Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-23
A LETTER FROM THE REV. R. R. GURLEY
TO tile Editors of The National b,te4igencer.

TO the Editors Of the National hateHigencer:
GENTLEMEN should be destitute of the ordinary
senslby could peruse the accompanying letter. received
few days ago, without lively emotions Of respect and gra
tude towards its author and Of interest in all those who, with
him. are pleased do honor by their recolecons of
early and ngcontnued cooperation in which have
under the blessing Of Providence resulted in the establish
ent OF the independent republic Of Liberia. In view Of tho
request ntmaed in the postscript and other circumstances
do not feel at liberty nepoe objection to the publca
ton of this letter. since there duty Justice to ourselves
well Others and the greatest Of philosophers has said
divinity maketh the love Of ourselves the PATTERN the love
of neghbor the porraure and we must beware how IN
making the porraiture, we break the pattern"
Disclamng all merit except that Of ardent zeal and ear
nest efforts for many years in the of African cooniz
on and persuaded that any which has attended my
humble endeavors for the benefit Of my felow-men
attributed to the good providence of God, may he allowed
to say that of all the of my le agrees
BILE to acknowledgements have believe, connect
cd with results important, my visit to Sierra Leone and
Liberia in 1924 when at the latter place. standing by .hs
side Ashmun, the hill Of Mesurado beneath the rude
y hched roof Of the first house for Divine worship
constructed in the colony submitted to the small company
Of settlers the first civil constitution Of free government
presented for their advantage and which, with uped hands
adopted Those adventurous and brave pioneers the
Of their race, who by their that OCCASION avowed
their purpose establish under the auspices Of Christianity
that shore Of barbarsm, slavery and blood republican
State fast passing away but it due taer fortitn
and other virtues, which acon could subdue, that his
tory should preserve their and their posteriy hold
them in veneraton the pilgrim fathers OF recovered and
generated Africa doubt hat the writer Of this et
ter hmse Of Of the earliest most intelligent, and
distinguished emigrants and his associates viii
the debt due to the memory Of that humble but daring
band who unsheered except by the hand Of the Almighty
adventured plant the seeds of liberty and Divine truth with
in the skirts Of the African wilderness from which is
witnessed by the world the spreading and waving har
vest of Christian civilization.
The author Of this letter (han whom no one more com
peten to the tak) WILL trust be spared give the world
the ires Of the first settlers Of Liberia. And of this he
and all the respected citizens Of that colony may assured
that although circumstances for which degree
sponsble have caused my retirement from any official
with the Colonization Society," my interest in the pro-
gess and prosperity Of that colony is unabaed and thai
shall hold myself prepared and bound defend the
tves in which it originated, and aid may be able the
great interests which is designed and well adapted 10
promote.
growth natural and gradual, the proper development Of
the principles of its vigorous life and abundant resources
every friend of Liberia desire for that young repubca
stripping State, which has suddenly and almost unobsered
sprung into the ondependent Powers; which, dedicat
ed to freedom emuou from the Of past disgrace and
present advantage excel and summoned by tbs
highest and most generous motives which stirred people
may yet be destined this advanced period of the world to
win extended reputation and enduring In age
comparatively uncvized, from beginnings humble and OBJ
the Roman empire which finally near
y the whole world amid the ruins Of which still traces
of the grandeur Of the poudest works of man, and feel
spred with Of that Power that subves them. II
in the spirit of philosophy which Rome knew thar
Mr. Ashmun gave the settlement in Mesurado the name
Of Chrstopos" assured that Christianity is the grn
servaTe element Of human ociey and to individuals and
families the only mpeshable to States the only
safeguard against perturbation and decay
With great respect gentlemen, have the honor to be yo
friend and obedient servant, r. X. GURLEY.