Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-05-23
cotoSrzArIoN.

COLONIZATION.
Il in only within the p~st week that ne have
been able 10 rv.d, the l.ss Report Of he American
Colonsz.sica Society. Itcnbodirs masA Interest
ing and useful information. We make few rx
tracts. Ia show tho inducements heid out To The
irre pcop,e Of colour To esnigr~,e 10 Ilberia.
Nearly half the colonists IN Liberia have EN-.
igrated from Virginia; and many citizens OF
that State have sought aid from the Society
Tor removing thitber their liberated slaves du-
ring the last year.
Abundant and explicit testimony, founded
on personal observation, In regard to the
character ond prosperity Of the Colony, has
since the last anniversary, come before ths
public, both from enlightened foreigners, and
respectable and disintercsted citizens Of the
United States. II may be well 10 record here
the opinion Of an English officer, who spent
three years upon the African coast (thougl
perhaps already known to this meeting,
" that the complete success Of tho Colony OF
Liberia is proof that negroes are, by proper
care and attention, rs susceptible Of the habit.
OF industry and the Improvements Of socia
life, ms any other race Of men and that the
amclioration Of the condition Of the black
people on the coast Of Africa, by means OF
sich colonies, 10 not chimerical." lie adds
the coast, would be Of infinite value In i'm
proving the natives"
Nothing could be more satisfactory than
the statements Of DIR. Shane, Of Cincinnati
who visited the Colony in February last
Prom Liberia he writes, al here see many
who lett the United States In straitened cir
cuinstanccs, living with all the comforts OF
HE around them enjoying respectable and
useful station in society, and wondering that
their brethren in the United States, who have
II In their power, do not fee 10 this asylum OF
happiness and liberty. am certain no
Trend TO humanity can come here aud see
the state of things, without being impressed
with the immense benefits the Society is con.
ierring on the lorg neglected sons Of Africa.
Nothing, rest assured, but a want Of know
ledge of Liberia, prevents thousands of honest.
Industrious free blacks, from rushing TO thi,
land, where liberty aud religion, with all
their blessings, are enjoyed"
The intelligent master Of the ship James
Perkins, did not hear, whio ut the Colony,
discontentcd expression from any one, )"
but found "all with whom he conversed, ap-
parently happy, and pleased both with the
country and government"
1t. Benjamin Page, commander Of the L.
States Schooner Boxer, which was ordered
TO the African coast for the suppression of
piracy, anu touched NJ Liberia on the 9Th Of
April last, observes, near the close OF letter
addressed TO the Hon. Secretary Of the Navy,
on the state Of the Colony" with all the ad-
vantages that have been enumerated, il would
be natural to expect to hear.that the inhabi-
tants are generally contented; which, rs far
as my observation has gone, have found To be
the case. There have been some exceptions.
but they are 10 be found amongst characters
who sould be dissatisfied in any situation.n
To this ample testimony, the Managers
would add that Of two intelligent free men
Of colour from Mississippi, who, at the re-
quest Of their brethren, sailed in May last, in
the ship Jupiter, for the Colony where, for
three weeks, they were solely occupied in
examining thoroughly its affairs and prospects.
They expressed, on their return, perfect sa-
tisfaction with what they had seen; their
opinion that the people Of Liberia had alrea-
dy risen in their style Of living, and their hap
piness as community, far above the most
prosperous Of their coloured brethren in the
United States, and their firm purpose of soon
with their families, 10 the COLONY.
Hundreds, IL Is expected, viii emigrate with
hem from Mississippi; nor is il easy to esti-
mate the amount Of benef, which will proba-
bly, result from their mission.