Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-09-12
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
,Nyp Ox-rA Tulx- 1sb 1870

MoNRovIA, July 4th, 1850 :
DEAR SRI have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cep of your esteemed favor of February 18TH by the
schooner % David G. Foster" also box containing
copy of State Laws and sundry valuable and inter-
estng public documentswhch have been placed in our
Library and for which beg you will accept my sincere
thanks.
The Joint Resolutions of your General Assembly, a
few copies of which you good enough send me
Indicate very clearly the feelings of the people of your
State on the subject of Colonization.
Indeed sir from the signs of the times it is very evil
dent that the people of the United States generally
becoming daily more and more impressed with the i'm
portance of colonizaton-especially for the
suppression of the slave trade.
Ii is apparent-Liberia has fully demonstrated
the factthat African Colonization is the eectual
means, that possibly be adopted, for the abolition Of
the African slave trade, and for the inroducuon-whch
is less mportant-of civilization and Christianity
among the barbarous tribes of this continent Nor is
this all which colonization is destined to accomplish, and
in which the people of the United States know, feel
an interest Colonization is raising class of persons,
long degraded in consequence of their peculiar situation,
to the position and dignity OF men in their father land
Therefore, in my humble opinion, Liberia also ought to
be sustained by the American people as an asylum Tor
this class They to Liberia; and the u. s.
Government, and State Governments will have to assist
in removing them.
The question of colonization the best of sup
pressing rather of aboshng the slave trade has al
ready been mooed in England have received several
communications from persons there asking my opinion
with respect the efficiency of the British bOckadng
squadron this coast and what would be the probable
result if the squadron withdrawn; and in its stead
Government British merchants were To establish fac
tories for legitimate trade and model farms points
where the slave trade is carried on!
have invariably answered the effect, that the with
drawa Of the squadron thereby throwing open the ra
c would he disastrous the future welfare of AT
RIGA And that so long market remains, and per-
will the for slaves the Natives will
sell each oher and that trading factories model farms
moral suason will have but little influence
training the Natives from slave trading that, IN my
opinion, the plan is colonization. Secure the po
ltical jurisdiction of the country send out Colony,
ganiZe government and the slave trade must cease
This however, Great Britain cannot do-she has not the
men for such enterprise. Europeans cannot stand
the climate; has she Africans spare from her Yves
India possessions.
have not yet seen much of your friend, Mr.. Finley
who is, at present. located at Caldwell / have seer
enough OF him. however, to convince me OF his nteli
gence and gentlemanlv bearing. He WILL doubt
prove a great acquisition to Liberia: Just the kind
emgrants want-men of intelligence and enterprise
who are determined to he free. He has said any
thing about settlement at Grand Cape Mount
/ don't know, but think he is pleased with Caldwell
1t will afford me much pleasure, sir to render him an
assistance in my power.
have written sir in great haste having hut littl
time in which write, the vessel by which this goe
sails soon. have been disturbed also-of this howeye
/ will not complain-by the booming of cannon, at For
Norris Battery sauting the Flag of the United States
You would he astonished witness here the iDieres
manifested by the citizens the anniversary of Ameri
can Independence
i / must close this letter, sir, as my time is mp
have the honor to be-
Dear sir, your obt humble servant,
]. ]. ROBERTS.