The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-27

for with ayidiy on account OF the richness OF their ma
onal productions and her fitness for the abode OF cis
zed man
The conviers land, Australia, and the Indians hunting
ground in the Pacific now command me respect OF the
civilized world and BY The abundance o their golden
treasures. regulate the exchanges Of London and New
York; and give tone and character 10 The commerce oil the
world.
Lei no man hereafter condemn any portion OF Gods
earth as hopeless and useless.
Africa doomed and despsed she has been by the
opinion OF the world, is in no less forlo condition Than
was Australia and California years ago Ii needs but
exploration and development bring forth her natural
wealth for The use OF man. But have not time
into this subject large believe thai Africa s about
10 open OF the richest fields OF commerce in The world
II needs only exploration and development romake il
one OF the most attractive and profitable gions there
fore think this expedition Will be oil service 10 the
country and the world than any OF The recent expeditions
projected by this government
Mr.. President, few days since | presented 10 the
Senate resolution OF inquiry relative TO the acksowl-
edgment OF the Independence OF The republic o Liberia
sought on several occasions 10 bring that resolution
before the Senate for coaside ration, order that might
give 10 the country the reason which induced me TO ser
IL; but the time OF the Senate has been occupied that
no opportunity afforded me 10 do As the subject
now under consideration Is germane 10 that question,
Will take this occasion TO give 10 the country The reasons
why thnk the government OF the United States should
acknowledge the Independence OF Liberia.
lcas induced to offer that resolution in consideration
OF the notorious fact that Liberia has existed nde
pendent republic or five years without any official
Prussia and Brazil have acknowledged her nationality.
and received her into the family Of nations,
This silence on our part 10 notice The first and only
free government upon the continent OF Africa rs the
remarkable when consider the origin and hislo
~ OF that republic.
Liberia is of American origin nuriured and protected
through all the trials and dangers OF colonial life up 10
her present national existence by the benevoence and
enterprise OF citizens Associated with the names
and sustained by N influences Of the greatest statesmen
and the purest phanhropisls of America, her humble
history connects itself with own, and forms of
the most interesting chapters in national annals.
On the 2tth of December 1915, meeting was held in
this Capitol Tor the purpose OF adopting to
ss in the formation and execution of plan for the col
onzaon OF the free people OF color. with their consent,
in Africa This meeting though small 10 numbers, was
great in the moral intellectual and political characters
OF the who composed IT, Henry Clay presided over
it's deliberations, and John Randolph and other dstin
guished public OF that day. took part in the discus
sions which led 10 the unanimous adoption OF the follow
ing preamble and Tesounons
The situation of the free people Of color in the United
States has been The nbIect Of anxious socitude with
many Q. our most distinguished citizens from the first az
istence OF our country an Independent nation but the
great difficulty and embarrassment attending the establish
OF iniapi nation, when first struggling into EXIT
and the subsequent commissions OF Europe have hh
prevented any national Effort TO provide remedy
for the evils existing apprehended The present period
seems peculiarly auspcons 10 invite attention TO this i'm
poant subject and gives awegronnded hope OF success
The Europe husbed into peace uneIampled
efforts making In various parts oi the world 10 dinue
knowledge, civilization, and the benign influence OF the
Christian religion the rights Of man are becoming daily
better understood The legitimate objects OF government,
fouDOeo of ite bent nj bAppineH
men, generally acknowledged. and ardent zesl
for the happiness OF the human Rce IS k,ndied In amo
a,bonv and of Jnoting ~ prospsp1y md hanppss,
OF county, il recommended by this meeting TO form
assisting in the colon zon Of the ee people OF color In
the United Staesi therefore,
Rotred, That association society be formed for
the purpose collecting information aud 10 assist IN the for
nation and execution ol plan for the colonization of The
where may be advisable by the constituted
auihoriies Of the country
-Four days after, adjourned meeting, the first
slulion OF the American Colonization Society was adopt
ed, and on New Years day, 1917, The following officers
OF the society were elected
President-Bushrod Washington Vice Presidents
William II. Crawford, OF Georsia; Henry Clay, Of Ken
lucky; William Philips, OF Massachusetts Henry Rui-
gers OF New York; John +. Howard Samuel Smith.
John C. Herbert OF Maryland John Taylor OF Caroline,
OF Virginia; Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee; Robert
RalsioD, Richard Rush, oi Pennsy vana; John Mason,
OF the District OF Columbia; and Rev. Robert FiDdley,
OF New Jersey
Immediately after the organization OF the society," the
follow ing resolution was adopted:
Rssoiped That the president and board OF ,ger
memorial 10 Congress on the subieci Of coioniznr with
rht conssr ~ re- n.ane ~ col,5 81 the Unite5 asex
In Africa or elsewhere
The memorial here referred to was signed by Bush
rod Washington, president OF the society, and was on
the l4th OF January, 1877 presented To Congress will
read two extracts iron THIS memorial M order 10 show
TO the Senate that the great mea who originated the
plan OF Ancan colonization were influenced bg high ma
OF their patriotic enterprise the establishment OF Tree
national government in Africa; the successful result
OF which, after forty years ri labor, my resolution was
intended TO acknowledge and proclaim TO the world.
The memorial says:
"Your uemorialsts are delegated by numerous and
highly respectable association oi their feiowcuzeDs
ceny organized the Of government 70 solicit Con-
aid with rs power The patronage and The
IN The and beneficial object oil thsr IN
ituuonan object deemed worhy Of the earnest attention
and Of the and pefseverng exeons as wei oil
whatever condition OF life oil
yh ensd, mi anthropic, and practical siae.man.
Your nemofaisl. beg leave, with alt deercncr, TO
suggest that the rcst and most inviting opportunities are
presented 70 the general government Tor repairing
sOcal and poucsl Institutions and nj the
time for elevaiHg from low and hopeless condition
and IA pd ynceasing race Of men, who wnni
nohiug but proper theatre enter the pursuit o
happiness and independence Ia the ordinary paths which
bsngn Providence has left % the human rsce ihose
ends. " s conceived may be accomplished by ms
adequate provision iof planting IN some
fcrte region coCny be composed OF snch OF the
above description OF persons az may oboose 70 euf,sc
aud for extending to t the authority snd pfoeeuon OF the
10 shall have auaincd saineient strength
and consistency 10 Be left IN state Of Independence
In the month of February, ls2O, the ship Elizabeth
sailed from the United State. with eghiysix passengers;
they were free people OF color, voluntarily emgrAng
from this country the western coast OF Aca 10 make
permanent settlement there. The good ship carried
them safely to their destination. From this small plan
aton Of legally msnumtied slaves there mas grown up
in the OF thirty years nation containing, Of emf
grants and natives, two hundred thousand inhabitants,
governed by republican form OF government. with
written constitution like own. and exercising
disputed dominion over seven hundred miles OF
coast with extent Of inland territory yet underlined
and commanding by ts position the trade and commerce
OF western Africa
The establishment, OF the republic Of Liberia ia Of
WE.Al. fl4i