Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-01-30

800 SP''i'"i's, o"ght 10 add fervOr TO hope and
energy TO cxcrtion; and If favored by the be-
nign appreciation of the Great Awful Bsinr in
whose wise Sdispcnsatiois arc the issues of al,
things, cannot fail Of being ultimately CROWN
ed with success honorable to the present. and
beneficial to future generations.
Attached to this is the Treasnrer,s account.
| eNhinlting correct statement of all receipts
ana disbursements since the organization of this
Auxiliary Society, with the balance remaining
in his hands, which il is desired ma, be consi,
dered as part ofthis rcport.--An which is res.
pcCtfuly submitted.
Richmond, January, 10, 1924.
| BY the Treasurer's acco,int il appeare that
$3.50 have, by order of the Board of Manapers
been transmitted to the Treasurer of the parent
Society at Washington-and a balance of about
S85 remains in his hands. And considerable
addition was made to the funds of Society, and
the list CT ITS members, by subscriptions on the
evening of the meetng.)
Mr.. RuTHERFooRD delivered the following
| Address to the Society 90
| MIR. PRESIDENT; l rise for the purpose of
proposing that the Reporl ofthe Board of Man
ayers which has just been read, be adopted
and beg leave to avail myself ofthis occasion, to
| submit to the consideration of the Meeting. q
few observations. L regret, sir, that circum-
stances not within my control, have deprived
me OF the opportunity of bestowing that atten-
| ton upon the subject to which it is entitled.
and that my information is too limited to enable
me to enter into any detail ofteinterestipe facts
and data upon which the friends of this beneyo-
! lent scheme have founded their hopes and ex.
pcctatons 1t has not been iu my rover to ex
anime with much attention the valuable docu-
ments which have been Published upon the sub.
Ject; but, the very cursory examination which
have given them, has convinced me that the
scheme for colonizing the free people of colour
upon the Coast of Africa, is not only beneyo-
lent and philanthropic, but polite, and practl-
cabie-and that if unfortunately it should fail of
success, its failure will be owing rather to its
want OF support than to any other cause. 1t is
therefore for the purpose Of inviting gentlemen
to give it their support, that have ventured to
occupy the attention of this meeting. I will
leave it to others better acquainted with the sub
ject, TO enter into detail of the SOIL climate.
and productions of the country selected for this
Coiony--the origin and progress of the settle
ment-the numerous difficulties it has encoun-
tered-and its prospect of finally surrounding
8 every obstacle to its success-and while briefly
notice some of the objections to this schema,
will submit few remarks upon what conceive
to be the views and objects of the friends of the
Colony.
1t is admitted on all hands, by the enemies
r and by the friends of this enterprise, that our
country is cursed with an evil, which has
- grown with our growth, and strengthened
, with our strength. ITO diminish this evil and
all evlate as far as practicable, the miseries
Z which have been entailcdrpon us by those wbo,
introduced slavery into our land, is the grcateb-
iect of the friends ofthis scheme. The friends of
Colonization believe that lasting benefits will
be experienced by the United States--by the
f free people of colour who may be induced to mi
CRATE to this colony-by our slave population
and by Africa herself, should that benevolent
ante, t,.1s< Il
: well known fact, that in proportion to the num-
Der offree people of colour who may be found in
u any portion of our country, in the same degree
i are our slaves more discontinued, more disobc-
j., dent, and less valuable to their owners Re-
@ move tins species ofpopulation by every induce
n ment you can offer-and you will rid the coup-
II try OF class ofmen who crowd our prisons
il who are not only vicious and disconnected them
# sevcs----but continually instigating our slaves
:, to acts of INSTRUMENTATION, and to the commission
II OF criInes.----The condition of the emicrants
themselves will be considerably amclorated bv
o the change, inasmuch as they will become emit.
tied at once to all the rights and privileges of
;. freeInen.
st The great objections now prevailing against
IS partial manumisson will be removed, so soon as
d by the permanent establishment of the colony.
:. an asylum shall have been scored fortle emanci-
is pated. Gradual emancipation NM the,, to}.
y place upon terms equally beneficial TO masters
l. and slaves. Conditions may then he annexed
II by law to the emancipation of slaves by which
i they may be compelled to become members Of
this colony.
. In regard to the locality of the colony il. an
>, pears to me that no part the globe could be
Il more eligible for the purpose, than that which
. has been selected. 1t is indeed contended bv
the enemies of this scheme, that the Island of ST
y Domingo offers greater inducements for emicra-
:, ton to the free people of colour than the Ameri
:, can colony on the coast of Africa But WHOM
= we take into consideration, that they who NAV
= be induced give ST. Domingo the preference.
. will be under the necessity of acquiring new
= language--of subjecting themselves to govern
d ment dospOticin its characterize arnalganafinr
!. with people whose views, habits, and feeliDrs
= are not in unision with their owr--and that I'M
s less possessed of property, they may be cast as
y paupers upon that country, dependent upon the
charity OF its inhabitants-while on Tx. other
= hand, the American Coonists at Measurable will
= all speak the American Language-wil be AMI
, mated ~ kindred feelings and by common in
terests-wil have the Opportunity of select
: Ing that form of government thew NAV
prefer, and ofassmang il to the free il stitutions
." this country-and even tho poor, NAV be en-
ablcd by the assistance of this society. and ths
g friendship of their comrades, to obtain subsis
:, tence by Mechanical or Agricultural industry
70 the advantages to the erngrant under this as
N pect OF the subject are decidedly in favor of the
s. Colony. The establishment of this COLONY. NAV
d also be greatly instrumental in aiding the views
N OF the American government, and such Other
= Governments c NAV 70 rid, ,,,--