Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-20

ciri, political and moral degradation. and constitute
them curse TO the land OF their birth; the Amer
s,can Colonization Society was instituted, 10 pro
cure for them asylum, 20 which they might
voluntarily repair; and where they would be re
stored TO all those rights, OF which stern necessi-
" required our laws to deprive them. Success in
such work carries with il double blessing.
Our OWL beloved country, derived from the exc
cution Of the design, her full share Of the advan-
Isge. race Of men whose distinctive charac-
tiers must separate them from the rest Of the po-
pulation; whose morals must ever be Of the hum
b'est standard, and whose color places an iInpas-
| sable barrier between them and the rest Of the
population Of the land, are to be removed, and re-
placed by free, hardy, virtuous white population.
! standing equal in every right claimed by civilized
man. The ernigrant is TO be restored to all those
rights which the free white men Of this republic
so highly value; he is to feel the elevation Of his
own condition; he is 70 occupy country which
he will proudly call his own, and where no other
distinction wall exist save that bestowed by inel-
gence. accompanied by virtuous character and in
dusirious habits. Can any one look with calm in
difference such result.
The magnitude Of the undertaking and the ap
parently feeble means by which il as 10 he effect
ed. deferred at first Of the decided friends
, OF Colonization from openly aiding in the work.
-: Time and experience have dispeiied these delu
sione. From the first great difficulties i'm the ex-
| ecu'ion of this laudable purpose anticipated.
4 new courtry was 60 be explored, distant three
thousand miles from the people whose agents were
| destined TO examine it--ard TO whose soil, c,i-
mate, population and resources were al
most entire strangers In this distant and TN
Known land, held by se,ni-barbarous people, an
infant and weak Colony to be founded, unad-
| ci and unprotected. but by the feeble assistance
and prayers OF an association OF ntiiv iduals
! moved thousand Of miles from them. But this
! remote continent has been explored, its shores
nave been surveyed Its rivers penetrated; healthy
and rich tract OF country has been selected, and il
Is freely ceded by the natives; colony planted,
whose numbers are now equal to at least 1900 -
AMI whose condition is in every respect happy and
prosperous. Governed and guided in its present
AMI future course by its own laws and Offices; we
have the highest proof of their capacity for self
government, and the excellent moral character Of
the Coloniss. All. yes. all this has been effected
by an association OF ind;vid uals calmly ard quiet
! iy. and (with single exception and that i'm self
: dcience,) without spilling drop OF blood, and
an no occasion by the invasion of the rights of a.
ny. Such are the objects Of tire Society, hastily
and iinpericcty sketchel; such the means by
which they have endeavored to attain them, and
such the general outline Of their success.
, u may he useful, however, while the Managers
are thus presenting to the meeting the general
views objects and success of the Society, TO impart
20 u some more minute and particular information.
Burthened with Tie expense of a numerous emf
grafton TO the colony in the year before last, too
large proportion Of which helpless AMI in
elncieDt, the Parent Society had been prevented
from increasing their numbers in the year under
review but it is preparing TO send vessel
wan Ioo 10 200 emigrants. who will shortly en-
bark al Norfok-among these, some most useful
members to the Colony will be found, both as ar,i
zans, and az moral industrious and intelligent in
diyi'luais.
In many parts Of tie country owners OF slaves
are ready TO emanicipate them their being re-
moved hence 10 Liberia, and several are now pre-
pai;ng IN the best manner they can their slaves for
this purpose. So that the Society will find no diff
hculty in procuring emigrants of approved char
acter and 10 any number. Already about five
hundred free blacks and two hundred emancipa.eL
slaves are soliciting to be removed. Had the So
ciety ample means to indulge the wishes of these
applicants. it would be unwise in the present con
ni'ion oil the Colony, to send thither more than
hve hundred in any one year, until the population
OF the Colony shall exceed two thousand; for,
sudden and too great addition to the present num-
DER "oI be OF serious injury TO the good govern
ment OF the Colony, and would probably produce
disastrous consequences to the cmigrants Them
selves arising from the want of accommodation
and the necessary supplies.
Twelve thousand dollars annually for the next
two years, would then constitute az large an a.
mount as it seems to the Managers, could he ju-
diciousiy used by the Society and would in that
time afford an addition Of thousand TO the pre
SEM eo'onE' After 'ha' period 4 much greater
number ri emigrants might be prudently sent
out; never, however, in any one year exceeding
one !htd OF the total number of colonists II has
been clearly proved by the actual expense here
fo'oTe incurred, that where the Society is called
on 10 contribute the entire expense OF transnnr
tation, twenty dollars fer each individual IL suf6
Gent and the demand for laborers, Of all descrip-
mons al Liberia is now SUCH that immediate en-
pioyment on the arrival Of the emirrant can be
obtained, and ouch wages given as will ensure 10
MN comfortable support; that no other than
the mere cost OF transportation, ought now to he
chsrgeable the Society
mus at home we have ample materials AMI de- !
Tnands 10 engage our resources, and 10 excite our
utmost aT'' constant egertions. Nor is the condi
uon.oi the colony less cheering lis agriculture !
and commerce is respectable nay. considerable |
ana very profitable. In an infant country. the |
former is always and naturally the most necessary |
avocaoa--At first the colonists did not succeed so
well IN their attempts at agriculture; the country
ana SANDS on the coasts not proving so productive
as Their appearance had led the first settlers TO ex
pect By cession, however, made by the ma
hves TO the COLONY, OF extensive tract OF corn
Try on the 81. PauPs river territory has been ac-
1uired, and which settlements hsye heen
formed, where agric;:lturists have Succeeded in
the most remarkable manner
he soil and climate has been found well adapt /
cd 10 the production of Indian corn millet vice.
cotton, sugar and coffee, and Of sustaining popu |
ision OF many thousands.
The commerce OF the colony IL considerable and |
rapidly increasing, well with the interior as with
the United States and foreign countries The ex- |
ports are not less than fifty thousand dollars per
annum; and those engaged in commercial pursuits
are cn'eTpriSing, judicious and successful in their
adventures Some Of the colonists have acquired !
considerable fortunes, by their care and Industry
Most OF them are indcpendeni--.m can do we'll |
who devote their labor and skill steadily TO any re
guar avocation; while common laborers receive |
men two dollars.
Whatever DO ubts Nigh. have been entertained
formerly as TO the health OF the colnnsts recent
vents have entirely removed. All who have en-.
igrated from Virginia and South Off, have cnioy-
ed good health, and but few deaths have occurred
mon har snac T1,s-f