Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-19

ISOLATION, to produce throughout the Union total
extinction OF slavery, well as to Colonize the
present free blacks of the country
And 4thly. What likely 10 be the horrible
consequences upon Cur slaves by the public discus
sion OF such topics, in sermons and other public
harangues?
Each oil these topics in detail, shall receive from
Inc brief and respectful consideration.
lst- Is the scheme of planting distant Colony,
by means OF private charity alone, practicable?
AT the threshold of any remarks upon this sub
Ject, 1t may, think, be very safely affirmed that
the history oil the world affords example of the
KIND: And that there is not in human affairs gem
orally, more difficult undertaking than tina, of
planting distant Colony, even under the most ia
Vorabie auspices; and when aided aud protected, by
the government of the parent country If any thing
was wanting TO prove the truth OF this remark, let
reference be had 10 the history of the early settle
'nent OF the Colonies in North America; in rela-
ton to which have the lights OF authentic his
tory In every instance that is recollected, of an
attempt TO plant Colony, either in North South
| America, the government of the parent country
mad both an interest and an agency in the enter
prize. And while it is believed, that commercial
cupid;ty has in general, been the most faithful
source OF planting distant Colonies; yet in every
case, the Sovereign Jurisdiction the new CO.
iony has been retained and asserted by the go
vernment OF the parent country which in turn,
was under the obligation To give it protection And
whether this protection in all cases, may have been
Afforded In tine best way, 1t IS not now material 10
enquire; but 1t is believed ia all successful attempts
| 10 nave been extended IN some form other, and
to greater or lesser extent in all But in the
under consideration, charity! cold charity! it is
alleged, is to supply, not only the of Undue
Ing emigration on The part of The free blacks, many
OF whom are comfortabiy ard prosperolsly settled
auvi' us, nut a!tcr emigration, is also 10 supply
Tue necessary snccour, maintenance and govern
inent. And all this too, for the mere abstract
love of indugns the exercise of that heavenly
| quality.
submit 1t TO the soter and rejecting part OF So
ciety 10 determine, after the experience of the
void III Tins business OF planting colonies; led on
and directed rs they generally have BEEN by com
mereial enterprize and sagaciiy; and sheltered
der lie protection of the government 10 which;hey
belong, whether this scheme of planting a Colony
ont OF the worst of materials, upon distant end
barbarous coast, under tropical climate where
mcessant rains prevail for large portion Of the
year,o by the contributions OF charity, be ell
| 'ther feasible rational.
+ Let the history of the world admonish us upon
this subject. How often, under the most favoura-
Ole auspices, have we seen infant colonies rcduc-
Ell 10 the greatest eSiTemtles of human suffering by
accident, disease, famine and other calamities
And how often also, have we seen them, from ST.
| iniiar causes, wholly destroyed, leaving scarcely
restiae OF their infant settlements behind them
And are tie rejecting part OF society, at this day
10 be informed, that private charity is always I'M
steady and irregular in its contributions and never
10 be relied on, for the purpose of sustaining any
uniform and extensive system of expenditure.
Charity may be safely appealed to, for the purpose
OIL founding hospital, free school, of contri-
outing to the immediate wants of the poor in other
respects, by whom we may be surrounded; but
when season after is TO bring with il renewal
OF its calls, without being able TO look forward to
any deternnate period when they are 10 end, he,
indeed, must be lt!c versed in the human character
who would not perceive that many OF lis calls
would be made in vain. Check then, Tor single
season, the supplies necessary TO sustain your infant
colony, and what Is their condition! disease star
walton and death. Are there no accidents, TOO TO
he appreAended from the infdelitv of Agents, in
the administration OF your funds from their want of
skill, admitting them all 10 be honest; nothing
from the insuboIdnaIe and wreched character of the
population composing the Colony? Is there moth
ing TOO, to be apprehended from the incursions of
the paroarous tribes, by which your settlement is
| surrounded; from whom your infant Colony, it
mistake not has already received or two pretty
formidable attacks. II so, pray you to recollect,
that all these misfortnes are TO be repaired by phi
waite charity; and that too, perhaps, after charity
shall have become tired of giving.
Let me not be by the fanaticsl admirers Of
tls charity scheme, of the successful efforts of the
" African Institution of London, in planting the
present British Colony at Sierra Leone; OF their
public schools; OF the number of African youths
wmch they have IN course oil instruction; of the
good police OF their Free IoiUn; or their REGENTS
1o,on; or if you please of the present extent OF
The whole population of the Colony.-These things
! know, have been assiduousy thrust inso almost
every annual Report of the parent society, and
every magazine whose columns could be pressed
into the service. But, unfortunately, the history
oil TINS Colony furnishes ifnot conclusive al least
/ M .cgrz L. r. a. IL Il
'Ion now under consideration: That private chart
ty rs inadequate in itself to the success of your
enleiprlze. For without protesting, TO have
minute acquaintance with IFS history, at every stage
OF Its advancelnent this general fact is sufficient
10 be known; that from The foundation OF the Colo
ny, at Sierra Leone in 1886, up to about 1906 or
lSuI, 1t remained under the direction of the private
association by whom it was first established. Thai
from the latter period, it taken by the British
Government into their hands; and has so re-
NAMED up TO the present time. That late as the
year 1908, seventeen years aft er its Foundations we
ind the following account of its condition at that
period, given 10y Mr. Jefferson in a letter written
by him 4. subsequent time, to ] o. LAND, ESQ
Speaking Of IN application which had been made
through Mr.. King, our Minister at London, to the
African Society, To ascertain their willingness 10
receive Colonists from tie United States; he SAYS
" He Mr.. King) opened correspondence with
MIR. w - and MIR. Thornton secretary OF the
" company on the subject; and in 1903 received
b" through MIR. King the result which was, th0t the
Colony ,oas going on IN bat q langushias
& condition; hot the .funds eff the company
" 'oere likely 10 faH as they received no return,
" Of PToff 10 hecP HGmup; tFGt Hey 1cere then
-" an tredty 'cdh the goverRmeptto take the estab-
hShmeat Of their iaRds; but that in no event
should they be willing to receive more Of these
" people from the o. States, who by their idleness
&C and turbulence, had kept the settlement in con-
g slant danger Of dissolution" In subsequent