The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-12
THE MADISONIAN.
ron rHE MAp,soNrAN.
MISSION OF THE REV. R. r. GURLEY TO
ENnItANn

FOR THE MADISoNIAN.
MISSION OF THE REV. r. r. GURLEY TO
ENGLAND.
The inquiry is often made Of late, by persons
from every section Of the United States, "What rela
ton the Rev. Mr.. Gurey susiains to the American
Colonization Society 7that take up the pen again
to mpart such brief information on this point in con-
nection with his mission as win lead the friends Of
African Colonization to understand chat relation this
eminent and devoted advocate of the cause recently
held, and now holds, to the American COLONIZATION
Society Its well known that Mr.. Gurley, although
the Corresponding Secretary Of the Society, had by
desire Of the Board of Directors been engaged, for
more than previous to his departure for England
in visiting the cities and large villages in the United
States arousing the friends Of Colonization and awak-
ening deep and general interest in this benevolent
institution
When the great scheme Of Sir Powell Buxton for
destroying the slave trade on the coast of Africa and
civzing that continent in the early part of
last summer, the friends of Colonization in New York
and Philadelphia regarded it having SO important
bearing the American Colonies in Africa, thai they
deemed il highly necessary mission to England
should be authorized by the Board of Directors o., the
A.c. s. without delay. The Board of Managers of
the Colonization Societies in those two cities convened
and passed resolutions representing their views of the
Importance Of such mission, and designating the
Rev. Mr.. Gurley a eminenify u"afinsd tar the
ofiec TI..s. .-suiutIons received the consideration
Of the Board Of Directors of the A. C. s., and Mr..
Gurley was appointed by unanimous vote, under
resolution that coners him general discretionary
powers" With copy Of this in his portfolio, and
an official document from the Hon. Henry Clay, Pre-
Ill 70 ~ A n.
Gurley embarked in July last for England.
1t anticipated that Mr.. Gnrley would have
many difficulties overcome in the execution of his
mission not the least Of these was the deep-rooted
prejudces entertained by the people of England to-
ward the American Colonization Society. A large
delegation from the Abolition Societies of the North
then in England, and it to be expected tina,
they would exert their ability to destroy any
favorable impressions that might be made by Mr.. Cur
ley on the minds of British philanthropists.
Il was believed, however, that there were several
distinguished gentlemen in England who would greet
Mr.. Gurley, the representative of the American
Colonization Society, with the most cordial welcome
In this he not disappointed. But the time when
he arrived in London the when the prin-
cipa men usually retire to the continent and most of
these gentlemen were absent. He was therefore de-
prved Of the immediate aid and influence Of those,
without which he could not hope to meet with
Fortunately however both for Mr.. Gurley and the
cause, he met with several American gentlemen;
among whom distinguished historian, the Rev.
Jared Sparks This gentleman very kindly wrote TO
member Of tho Executive Committee representing
the position of things and the great importance of the
continuance Of Mr.. Gurleys labors in England for at
least year.
Mr.. Gurley soon perceived the nature Of the work
before him. and that instead of few weeks being suf
cien for the purposes of his mission period Of nine
ten months would scarcely allow him time to dis
charge faithfully the important commission with which
he had been entrusted that his return to this coun
try within four months from the time the Board of Di-
rectors authorized the mission would bring disap-
pointment to the friends Of African Colonization, bar
out friendly intercourse with the African Colonization
Society, and leave the preiudces of the people Of En-
gland to increase until they became not only mvinc
Bile, but would burst forth in fearful violence against
America, and American Institutions.
The whole American people have a deep interest in
this mission Of Mr.. Gurlev and well may they con-
graduate themselves in having such representative
before the people Of England Our statesmen, whose
arreaching and closely observing minds perceive the
secret springs that move the social and political world
will not fail to appreciate the happy influences exerted
| by such
But to return to the question. Mr.. Gurey sustain
ed the relation Of Corresponding Secretary to the
American Colonization Society, until the annual meet
ing of the Board Of Directors in January last. Let
Il be remembered that The present Constitution Of the
American Colonization Society, ailotrs IL to hare
nothing 10 do riM its orn affairs ereept 10 elect
| President and Vice Presidents, annually. The
Board Of Directors composed of delegates from the
State Societies, and such other gentlemen have
constituted themselves life Directors by the payment
of $1,000 This Board appoint all other officers, and
an Executive Committee. By reference to the con-
suton, it will be perceived that five members Of the
Executive Committee with two Of the Directors may
be constituted Board Of Directors ALSO, that ~
Colonization Society cannot alter or amend lis opr