The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-21
American Colonization Society.

was held last night in the Four and-a half stree
Presbyterian church. Among other distinguished
gentlemen present on the occasion was the Presi-
dent Of the United States together with severa
heads Of the Departments Justices of the Supreme
Court, and members of both Houses of Congress
The Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, one Of the vice
presidents Of the society, Gin the absence of thu
president, the Hon. Henry CLAY,) took the chair
at O'Clock, and, having called the society to order
said:
GENTLEMEN or THE AMEaIcAN COLONIZATION
SOCIETY There is not only member Of this
| ISOLATION, but also citizen of the country, who
does not lament, and no one more deeply lamenti
than do, the cause to which it ia to be ascribec
that have been called upon might to occupy the
chair Of this association. The eminent the distin
guished, will say the illustrous fellow citizen o.
ours, who was Of the early founders Of this in
stiution, who has for many years manifested
his sense of its importance, and his zeal for its
cess, is, by continued illness deprived of the oppor
tunity only of being here to night, as the pres
ident of the society, but also has been, and still is
prevented from exercising his usual salutary inl1,
cnce in the councils of the country.
Gentlemen, i is now many years since this So
cety was formed and organized and put into ope.
ration by the eminent persons of whom he was one
His opinion of its usefulness, his zeal for its adj
NanCeHleut anu prosperity HE continued care 10 DE
present at the time of meeting, is known to you
all; and am that there ia deeper sympath
in the heart or feelings of any one present than
that Providence, in His wisdom, may fit to re-
store him to his accustomed ability Of patriotic
vice in the national councils, and devoted care tc
this institution
Let US, gentlemen, impore the throne of grace
and of mercy only for his restoration to health
but for the usefulness and prosperity Of this nsitu
ton.
The Rev. c. M. BUTLER was called upon, and de-
livered prayer appropriate to the occasion
The secretary OF the society, the Rev. WILLIAM
McLAiN, then read an abstract Of the annual
report, which commenced by saying that, Gin the
order of a kind Providence, we are permitted to
celebrate the thirty fifth annivcr ry of the Amer-
can Colonization Society. While with grateful
hearts VIC recognise and acknowledge the good
ness and mercy of the Almighty Ruler Of the Uni
verse, under whose special superintendent our
cause has continued 10 progress, we are called to
bow in humble "Reminiscences TO His sovereign
Will, In view OF the affective dispensations of His
providence by which this society has been deprived
Of the living example and active cooperation of
several of its warmost friends and most devoted
advocates" Three of these were vice presidents
of the society-the Right Hon. Lord Bexley, Of
Eng and; the Rev. Archibald Alexander, ID. ID.
IL d., OF Princeton, New Jersey; and the Rev.
Stephen DIN, ID. D., LII. ID. {" Nor" the report
continues, care these all of the warm friends and
generous patrons of this society who have been re
moved by death since our last anniversary" 1t
makes special allusion TO the Hon. James Nc
DOwell ex Governor of Virginia; the Reverend
Thomas IL. Gallaudet, ID. D., LII. D., of Con-
nccticut; Josiah Shedd, NJ. d., OF Peachain,
Vermont, who has left legacy Of $4,000 to the
society; Thomas ID. Merrill, Of Concord, N. ii o.,
who bequeathed 900 TO the society; Abraham
c. Thompson, of New York, who, by will, made
his society one OF his residuary egatees. by which
they hope TO realize upwards of 80 900; Nathaniel
Storrs, OF Boston, who also made the society re-
siduary egatee Of his estate from which they shall
probably derive $4,000, or more; Augustus G. n-
ham, OF Brooklyn, N. Y, who bequeathed to the
society the sum Of 8 10 000 and Mics Sarah Waldo,
OF Worcester, Mass, from the executors of whose
estate they have already received 8 900. the
amount Of a legacy left by her to the society,
which amount, added to $1,000 received from the
estate OF her sister Elizabeth, who made the socio-
" one of her residuary legateos, together with
the legacy Of $4,000 received from the estate OF
her brother, the Hon. Daniel Waldo, makes 1923 900
received by bequest from these three benevolent
and exemplary friends of the Colonization Society,
beside numerous liberal donations made during
their lifetime.
In addition tbesc liberal requests all OF which the
society hope to receive they have had intimations
OF other legaces made, or TO be made, which shows
that the importance of the colonization enterprise
Is not lost sight Of by some Of the Christian phian
thropists OF our country, who desire to return 10
Him, from whom cometh every good gift, the sub
stance with which, in the order of His providence,
they have been favored.
The total amount Of the receipts Of the society,
from all sources, during the pact year were S97,-
4ty ia much larger amount than was received
during any preceding year; which, however in
cludcs the sum Of s 81 500 received from the Uni
ted States Government by virtue OF an act Of Con-
sress passed at the ast session. for the relief Of the
American Colonization Society, in consideration OF
various expenses incurred and means used by the
society IN the care and support OF the liberated Ar
ricans who were landed at Monrovia, in Liberia
from the slave ship Pons, in December, l5t5
During the past year the society have sent a
larger number than during any preceding year
since the organization Of the society. Had they
not been partially thwarted by circumst nces be
yond their control, with reference to the emigra.
ton, during the pact year, Of Others whom they
expected 10 send, and who will probably go during
the present year, tho total number Of emigrants
for the year 1851 would have been considerably
larger. There were seven expeditions TO Liberia
during the year.
The report says il is evident that throughout the
entire country there is growing intorost in favor
Of the enterprise Of African colonization, and the
society occupies high position among the various
bcneyolcntnstiutionso OF this emincntly progressive
age And the free people Of color in this country
becoming nrOutcd TO n consciousness Of their real
position and prospects, and arc beginning seriously
20 ponder the subject Of voluntary Immigration TO
land in which no barriers 70 political exaltation
exist, and no impediments TO the free exercise of
all the privileges Of social cquality--a land in
which the mind can act without restraint, and in
which incentives TO laudablc ambition may ope
rate without the tammelling influences Of con ven.
tIona rules, established 10y the white inhn bit,nts
Of this land, and clearly recognised in every part
Of the country. Notwithstanding the show Of Op-
position made by some Of them, whose minds have
become imbued with prejudice which cannot be
easily eradicated, yet in many parts Of the coun-
try the most intelligent among them are earnestly
engaged IN trying 70 work out the problem Of their
destiny, with minds open 10 conviction, and judg-
ments unbiased by the influence Of agencies
avovedly opposed 10 the colonization enterprise
And the society doubt not that within n few years
there will be n far more extensive movement
among the free colorcd people Of the United States
IN favor Of emigration than has ever yet been wit
ncsscd-a movement which will doubtless be speed
lily and practically exhibited in the event Of the
successiul issue OF the plan for the establishment
OF n line OF steamers to ply regularly between this
country and Liberia.
Tho report represents the POLITICAL social, and
agricultural condition Of Liberia TO be Of very
couraging character. Tho political jurisdiction OF
the republic extends over tract Of country on the
western const Of Africa from the mouth of the She
bar river, the north, (Which is the southern
boundary Of the British colony Of Sierra Leone to
the northern boundary Of maryland in Liberia -
distance along the seacoast of about five hundred
milcs; which, added TO the territory within the ia.
risdction Of the Maryland colony, makes the sea.
board extent OF the two governments about six hun
drcd miles The present emgrant population OF
the republic IL about six TO seven thousand, and the
number Of native inhabitants residing within tho
territory Of the republic il probably ono hundred
and Gfty Ia ty,D hundred tbptsapI ,pa,,v 81