more doubt may exist. But the Committee are of opinion, after much reflection, that Congress ought to be requested to take under its protection the Colony already planted, to make provision for its increase by suitable appropriations of money, and by authorizing the President to make further purchases of land from the natives, as it may be wanted; to provide for its security, internal and external, by such regulations for its temporary government, as may be deemed advisable, and by authorizing the President to employ a suitable naval force on the coast, as well for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade, as for the purpose of impressing the natives with respect for the establishment; and to make provision for the purchase, from time to time, of suitable territories, on the southwestern coast of Africa, for the establishment of other similar colonies, as fast as they can be formed, with a due regard to the national resources and to the public good."

Allusions were made to the early connection which had existed between the movements of Government to suppress the slave trade and the plantation of our African Colonies; to the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1819, and the selection by ex-President Monroe of the spot purchased by the Society in Africa as the place of residence for the recaptured Africans, to whom, under that law, he was authorized to extend support and protection, for a time, in that country; and to the very great advantages derived by the Society, in its early endeavors, from the countenance and assistance of the Government, and subsequently from the visits of our armed vessels to the African coast. It was stated that the abolition of the African slave trade had, from the foundation of the Government, been deemed an object embraced within its legitimate powers; that Liberia had essentially contributed to suppress this traffic along several hundred miles of coast; and that it was entirely consistent with our past national policy, as well as demanded by all considerations of justice and humanity, for the Federal Government to extend to this Colony some encouragement and protection. At present the necessity for this was great.

The Secretary adverted to the fact, that it was through the influence of the early memorials addressed to Congress by the Society, that the slave trade had been denounced as piracy by our statute law, and that a comfortable home had been provided for those, who might be released by our cruisers from the horrors of the slave ship. He then offered to the attention of the meeting the written opinions of ex-President Madison and the late Chief Justice Marshall, in 1831, on the general subject, to show that in the view of these great and good men this scheme was no insignificant project, but of a far-roaching and sublime comprehensiveness and dignity. Mr. Madison's words were:

"Many circumstances at the present moment seem to concur in brightening the prospects of the Society, and cherishing the hope that the time will come, when the dreadful calamity which has so long afflicted our country and filled so many with despair, will be gradually removed and by means consistent with justice, peace, and the general satisfaction: thus giving to our country the full enjoyment of the blessings of liberty, and to the world the full benefit of its great example. I never considered the main difficulty of the great work as lying in the deficiency of emancipations, but in an inadequacy of asylums for such a growing mass of population, and in the great expense of removing it to its new home. The spirit of private manumission as the laws may permit and the exiles may consent, is increasing and will increase; and there are sufficient indications that the public authorities in slave-holding States are looking forward to interpositions in different forms that must have a powerful effect. With respect to the new abode for the emigrants, all agree that the choice made by the Society is rendered peculiarly appropriate by considerations which need not be repeated, and if other situations should not be found eligible receptacles for a portion of them, the prospects in Africa seem to be expanding in a highly encouraging degree.

"In contemplating the pecuniary resources needed for the removal of such a number to so great a distance, my thoughts and hopes have been long turned to the rich fund presented in the western lands of the nation, which will soon entirely cease to be under a pledge for another object. The great one in question is truly of a national character, and it is known that distinguished patriots not dwelling in slave-holding States have viewed the object in that light, and would be willing to let the national domain be a resource in effecting it.

"Should it be remarked that the States though all may be interested in relieving our country from the colored population, they are not equally so; it is but fair to recollect, that the sections most to be benefited, are those whose cessions created the fund to be disposed of.

"I am aware of the constitutional obstacle which has presented itself; but if the general will be reconciled to an application of the territorial fund to the removal of the colored population, a grant to Congress of the necessary authority could be carried, with little delay, through the forms of the Constitution."

Chief Justice Marshall said,

"It is undoubtedly of great importance to retain the countenance and protection of the General Government. Some of our cruisers stationed on the coast of Africa would, at the same time, interrupt the slave trade-a horrid traffic detested by all good men, and would protect the vessels and commerce of the Colony from pirates who infect

those seas. The power of the government to afford this aid is not, I believe, contested.

I regret that its power to grant pecuniary aid is not equally free from question. On this subject I have always thought, and still think, that the proposition made by Mr. King,* in the Senate, is the most unexceptionable and the most effective that can be devised. "The fund would probably operate as rapidly as would be desirable, when we take into view the other resources which might come in aid of it, and its application would be, perhaps, less exposed to those constitutional objections which are made in the south than the application of money drawn from the Treasury and raised by taxes. The lands are the property of the United States, and have heretofore been disposed of by the government under the idea of absolute ownership."

"The removal of our colored population is, I think, a common object, by no means confined to the slave States, although they are more immediately interested in it. The whole Union would be strengthened by it, and relieved from a danger, whose extent can scarcely be estimated. It lessens very much in my estimation, the objection in a political view to the application of this ample fund, that our lands are becoming an object for which the States are to scramble, and which threatens to sow the seeds of discord among us, instead of being what they might be a source of national wealth."

* Resolution, submitted to the Senate of the United States, by the Hon. Rufus King, of New York, February 18th, 1825.

Resolved, That as soon as the portion of the existing funded debt of the United States, for the payment of which the public land of the United States is pledged, shall have been paid off, then and thenceforth, the whole of the public land of the United States, with the nett proceeds of all future sales thereof, shall constitute or form a fund, which is hereby appropriated, and the faith of the United States is pledged, that the said fund shall be inviolably applied to aid the emancipation of such slaves, within any of the United States, and aid the removal of slaves, and the removal of such free people of color. in any of the said States, as by the laws of the States respectively, may be allowed to be emancipated, or removed to any territory or country without the limits of the United States of America.

Mr. Gurley then defended the general principles and purposes of the Society, and enforced its claims as philanthropic, in an enlarged sense, to our sympathies, exertions, to the confidence of all friends of the colored race, and of the Union. But we do not give even a sketch of the speech.

Mr. Gurley submitted the following resolutions :

Resolved, That the time has arrived when all the friends of the American Colonization Society should redouble their exertions, and increase greatly its influence and re

sources.

Resolved, That the deep, extensive and appalling miseries of Africa, arising from ignorance, barbarism, superstition and the slave trade, so destructive of her vital interests, and annually of the liberties and lives of half a million of her inhabitants, should be compassionated and relieved by the combined efforts of the whole Christian world.

Resolved, That the colonization of the free people of color of the United States, and of such as may become free, with their own consent, in Africa, promises great benefits to them and their posterity, and is fraught with blessings of incalculable value to the African race.

Resolved, That to prosecute this scheme in a manner worthy of its importance, or the character of this country, large pecuniary resources are indispensable, and while the appeal should still be made in its behalf to humanity and to the various sources of Christian charity, some degree of protection and aid should be sought for our African settlements from the State Legislatures and the General Government.

Resolved, That the suppression of the African slave trade has, from the very origin of our National Government, been regarded as an object embraced within its legitimate powers; and since the success of the Colony of Liberia has powerfully contributed and must more powerfully contribute to the suppression of this trade, and since at this moment the necessities of this infant Colony, and its exposure to severe commercial restrictions, if not to subjection or annihilation, through the interfering policy of other nations, call upon us to withhold no encouragement and support which it is possible for us to extend to it, our fellow citizens universally be earnestly invited to solicit, by licit by morials, such aid from their respective States, and such interposition and assistance from Congress, as they may judge it expedient to grant.

me

Resolved, That the several State Colonization Societies, and other auxiliary associations, be requested to take into immediate consideration the pecuniary wants of the Society, (especially arising from the importance of its being forthwith enabled to convey and settle in Africa from eighty to eighty-five slaves, of the very best character, offered for colonization by a single citizen of Louisiana,) and that the clergy of every name be invited to take up collections annually, on or about the 4th of July, for the Society.

Resolved, That a committee be now appointed to confer with gentlemen in Congress who may regard favorably the object of the American Colonization Society, and especially to make arrangements for a public meeting or convention of the friends of this Society, not only of this District, but other regions of the country, to be held in this city at such time as the committee may judge best, in order to adopt the best measures to awaken the mind of the nation to a sense of the importance of the cause, and suggest the best means of prosecuting it with energy adequate to its importance and to full and complete success.

On motion of the Hon. E. Whittlesey, the resolutions were read, and the question upon them taken separately. On the reading of the third resolution, Mr. Whittlesey, rose, and, in a brief but very impressive manner, bore testimony to the improvement, good order, intelligence, and religion which marked the character of the colonists of Liberia. He apprehended no special obstacle to the progress of the scheme would be found in the African climate; stated that the ratio of deaths had been fewer the last year than in some of our own cities; that he felt assured it was for the best interests of our colored population to occupy and subdue by their industry that vast and most productive country. He thought the time had arrived when efforts

were required to excite the benevolence of the whole nation in behalf of the Society, and when the States and General Government should be invited to extend to our African settlements some degree of favor and support. The resolutions were then unanimously adopted.

On motion of M. St. Clair Clarke, it was ordered that the proceedings of the meeting be published.

WM. HAWLEY, Chairman.

LETTER FROM LIBERIA.

THE following letter is from an active and intelligent young man of color, who recently emigrated to the Colony. He was from Hartford, Connecticut. It gives his early impressions of the country.

MONROVIA, December, 21st, 1841.

DEAR SIR: It is with pleasure I write to you from this place. I am well, and hope these few lines will find you and all the family the same.

We had a voyage of fifty-two days-we experienced calms which were the means of detaining us. On the voyage I was very sick most of the way, but since my arrival in this country my health has improved very much, and all the produce of the country is suited to my taste. I like the country very much, and I would not exchange it for America, notwithstanding we do not have some things to enjoy which you have there. This is the land for the colored man in all circumstances of life. The farmer, the merchant, the mechanic, all stand on one equal footing here.

But when I say all men, I would not encourage the idler to emigrate, for the fact is, a man cannot get a living here without working at something; nor would I encourage a man who will drink rum.

I intend to remain here if the Lord will. I choose this for my home before any other country, and I think I can do good in the Colony in three ways, if my health is spared, and I have the means. First, I can farm; next, I can teach; thirdly I can do joiner's work if I can have the tools, for which I must look to America. I wish, sir, if you please, that you would send me a chest of joiner's tools of every sort. I have one more request to make, that is, for some nails for shingles, 8 and 10's, also 20's, for framing houses and roofing. But, sir, I leave it to yourself to say whether these things can be sent; and if so, when it will be convenient to send them.

Sir, you may wish to know how you will be reimbursed for what I wish to have sent, but you will please say whether you would be willing to take Palm oil and Camwood, in return. I mention these two articles, for they are the chief currency of the coast. Please write me respecting this.

I wish to say that I am going to Edina, and from there to Bexley. I expect to commence farming as soon as I am permitted. In the rainy season, I shall try to teach, for no one can then work out of doors to any amount, therefore the time must be spent in work of improvement. Please remember me to your family. I wish they could see the beauties of this country. Please, sir, pardon my boldness.

Your humble servant,

GEORGE L. SEYMOUR.

ANSON G. PHELPS, Esq.

THE REV. ANDREW A. SHANNON.

LEGACY TO THE SOCIETY.

THE Republican Banner, printed at Madison, Indiana, contains an obituary notice of this very faithful and much respected minister of Christ, who died at Shelbyville, Ky., February 1st, 1842. Mr. Shannon was a native of Lancaster, Pa., licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Hanover, Va., in 1808, settled until 1819 in Fredericktown, Va., and subsequently resided at Shelbyville to the close of his life.

"During a considerable portion of his residence in Shelbyville, he taught either the public Seminary or a private school; and from this service he derived almost his entire support.

"As a general scholar Mr. S. was highly reputable; in some branches he greatly excelled. Beyond doubt he was among the most accurate and critical Latin scholars in the State. To the truth of this his numerous pupils can attest.

"In his mode of preaching, Mr. S. was mild and persuasive; and though his attractions might have been less than some, his repulsions were much less than others.

"During his protracted illness, (his disease was asthma, from which he suffered exceedingly,) the writer was intimately and thoroughly acquainted with the exercises of his mind. The exhibitions of his feelings, during this season, were strictly characteristic. He seemed unwilling to attract the attention of even his dearest friends and brethren to himself. What was learned, was rather by inference than from declaration. He often spoke of the foundation of his confidence, but rarely, directly of his hopes. He dwelt mostly on the sovereignty of God, as a reason for submission to his dispensations, and his ample provision for the guilty, as the basis for trust in his grace."

"It may not be improper," says the Editor of the Banner, "that we should say that Mr. S. in the disposition which he made of his estate (which was worth perhaps some six thousand dollars) evinced his attachment to those objects of benevolence which he had delighted while living to cherish and advance; the whole, after deducting some eight hundred dollars in specific legacies being devised to the following objects, to wit: $1000, to the transportation and colonization in Liberia of five negroes emancipated by him some seven years since; $100 to the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. The remainder of his estate to be divided equally between the American Colonization Society, the American Bible Society, and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions."

DEATH OF THE REV. GEO. M'ELROY.

THIS estimable minister and devoted friend to Africa, died, recently, near Natchez, Mississippi. The Elders and Deacons of his church in Winchester, Kentucky, express (in the Protestant Herald, published at Bardstown, Kentucky,) their sincere grief " for the loss of an esteemed pastor, an endeared friend, and a faithful brother, and their unfeigned sympathy for his surviving relatives and friends."

Some years since Mr. M'ELROY, accompanied a body of emigrants from Kentucky to Liberia, and subsequently labored with zeal and success to promote the cause of Colonization. He evinced a very disinterested and ardent desire to promote the interests of Africa and her children, and did much, we believe, to strengthen the attachment of his fellow citizens of Kentucky to a scheme which he had seen practically developed in Liberia. Thus our friends depart. But from the high abodes of the pure and just, we doubt not, they will look down with delight and witness the growth of civilization and the ever-blooming virtues, in a region just reclaimed from barbarism and brought within the enclosures of law, liberty and Christianity.