Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-02-15

IA.-Extracts from the Sixth Annual
Report Of the Board of Managers Of
the Virginia Colonization Society:
"It is not easy to determine the or
igin of benevolent effort for Africa. 1t
seems to have commenced in England,
about the year ITO. In 1888, the
idea Of planting colonies there with a
view to civilization, was entertained
by Granville Sharpe, the founder of
Sierra Leone. The first removals to
this settlement took place in 1887 and
in 1871, the slaves who were taken by
the British army, in the southern States
during the revolution, and first settled
in Nova Scotia, were removed to Sler.
ra Leone. These were joined by the
Maroons, from Jamaica, about the year
1905. And after the abolition Of the
slave trade in 1907, this colony, which
had before belonged 10 a private COM
pany in England, was taken the next
year under the patronage of the gov
eminent, as a receptacle for the re-
captured Africans. The population
now amounts to neal thirty thousand.
In the United States the scheme
of planting colonies Of our free colorea
Population in Africa, was advocated by
DR.. Thornton, of Washington city, in
1857.
"The first legislative body hat mo-
we'd in this work was the house of de-
legates of Virginia. In the session Of
1901, the subject was debated and such
measures adopted as the circumstances
of the times seemed to warrant. In
the session o f1616, the Legislature took
measures for procuring a territory up
on the coast of Africa, for the SETTLE
ment offree persons of color then with
in this Commonwealth, and such as
might aferwards be en~sancipated. To
effect this object a bill passed the low
err house, on the 18th of December,
with but nine dissenting voices, which
was six days previous to the first mee-
ting in Washington city, for the FORM
alton of the American Colonization So
ciety. This, together with numerous
other facts which might be addueed,
abundantly proves this measure to be
| the measure of this commonwealth
her oWn WOrk.
"The most distinguished men of Vir-
ginia have been among the most pro-
minent advocates and liberal support
ers of African Colonization. The SEN
timents of Mr.. Jefferson and of Judge
Washington, upon this subject, are too
well known to be repeated.
"For the eminent services of Mr..
Monroe to the colony, while President
ofthe United States, the capital of Lii
IBERIA now bears his name. The ven-
cradle Chief Justice Marshall, late Pre-
sident Of our State Society, by his mu-
nihcent donations, his advocacy and
influence, contributed to sustain the
Society, at a period when his services
were most essential a period when
timid or temporizing friends, were
alarmed, or silent, or withdrew.
"Mr. Madison made liberal dona-
tons to this cause. 1t was his opinion
(as also of the eminent individuals be-
aforementioned that the institution
should be patronized, both by the gen.
eral and state governments, as well as
by private liberality. Upon the Or
ganization of the State Colonization
Society of Virginia, in 1923, he was
chosen the first Vice President, and
upon the death Of Mr.. Carroll in 1888,
he was chosen to succeed him in the
Presidency of the present institution.
"The public are already acquainted
with the fact, that after his death,
there was discovered in his will a tes-
timony of his estimation OF this Socie-
ty of a very peculiar character. The
sum of $4,000, the proceeds OF the re-
cords of the great charter of our llber-
ty, was b~equeathed by MIR. Madison,
to improve the condition of a people
whose interests had ever pressed hea-
yily upon his mind. Besides this, MIR.
Madison b~equeathed to the Society the
proceeds ofthe future sale of a piece
of property, the value of which is not
known. 1t is estimated at several thou
sand dollars.
" In resuming the progress of the
cause in Virginia, we find that previous
to 1923, two appropriations were made
in its behalf. A report favorable to
the plans and objects of the society,
was read to the House of Delegates
during that year. In 1888, an act was
passed appropriating to the society
$4,000 annually for FIVE years, but
with such restrictionssthat only a few
hundred dollars have been realized.
"The amount of funds raised during
the past year, shows an increase owe
former years, which is truly encour-
aging. The amount raised in Virgin
ia during the year 1884, was about
$4,000, in 1885 about $4,000, and IN
,aoo ~ .a;ead or euhScrlbpd