Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-04-19

blood oil the slave. There are at present
in the town no more than about thirty
houses; but preparations are now ac-
lively making to augment the number
and strength of the colony. DIR. Ayres
will sail for Baltimore in about two
months, with an accession of seventy
or eighty new settlers, who are all tree
| persons of color. He has as many en-
gagged as the vessel will accommodate,
and numerous applications have been
refused. Persons of color in and about
Philadelphia contemplate fitting out ano-
Their ship expressly for. the purpose OF
transporting those, who may wish to
join the colony and settle in the land of
their fathers. The whole expense of
forming this settlement is betrayed by
the voluntary contributions of wealthy
blacks, and philanthropic individuals
who are the friends of this unfortunate
race. 1t is supposed that funds will be
supplied from these sources, sufficient
for all the purposes for which they will
be needed
Several important consequences are
anticipated from this colony. In the
first place, it will have a salutary effec,
in checking the horrors of the Slave
Trade, by affording protection to the in
habitants OF this part of Africa, against
factors and bushmen. Secondly, it will
produce an amelioration ofthe condition
of the natives, by introducing among
them agriculture and the arts, and at
tracing their attention to these peace
full pursuits. Thirdly, it will secure
free refuge for free blacks from this
country, who are annually becoming
more and more numerous, and who have
not the means of gaining livelihood.
This consideration is Of great importance
as we'll to the United States as to people
of color themselves. The black popu-
lation is fast gaining upon the white, and
it is yet problem what shall be done
with the surplus, or what will be the
event if it be not removed from our
country.
DR.. Ayres thinks there are radical de-
fects in the governments and management,
of the settlement of blacks at Sierra
Leone. The colonial policy of England
Of rendering her tributaries subservient
TO her commercial interests, is too rigid
ly enforced. She has always endeavor
ed to keep her colonies weak and entire
ly dependent on the mother country for
protection and support; in short, we act
the part of the severe step mother to-
wards her children. This system has
been adopted and enforced in the govern
ment of Sierra Leone. No pains have.
been taken to diffuse intelligence among
the Deighboring tribes, to promote a
spirit OF enterprise. or to encourage the
introduction of the arts and agricultural
pursuits. As an evidence of this, it is
stated that the use of the plough is en-
tirely unknown in the colony, and the
soil is cultivated entirely by manual la
Dor. AT first thought this would seem
to be blind policy; but it is found that
the commerce of England derives more
benefit from lucrative trade in the com
modities Of Africa, than it could from
the agricultural products of the country,
if ever so well cultivated. A different
course will be pursued in the American
colony, and il will be the objects of its
superintendent to disseminate and ex-
terd the spirit, freedom, and enterprise
Of our own institutions.