American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-11-19
From the National Itelhgencer.
AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY.
q
address Of The Board Of .Lanagers.

Il AMEhiCAN SOLONlZAllON SOIlEl 1
! address Of the Board Of Managers.
The period has at length arrived, when we fe
il our duty to call upon friends for their unite
aid and exertons. We have now reasonable p.o
pect Of accomplishing the great object for whic
the society was formed. The public have bee
made acquainted with the difficulties with which
has pleased Providence to try our faith, our cor
stancy, and our ZEAL They have been informed
by the last report, that territory had been purchi
sed, under the direction Of Lieut.. Stockton and d
.lyeS on The l5th December last. This terri,or
is situated at Montserado, at the mouth Of Monss
RADIO river. Further accounts and fuller Observable
confirm all the representations formerly made of tn
health, fertility, commercial and agricultural i'm
portance af this place. II is situated in about dt
grees Is minutes Of north latitude, and about %
miles southeast Of Sierra LeoAe.
Our people who were at Fourahbay, in the cole
lny of Sierra Leone, have been removed TO their ne
settlement, Dr.. Ayres, and Mr.. Wiltberger, lie
them on the 4th June, when houses had been pre-
pared for them. They amounted, at that time,
about 30. A vessel was then on the way to ioi
| them, with So new settlers, and Is captured Afr
cans, with a good supply of provisions and store.
As the rains will cease in October, and the seaso
then commence for active operations it is ofimpor
lance that such reinforcements as will be necessar
TO place the settlement on respectable footing, a
10 strength, society, and resources should De for
wardcd without delay 1t is for this purpose we no,
icall upon the public for aid.
TO this period we have always looked, not with
oct anxiety as TO the result, but with conhden
expectation that we might rely upon the berality
benevoence, and Christian zeal of our fellow cti
zens, to supply the necessary funds for laying tn,
foundation of a settlement, which will make Afric;
rejoice, and which America shall not be ashamed /,
own as her work. Great as have been our Difficult
ties, our dscouragements, and our trials, we view
in them all the hand Of kind Providence, who hal
sent them, as we believe, for wise purposes, and ha
not failed to support US under them.
We necessarily commenced our operations unde
much ignorance of the country and people of Afr
ca. BY the delay which has taken place. we hav,
procured such information as we hope, has enabled
US to selec. our situation with greater advantage
and to direct our future operations with greater
ski and judgment, and to give TO some of the pco
pie OF Africa knowledge Of our objects, and a con.
hdence in our agents and country.
We are happy to learn, that many OF the mos
powerful and intelligent OF the kings along the coas
have become convinced, that the sIaye-trade mus
soon ceases and they have been led to look, with nc
small anxiety, for the sources of their future sup
Plies; and they now see in our new settlement that
resource, The object Of their solicitude. Their in.
favor; and the activity and enterprise of our cruisers
have brought them to dread the power, and to re-
spect the name, Of our country. We are now seen
and known through another medium, than that OF
slave traders, and we are enabled TO place the
safety OF our people, and the success of our settle
ment on two OF the strongest passions Of man; fear
and interest.
At grand palaver called By DR.. Ayres in April
last, at which there II kings, and upwards OF
so half kings, or head men, there were but two op.
posed to the settlement of our people at Wontsera-
do; and all but me offered Dir Ayres land, within
their own jurisdictions.
As to the disposition of the colored people in this
country to avail themselves of an opportunity to Join
the colony, we.can confidently state that many hun
dreds are not only willing but anxious to go, and
that applications for this purpose are almost daily
made to the board. At the same time, it is proper
TO state that no persons, of any description, ought
10 attempt TO settle in the colony without the per-
mission OF the board and that they will not be re-
ceiyed without such permission.
We request the Auxiliary Societies to exert
themselves In making collections; and we hope that,
where there are no auxiliary societies, individuals
friendly to the cause will do something among their
friends and neighbors. If this is done extensively.
even small contributions, which will hardly be felt,
will, from their number, enable us 10 send out a
powerful reinforcement. We hope no friend to the
cause will omit giving something This is an i'm
Portant crisis in our affairs. We, therefore, hope
none will be lukewarm or Indifferent
In short time, we expect the settlers will be
able to support themselves, and to aid other emf
grants Now is the time to encourage them, and
lay foundation for future strength. Many thous-
ands Will be enabled, IN few years, TO find their
way to the settlement, when it is once firmly esta-
olshed, and employment and assistance can be rea-
Oily furnished them on their arrival. Let US, then,
be up and doing. The cause great, the object i'm
portpnt, and the occasion urgent.