Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-12
PRESIDENT FILLMORE AND THE AMERICAN
COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

BY the following correspondence it will be seen
In what way the PRESIDENT of the United States
was constituted life member of the American Co
lonzation Society an institution the importance Of
which increases with every year;
To The President of the United States
ALEXANDRIA JANUARY 81, 1883
HosonEp SIR have the pleasure to inform you that
by the contribution of thousand dollars to the Treasury
of the American Colonization Society you have accord
ing the Constitution Of the Society," been made Direc-
tor for life This contribution is the aggregate of many
donations which intended to express not only the
kind feelings of the donors towards yourself but their
in the great objects Of the Sociey to be tribute
of regard you and testimony Of attachment to the
cause of African Colonization.
In this tribute and testimony all the members Of your
Cabinet distinguished officers Of the army and the navy
leading functionaries of the Government with their
and large number of your have partci-
pated.
onal Society," we'll adapted to link together the bene-
VIOLENT efficiency of the North and of the South your fell
lowczens do but echo the general sentiment Of graft
tude for your services to bo i'll maintaining the peace
honor, and prosperity Of country. AS by
the aid and benedcton of Almighty Cod you have been
enabled thus meet the crisis and fulfil its duties may
that aid be vouchsafed to you through the remainder
fe and that benedicton rest upon you well in death
as in life.
am, with great respect and esteem, your obedient
servant, JOSHUA N. DANF0RTH.
4
WASHINGTON, JANUARY 81, 1853
Rev. JOSHUA N DAsroRTH.
SIR: Ihave your letter Of the 9th instant informing
that by the contribution of thousand dollars
the Treasury the American Colonization ocety have
according the Constitution of the Society been made
Director Of the same for life.
You further inform that this contribution is the ag
gregate of many donations which intended not only
to express the kind feelings of the donors towards myself
but their interest in the great objects Of the Society
know not sir, to whom am indebted for This most
unexpected and fear undeserved mark of respect That
they both my friends and the friends of colonization
am not at liberty to doubt and such beg leave,
through you to return to them sincere thanks Tor this
fatterng testimonial of their regard and to them
that accept the honor thus conferred with grateful emo
tons. BY the unsolicited kindness of one l was
made member of the Society in 1850 and receiveda
tifcae of membership, which prize very highly bear
ing the signature Of its late usrous President HENRY
CLAY have from that time to the present been at
tentye spectator of its proceedings, watching with in
tense interest its aims and prospects, but yet have
purposey avoided taking any part in its proceedings for
the that have made it nvarabe rule since
to the Presidency to take part in the acton of
any association society, sect whose objects might by
possibility come in conflict with my official duty This
will continue to be my while occupying my present
positions and my acceptance Of the trust generously
confded must be subject to this qualification have
hesitation in expressing my decided approval of tie OBJ
ects of this Society 1t appears to have pointed
out the only rational mode of ameorang the condition
Of the coored IN this country But requires neans
and such the States and the Nation alone
nish to give it power adequate to the evil which is in
tended to remedy Nevertheless its successful efforts have
already demonstrated the practicaby Of colonization,
and thereby indicated the mode by which the free eoored
may be elevated to the dignity Of social equality and
be made the bearer of civilization and christianity the
benghted regions Of heather Africa May God, in his
mercy both to the white and black races smile upon its
efforts
am your obedient servant,
WILLARD FILLMORE.