The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-09


holding States, where they are looked upon by the
whites with aversion and distrust The policy OF
all most of these States has been TO discourage
manunission, except on condition Of Tie removal of
the liberated slave. In part of the Union do the
free blacks enjoy equality Of political and social
prvieges and in all the States their presence is
neither agreeable to the whites nor Ia their cond
ton advanta geous to themselves. In some of the
slave States stringent prohibitions have been adopt
ed, and unpleasant controversies with free States
have been thereby engendcred. The emigration
of this entire population beyond the limits OF our
country Is the only eftectual mode OF curing these
evils and of removing one cause of dangerous
irritation between the different sections of the
Union.
The committee believe it is expedient to aid pri-
| vate enterprise in the colonization Of the western
coast of Africa because it is the most etfectual If
not the only mode, Of extirpatng the slave trade.
The success OF this measure will doubtless render
the African squadron wholly unnecessary, thus
imbursing a large portion of the xpense attending
it, and at the time better accomplishing the
object for which that squadron is maintained, Ii
may be expedent for some one OF the great naval
powe to keep ANAL force the coaat Of Africa
to protect Liberia for Limited time, against the
slave traders. But the attempt to suppress this un
lawful traffic by blockading the coast has sgnaly
failed, that it will probably soon be abandoned by
the great European powers While the influence
Of the Republic Of Liberia has been shown in the
complete suppression Of the trade along coast of
several hundred miles in length the combined squa-
drons of Europe and America have not been
cessful other portions of that unhappy shore.
In SAT less than 81 1856 slaves xported from
Africa to Cuba and Brazil. Ia the opinion of the
committee, it is highly important to prevent the
further Africanizing OF the American continents.
An opposite movement, SO far as the free blacks
concerned, is far more in accordance with the spirit
Of the age and with the best interests of all Ameri
can Governments. The people of the United States
have shown their strong aversion to the slave trade
by the provision in their constitution against it, and
by their unremitting and vigorous efforts 10 sup
press it. The success which has already crowned
the infancy OF Liberia, indicates the true mode OF
making those exerons eilectual, while it opens up
the way for restoring the free blacks to the native
land of their fathers.
The committee beg leave here to present some
interesting facts which satisfy them that the terri
tory of Liberia is eminently adapted to colored
einigrants from the United States that the estab
lishment Of this line of steamships by the Govern
Inent will be a powerful stimulus to the cause Of
colonization, and will be the means Of securing the
emigration of great numbers of free blacks; that
the slave trade will be substituted by peaceful,
legitimate, and valuable commerce, opening new
sources of enterprise and wealth to people, and
that the civilization and chri5tanzation of the whole
continent of Africa may be expected eventually to
follow. The facts presented collected chiefly
from the publications of the Colonization Society.
That portion OF the western coast of Africa called
Liberia, embraces a tract of country included be-
tween the parallels of 40 81 and 7' north latitude,
extending about 400 miles along the coast The
first settlement was made by free negroes from the
United States, under the auspices of the American
SoeieNJ IA Set iS>N. Auc OpJSNss
Of that society were
"lst To rescue the free colored people of the
United States from their political and social usad
vanages.
"2d. To place them in country where they may
enjoy the benefits of free government with all the
| blessings which 1t brings in its train.
+" 81. To spread civilization, sound morals, and
true religion throughout the continent of Africa.
"+th. To arrest and destroy the slave trade.
4" 5th. To afford slave owners, who wish, are
willing TO berate their slaves, asylum for their
| reception"
The funds of this society have seldom exceeded
$4,000 per year, but they have purchased terri
tory enabled nearly 1000 free people of color TO
emigrate to Liberia, and have made provision. for
such OF them required il, for six months after
their arrival. In July, ls47, an independent gov
ernment was formed, which has been recognised
by France, England, and Prussia. Upwards of
81, 900 of the natives have become civilized and
rolled themselves as citizens of the republic. he
Liberiafs have a hourlshing commerce. They
have not only succeeded IN suppressing the slave
trade along their own coast, but have also made
treaties with several tribes numbering 200 900
souls, for the discontinuance of the traffic. They
have purchased thelr territory from time 10 time Of
the natives, and gradually extending them
selves up TO the British settlement of Sierra Leone
and down 10 the Gold Coast.
The interior settlements of the purchased tracts
usually extend from about ten to thirty miles from
the coast, and can easily be enlarged by purchase
in that direction at a moderate amount In no in
stance have the natives, from whom the land
pufCnh-eu, Dctu Tt4ulfth 10 ftHONc lutli ftbl-
dences. The land in the immediate vicinity of the
ocean in Liberia 10 generally low, and in some
places maTshy; but there are some elevated spots
The land generally becomes more elevated towards
the interior; and IN some places within fifty miles
OF the coast, It is quite mountainous. IL is dcsira
bic for the colony 10 become possessed of this back
country, il 10 much healthier than the coast and
when the emigration from the United States be-
comes extensive, the mountain region will soon b.
occupied. The natives are a hue, healthy. athletic
race; and even the emirrauts to the lands on the
coast have enjoyed better health than the egrants
to some Of Our western States IN the first few ycsrs
Of settlement.
Liberia is on the "grain coast !" and is protected
| from the scorching winds Of the north and east by
ranges Of mountains The soil IL fertile, and pro-
| duces an abundance Of Indian corn, yams, plan
tains, coffee, arrow root, indigo, dyeVOOds, sc.
| Every emgrant is welcomed 10 the colony, and
receives grant OF five acres Of land, besides which
he can purchase as much more as he pleascs at one
| dollar per acre.
The climate is not suited to the whites The
! president and all the officials are cOlored men.
There are fourishing towns, churches, schools. and
! printing presses. according TO the statement ol
the Rev X. z. Gurley, who has recently visited the
colony, the people are highly moral well. conduct
ed and prosperous, and the value OF the exports O
she Republic is at present 5 500 900 per annum,
and Is increasing at the rate o hity per cent annu-
ally.
Not only will the slave trade be abolished by the
establishment Of colonies Of free coored people on
the coast of Africa, but, already intimated these
colonies will be the means at no distant period Oi
disseminating civilization and Christianity through
| out the whole of that continent. Already a great
many Of the natives have placed themselves under
| the protection OF the Liberans, whose knowledge
Of agriculture and the arts inspires confidence and
respect.
As missionary enterprise, therefore, the colo
nizstion of Africa by the descendants Of Africans
on this continent, deserves, and no doubt will re-
ccive the countenance and support of the whole
Christian world
Two points are now regarded, both in Europe
and in this country, settled truths, viz lst Tha
| the planting and building up Of Christian colonies
on the coast Of Africa is the only practical remedy
for the slave trade. ID. That colored men only
can with safety settle upon the African coast.
That the free negroes Of the United States vii
be induced TO 60 in large numbers TO Liberia If
quick and pleasant passage by stesm-yessels be
provided, and suitable preparation be made for
them on their arrival, by the Colonization Society
cannot admit of any doubt
| The funds OF that society, augmented probaby y
twenty fold, will then be available almost exclu-
syely, for the comfortable establishment Of the emi.
grants in their homes-the expense of trans
portation chargeable to the society being merely
| nominal
1t is estimated that there no less than 500 600
free colorcd people in the several States, and that
the annual increase therein OF the black race is