims. They
drank no wine, were eminent for frugality
and continence, and strangers to all sorts of
sensual pleasures—practised great simplici
ty in conversation—did not engage in com
merce, thinking it had a tendency to make
men covetous—they had all their property
in common ; and when any one joined them
he gave up his property for the good of the
community. They reckoned wur to be
unlawful, and all those arts that were sub
servient to it; yet when they travelled they
carried weapons to defend themselves from
the numerous robbers that infested the land
of Judea. There was neither master nor
slave among them ; but all were on an
equality, and served one auother. Their
society, however, was in admirable order,
and in subordination to the Elders, who
were greatly respected, as were all teach
ers, by their scholars. They had a great
veneration for an oath, which they never
used but with great deliberation. They
abhorred all lyi*g. When they admitted a
person into their society, they made him
bind bimselfby solemn vows to worship God
and do justice to men. To obey magis
trates—to defend the innocent and oppose
themselves to the wicked—to keep his soul
free from unjust gain— not to reveal the
mysteries of religion to the prophane, nor
conceal them from their brethren—to pre
serve uoaltered the doctrine he has receiv
ed, and the books which contain it, and to
deliver nothing but what he has received
in the instruction of others. The similarit v
of this oath to that which Pliny ascribes to
the Christians, is remarkable. In case any
of the initiated was guilty of a flagrant
crime, he fell under Ihe sentence of an aw
ful excommunication, and commonly came
to a miserable end. They were of pure
morals, and not solicitous, like the Phari
sees, to make proselytes, but received such
as came with proper motives. There is
one difficulty, however, respecting the re
ligion of this people. How could they con
sider themselves as observing the Law of
Moses without going up to Jerusalem to
worship at the appointed times ? Josephus
says, that though they went not up them
selves to the temple, yet they sent their
gifts thither ; and that they offered their
sacrifices in a peculiar manner, and with
more religious ceremonies than others.—
This, however, is not satisfactory, as it im
plies a disregard to the command of the
law. It is altogether probable, from the
character of this sect, that like other ascet
ick and fanatical sects, they preferred their
own institutions to those of God, or they so
allegorized and spiritualized the Law, that
they persuaded themselves that ao exter
nal performance of its duties was unneces
sary, if they worshipped God in spirit.—
Some of the Fathers thought that Philo, in
his account of the Essenes, has described the
primitive Christians,and Eusebius confounds
them with the Christaiqs, but Pbilo does not
once mention the name of Christ, nor does
be speak of them as anew sect, but ou the
contrary says they derived their religion
from their forefathers. It is, however,
possible, that Christianity might have been
early received by this people ; and they
might have enjoyed it consistently with
their mode of living and the state of their
society. i
Q. Who were the Proselytes ?
A They are supposed to be of two sorts.
1. Those who conformed to the moral pre
cepts of the law, or rather the seven pre
cepts of Noah, but not to the ceremonial
part of the law. 2. Those who were strict
ly called Proselytes (for the first sort were
called Proselytes of the gateA have been
distinguished by the name of Proselytes of
Righteousness or Justice , and sometimes
[Price $3 50 per avn.
Proselytes if the Covenant —these were cir
cumcised and bound themselves to observe
Ihe ceremonial as well as (he moral law.—
As to the ceremonies attending their admis
sion, the Scriptures mention nothing but
circumcision, (Exod. xii. 43) but it is wor
thy of remark, that when the head of (he
family became a Proselyte, alj bis males
were circumcised as well as himeelf, and
that the Proselyte was admitted to the very
same privileges and bound to perform the
same duties as the native Israelite. The
Jewish writers inform us, however, that
many ceremonies were used at their admis
sion, as
1. The candidate was examined by three
of their Rulers, relative to his motives in
changing his religion ; particularly wheth
er he was influenced by the love of any
Jewish woman—by fear of any temporal
punishment, or by tlie hope of any tempo
ral reward. 2. When these questions were
satisfactorily answered, the candidate was
instructed in the principles of the Jewish
religion. 3. He then made a solemn pro
fession of his belief in those doctrines which
had been proposed to him, and promised to
persevere in them till death. 4 The
proselyte was thenirenmcised. 5. After
this, he was baptized in a river or stream,
by immersing the whole body. His whole
family, females as well as males, were made
the subjects of this ceremony. This was re
quired to be done in the presence of three
respectable witnesses. At Ibis time he was
again asked whether he did not embrace
the Jewish religion on some worldly ac
count —whether he was resolved to keep
tbe commandments of God? He was then
told that probably he might have to under
go persecution on account of this new pro
fession which he had made. 6. The last
ceremony was sacrifice, which commonly
consisted of two turtle doves anu two young
pigeons. When he bad finished all these
initiatory rites, he was considered ns anew
man, a now born infant—had anew name
given him, and no longer acknowledged his
former relations—he was now in all res
pects a Jew, and all were bound to treat
him with kindness. None were permitted
to reproach him with idolatry and wicked
ness ; but still it is certain that Proselytes
were admitted to no office, and were often
treated with contempt.
MISSIONARY.
PALESTINE MISSION.
The London Jewish Expositor for March,
contains the following extracts from a let
ter of the Rev. W. B. Lewis, Missionary
in Palestine, dated Beyrout, November,
Ist, 1823.
“ Since my arrival in this quarter of the
world my time has passed on with many
anxieties of mind; but, I have endeavoured
to occupy myself for the most part iu the
quiet study of the language ; aDd iu feeling
a footing amongst the people. I was up
wards of two months in Saide, and since Mr.
Way’s departure for Europe, I have chief
ly resided at ADloura. lam now abont to
proceed to Damascus, and to labour a little
amongst (he Jews: Mr. Wolf is already ar
rived there. We thence, perhaps, shall ad
vance towards Jerusalem, and lake the road
by 1 iberias and Saphet, Bzc. If we are at
Jerusalem about next May, it is likely e
shall again meet Mr. Jowett with Mr. Fi>£
They left this place on Tuesday last, pur
posing logo by Sidon,Tyre, Acre, &c. Mr.
King stays in Beyrout for the present.
I find I have but little time to tell vou of
the sad news which has arrived from Da
mascus about the Jews. Suffice it to say,
the man who held in that Pachalick Ihe
high office of prime minister, as well as the
high-priest, and upwards of twenty of (he
principal Jews (some say double the num
ber) have been thrown into prison, and it is
required of them, by order of the grand sul
tan to pay Ihe enormous sum of 40.000
purses or to die. An apostate is made
prime minister.
(l ‘^ r ; Wolf wrote to me this day week
upon his arrival at Damascus as follows:
1 The Turks began to shout when this
news arrived there, and they said, smiling,
Grace to the Lord; a corse over Raphael
Farkhi, their Hakam; a curse over all the
Jews, their fathers, mothers, grandfathers,
and grandmothers, their children and their
children’s children.’ He writes further, ‘I
went this afternoon ioto the Jewish street,
I thought at least to find the nephew of the
high-priest Rabbi Abulafia, but even he was
put in prison. It was an awful sight, to
see weeping women, crying children, old
men trembling aDd praying, iu short, I
felt what it is to see a whole congregation
in mourning, and io a silent mourning and
sorrow. Ibe men did not dare to express
the sorrow of their hearts, lest it might cost
them their beads, but still it was greatly
and visibly manifested. They told me the
number of respectable Jews put in prison
amounted to twenty four. I shall go to
morrow (Deo Vo.'ente) info the Jewish
street, and distribute the word of God, and
write upon the title page the words of the
prophet, ‘ Comfort ye, comfort ye my peo
ple.’ The consternation excited among
the Jews of Damascus will spread over all
the Jena in Palestine, for Farkhi was thejr