Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-13

Are of a character much too formidable tor any OF
those measures which have hitherto been put IN
operatiop for that purpose. Except on little
norton of the two extremes, north and south, the
personal efforts of the white philanthropist, are
without avail. He goes, but TO meet the Pesu-
lence and wither and die beneath its desolatng
influence. The moral and political regeneration
of that continent therefore, seems to be shut up
to any other interposition, save that OF her own
sable Children And the supposition may perhaps
be INDUCED lawfully, that the evils OF servltude,
and bondage entailed upon some of these may
have been wisely permitted by Divine Providence
for this very purpose:-that having, IN Tar dls-
tant land of strangers been introduced to the char
tiles of civilization and refinement, and instruct
ed in the rudiments of social religious freedom,
they might bear back these, as the richest boon
of heaven to the long benighted land, OF their E.
oually benighted fathers. That such an effect as
this will be produced by the combined movements
of those benevolent associations, which are now
daily multiplying throughout our beloved coun-
try, seems to be question upon which at present
there can be entertained but one opinion. Inc
experiment has, partially at least, been already
made; and every ray of information which reach
es US from the infant colony, serves but to deepen
the conviction that this is the medium, thro which
the slumbers of Africa are to be broken-the cloud
of ignorance and superstition to be rolled BACK
the light of christianity and civilization 10 De
thrown over ner-apd her hitherto unknown and
UNEMPLOYED resources, to be developed and EN-
ployed.
But while suchis the cheering perspective. which
the object in which we are engaged, is opening to
us of Africa itself, vision equally bright and ex-
Vibrating, is beginning to open on the prospects
of her long afflicted children here. Here, they
can never be at home. Circumstances OF char
acter not necessary either to be detailed or COM
mented upon preclude the indulgence even of
hope, that such an event could ever be. Trans
ported to land concenial in its climate to their
physical constitution, and equally friendly to the
operations of intellect, they at once, assume
oftier attitude. They are introduced into all the
rights and privileges of men-men susceptible OF
much higher degrees of moral culture, and pre-
pared for the development of energies leading to
achievements of the most noble and elevated char
acter. They take their stand as people among
the nations of the EARTH and exercising the rights
of self-government, the way is open for an I'M
mense amount Of moral and political influence,
to be thrown by them into the very centre OF one
of the largest continents of the globe. And just
so far as the experiment has been tried already.
have the most cheering and encouraging results
followed. Almost every arrival, brings with 1t
i<tters from some Of the early COiOnists which not
only speak of the goodness of the land the fertility
of the soil. and the exhaustlessness Of its resour
ces: but they speak at the same time OF their own
content, their new and conscious elevation of
character, and their ardent desires that their free
brethren of colour would come over and partlcl-
pate with them in the grateful sweets of govern
ment administered by themselves.
And thus. while ali uncomfortable amount Of
good is conferred upon unfortunate species OF
population which can never find secure aud well
come resting place here, the most feasible plan
ever suggested for the civilization and refinement
of Nations hitherto scarcely known. is, by the
same movement, placed in the ''full tide of sue
cessful experiment" From Map of the Colo
ny Just published it appears, that the extent Of
territory which it possesses. stretching along the
sea-board, Is two hundred and eighty miles; and
that its average depth into the interior is about
thirty miles. A part of this interesting terrific
~, which has been procured by honorable pur-
chase, is already beginning to be sprlnkled over
with smiling Christian villages; and, without the
interposition of some untoWard Providence not
now anticipated, the lapse of half century will
find some of them rising INTO the dignity of flour
ishing commercial cities: while the ocean, whit
ening with the canvass of their shipping, may be
bearing away the rich productions of their coun
try to every quarter of the Globe. Indeed, this
last idea may be realized alta period much earlier:
for by report of the late lamented Colonial
Agent. DIR. Randall, after speaking of the de-
lishtful situation of Monrovia, and dwelling up
on its important commercial advantages, he re-
marks that Its trade is already considerable
and increases daily, both in its capital and num-
bers of vessels employed on the coast. We have,
now, ne continues six or eight smaller decked
vessels, two larger schooners, the one above thir
ty and the other above forty tons, employed in
the coasting trade'-and presumes that the ex-
ports from that place alone ought to be estimated
at sixty or seventy thousand dollars per annum-
that there was at that time an amount equal to
that in African produce then in store. and twice
the amount. if he should include all the converti-
bic property in the settlement.
"With the condition and prospects of the Agri-
cultural Villages he was highly gratfied; and the
description which he has given of their well con-
structed houses, furnishing plantations and pros
poets. not merely of securing the means of sub