COLONY OF LIBERIA.

THE following is the substance of an Address made at a Colonization meeting held in Hartford in September, 1841, by Doctor BROWN, a colored colonist from Liberia, who has resided there seven years.

"He had hoped that the multitude of reports from gentlemen of all professions who had visited their Colony-Officers of the Navy-Missionaries-Commanders of vessels, and the reports too, of the regularly constituted colonial authorities, would have spared him the necessity of thus publicly exposing his ignorance. He did not expect to satisfy every one, but it was for the purpose of putting the matter at rest in some points that he appeared in this occasion. The Colonization Society had its origin in the spirit of benevolence and philanthropy of a few honored individuals, whose desire it was to benefit a hitherto degraded race, and in spite of all gainsaying, it will, it must succeed. He did not believe the good men engaged in the cause in this country were actuated by any other than benevolent motives, for the wise and good of all sects and from all portions of the country were engaged in the glorious work of elevating the condition of the African race, (and as proof of the fact he referred his audience to Ashmun's life of Bacon and Gurley's life of Ashmun.] The great question appeared to be, are we contented and happy, as colonists? We reply we are both contented and happy. The soil is rich and very productive, and the climate as good as that of the Southern States in this country. Some imagine "it is sure death" to land upon that soil. Now, said he, I find men as healthy and robust with us as with you, and the children are as healthy as they are in this town, and we moreover believe that Liberia, more than all other parts of the known world, affords the best opportunity for the colored man to enjoy the blessing of freedom and independence. It is the only spot on the face of the earth, where the colored man is a citizen; all others are aliens. The motive that induces the colored man to become a citizen of Africa is high and ennobling, and should "warm his very soul;" it is no less than that of bestowing upon poor degraded and benighted Africa the lights of civilization and Christianity, for of that degradation the half had not been told us. We have been told that we would not succeed and therefore emigration has by some in this country, been strongly opposed. But we shall succeed, whether emigration continue or not; the seeds of civilization have taken too deep root, to be easily eradicated, and to save ourselves from elapsing into barbarism, and to protect ourselves from the savage bands by which we are surrounded, we must go on. He had been led to think in view of all the opposition that had been raised to their progress, that "all the world was against us." They had to contend with the opposition 'of friends at home, as well as with the savage tribes. They had also to contend with the opposition of the British, who beheld their little Colony with looks of disapprobation, and were not slow in inflicting injuries upon them which they were illy prepared to resent. Their vessels are frequently upon our little boats, and they frequently land and destroy our palm oil. In addition to all this, our house is divided against itself. Our colored brethren in this country are " up in arms" against us. They too have been operated upon, and made to believe that ours is a country of exiles. And if a man comes home from Liberia he must come ragged, and tearful, and pouring his dissatisfaction upon all around; and if he does, he tells the truth, and they immediately fall upon his neck and bring the best robe and put it upon him.

Twenty years ago, the first colonists landed upon Cape Messurado, and after contending manfully with the savage natives, they succeeded in planting a Colony. They then unfurled the gospel banner, and now from

twenty churches goes up the incense of praise to the living God; and shall we leave the work? Ask ELIJAH JOHNSON, the man who sat with his musket in one hand, and his child in the other, while he dispensed the Word of Life to the colonists, if he would leave it. No! We should indeed be worthy the imputation that we were incapable of improvement and moral elevation. And if we cannot live there after being so long in that country, we can't live here; it would not agree with our notions of republicanism. Neither can we live in Great Britain. No! here have we raised our Ebenezer, and here must we remain to shed a light though feeble it may be, upon our benighted brethren around us.

The Colony at Liberia was established ten years before a missionary was sent out, and then some would perform six days hard work, and perhaps be the best joiner in raising the house of worship, and preach on Sunday "without money and without price." They had discouragements and disappointments to contend with in the outset, and what new Colony has not?

He had heard new doctrines advanced since he had been in this country. Africa must have missionaries, but they must not go near the colonies. Why? He knew of no other reason than the prejudice against the Colonization Society. Their missionaries, say they, must go into the interior. Well, go. He did not wish to dictate; but, said he, you know nothing of the African character, and I doubt the expediency of sending missionaries immediately into the interior. In the first place, you cannot out-talk them. [Here the speaker illustrated his position in a most amusing manner, by giving specimens of their logic.]

Secondly. The Colonial jurisdiction, which is a protection within its bounds, is inoperative beyond. And,

Thirdly. The missionary will turn trader in spite of himself. For he goes among the natives with the avowed object of benefiting them. This must be done as they understand it. They care nothing for books, and if the missionary who comes to benefit them cannot give them something in exchange for their rice, camwood and ivory, they "no sabe" how he benefits them, unless he can gratifiy their wants. The natives, said he, are in the habit of sending their boys 30 and 40 miles, to a settlement to find employment, after the business of rice planting is over, so many have seven or eight supernumerary hands, at one time. And the parent will take no denial. He reasons thus-you say you come here to do us good-what way? you going to send the boy back into the bush to do him good. No, you must take him.

I have been out, said he, to see the Mendians, and it is astonishing to me, after all the travels in Africa that have been published, and all the charts in your possession, and a the captains of vessels in the ports of the U. States who have visited the coast of Africa, that people should be so troubled to know were they came from. I conversed with some of them and found that I knew many persons with whom they were acquainted. Now there is sometalk of sending acolored missionary out with these Mendians when they return. This I should not think advisable these persons have been taught by experience to respect the white teachers-they know their superiority and would not be likely to respect their colored teacher as much. These colored teachers after becoming acquainted with the African character, may be of benefit to the natives. They call all foreigners who came among them "white men, however black they may be. By this term they mean civilized. The influence exerted by the colonies upon the natives around them has been in the highest degree beneficial. From them the light of civilization is spreading to numerous tribes of the anterior, and we have now among us many recaptured Africans, two of whom are preachers of the Gospel, and one a justice of the peace, whe write a very good hand.

There are in the Manual Labor School winety-six native scholars. Wherever a Colony is established, or a district of country is purchased by us, we insist upon it that the slave-trade shall be given up; and instead of it we offer the natives the advantages of commerce as a substitute. We invariably, by this means, break up the traffic in human flesh. The missionary cannot do it for the reasons before stated. The natives have wants that must be gratified; they come ragged to the missionary, and say to him, pointing to their tattered garments, " My clothes broke-must have new ones: come, you buy my rice, my camwood, my ivory. No? You come to do us good! What way?" Thus you see the missionary, unless he turns trader, cannotexert an influence to break up the traffic in slaves. We can do it. Here the speaker alluded to the high encomium bestowed on the Colonization plan in a speech of Mr. BUXTON at the World's Convention, in which he remarked that the only way to break up the slavetrade was to establish colonies on the coast of Africa. Nothing but pride, in his opinion, deterred all from uniting to forward the interests of the Colonization cause. They must eventually resort to it. But then to this society alone belonged to the honor of being pioneers in this glorious cause. The nation that claims the pre-eminence in deeds of philanthropy and benevolence, has been obliged to adopt our plan. Here the speaker contrasted Sierra Leone with the American colonies on the coast, and showed wherein they differed.

He then gave opportunity for any person desirous of questioning him, to do so.

Ques. How many colonies have you visited, and how many discontented persons have you knowr.

Ans. I have visited all the colonies, and know of but five discontented persons. Two of the five are now in this country, and the last time I saw them were solicitous for a passage back.

Ques. How will the colonists compare in morals with other communities?

Ans. I challange comparison with any people on the face of the globe in respect to morality. I have heard a great deal about our intemperance. Now in the course of about seven years in which I have resided there, I have attended all their public celebration dinners, and I have never yet seen a decanter of spirits on the table; and the temperance and Sabbath School and other benevolent operations of the day are as much thought of with us as with you. With regard to profanity, our laws are very strict. I heard a man swearing a few days since, and said to him. is well for you that you are not in the streets of Monrovia swearing after that fashion; we would make you pay $2,50 for every oath you swore." And I know of but one man who is a drunkard, and two who are profane swearers in Monrovia, out of a population of 500.

Ques. What is the amount of Commerce ?

"It

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Ans. I saw a letter from Governor BUCHANAN a few days since that stated the amount of exports from Bassa Cove and Cape Mount to be $25,000 in three months and this is susceptible of being increased to any amount. The earth produces cotton spontaneously of three different coHors, besides sugar, rice, camwood, &c.

Ques. How many miles of sea coast is free from the slave trade ? Ans. At least 700 miles with one exception. Gallinas we always sup

posed to be under the jurisdiction of the English. Here I have understood a slave factory has been opened. We colonists are doing all we can, but we cannot work miracles. And if the English cruisers with the whole British Government to back them cannot succeed in breaking the trade how can we be expected to do it immediately. There is no traffic in slaves under our jurisdiction, and should any one be detected in it, he would be fined $1000 and be sentenced to one year's labor in chains.

I would enquire, said one, whether there are any dealers in ardent spirits in this place where they are so very temperate ?

Ans. Yes, there is one. Government has placed a duty of 25 cents per gallon on liquors, and the charge for a license to retail is very high. But I have never seen so much drinking in Monrovia in a month, as I have seen in one of your hotels here in one day.

NEW JERSEY COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

THE Annual meeting of the Colonization Society of New Jersey was held in Trenton on the 11th of November. The meeting was considered one of interest and importance to the cause in that state.

The Hon. SAMUEL L. SOUTHARD was unanimously elected President, and M. W. DAY, of Newark, Treasurer, in the place of AARON BEACH deceased. The Hon. Messrs. JACOB W. MILLER and W. HALSTEAD, were appointed Directors of the American Colonization Society for the ensuing year.

We regret to learn that Judge HALSEY feels obliged to relinquish the active duties of agent of the above Society at the close of the present year. He has been a tried friend of the cause, and has rendered it important services, and should he retire he will still have the satisfaction of seeing the seed which he has sown spring up and yield a rich and ripened harvest. New Jersey is one of the best States for the support of Colonization. Our friends there are firm-they are liberal-and the number of them is gradually increasing.

Extracts from an address by JACOB BURNET, Esq., President of the Hami! ton county Colonization Society, read at a meeting of the Society in Cincinnati, on Tuesday the 9th of Nov., 1841.

As far as human intellect can penetrate futurity, or draw conclusions from the past, to ascertain that which is to come, not a ray of light can be discovered, indicative of any change that carr improve the social and political condition of our colored population. They are separated from us by feelings which are so strong and so deeply rooted, that they cannot be overcome. Experience proves the truth of this position. With here and there an exception, the great mass of the white population manifest the same repulsive feeling and the same sense of superiority, which have characterized former generations. What encouragement is there, then, to hope for a change? Such a change may be expected, when the leopard changes his spots and the Ethiopian his skin, but not before. What then must be done? Is there no hope-no relief for these disconsolate people? Are they to live and die in despair, bequeathing that, and that only, as an inher-itance to their offspring? I answer honestly and sincerely, that if they persist in remaining here, my ingenuity cannot discover or devised a remedy.. 1842.]

ADDRESS OF JACOB BURNETT.

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The repellancies which have thrown them on the back ground, have not and will not relax. The cause which has brought about their present condition I fear will never cease to operate; and so long as it exists, it must produce its legitimate effects.

Reason, confirmed by experience, conducts to the conclusion that two races of men, so palpably distinguished not only in personal appearance, but in habits, manners and cast, cannot affiliate, or become a united, harmonious people. An equality of rights cannot exist between them. The strong party will not concede it, nor can the weak party extort it. Every effort of that character must fail and every failure will but aggravate the evil. The visible distinction produced by natural causes, which have operated for thousands of years, must continue and perpetuate the separation existing between the races.

Certainly, no philanthropist can desire to continue the privations to which the man of color is subjected, and yet every person who exerts an influence to retain him in this country is practically doing so, and is prolonging his degradation and misery. The proposition is self-evident. No course of reasoning can prove it more clearly than the simplest words in which it can be stated that that unfortunate race of men while they continue here, never can elevate themselves above their present grade: and while occupying that grade, never can enjoy the blessings of real freedom.

They are not only deprived of all the political rights of freemen, butare subjected to the mortifying reflection, that they are esteemed and treated, as an inferior race. On the supposition, that this state of things cannot be changed, can he be a philanthropist, a friend to the colored race, who advises them to continue in this country, and live upon hope never to be realized ? Such philanthropy was not taught in the schools with which I have been familiar

The question, then recurs, can these unfortunate people remain where they are with the most distinct hope of bettering their prospects? If not, then another question presents itself, what can they do to improve their condition? Surely, their case is not hopeless. Providence cannot have designed to keep them always, in their present degraded state. No, on the contrary. it has provided for them an asylum-a city of refuge-and a multitude of real philanthropists stand ready to aid them in seeking its protection.

The Colony of Liberia in their fatherland, one of the most fertile regions of the earth, has been planted for them and their children. The difficulties and privations to which they are now subjected, were foreseen many years ago by FINLEY MILLS, ASHMUN, CALDWELL, and others, most of whom have been gathered to their fathers. Those men, as if by inspiration, conceived the noble plan of preparing for the unfortunate African found in this country, a safe refuge in the land of his fathers. That plan has been executed by great effort, and with unparalleled success. Aided by the liberal contributions of thousands who feel for the wrongs of Africa, it has resulted in the establishment of a free, independent, republican government, conducted and managed exclusively by people of color. Travelers, who have visited Liberia, concur in representing it as one of the most flourishing and promising colonies that has ever been formed. Many of them speak in raptures of the industry, order, and sobriety of the inhabitants. They describe the great fertility of the soil, and the ease of procuring not only a comfortable living, but of accumulating wealth. The towns in the Colony are well constructed. The farms are well improved, and churches and schools are provided in every settlement. The soil is unusually luxuriant-its products are countless in variety-many of them