The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-12-05

The CotoniSation Society.
It's some time since we have heard
any thing from the adventures from
this country, who, under the auspices
of the American Colonization Society,
have attempted to form colony of free
people of colour onthe coast of Africa.
Some months since, very flattering
account was, published in a southern
paper, said to be furnished by one of
the agents who had then recently re-
turned from that quarter of the globe,
mentioning that they had abandoned the
idea of settli-y at Sherbro', the spot at
first contemplated as suitable for set
Element, and had purchased large tract
of land at place called Bassa, where
the quality of the soil was better, and
the climate more fayourable-and SAN
guine expectations appeared to be en-
tertained that the colonial affairs would
soon become more promising. and pros
porous.
We have always been, among those
who had no confidence in. this expert
ment. However plausibly it might
look on paper, and in, annual reports,
there always appeared, in our view,
insurmountable difficulties in the way
of the Society, which human skill
could not remove, nor human effort
overcome. In the first place, the very
elements OF the project were incongru-
Gus, and,not reducible, by any process
that we could imagine, to such de-
gree of cordiality, as to enable. those
who were confederated to cooperate
with any great prospect of unanimity or
success. In the second place, we could
see no means by which the colony could
be governed, supported, or protected
against external danger or internal dis
sensions and discord. In the third place,
we were satisfied-that the views of the
members Of the Society, in. the two
great divisions of the Union,. were not
only utterly unlike, but Numerically
opposite to each other, and therefore
we did not expect any very important,
consequences to the cause OF Justice,
humanity, or freedom, from. such dis
Cordant effort.
Whether our views and apprehen-
sions on the general subject were mis-
taken and groundless, time will eventu-
ally show. Thus far we have not.found'
any good ground TO change them, or
adopt others. But as we.are approach
ing the season of The year when the
Society hold their annual, meeting, and
furnish the publick with an account of
the past years proceedings, we. take
the liberty OF stating what we have
heard irom,a source on which we con-
fdently rely, regarding: the proceedings
of their agents on the. African coast
A gentleman of respecta6ility, who was
the last year upon the coast, in the ma
val service of the United States, has
Informed US, that IN the treaty entered
into BY the agent Of the Society, 7oitR tie
natspe Chiefs, for tte purchase Of The
tr0enty miles sqaare tract Of land at Bos-
su, for The use Of tie colonists, there as an
express stipulation, that the -coIoaists shall
NOT By note, signal, or-othervise, commls-
zicate TO .4mericaa Uessels. on the coast,
any information 1'ita regard to- the sIeue
trade, or.0esses engaged therein.
The gentleman informed US that be
had read the treaty, and that copy of
it had been forwarded, considerable
time previously to our conversation, to
the Secretary of the Colonization Soci-
ETY., and he presumed was in his pes
session.
Now, taking this statement to be COR
rect, andiwe have implicit confidence
in it, we should think that portion of
the Colonization, Society who are OPP
posed to Slavery, and friendly to free
dom, would pause and'refect seriously
on the preseht.state of their business
Such provision as that just mentioned
would affect the character of the Soci-
ETY. most deeply, if they suffered, tie
colony to proceed under it. Instead of
operating as check to that iniquitous
and disbelical traffick, the Society viii.
be considered as thinking at least at its
prosecution.
But this is not ALL Let the colony
once be established undersuch an agree
ment, and in very short time they
will become slaye-trading establish
ment. The step from such a negatiye
predicameni to one-of more positive
character viii be short-and we enter
tam not doubt, that many Of the per-