The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-05
OFFIcE OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY,
Washington, .1prii 81, lSid


OFrIcE OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY,
Washington April q, lsi3
| Repe,end aud Dear Sir
The Executive Committee of lie American Colo
nization Society earnestly invite your attention TO It's
benevolent enterprise, and trust that you will bring
its merits and its wants TO the consideration
Of the people Of your charge There is every thing
encourage Christian efforts for the benefit OF Arr
ca. The concurrence of many great events, tending
to open that country to the influences of civilization
and Christianity, and to render the colonies of Lbe-
ria, if duly encouraged, most powerful means OF sup
pressing the slave-trade and bringing the Inhabitants
of that afflicted quarter Of earth into the family Of
enlightened nations, urges the disciples OF Christ, OF
every name, TO co operate with the movements OF
Providence, and strengthen her returning and re-
generated children in building up and extending on
her shores republican and religious commonwealth
Such a commonwealth, the Plymouth Of Africa, is
already founded; its settlements along nearly three
hundred miles of coast reclaimed through their in
nuence from the horrors of the sIavetrade, smile
with promise their schools, churches, courts, and
legislature are evidences Of social order and
moral state and it is only necessary to multiply and
blessings to a large portion of the human family
hitherto destitute and exposed to cruel wrongs and
ntolerable calamilies. Ii is Of vital conse-
auence to increase the numbers and enlarge the ter
rtories Of Liberia, as to place beyond danger the
ultimate ascendency upon that coast OF the prnci-
pies of free government and Christian faith. No
other nation has advantages equal to ours for the at
tanment of these great objects. 1t is easy for the
churches of this land to render the settlements of Ii
beria not only attractive ums for all such Of her
descendants, from the United States, may desire
to share in their own government and TO secure Tor
themselves and their posterity an independent ma
tional existence in circumstances most fayo able for
its growth and prosperity, but also seminaries, IN
which, thousands of missionaries may be educated,
and from which they may go forth for the
Of all Africa 10 the knowledge and worship of the
true God. The Committee, then, would respectful
ly call upon you, sir, and upon your people, to as
sist in this work OF unsurpassed beneyolence and as
it was deemed essential, at the annual meeting Of
the society, to raise for its operations the present
year. least forty thousand dollars, they pray you,
either Immediately, on the fourth of July or on
Sabbath that day, TO submit the subject to
your congregation and solicit their contributions to
the society.
We beg leave to accompany this letter with brief
form of constitution for an auxiliary society, IN
the hope that such an association may be immediate
ly organized,in your community, and continue per-
manently TO cooperate in this enterprise. When we
consider how much has been done, and al how small
expense, (,he whole amount contributed by individu-
ais, during the twenty-five years since the origin OF
the society," TO the enterprise, having but little ex
ceeded 500 600 that many prosperous settlements
of free and Christian people now adom line OF
coast for ages abandoned TO ignorance supers ltion
and crime that the worship OF the true God IS here
and The WAY prspared Tor ,sS victories Of
can hesitate to aid tho work
= A uord Of specific objects for Which finds are
demanded.
!. First TO secure the entire line Of the African
coast from Cape Mount TO Cape Pamas, about three
hundrcd miles. more extended line OF coast would
be desirable, but this IS Indispensable as difficult es
have already arisen within these limits between the
Colonial Government and English traders and as
some twenty tracts have already been purchased by
the society this line, establishments OF other ma
tons upon II, must occasion perpetual jealousies and
disturbances II is believed this object can b. effect.
ed at an expense not exceeding SIS 900 or 10000.
2 To open a road to the camwood regions Of the
Interior thus vastly increasing the commerce and
resources Of the colony and extending its influence
among the native tribes. This may be effected a, o
cost OF from $1,000 to $4,000
g. To aid emigration. An expedition is 10 sail i'm
medstely from New Orleans with sxty-nine lberat-
ed slaves of the estate Of the late Mrs Read OF Mis-
sissippi, the remainder (here being hundred and
} thirty in all) awaiting another expedition.
Eighteen slaves in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, to
whom freedom was bequcathed by their late master
are expected, should means be secured TO accom-
UanN TINS tkpeNUlOn. lneN are liable 10 be sold ~
not sent before the close Of the year
In Richmond county, Va, are twelve slaves to
whom freedom has been left IN condition Of their
emigration 10 Liberia within certain time. They
have earned part Of the money necessary to defray
their expenses and need assistance TO enable them
to complete their redemption, in due time.
An aged gentleman IN Tennessee desires 70 send
sNty-eght slaves TO the colony, worth probably in
the market from twenty to thirty thousand dollars
A minister Of the Gospel in Virginia wishes to ibe .
- laT-- a.
penscs Of their emigration TO Liberia where they
have friends and TO which they greatly desire 10 90
A wealthy gentlemon IN South Carolina has long
been preparing his slaves for freedom in the colony
and with much success, and hopes to send them
hither the present year Many In Tennessee and
Virginia, entertain similar sentiments TO his, and
many free persons Of color in those States and else
where desire to emigrate Among the latter number
is an intelligent Baptist preacher in western New
York, who only waits for means TO remove with
company of his friends.
For III means Of efecting these objects we must
place reliance upon the bencyoence and exertions
Of individuals. Those who may be denied the hap
piness OF giving money, may enjoy that Of securing
donations from others entrusted by Providence with
wealth. Influence, as well as know Wedge, is power
The wise exertion of such influence by individuals
in uniting the opinions and charities Of Christians for
the promotion Of great and good designs, is a mighty
means Of benehcence in the Kingdom Of Providence
should each who may pcruse this letter resolve
TO secure hundred, fifty, or even twenty dollars
for the obi cts above specified, their Accomplishment
would, with the blessing Of Heaven, be rendered
certain, and to the African the benefit would be
ncaculable.
In the view Of the Committee, every possible rea-
son exists for special and liberal exertions on the
part Of all the friends Of Africa.
| remain, Reverend and dear SIR with the greatest
respect, your friend and servant,
/ X. X GURLEY Secretary
N. D. Every clergyman who receives this letter is
respectfully requested should he approve Of the OBJ
ject TO read II to his congregation aud solicit in its
behalf, their contributions.