Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-16

part of Virginia, either escape the fever
altogether, or have il very slightly
Deaths occur there, indeed, as in other
places, but DR.. Mcchlin, the agent, as
sured me that the bills Of mortality
would show less proportion of deaths
than those Of Baltimore, Philadelphia,
or New York.
l have given you statement OF facts
as nearly as | could ascertain them. II
there be any errors, they are am per-
suaded unimporant; for my information
has been derived from respectable sour
ces in that country, and my own obser-
walton induces me 10 believe that what
have written is substantially correct.
will add my opinion, though | fear
you may think it presumPtuous: l have
no hesitation in saying that l believe
Liberia will, in time, become great ma
ton. and be the means, eventually, ol
ciyiiizing great part of Africa, and !
should wish, the whole Of that bcnightcd
country. There are already in Monro-
via, at least GO children of native parents;
and there would be, if wanted, many
more.
Do YOU ask what kind of government
the Libcrians would establish if great
nation, and left to themselves; ! answer,
arepublican unqucstionahly The intcilI-
gent cmigrants having been brought up III
this country, and the first laws in opera
ton among them being republican, they
could be as well prepared for happiness
under such government, as any people
in the world. The adult male inhabi-
tants consider themselves men, and know
how to enjoy the blessings of IA free IN
stitution, and will never surrender their
liberties, but with their lives They are
now as patriotic Americans and our fore
fathers were loyal sub bjccts to the kings
of England Should they receive no
further aid from this country they will,
nevertheless, in my opinion, attain to
greatness eventually; but if that aid
which | think they so Justly deserve,
should be continued, their progress to
this will be greatly accelerated.
Some are of opinion that Hayti is pre-
ferable to Liberia for colourcd people to
emigrate to; little reflection will l
think, show the error of this opinion
Hayti is and ever has been in the hands
of military despOts the Haytians have
never known what rational liberty was
nor never can. Experience has shown
this to be the case. What would people
of colour from this country gain by 60
ing to Hayti2 they would be kept as la
borers, "hewers of wood and drawers of
water" to the naughty Haytians. They
would have no share in this government,
and could never rise to any degree of
eminence. II they must have masters,
they prefer white to those Of their own
colour; this l have fouEd to be univer-
sally their sentiments. The manners and
customs Of the Haytians are different
from those of our people, as is their Ian
guage. The religious and even moral
coloured people, cannot be happy where
the sabbath is day of revelry and dis
sipation, and they considered as here
tics, and where the morals Of the people
are little better than those of the native
African.
Many of our citizens seem to think
that the only object Of the Colonization
Society, is to get clear Of surplus col
Oureu pOpuldlon nave Nciy htuC PSi-
sonal acquaintance with any of the men,
bers, but never can attribute motive
so selfish to that respectable society; nor
do l believe there can he found one
among them who does not know that the
increase by births in this country, is
greater than they can transport to Libe-
ria in any given year. Their objects
then can be only the laudiblc ones is
bettering the condition of an injured pco-
pie, diminishing slavery in our country,
and the civilization ofAirica, all ofwhich
appears to me attainable.
You may say have given you much
extraneous matter, which has but little
bearing on the main qucstion-truc, but
am writing to friend, whose good
ness | know will pardon this depression,
and who can expect no better from an
old seaman.
Yours, truly,
w. f.. SHERMAN.
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