Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-07-02
SELECTIONS.
From The n. y journal IF Commerce, June 80.
COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

A meeting OF the n. Y. Colonization Society WIS
held last evening in the Reformed Dutch Church in
Nassau street Hugh Maxwell Esq, in the Chair
Rev. Mr.. Pioud6t opened the meeting with prayer.
very interesting letter from the Rev. IIlar, league
90 Doctor Proudfir, then read. The writer Is a
colored clergyman who resides at Monro,ia. and
edits the Liberia Herald. His epistolary style and
method would do disc,cdit Ia hls white brethren
al the press in any country. The letter gave cheer
sng account OF the present condition OF the Colony
and its future prospects dwelling particularly upon
the altered tone Of mind and feeling Inch almost cy-
cry colored man experiences after residing short
time IN Liberia; where he feels himself on "A perfect
footing Of equality with his fellow citizens. entitled TO
md enjoying the same privileges and advantages, and
free from all the Notifying distinctions which the
difference OF color must for create ~ countries
the majority Of whose inhabitants are white. The
writer stated that he has been in Africa fifteen years
and that earthly consideration could induce him
TO return to America.
Governor Matthias Of Bassa Cove, then addressed
the injecting, and hoped that his very recent arrival
would be sufficient apology for giving So clear
and detailed an account OF the condition and pros
poets OF the Colony, as the ample materials he pos
scssed might enable him TO do. Ills remarks would
have reference more particularly TO Bassa Cove and
Edna. as he had resided there more than a wear
There was one subJt in reference TO Africa IN
which the people OF tins country had most erroneous
sdeas, he meant the climate. Many persons thought
that the thermometer always ranged much higher in
Africa than in the United States but such was pol
the fact. Ii never higher than 81 or lower than
y, and tempered by pleasant sea breeze. which so
snitigaed the heat, thar with the thermometer at sc,
the climate degh Every one who posse
ses health, must enjoy life in Africa.
Much had been said in relation TO the unhealthi-
ness OF that portion Of the country cupird BY the
Colony. In answer to these objections he had
brought with him a medical report of the morai,,
IN Bassa Cove and Edna. which he would now read
+ rom TINS report II appeared that from August a37
TO April 1888, the deaths did not average more than
one per month, with the exception OF the III, nth oil
March, during which there were five deaths three al
winch were OF children only year old. Amongst all
the deaths which occurred during the period referred
TO- there was but one case OF fever, and ease OF
death occurring from disease peculiarly incidental Il
the climate.
Governor Matthias next adverel to the manners
and behaviour of the cooniss, and said that the fms
time he opened the Court Bassa Cove he was ute,
~ astonished at the perfect order and iormay witt
which every thing conducted by the coorr,
clerk sheriff and jury, and that when the trials err
over ana the sentences pronounced, winch he re
marked were extremely lenent, several of the au
dience approached him and congratulated him o,
ms appointment in manner which would have bee,
crcd'tabe TO any people, matter what their colo
or country.
He next adverted 10 the resources of the Colon,
tor supporting ITS Inhabitants. and said that M the in
fancy Of the Colony many of the emgran,s ncglee
ted agricultural pursuits and occupied themselves il
trading IN ivory and other articles, in consequence
WHICH they were at one time almost deprived of tn
necessaries Of life, but it had taught them a GOO
lesson; and showed them that they must not rely a
all times on obtaining supplies from home so that a
tsesent the head of every family in the Colony had
Farm under cutivation.-A Mr.. Sheridan, a colore,
man, who had gone TO the colony from this county
ana was settled within five six miles of Bassa Cove
had built five six houses and cleared thirty acre
OF land, on part Of which there was 1ourishing cro
Of corn and he had prepared another par, of it TO
sugar cane, and there could be little doubt that err
long he would be able grow coffee and sugar il
abundance. aud these articles were likely to be tn
staple produce Of the country.
In relation to the religious habits of the colons,s
ne conId say, that IN no part Of the world was tn
sabbath more respected. 1t was not only respecte,
~ the coloniss. but the natives had learned Il
respect II. There were five churches in the Colon,
two Baptist, two Methodist, aud one PRESBYTERIAN
II had been asked, did the country contain with,
seh abundant means for supporting the Colony, an,
nc would unhesitatingly say that it did. That ller
were instances of persons being to "A certain degrc,
On want he was ready to admit, but arose from eau
ses w"h'n Their own power TO control, aud there wa
~otftng 10 prevent them from ultimately arriving a
wealth aud responsibility, and such he had no doub
would be the result.
In relation to the natives, hc considered the colo
n's's IN no danger whatever from hem + nr ~ ty,