Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-24
ALEXANDRIA COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

1t the Baptist Meeting house, on Monday, the
10th Of March, 1929, Rev. ELIAS HARRISON was
called to the Chair. The meeting was then
opened by prayer BY Rev. Mr.. SHERBuRNE.
The minutes Of the las: meeting were read.
Rev. s. CoRSELIus then read the following Re-
port Of the Board CT Managers:
Third .7nnuaI Report, Of the Board of
Managers, Of the alexandria Colonial
ton Society, presented March l6, 1899.
The Board Of Managers present to the socie-
~, their third Annual Report, with feelings OF
gratitude, to that AH Gracious Being, who has
held their souls in life and furthered with his
effsctual blessing, the labours OF their hands.
II must be apparent 10 all, that the enter
prise we have been endeavouring 10 forwa:d,is
in every point Of view, Of vast importance. The
one object Of The society, to which this is aux
Hilary, is, TO "promoie and execute plan for
colonizing with their consent) the free people
Of colour residing in our country, in Africa, or
such other plSce as Congress shall deem most
expedient." In accomplishing this design, we
expect TO elevate millions OF de graded and de-
based men, 10 political freedom and moral
wo,,h;-to rid our country Of class Of popu-
lation which is, and under existing circulnstan-
ces must continue to be, its creates, nuisance,
20 assist in desroyi.? trade whose horrors
and impricty no language can describe, and TO
bless the continent Of Africa with the knowl'
edge, of the political Institutions; Of The arts
ard sciences; Of the pure and indebted religion;
which constitute the happiness and glory OF
thi. land.
Is not he purpose noble? Is there charity
in our country more noble? Is there a society
in whose success all classes Of MEN are more
deeply interested! Msy not the NcTth and the
South, the East and the West-however their
interests in other respects may be supposed to
differ, unite their policy, patriotism, humanity,
and picty, in promoting the success Of this
cause! Docs not each section Of our country,
feel itself burdened by the class of population
we seek TO remove? Does not the statesman
experience grer,er difficulty in legisla,ng upon
this subiec. than upon any other ordinarily in
troGuced into our deliberative assemblies! Does
not the Master find them exerling most deli
FERROUS influence upon his domestics! Does
not the Philanthropis, fee! tina, his wellmeaat
labours 10 elevate them to a higher standing
among us than they now occupy are constantly
disappointed? In word. Are we not all con-
WINGED that while the present relations OF socie-
" continue, the demands OF strict justice must
be answered by the stern voice of necessity
We ask again is not the design Of our Ins:i,u>
ton truly noble?-
I, is probable ,ha, MANY Will give us credit
for good intentions, who yet suppose the scheme
10 be visicnary-andit its advocates fond en'hu-
siasts Sail we thank them for allowing what
they csnno, deny--or for asserting what they
cannot prove? Did we then lose our under
standing when we became the friends Of the
Colonization Society? Whether Or not, we
still s-ieve the object of our association 10 be
not only "good, very good" but also practicable,
entirely practicable. For proof LEI facts be SUBJ
mit,rd to candid men. We have purchased
and secured in Africa large and fertile terri
tory with $50 miles OF Coast we have planted a
Colony which contains more than 1900 settlers,
and about 200 more, sailed few weeks past
to ioinihem. This Colony has proved itself
capable Of self government, Of repelling the at
lacks Of Its enemies, and of breaking up the
Slave Trade along the whole line Of its coast.
Its attention to Agriculture is increasing, its
Trade and Commerce are aourishing- The
Mechanic arts are encouraged-Its Press, Read
ing Room, Library and Schools are diffusing
iuformaiion-and Religion-,he ornament Of
our uature-,he solsce Of afflicton-the stay
of the soul in deaih-the preparation for, and
The foretaste Of heaven, completes, adorns, and
beauties, the whole. This picture is not taken
from fancy, il is true TO the life.
Here we Nigh, enquire, if SO much has been
accomplished by the society in its infancy, when
surrounded by difficulties, objections and
doubts-what may il not now, hope to accom-
p,ish-siuce the greatest difficulties have been
surmoun:ed, the most potent objections answer
ed; and every doubt of the purity Of its inten-
tions, and the feasibility Of its plans removed.
But we are aware that many are sill sce2ti'
cal We are often assured that the Coisured
People ,eiH net 20 10 .4frisa. Must we reply a.
gain TO this OBJECTION. How came those 1900
settlers into Tie colony! How happeaed it
that when vessel was about to sail from BATH
more in The last year which could convey only
about 100 emigrant, there werv 900 applicants
for a passage.
But none Of the ColOursd people Of this place are
,sii,ag togo. We answer Isl. fhis admits
doubt, for if We are rightly informed the free
neopIe or colour are so far awakened TO the inn
por,auce of the subject that they are making
arrangements to send an agent rom thi, place
or Washington to spy out the land. And if his
re,ort be what we confidently expect; we may