Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-06-05
COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

american colonization society to the
hu6Hc.
The period has arrived when the Ame-
rican colonization society is called to in
creased activity and extended operations.
The attention of the society has hitherto
been principally engaged in collecting
and diffusing Information. The infor-
nation thus collected is sufficient to sa-
tisfy every candid and iudicious inquirer,
that the establishment Of colony on the
west coast OF Africa is safe and practi-
cable, and that it will be Of great benc-
tltboth to this country and to Africa. We
believe, likewise, that there is debt OF
justice and OF moral obligation Que from
the people of this country to Africans,
and their descendants in both continents,
which can be discharged more satisfac-
torily and benefcially, to each, in this
way than in any other. The board OF
managers, therefore, some time since,
came to the resolution of commencing
the colony as soon as funds could be pro-
cured, and the necessary arrangements
made. The board have since been en-
gagged in preparatory measures for these
arrangements, brief statement of which
it is proposed to lay before the public.
In the number of circumstances which
have since occurred to strengthen their
hands and encourage their hearts, ami
mate their zeal and quicken their dill
gence, they gratefully recognize the
smiles of Providence on their humble
efforts.
1t is already known to the public, that
the managers laid before congress, at the
last session, great variety of documents,
and other valuable information relative
to the proposed colony and the slave
trade, selections from which have been
published by that body, with the second
annual report 1.-THE society. The short
ness of the session, and the mass of other
important business before congress, did
not leave time for the discussion and con-
aie.oration Vi the question OF colonization.
At the close Of the session, however, an
important law passed, entitled " An act
in addition to the acts prohibiting the
slave trade" This law was zealously
supported by the friends of the society,
and, shortly after its passage, commit
tee was appointed by the board to wait on
the president of the United States and
the heads of departments, to tender the
services of the managers in any way in
which they might be useful in carrying
it into effect. From the measures adopt
ed by the executive, it is probable, that
there will be a number of captured ne
groes to be provided for before the end
of the year; and assurances having been
given that, if the society would procure
aproper situation in Africa, the captured
negroes should be put under its care,
and be provided for at the public expense,
the course to be pursued by the board
could no longer remain doubtful. A
number of free people of color, in DIFF
ferent parts of the United States, have
already offered themselves for the colo
ny. To select those best qualified to lay
the foundation of this infant establish
ment, the managers feel is Of the utmost
importance to its future character and
prosperity. To aid in this and other i'm
portant preparatory measures, the board
has appointed the Rev. William Meade,
of Virginia, agent of the society. To
those who know Mr.. Meade, the value
of his labors and the Importance of his
pastoral services, this appointment will
be one of the highest pledges which the
managers can give to the public of the
importance of the duties in which they
are engaged, and oftheir zeal and perse-
verance in their discharge.
The managers have entered upon these
duties, and engaged in these measures,
witt, an humble dependence upon Divine
Providence, and firm reliance on the
Justice, humanity, and liherality of their
fellow citizens, that the necessary pecu-
mary aid will be afforded for the prose-
cution of their plans. For the purpose
of collecting funds, and of giving and
procuring information, agents will be
sent to the different cities in the United
States, and to such other places as will
be convenient. 1t is hoped that associ-
ations will be formed in different parts
Of the United States to aid the society.
Over so widely an extended country
much must be left to the voluntary exer-
tons of the people.
We have, however, now to make a
more pressing call for immediate relief
and aid. A few days since, the hon. w.
III. Crawford, secretary of the treasury,
ono Of the vice DreSidenfs of the society.