American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-09-30
FOR THE WATcHMAN.
A VOICE FROM AFRICA.


witty Of many in giving aid and support to the efforts
OF the American Colonization Society permit me-,
through the columns OF your paper, to lay before
the public brief sketch Of the colony of Sierra
Leone.
Colonization in Africa, with reference to civiliza-
ton, appears to have been contemplated in England
as early as 1775 or 1780.--Dr. ii. Smeathman,
who had passed several years in Africa, in his let
tiers to DR.. Knowles, in 1888, projected definite
plan. The first removal to Sierra Leone was in
1887. The cooured people who had taken refuge
in Nova Scotia, during part Of the revolutionary
war, were removed TO it in l79l and the M aroons
from Jamaica, it is believed in 1905.
The colony is situated on the South bank of the
river Sierra Leone, in latitude degrees, 80 minutes
North. The original purchase ten miles
square,
Free IolCa is the principal town 10 the colony: il
stands on ST. Georges Bay, six miles from Cape
Sierra Leone--rhere are FIVE villages between two
and seven miles distant, in different directions from
Free Town.
The colony in its infancy struggled with the most
alarming difficulties, chiefly growing out il is belle
ved of the continuance of the slave trade, then I'm
der the sanction of almost all christian nalions-the
war between England and France was another source
CT difficulty and great calamity-ln 1894 il the
writer mistakes not the French landed at Sierra
Leone and destroyed the town and dispersed the
ceived among the natiVes.-The Government oil
France is proper to state dsau0bCed this fragrant
act OF its officers. Though thus afflicted and redu
ced the colony did not utterly die.-It still cont.
nued 10 struggle with all its difficulties till 1907 when
the sun of's future prosperity was seen gradually
rising afar off-The long dark night of disappoint-
ment and disaster retired by little and lttle until
1908, when its every vestige fed away, it is hoped
forever.-From that period to the present il has
Increased in strength, Intelligence and usefulness
to such degree, that its warmes friends might
almost Imagine the whole to be the effect OF mrac-
le.-Since 1908, the period OF the abolition OF the
slave trade it has been the asylum Of thousands Of
recaptured Africans rescued from the holds Of slave
Ships "who have been trained to industry, instruct
ed in The useful arts, * taught the doctrines & duties
Of true religion--I In 1911 the population was about
2000.-In 1922 ii was about $4,000. "There are at
the colony about so Europeans, officers teachers,
merchants, and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. than tlco ttolt-
sand children en- Joy the benefits of daily instruction
! ne christian institution on Leicester mounai.,
stands monument Of love, GROWING the hill with
heauty--Here two hundred children once destined
TO slavery are supported by Individual beneficence
the light OF truth and virtue shines brightly around
them-whlle they are thus preparing to perform
the duties Of lite, they the fecities of eedom
and knowledge and rejoice in the worship and ia
YOUR OF God" They in their turn will spread the
benefits they have received, until all the great pur.
poses oil benevolence shall be accomplished and the
tdings of liberty, peace and good will greet every
ear.
And will not every christian re oice at those It'd
lngs! Will not every American heart bound with
Joy at this unequivoca proof of the practicability
forming an asylum in Africa, the land of their
fathers for the oppressed people of colour in this
country! But we are told by some it is impossible
ever 10 get them all away, and therefore we cannot
aid IN sending any away. 1t is true there are now
more than million Of that miserable people in the
United States, (h0ne Of them perfectly free, vel
many OF them emancipated,) who covered with
the pail OF Ignorance, impervious to the mingled
gores OF intelligence, hope and religion, and car
1eref IN htS country enjoy the " nalienabIe right,
Of man." though they should all be emancipated tc
morrow yet as we cannot see hoi0 they all to b,
transported IN te1o gears, think it needless Il
adm giving liberty to any portion Of them.
We value little that philanthropy which refuse
10 reeve distressed neighbour because it canno
terminate the miserles Of the world. But we ad
miie much that bensyolence, which while it shed
down comfort and bengnity upon all within the lin
Us Of is operation longs 10 extend It's power over
wider field and to send its holy and salutary infla
ence throughout all the habations Of mankind"
"lhe American Colonization Society would clad
~ transfer all tile coored people OF our country Il
the land OF their ancestors, instruct them there il
the useful arts bestow them free * ndepen
dent government, afford them the means of knowl
edge and the immortal virtues and hopes of our re
ligion would terminate forever that Internal trad
which has so long destroyed the peace, burnt III
villages, and slain without mercy, or doomed /
saljerings less tOtera6le ttGn death, the childre
of Africa. 1t would emancipste the population c
the African continent from the power OF tlar
and relentless superstition, and communicate
them the light, peace and freedom of Christianity
"But the managers of his Society will not aeglec
to do what they can, because they cannot accom-
plish in few passing years all that they de.ir,
They might well be termed enthusiasts did they ey
pect that few years would bring them to thos