American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-05-01


Mr.. Clay rose. 1 cannot (said hey withhold
the expression Of my congratulations to the Socle-
ty on account of the very valuable acquisition
which we have obtained in the eloquent gentleman
from Boston, (Mr. Knapp who has just before
favored us with an address. lie has told us OF his
original impressions. unfavorabe to the object of
the Society, and Of his subsequent conversion j
the same industry, investigation and unbiased
Judgment, which lie and another gentleman. Nj.
Powell) who avowed at the last meeting Of the
Society, similar change wrought in his mind.
were carried, by the public at large, into the con-
sleration of the plan of the Society, the conyic-
ton in its favor would be universal.
l have risen to submit resolution. in behalf Of
which would bespeak the favor Of the Society.
But before | offer any observations in its support,
must say that, whatever part shall take in the
proceedings Of this Society, whatever opinions or
sentiments | may utter, they are exclusively my
own. Whether they are worth any thing or not,
no one but myself is at all responsible for them
have consulted with no person out OF this Soce-
ty and have especially ahstained from all COM
muncation or consultation with any one to whom
stand in any official relation. My judgment or
the object Of this Society has been long since de-
liheratey formed. The conclusions TO which, alter
much and anxious consideration, my mind has
been brought, have been neither produced nor re-
futed by the official station the duties OF which
have been confled to me.
From the origin of this Society, every member
of it has, believe, looked forward to the arrival
ola period, when it would become necessary to m
woke the public aid in the execution Of the great
scheme which it was instituted to promote. Con-
silering itself as the mere pioneer in the cause
which it had undertaken. it well aware that It
could do no more than remove preliminary dlfleul-
ties and point out sure road to ultimate success
and that the public only could supply that regular,
steady and efficient support, to which the g'atui.
~, .nti;x xynuI he fanUG
incompetent. My surprise has been that the 90
cety has been able long 10 sustain itself and to
do SO much upon the charitable contributions Of
good and pous and enlightened men. whom It has
happily found in all parts Of our country. But our
work has so prospered, and grown under our hahdSs
that the appeal to the power and resources OF tue
public should be no longer deferred. The resolu-
| ton which have risen to propose contemplates
this appeal 1t is in the following words r.
Resofred That the Board of Managers be empowered
and drec cd at such time times may TO them
expedent make respectful application 10 the Congress
of the Uu!ted States, and 10 the Legislatures OF the e
rent ates, for such pecuoary and, in ur,erance ct the
object Of this Society," as they may respectively be peasa
to grant"
Legislatures Of the Union and the States, IT Is IN
cumbent on the Society, in making out its case, u
show, LIST. That it offers to their consideration
scheme which is practicable And End. That the
execution of the practicable scheme, partial or ci~
tire. will be fraught with such benehcal conse-
quences as to merit the support which = soiiciten
| believe beth points to De mantanaole. lst' y
is now a little upwards Of ten years since reli.
nious amable and benevolent resident OF TINS
CITY, first conceived the idea Of planting Coionys
frum the United States, Of free people OF cnlou,
on the Westel n shores IF Africa. He is no more,
and the nubest eulogy which could be pronounced
on him would he to insctibe upon his TOMB, the
mcritcd epiaph, +" Here lies the protector OF the
/ a.. A n sc
TO whom he communicated the project, was the
persou who now has the honor OF addressing you
t NV first Impressions like those OF all WHO have
not fully investigated the subject, were against IT..
! They Welded to his earnest persuaslons and NY
own reflections, and finally agreed with him mat
0 the experiment was worthy Of fair trial.
e meeting Of its friends was called-oTganized as .
! deliberaive body, and constitution was formed.
i The Society went into operation. lie lived TO see
the most encouraging progress IN its exerions. and
e died in full confidence of its complete success.
c The Society was scarcely formed before it was
exposet to the deision Of the unthinking; pre-
e nounced to be visionary and chuercal ~ those
. who capable ct adopting wiser opinions. ana
. the most confident predictions OF its entire failure
! were nut forth 1t found itself equally assaulted
4 by the two extremes Of public sentiment in regal 4
e to our African population. According to one
e that rash class which, without due estimate o.
n the fatal consequence, would fotthwit issue de.
/ cree Of general, immediate, ard 'nalscrlnlnate
emancpation,) it was scheme Of the slave holder
to perpe,uate slavery. The other Chat class winch
S believes slavery blessing, and which trem5ies
n With aspen sensibility at the appearance Of the
v most distant aud ideal danger to the tenure %
e which that description Of property is he'd iecia-
red it continuance to let loose on society all the
9 slaves Of the country, ignorant. uneducatet, and
incapable Of appreciatiny the value, or enjoying
81. N, been, since the delivery of the Speech sagges-
,ed hat The Rev Robert Finley Of New Jersey, (~ha