Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-08-21

out difficulty subscriptions were obtained,
constitution adopted, and day APP
pointed for the choice of officers and
managers While in this place, held
conversation, in the presence of seve-
raj of the citizens, with four of the free
people of color, who were recommend
ed for their intelligence, good character,
and influence. Having heardme explain
our views; having listened to some pas
sages from Mils's journal and Paul
Cuffee's letter, and asked some very SEN
sible questions--they said that this was
very different account from what they
had heard of our society; that they ex-
pected to be forced away, and to a place
not calculated to better their condition,
and moi provided with suitable protec-
ion.--They lad no idea that it was the
offspring Of piety and intended for their
real benefit. They expressed it as their
decided opinion, that, if such were our
views, and such was the country, many
of their brethren wouldgo Igave them
one of our reports, which they wished
to read, saying, that they would take pains
to give their brethren correct views Of
the whole matter. One of them observ-
ed, that he really believed this thing was
of God, and, though there might seem
many hardships about it, yet, if God I'M
dertook it, It would easily be done.
passed from thence to Charleston,
arriving there rather too soon for ia
vorable attempt in that place. Some of
the most influential citizens had not yet
returned from their country residence,
whose advice and presence it was deem
ed proper to have. Very few appeared
to have given much attention to the sub.
ject, and the friends of the measure, of
whom there were some very jealous,
thought it best that | should not attempt
a regular organization of a society at
that time, but only circulate subscription
papers among its friends, and leave it to
them to form society at a more conve-
nient period. ! deemed it proper to fol-
low their advice, especially as / had only
a few days to spend in the place. AL
though no regular society was formed,
yet were my hopes of success to our
general scheme much increased by Sc
veral circumstances which occurred du-
ring the short time of my stay in that
place. was informed, that two or three
pious negroes were mitch disposed to go
as missionaries to Africa, and wished to
see me; accordingly, a meeting was APP
pointed at the house of one OF the citi-
zens. On going, / found seven; ex-
,Io,v cd fr fIn,,, (ocicrY,c ,r,l
poets, and, before was half done, three
declared their final determination to go
over as colonists, saying that it was no
sudden thing with them, that they had
been thinking, praying, and conversing
on this subject for some time, and were
willing to go, as servants of God, to the
land of their forefathers. / was happy
to learn their characters were without
reproach, and that they enjoyed the es-
teen and confidence of both classes of
the community. Another meeting was
proposed by them, when at least twenty
of the most respectable and intelligent
of the town assembled Myself and the
gentlemen with me were equally sur
prised and delighted at the good sense,
piety, and sagacity, manifested in all
their remarks, questions, hopes, and
fears, as expressed Oh that occasion.-
They regarded it as glorious work for
their posterity, and said, they had no
doubt, fittings were properly explained,
suitable separation made in Africa,
and right measures pursued, that num-
bers would go. On the next morning,
/ was called on by an cid free man OF
color and his son-in-law, whose informa-
ton added no little confirmation to my
hopes. The son-in-law, whose name is
Holman is the son of an Englishman
who married an African woman, and
settled in South Carolina, on the Santee.
He had two sons and three daughters
the sons were sent to England to be
educated, and from thence went to Afri-
ca, lived at Rio Pagans, and were con-
cerned in the slave trade.--The one Of
whom am now speaking seems to have
Just adherence of that trade, having
relinquished it many years since; he
has frequently been in this country,
where he married, and is now here
awaiting the issue of a suit on which
considerable amount depends, and
means, as soon as it is over, to remove
to Sierra Leone, and there settle himself
as merchant. He has a correspon-
dence between himself and governor
Mccarthy as to the terms on which he
and any American negroes might settle
at Sierra Leone: he is well acquainted
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