Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-07-03
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

The Board of Managers of the Anne
.rican Colonization Society beg leave to
lay before you the following letter, from
their agent, the Rev. Mr.. MEAD, rela-
tive to most interesting subject, to
which they some time since solicited the
public attention. They return their
warmest thanks to those from whose be-
neyolcnce they have received contribu-
tons; and they hope that, although a
considerable sum is still necessary for
the attainment of their object, their APP
peal to the humanity of their fellow citi-
zens, will be effectual.
C-,e Contributors will please to send their
names and sums to DAVID ENGLIsHs Esq Trea-
Surer.
NHlledgepiNe, May 4th, 1919.
My Dear Sir: This day, which was
to have been the day of bondage and
sorrow to the poor Africans, on whose
account | was sent to this place, has
been turned into day of liberty and Joy
to them. At least, / confidently hope
that the arrangements we have made
will evcntuate thus happily, and that,
before the year is ended, they will see
their native land and all which they love
most on earth. The governor has post
poned the sale, and afforded me an OPP
portunity of seeking, among the humane
and generous of this southern country,
the means Of their redemption. enter
upon this task tomorrow, by convening
the citizens of this place to form an aux
Hilary society. An attempt has been
make to recover these poor creatures
into the hands of certain individuals who
were concerned either in their first cap
ture, or in their purchase and introduce
ton into this state-but there is, hope,
nothing to fear from this combination of
avarice and oppression against the claims
of Justice and humanity. arrived here
on Saturday evening, and on Sunday
morning walked out to their little en-
campment in the vicinity of the town, to
see them. AS l approached their habi-
tation found them gathered around a
good old man, into whose care they had
been given, and who was telling them
that some good people had sent me to
prevent their sale, and carry them back
to Africa. wish you could have been
with me to have Witnessed their Joy;
they crowded around me, and by turns
took hold of my hands, and in broken
English expressed their gratitude. They
at first Gas the old man told me) would
scarcely believe it; they hadnever heard
of any such thing before, and it is no
wonder they should doubt it. Even the
next day one of them said to him,
" white people never send negroes back
to Africa;I never see my children al
gain The old man, who had gained
their confidence, asked them if he ever
told them lie, and this seemed to en-
courage their faith. A very strong at
tachment has grown up between them
and him, and have seen them shed
tears while speaking to them about
leaving him. He asked one, who seem
ed more overjoyed than the rest at the
thought of going, +" if he wanted to leave
old Daniel, (for that is his name,) who
had taken such good care of him, and
given him so much good messes :"
The poor fellow hung his head as ifcon-
victed of ingratitude, and then said, I" he
did not want to leave him, but wanted
home better;' and promised that i" if
he would go to Africa he would serve
him two, three years, and give him too
much good things Indeed, my dear
friend, few moments were sufficient to
satisfy me that they were the children of
the same God with ourselves, having
the same affections, and capable of the
same enjoyments. On their counte-
nance could see written these memora-
BILE words: 6 Am not man and a
brother!" Some ofthcm so strikingly re-
semble some of our American negroes,
that could have sworn that had seen
p.hem before, had l met them in any
n tther place, or under different circum-
tances. Some of them have very scnsi-
lie and amiable countenances, while
khers are vacant and unmeanihg. They
n Lere captured in two parcels from An
Eblah and Fowlah, and brought together