The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-03

Mission Of the Rev. X. X. Gurley 10 England.
Much interest appears to be excited in relation 10
the Rev Mr. Gureys visit TO England, and the course
pursued towards him by the Board Of Directors and
the Executive Committee Of the American Coloniza-
non Society by whose authority this mission un-
deraken; the object Of which Is shown in the follow
ing extract from the last Annual Report Of the Com
mitee to the Board Of Directors viz IL was deemed
important to send agent England for the purpose
Of obtaining assurances from the British African So
cielies. and trading companies that they would not
encroach the territory embraced within the present
limits Of Liberia"
Mr.. Gurey selected by your Board for the
performance Of this duty. In carrying out this APP
poin,ment, the Executive Committee instructed him to
conine himself to collecting information in regard to
he British policy in Africa to inducing them 10 alb
stain from encroaching the territory AGENT to
settlements and difusing inf gmation in regard to
the true character, operation and practical results Of
the American Colonization Society Before the ex-
piration OF the time which your Board allowed Mr..
Gurley for his VISIT he asked the Committee to extend
it. This they did not feel authorized to do"
When the Board Of Directors, at their meeting
June 10th, lS40, passed the resolution under which
Mr. Gurley proceeded to England it was contemplated
that with favorable circumstances, it would require
him to be absent about four months, but that contn
gencies might occur, which would make il necessary
for him to remain longer time in England. He
sailed from New York on the LIST of July in the pack
ct ship Philadelphia. On arriving in London, he
found tina, nearly all the distinguished gentlemen,
have conference, were absent the continent: no
3 l.c.c r..
10 wait their return.
In the mean while, he embraced every opportunity
of meeting gentlemen, and unfolding to them the be-
nevolent character Of the American Colonization So
ciety and the great benefit already conferred on Africa
by its operations.
Another clause Of the Report following the one
above quoted, reads thus " Mr. Gurey, however, has
not returned to this country, has he informed
how far he has succeeded in accomplishing the bj,cts
Of his visit" The public understand this to mean,
that MIR. Gurley has made communications TO the
Executive Committee or Board of Directors, except
to ask for longer time. And this is the
ing of the language. The fact is however that there
were three communications ON Mr. Gurley, address
ed to the Executive Committee, file in the office Of
the American Colonization Society, at the time that
he states very fully how far he had succeeded -
These communications ought to have been presented
in the Report, that the friends of Colonization might
have the opportunity Of judging for themselves in the
case.
The Committee say they did not feel authorized to
extend the time allowed by the Board for Mr. Gurleys
visit. But the COMMITTEE did feel authorized to in
stluct him
First-"To collect information in regard to the
British policy in Africa"
Second-"fo induce them TO abstain from encroach-
ing on the territory adjacent to our selcnents and
Third" To diffuse information in regard to the
true character operation, and practical results Of The
American Colonization Sncicty." And furthermore,
the Chairman of The Committee took the possibility
of discontnuing the salary of Mr. Gurley the 10th
of October last three and half months from the day
he sailed for England.
There were .hree great and important objects for
Mr.. Guey accomplish in this mission to Great Bri
on man better qualified for the purpose. His con-
nection with the American Colonization Society from
its first organization, his intimate acquaintance with
all lis operations bis devotion, his ZEAL and his soul
stirring eloquence give him advantages possessed by
no other man.
But the Board must have regarded him endowed
with superhuman powers, if they believed that five
six weeks labor in England would be sufficient to
compish the three great objects specified by the Com
mtee. Nor will it admit of belief that the Board Of
Directors would place absolute limit TO the time Of Mr.
Gurey's stay, while they gave plenary powers to the
Executive Committee in regard to the objects of his
mission This bed Of Procrustes would be as unfit
for the for the other.
There is great wrong in this matter somewhere, and
the public are becoming anxious to know whence it
is, and where it ought to rest The true friends of
Colonization cannot regard with indifference any at
tempts in the shade the Of the Rev. r r.
Gurlcy- name that kndes in the heart of every phi
lanthropist the warmest feelings of beDevoleDce TO-
ward the uodden down and degraded children of AT
RIGA For them he has labor ed for ihcm he has given
the best of his days for them he has sacrificed his
dearest interessand for their good his heart still
burns with an irrepressible fame
Mr. Gurley may be expected home in few weeks,
when trust the whole subject will be placed before
the public in its light. Justice to himself requires
il and the best interests Of the Of African Colo
nization demand it.
JUSTICE.