Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-25
COLONIZATION IN IiAYTI-A meeting of

CoLoNIZATIoNIN IIAYTI-A meeting of a
number of our most respectable citizens was held
last evening the Now York institutions to take into
consideration thc propositions Of President Boyer,
relative 10 coloni2ing free blacks in the Island
OF ST. Domingo. DR.. Spring called TO the
chair, ana Hiram kctchum ESP. appointed Secreta-
ry. twas expected that the Citizen GrandveIe
would have been present to have explained more
iuy the objects Of his Government aud the extent
of his powers, but he prevented attending bv in
disposition. A free interchange of tue views and
opinions of gentlemen was had, and very general
opinion was expressed in favor of the organiza ton
OF society, for the purpose of orwar riding the views
of the President of Hayti. The principal question
agitated was, whether any correspondence should
be opened with the parent Colonization Society," or
whether an institution should be organized eatrely
separate and distinct from any other. TWAS con-
tended, on the one hand, that the National Coloni-
cation Society was decidedly opposed to sending a.
ny OF our black population to Hayt-tlat place be.
ing considered too for the safety of our SOUTH
ern brethren, whose numerous slave population
might then become still dangerous than at
present. 1t also contended that the project Of
an African Colony had III manner failed-that
the Climate was destructive-and that the project
is not only becoming more and more unpopular in
this section of the country, but will in the end be
found to be impractcable. General Mercer, of Vir-
ginia, who was present by special invita- ton being
requested 10 explain his views and, as far as he
COULD those of the southern gentlemen upon this in
teresting subject, addressed the meeting in an
able and forcibe manner for some time. He was
totally opposed and so was the society, (of which
he IS one of the managers0 to the Haytien project.
But he denied that this opposition arose from any
approximations of dangar. He had never objected
that Hayti was too near. But he eontended that
the plan was entirely inadequate to the great OBJ
Ject in view-viz: the colonzatian of all cur free
colored population, and the complete extipeuish-
ment of the slave trade. Hayti would not afford
room for the whole of this population, and the slave
trade could not be effectually stopped without
planting colonies upon the Western Coast of Afri-
ca. In regard to the alledged failure of the at
tempts to plant colony at Cape Measurable, he
denied thatit had, aking be- even
unfortunate. History did not afford an example
where so much had been done in so short a time
and with so little means. 1t had been more favor
ed than Sierra Leone, or any ofthe European COLO
nes upon that coast, and even the colonization of
view YORK and Virginia did not commence under
SUCH suspicious circumstances; and as 10 the coun-
Try ana Climate they are the fruitful and de-
llSitfui IN the world. Cen M. observed that az /,
respected the offers now made by President Bower
tney mad already been proposed TO the Colonization
Society and rejected And propositions still more
favorable had been made by France. the o,,s,,o
ment of which had offered 10 settle this pop1la,;n,
IN French Guiana, transport them thjther g;v,
them lands and support them until they should he
able 10 take care of themselves and even bring ,ber
oack again al the end ut two years, should the SET
tiers be dissatisfied These propositions had alec
been rejected, upon the ground that the great oh
ject of destroying the slave trade so dear #, b;Ian
thropists, would he defeated. letter was afte,
wards read from Gen. Harper, in which opibions
essentially different from those Of Gen Mercer were
expressed. Gen. ". said that the great reason of
the opposition Of the South to Hayti, as a colony
was its proximity 10 u.s. aud the facility of commit
nication between the blacks of the two co,,,,r; |
that would exist. From the tenor of the lc,te, |
however, If we understand il correctly the vyr;,e
and many Others would have no objection to n die
distinct society for the purpose now in view and he
seemed 10 think that both colonies could no ,,ross
cbted successfully at once. The gentlemen nre. /
sen, seemed The whole to thak that the HaytieuI
reference to the Colonization Society. aud II
this view committee Of nine was appointed to re-
port upon the subject at an adjourned meeting 70