Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-09-13
From the National intelligence.
AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

CoionlLatlon society, urged Dy the most pow
erful motives Of religion and humanity, appeal
to generous public in behalf of their design.
Six years have elapsed since the institution
of their Society; and, though want of funds
has prevented very vigorous and extensive
exertions, though sad occurrences have OBJ.
structed its operations, it has advanced, ga
thered strength in its progress, been instruct
ed by misfortune, and aided by Heaven, has
demonstrated the practicableness Of its plans,
and confirmed the hope, early entertained, that
its efforts, if well sustained, would be succeed
ed by splendid and sublime results.
Whether these efforts shall be thus sustain
ed, it remains with this enlightened communi.
ty to decide.
The territory purchased in Africa, appears
to have been judiciousy selected, and, it is
believed, combines greater number of ad.
vantages for colonial establishment than any
other situation on the Coast. Elevated, and
open to the sea, with harbor to be easily
rendered excellent; fertile and well watered;
intersected by the Monsterado River, extend
ing several hundred miles into the interior;
bordered by tribes comparatively mild in cha
racter, it promises to the settlers every facility
for the attainment of their objects.
The number now at the Colony, including
the sixty who recently took passage in the
n
dred and ninety African tribes in that
neighborhood are neither ferocious nor brave
and the recent contest in which their CON-
bined forces (amounting at one time to fifteen
hundred) attempted to exterminate our colo
ny, nobly defended by its thirty men, proves
any thing rather than the difficulty of main
tanning stand against their power
1t proves, indeed, that the natives of Africa,
like most uncivilized men, are treacherous ;
that, melted by the slave traders and the hope
OF plumber, they will not hesitate 10 murder
the defenceless, and that colony, if it survives
at all, must live not by their favor, but by its
own strength. 1t proves that our settlement
commenced at the expense of so much time,
and money, and suffering, may perish-but
only through neglect. And shall this colony
be abandoned
The board believe it impossible that their
earliest friends, who have watched all the
movements of their society with the deepest
concern implored for it the favor of God;
rejoiced to see it living amid nisfortunes, and
acquiring confidence in its march will refuse
Their aid at this crisis, when the question is,
shall all past exertions be lost, through pre-
sent inactivity or shall an immediate and pow
ertul effort render permanent the foundations
OF work, which. completed, shall prove an
honor to our country, an incalculable advan.
tage TO Africa, magnificent contribution to
the light, freedom, and happiness of the
world
That the resources and strength of the
Colony should be Immediately augmented, ap.
pears to the Board indispensable and most
earnestly do they solicit their courtrymen TO
furnish them with the means of performing it.
The Colonsts, increased to double their pre-
sent number, supplied with implements of
husbandry, and for few months) with the
means of subsistence, will it is believed, never
afterwards require pecunary aid but, per-
fectly secure from hostile violence, may en-
gage, with moral security of success in the
peaceful and profitable enployments of life.
The immediate object of the Board, then, is
to give stability TO their establishment in AZ
RIGA, and it is in behalf of that establishment
that they make their appeal.
1t is their determination, should the chart
ties of the public equal their expectations, to
send several vessels to the. African coast in the
ensuing Fall, and to adopt and execute, with
out delay, such other measures as may contri-
butte to the strength and prosperity Of the
Colony.
What mind, susceptible of benevolent feel
ing, or even ofcommon sympathy, can reflect,
without pain, upon the dangers, prvstions,
and warfare, endured for many months past
by the little band at Cape Montserado? Wide
ly separated from the civilized world sur.
rounded by barbarous foss; suffering the ur-
tried influence Ola tropical climate; destitute
of the comforts, of the necessaries of life in
the daily expectation of death no defence
but their courage, no protection but God, they
have stood with unbroken energy, and de-
serve for their conduct high Communications
and cherished regard.
The board have not heard, with nsensibility,
Of the trials Of those men, nor wanted the dis
position to relieve them. They have not pos
sessed the means. But, though retarded in
their efforts by the destitu.on of funds, they
have recently rejoced in the departure of
the brig Oswego, well supplied with arms,
and provisions, and having on
board reinforcement of more than sixty
colonists.
The board are happy to state, that since the
foregoing Address was written, communca-
tons have been received from Africa, of high.
ly interesting and encouraging character.
Health and harmony now prevails in the CO.
lony hostlities with the Natives have termi.
mated. The children who were taken cap
tive on the 1lth of November, have been vo-
UNFAIRLY restored, and the settlement is great
ly improved. The condition of the Colony,
previous to the arrival of the Cyane upon the
coast, tho rendered more toerable by the
exertons of the agent and people, assisted by
an officer and several sailors from am English
vessel, was, indeed, distressing and t., no.
Bile services Of Capt. Spence and his gene
rous crew, cannot be too highly appreciated.
This officer when informed of the sufferings
Of the Colony, immediately repaired to Sierra
Leone; fitted for sea the schooner Augusta, be-
longing to the United States and, to the great