APPENDIX.Abstract of a Journal of the late Rev. Samuel John Mills, written while in Africa.Ship Mary, off Cape Verde.Thursday, 12th March, 1813.We left London on the 2d February, and on the 7th sailed from the Downs. For eighteen days we encountered head winds and strong gales, and made slow progress. On the 25th we had a distinct view of Cape Finisterre, in Spain. On the 3d of March we passed Madeira, and, on the 6th Palma, and other Canary islands. We expect to see Cape Verde to-day, and to anchor in the river Gambia tomorrow.

While on the voyage we have been chiefly employed in reading books which treat of the people, climate, soil, and productions of Africa. We hope our visit to this country, which is so imperfectly known, will add much to our knowledge of it.

At 4 P.M. we exulted at the sight of Africa, and began to draw, with our pencils, imperfect sketches of the coast, the eminences, trees, &c. Cape Verde is high, open to the sea-breeze, and verdant in appearance. The two eminences are called the Mamelles. The cape terminates with islands of rocks.

The mouth of the Senegal is about one hundred miles north-east of the Cape Verde. The island St. Louis, belonging to the French, lies nine miles up the Senegal, and has a mixed population of five or six thousand. It is valuable as a military and commercial station, to command the trade of that great river.

As we passed south of the Cape, Goree presented itself to view. This island, which belongs to the French, is little better than a barren rock, about three-fourths of a mile in circumference, with a population of four or five thousand. We saw the houses, vessels in the harbour, and the flag at the fort. It is a place of resort for European invalids, while on the coast.

Gambia, Friday, 13th March.Early this morning we began to enter the noble Gambia, between Cape St. Mary's and Banyan Point on the right, and Sanguomar, the Bird Islands, and Barra Point, on the left. The bay is twelve or fifteen miles wide, and the mouth of the river between Barra and Banyan Points is six miles wide. Several canoes are fishing in the bay. The natives use their paddles with adroitness. The weather is very pleasant, the thermometer at 63 ° and the sun obscured by a hazy atmosphere.

At 12 A.M. we anchored near the village St. Mary's situated on Banyan Point. Capt. M. of brig Success, who left London a few days before us, and some English gentlemen of the village, soon made us a visit. In the afternoon we walked about the village. It is an infant settlement, commenced only two years ago. The governor's house, the barracks, and a few other houses, are tolerably well built; most of the others are constructed of very slender materials, just sufficient to afford a shade from the sun, and a shelter from the dews and rains. The people were cheerful, and generally employed in some kind of labour. Some were unlading goods; some burning shells for lime; and some at work in the carpenters' and smiths' shops. We stood some time to see a company of soldiers go through the manual exercise. They were mostly Africans, above the ordinary stature, well formed, and neatly dressed. They appeared to be quite expert and intelligent. The military force of the place is about one hundred men. A few pieces of cannon, mostly dismounted, are arranged along the beach. There is no fort or block-house. Notwithstanding the exposed state of the settlement, there is no fear of assault from the native tribes. The number of Europeans is about thirty, and the population of the village is already seven or eight hundred. Trade is the soul of the colony: this will increase annually, as the trade of the whole river will concentrate here. The spot does not invite to agriculture, and there are none in the settlement whose interest and dispositions incline them to it. The officers attend to the civil order and safety of the colony; the merchants hope to amass a fortune and return home. There is, as yet, no attention paid to literary or moral instruction; hence, the internal improvement of the place will be very slow, unless some humane society afford their aid.

Gambia, Saturday, 14th March.We made our respects to the commandant, and became acquainted with most of the Europeans here. They gave us several facts respecting the slave-trade, which is now renewed 002021newed by the French, at the Senegal and Goree, to a great extent. Some hundreds of slaves have been smuggled away in canoes and small vessels by night, even from this river and the parts adjacent, within a few months.

We walked out from the settlement two or three miles. Most of this space, overgrown with wild grass, resembled prairie of illinois or Missouri. The herds of cattle, which abound in this vicinity, become very tolerable beef by feeding on grass alone. We saw marshy spots, where the tide had sometime flowed, encrusted over with salt. We measured and Adansonia, (monkey-bread-tree,) which was forty feet in circumference.

This settlement claims only a small tract of land, for the use of which there is an annual allowance of a small parcel of goods to the king of Combo. This man is well spoken of, and is said to be averse to the slave-trade, which cannot be said of many of the native kings.

The expedition under Major Wm. Gray, destined to explore the Niger, embarked from this place ten days ago. It is composed of two hundred men, of whom about fifty are Europeans, and the others are African soldiers. They have several camels and mules, and much baggage. The expedition proceeded up the river in boats and vessels to Kayee, about four hundred miles, and will thence proceed by land. I fear they have not chosen the best season of the year, as the rains are expected in two or three months. It is reported that the Bambarrans will oppose the expedition.

James' Fort, on a little island, twenty miles up the Gambia, was an important station when the slave-trade was extensively prosecuted. It is now and insignificant place being occupied only by eight or ten disorderly soldiers, who are sent thither from St. Mary's, as a punishment.

There is a small French establishment at Albreda, in the kingdom of Barra, on the north of the Gambia. The principal articles of export from this river are ivory, beeswax, and hides.

This is a noble river and flows through a luxuriant country.Gambia, Monday, 16th March.We embarked in brig Success for Sierra Leone, leaving the Mary to unlade a part of her cargo. We hope to arrive there in four or five days. It would have been very pleasing to us to have gone up the Gambia a few hundred miles. But our time is invaluable to us before the rains, and we hasten to that part of the coast which our instructions require us to survey.

At St. Mary's we saw captain Lloyd, a friend of the lamented Park. He trades chiefly at Vintain. Another interesting person was Thomas Joiner, a native African. He was a son of a prince of some distinction, who lived about six hundred miles up this river. When a boy, he was kidnapped and sold in the West Indies. He was afterwards redeemed by an English captain, who knew his father. He was well educated in England, and restored to his country. He is a man of good character and habits, and has acquired property and influence. He has just returned from England, where he left two sons for an education. He says that he shall buy a brig the next year to import his own goods. Will not some of our American people of colour be fired by this example? They might fit out vessels to trade to this country, which would enable them to ascertain its valuable productions and to survey parts of the coast. Such an intercourse, they would find much to their advantage. This will most naturally lead to settlements in this country.

The more we learn of Africa, the more confident we are that the plan of the American Colonization Society will eventually succeed. We obtain increasing proofs of the fertility of the soil, and ascertain a greater variety of the productions of the country. If the slave trade, that mother of abominations and source of woes unutterable, can be annihilated, Africa will revive and assume a respectable rank among the nations of the earth.

Sierra Leone, Sab. 22d March.At 9 A.M. we are sailing into Sierra Leone river, which is about ten or twelve miles wide. The mountains rise in irregular ridges and peaks, one beyond another, and present a grand and verdant appearance.

At 11 A.M. boats and canoes came to us from the town. We anchored below to wait for the next tide. The town has the appearance of a neat and pleasant village. For health and commerce, its local situation is admirable. It is too hard and hilly for agriculture.

Several villages are in sight. The church on Leicester mountain is in full view, and aids us much in our devotional thoughts on this sacred day.

The altars on these mountains, which the natives had dedicated to devils, are falling before the temples of the living God, like the image of Dagon before the Ark. The time is coming when the dwellers in these vales and on these mountains will sing hosannas to the Son of David. Distant tribes will learn their song. "Ethiopia shall stretch forth the hand unto God and worship."

Sierra Leone, Monday, 23d March.We are sorry to learn that Gov. Macarthy is absent on a visit to the Gambia. We made our respects to the commandant, chief justice Fitzgerald, and the council at the government house. We presented Lord Bathurst's letter. They said in obedience to his lordship's instructions, it would give them pleasure to take us to different settlements in the colony, to show us the schools and to render us any assistance in the objects of our embassy. We were grateful as we should be, and saw the wisdom of our coming by the way of England. We delivered our letters in the colony. Many of the people of colour were joyful to see us. The death of captain Cuffee is deeply lamented.

Sierra Leone, Wednesday, 25th March.In the market place this morning, I saw beef, pork, lamb, fowls, fish, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

We dined with the honourable chief justice, in company with most of the military and civil officers of the colony.

It seems to be generally admitted here, that settlements of the free people of colour of the United States on this coast, will promote the culture of the soil, increase the means of an honourable commerce, and assist in the more complete abolition of the slave trade. But the merchants have fears that the proximity of an American settlement to this place, would injure its trade. Such would prefer a coalition under this government. Others, both in England and the United States, think differently, and consider proximity to Sierra Leone desirable. It will be our interest and duty to aid and improve Sierra Leone, in every proper way. A coalition is generally deemed inexpedient, but the question of proximity will deserve mature consideration.

Sierra Leone, Thursday, 26th March.We visited the schools in Freetown. In the male school were about two hundred neat, active, intelligent boys, divided into eight classes, under the superintendence of Mr. Horton, whose perseverance and fidelity are entitled to high commendation. We saw the writing of the boys, and heard them read and spell. In the female school were about one hundred neatly dressed little girls, many of whom could read and sew. These schools would do no dishonour to an English or American village. There was not a white child in either of them. I believe schools of white children seldom give fairer proofs of good improvement.

The number in all the schools in the colony, including some adults, does not fall much short of two thousand. This is about one sixth part of the whole population.

Sierra Leone, Friday, 27th March.In the evening we met the principal members of the Friendly Society. This Society was instituted among the colonists at the suggestion of the late Paul Cuffee. John Kizell is the president. We made a full statement of our object. All appeared to be much gratified. It was not the first notice which they had of our design, as we brought many letters from their brethren in Boston and in New-York. It was their opinion that whenever the colony might be formed, it was not expedient to request a large tract of land at first, as the kings might be alarmed lest we should take their country from them. If we can gain footing in an eligible place, there will not be much difficulty in obtaining additional grants hereafter, as the land may be wanted. One observed that if a man of great wealth should come and wish to buy one of our houses, we might sell it to him; but if he should wish to buy all Freetown, an alarm would be made at once.

Some of the kings have a suspicion lest those whom they have sold to slave-trade would return and revenge on them their wrongs. This fear would be increased if the territory desired was of great extent. One man who was sold from the Sherbro nearly thirty years ago, has lately returned. He openly asserted that if any person should take any of his family and sell them, he would kill that man without the least hesitation.

We informed the meeting of our design to go down the coast to Sherbro, and wished to know whether they would recommend any of their number who might go with us as interpreters and advisers. It was understood that Mr. Kizell and Mr. Martin would accompany us.

Before we parted, we addressed our prayers to God; to whom the honour and glory of this great and benevolent enterprise will belong, if it is carried into effect.

Saturday, 28th March.Monday we expect to begin our tour down the coast, and have been much occupied to-day in making preparations. We have engaged a sloop of ten or fifteen tons, with a captain, five men and a boy, all Africans, at six dollars per day, they finding their own provisions. Mr. B. and myself, with Messrs. Kizell, Martin, and Anderson our pilot, complete our number. we have laid in some provisions, calculating on an absence of three or four weeks, and have taken some goods with which to purchase additional provisions and to make the necessary presents to the kings and headmen, on whom we may call.

Sabbath, 29th March.

Setting out at six o'clock in the morning, in company with several gentlemen, we rode to attend public worship, at Regent's Town and the Christian Institution. The Christian Institution is a large school for the captured children, established by the Church Missionary Society, and stands on Leicester mountain, three miles from Freetown. Regent's Town is two miles beyond Leicester mountain, and has a population of twelve or thirteen hundred, who have been liberated from slave-ships by the Vice-Admiralty Court of Sierra Leone, within two or three years past.

Our horses were quite inferior, not more than twelve hands high. They are usually brought from the Senegal. European horses will not live long in this country. Just out of the town we passed the burying ground, which occupies an acre and a half of land, conveniently situated, and enclosed with a good wall. In less than a mile we began to ascend the mountain: it is steep in some places. The road is good for horses, but not used for waggons or carts. The land along the road is covered with trees, shrubs, pine apple plants, and some wild grass. We passed one coffee plantation which is productive, and of considerable extent. Near the Institution the land, in one direction, lies fair for cultivation, and has a good soil. The boys who belong to the school have cleared eighty or a hundred acres. This Institution accommodates about two hundred children of both sexes, who are mostly named and supported by individual benefactors in England. These are children once destined to foreign slavery, now fed, clothed, governed, and carefully taught in the Christian relegion. Assembled in the church to worship God, they are a spectacle of grateful admiration; and their state happily exemplifies the divine origin and holy principles of the religion in which they are taught. Regent's Town lies in a valley, with a fine brook running through it. Some hundreds of acres are cleared by the people. It has the appearance of a new and flourishing settlement. The wilderness buds and blossoms like the rose. Here we saw two hundred children in the schools. On the Sabbath more than a thousand of the children and people were present in the church, neatly dressed, sober, attentive to the reading of the word of God, and uniting their voices to sing his praise.

Monday, 30th March.A part of the day has been occupied in taking our departure for our tour down the coast. About 3 P.M. we made sail and beat our way down to Cape Sierra Leone, which we passed before night. As our African captain is afraid of damage to the ship by running in the night, we came to anchor a few miles from the Cape. The high ridges of the 002526mountains present a pleasing prospect, and the more so, as we know that hosannas are sung to Zion's King upon their very summit. So God has kindly ordered: the chain is broken, and the captive slave is free.

Plantation Islands, Tuesday, 31st March.This morning early we were in sight of the Bananas. They afford a hansome prospect. We propose to call on Thomas Caulker, the head man of the Islands, who is understood to have influence with Somano, and other kings in Sherbro. The main land is in sight. The ridges run nearly parallel to the coast. Some more inland ridges overtop the nearest. All are covered with trees and shrubs to their summits. Cape Shilling is reckoned thirty miles from Cape Sierra Leone.

The nearest point of the Bananas to Cape Shilling is about six or seven miles. The colonial government of Sierra Leone have commenced an establishment at Cape Shilling, where the high land terminates.

At 9 A.M. we anchored off the Bananas, and went to pay our respects to Caulker. He met us at the landing, and invited us to his house. After we had conversed together some time, and walked about the town, we took our seats in a spacious room, furnished with chairs, tables, &c. Mr. K. presented Mr. C. a few bars of tobacco and powder, and stated to him our character, and the objects of our visit to Africa. He said that we had been sent by the friends of Africans in America, to find a place where a colony might be formed to which the descendants of Africans, now in America might resort; and as we were going down to see king Sherbro, we wished to consult with him too, as we knew that he had considerable influence with those on whom we were to call. He said our design was like Paul Cuffe's, whom Mr. C. had known. I then observed that he knew how the people had been carried from this country some hundreds of years past. Many of their descendants were now free. Some had already returned to this country: others wished to return if a good place could be found for a colony, and the kings favoured the plan. Caulker, who appears to be a sensible man, said, he was pleased with our object and wished we might succeed. He thought it would be a very good thing for this country, if a colony could be formed at Sherbro. He said a settlement might be formed as we proposed, on the Camaranca river, which he claimed as his territory; but that large vessels could not pass the bar of the river. We said that on some accounts a settlement further down the coast would be preferred, as the colony of Sierra Leone claimed the north bank of the Camaranca. He said he would send his son and 002627nephew with us to the Plantains, and to Sherbro, to tell [?] desire to favour us, and his wish that they would do the same. He charged the young men to tell the kings our object was a good one.

He ordered his table to be set. It was furnished with boiled fowls, and cassada. The cassada resembles, in taste and shape, the artichoke. When coming away, he gave us a sheep, which was about the value of our present to him. He is about forty years of age, and has a large family of wives and children. His house was built partly by an European carpenter from Bance Island. The principal room is about thirty feet by twenty, well floored and ceiled. The roof was made of bamboo poles, lashed together, and thatched with the boughs and leaves of the same; the roof jutted over so far as to become a rude piazza to keep off the sun and rain. There were twenty or thirty houses of inferior structure surrounding the one now described. The whole town did not occupy two acres of ground, and the trees and shrubs grew close around. The farms for cultivating the rice, cassada, &c. were two or three miles off. The highest point of land may be more than three hundred feet above the level of the sea. There are about one hundred inhabitants on the island. The island is reckoned eight miles long, lying in 3 d. 8 m. north lat. It is said to be fertile; it has more soil than can be found about Sierra Leone. The ground is cleared for rice near the top of the highest ridge. The people generally wear few clothes. Caulker's dress was a blue cotton jacket, light coloured vest, checked trowsers, a shirt of the country cloth, a common hat, and a red silk handkerchief around his neck. Near the village stood some large Pullom trees, on one of which we saw eighty or a hundred birds' nests of a curious structure. The birds, about as large as the martin, kept up a continual chirping.

We left the Bananas at 12, and arrived at the Plantains at 3 P.M. a distance of twenty miles. George Caulker, headman of the Plantains, is a nephew of Thomas Caulker of the Bananas, and has spent six or seven years in England, for education. As the surf ran too high for our small boat, we made a signal for a canoe to take us on shore. It was soon along side, paddled by six men.

The headman received us in a friendly manner, and invited us into his house, which was a very convenient building. We laid before him a small present, and made known the object of our visit. He expressed a fear that the colony would hereafter claim more territory than it ought. Sierra Leone had now become powerful, and had already taken a considerable extent of territory under their direction. He 002728said the kings would have less objection to an American colony if the people of colour were to govern the colony themselves. They are afraid that white men will take their country from them, but they will not have the same fears of their brethren. We told him that we were of the opinion that the good men, in our country, who sent us here, would be well satisfied to have the colonists govern themselves, if the proper persons could be found among them. If the white people should interfere, and appoint a governor of the colony, it would be only to give it stability and security; and whatever part they might take at first, they would be looking forward to the time when the people of colour should govern themselves. This view of the subject seemed very satisfactory to him, and he said his sentiments were the same as his uncle's, and should be pleased to have us settled at the mouth of the Camaranca.

York Island, Wednesday, 1st April.Last night we anchored in seven fathoms water, half way between the Plantains and Sherbro Island. This morning we sailed along Sherbro Island, and as we approached Jenkins we saw the mouth of the Bagroo river, and the highlands in the interior; the former eight or ten miles, and the latter twenty or twenty-five miles, distant. Sherbro Island is usually estimated at twenty-two miles by twelve, in extent. At 10 A.M. we called at Samo, a town of twenty huts, on the island, half a mile from Jenkins. A canoe took us on shore. Somasa, the headman of Samo, was not at home. William Ado is the headman of Jenkins. The brother of Somasa accepted our little present, and heard our words. He said as his brother was not at home, he could not turn one way nor the other, i.e. presumed not to express his opinion. We walked about the island, found the water good, and the surface fifteen or twenty feet above the sea. Jenkins, or the vicinity, is recommended to us as a good place to begin a colony, with a view to settle on the opposite banks of the Bagroo. Where we anchored, within a quarter of a mile of the shore, the water was seven fathoms deep. In coming from Samo we passed Colmanda, Jamaica, and Campelar. This last place belongs to Mr. Kizell, who bought a tract of about five hundred acres for one hundred bars in goods, which were paid to king Fara, a headman named Rango. It is low, has a few houses, and is said to have a good soil.

At 3 P.M. we arrived at York Island, now occupied by Mr. Anderson, formerly of Bance Island. This island may be two miles long, and one broad, is low, unhealthy, and surrounded with mangroves. The mangroves grow several feet high, and have much the same appearance at a distance, 002829as the willows on the banks and islands of the Mississippi. The place where we landed has ten or twelve huts, and is closely surrounded with pullom, palm, cocoa, banana, and plantain trees, with a variety of other trees and shrubs, which we have not learned to distinguish by any appropriate names. We visited the ruins of an old fort or castle--walls very thick--bricks uncommonly red and hard--stone of a quality not to be found about here--probably built two hundred years ago, now partly washed away by the tides.

Bendon, Thursday, 2d April.This morning we came to Bendon. King Somano has three villages near him, and owns considerable tracts of land in different places. Soon after we anchored he sent a canoe on board to know who were come. The messenger was told that two gentlemen had come from America to see him. We were pleased to learn that Safah of Chaa was here, as it would be necessary to see him likewise.

At 10 a.m. we went on shore and found king Somano seated in the palaver-house. This is only a conical roof, supported by posts, leaving an area of about twenty feet in diameter. Mr. K. took his seat near the king; Mr. B. and myself nearly in front. Safah soon made his appearance, marching along between the mud-walted cottages, dressed in a silver laced coat, a superb three-cornered hat, a mantle around his neck hanging near the ground, blue bafta trowsers, considerably the worse for wear; without stockings or shoes. Somano was dressed in a common gown and pantaloons, with hat and shoes. Safah is large, has a broad African face, and an inquisitive eye. Somano is rather slender, and has a face less striking both are nearly sixty years of age. After a full introduction to the kings, we had to shake hands with the men and women, who had collected around to the number of forty or fifty. Some of our party went to the schooner for our present, before the palaver could be opened. Mr. K. left his handkerchief in the chair, as a pledge that he would come back. Our present consisted of a piece of bafta, a keg of powder, a few bars of tobacco, and a small jar of rum. The last article Mr. K. was requested to obtain for us, as we were told they would in no case hold a palaver without it; and we have reason to believe our information correct. These people are only children of a larger growth, and we would hope by a temporary conformity, gradually to wean them from their vicious custom. One jar only was first set before them: they contended that there were two kings, and they must have two bottles: nor would they yield this point until a second was produced. The palaver now went on. Mr. K. stated, in a very satisfactory manner, the 002930nature and object of our visit: That we came from America, from Washington, the capital of the United States: that wise and good men had agreed to help the black people who wished to come to this country: that the design was a good one, and would promote the best interests of the black people, both in America and Africa: that if they would sell or give tracts of their unimproved lands, the people who came would introduce more knowledge of the arts and of agriculture: would buy such things as they had to sell, and would sell to them such things as they wanted. They listened with attention. We made additional statements, with which they expressed their satisfaction. Safah inquired if we had any book with us. We told him we had. Mr. B. read, and Mr. K. interpreted some parts of our instructions, particularly the article which directs us to visit Sherbro.

During the discussion, the kings suggested fears that an American colony would do as Sierra Leone had done, (referring to a war which in the event dispossessed king Thom of the country adjacent to the colony.) Mr. K. defended Sierra Leone, and made the kings submit to the truth of his argument. They said they were younger brother of Sherbro, and must wait his answer. If we had applied to them for land, they would have given their consent: now they are not able to give an answer, but will send a man to speak their mind to Sherbro. They thanked us for our present, but made no return. Indeed we could hardly have desired their bounty, as they are, and ever will be, poor, while their indolent habits are indulged. They possess much good land, but do not cultivate one acre in fifty, if one in five hundred. The banks of Sherbro bay are low, not exceeding twenty feet above the sea. Some places are occasionally overflowed with the tide, and covered with mangroves. High lands may be seen between the Bagroo and Deong rivers. We are inclined to think the first station should be on Sherbro island, near Jenkins, and the principal settlements on the Bagroo, nearly opposite. Sherbro bay has much the appearance of the Mississippi river, between the mouth of the Ohio and Natchez. The islands are numerous. The land on Sherbro Island is flat and sandy, but covered with a luxuriant growth of trees, shrubs, vines, pine apple plants, &c. The water is good, though less cold than in more northern latitudes.

During our conversation the kings named some articles which our people must bring hereafter, if any arrangement be made for land. One wanted a large hat, shoes, &c; the other wanted a silver headed cane, clothes, and especially a 003031black horse tail, furnished with an elegant handle, which is the badge of royalty in this country.

After the palaver was over, the rum was served round in a small glass. Some became merry and noisy. We walked to two other villages on the bank, and returned to the schooner at 3 p.m.

We had not been long on board when we received a troublesome visit from Somano and some of his men. He said he came to pay his respects to us and it was the custom when the king came on board a vessel to be treated with rum, &c. We excused ourselves that we were not on board our own ship, and could not treat the king with the same respect as we might in our own country. He left us tolerably satisfied, after being regaled with a bottle of wine, and receiving some pipes for his tobacco; but on shore he complained of our incivility. He has been long acquainted with slave traders, and it would be strange if he supported a different character under the tuition of such men.

Some of his people brought on board some mats, honey, palm-oil, and rice, to trade

Near the palaver-house was a little thatched hut, not larger than a spread umbrella, called the witch or devil's house. It was filled with shells, bits of cloth, &c. In walking out from the village I passed by the devil's bush, a thicket of shrubs and vines nearly impenetrable by any one. If a woman should be found in this bush, she would suffer death according to the law of the Purrah. When we were at the Bananas, I saw a man, who was tattooed, with marks and lines on his face, back, and breast: and inquired of Caulker the reason of it. He said he was what the English would call a free mason, a Purrah, and known to his brethren by these marks.

In this land, where altars are erected to devils, we sung the hymn, "Salvation! O, the joyful sound," &c. A number of the natives were present at our evening prayer and behaved well.

Yonie, Friday, 3d April.Improving the wind and the tide, we crossed the bay six or eight miles to Yonie, where king Sherbro lives. The islands and the main land present a very verdant and handsome prospect.

At 8 A.M. anchored At Yonie, and Messrs. Kizell and Martin went on shore to prepare the way for our interview with king Sherbro and prince Kong Couber. We may safely trust our friend K. No man's heart can be more ardent for the success of our object, and no man in Africa could probably be so useful to us under present circumstances. After 003132his return in the afternoon he gave us the following narrative: He met Kong Couber by the water side who took him by the hand and led him to his house. He told the prince that two gentlemen, strangers of king Sherbro, had come. They are from America, the city of Washington, and the kings and headmen there. They are sent to seeking Sherbro, and obtain a place for some black people who are free in that country, and will come to sit down by king Sherbro, if he will give some ground where they may settle. The offer is made to Sherbro, but if he refuses it, the people will be settled in another place. If he gives them a place, it will be a great advantage to his children and people; for these people will bring the arts and knowledge of cultivation, and will establish schools to learn the children. We, old men, must die soon. The children will be instructed and know more than their fathers. These people will make things cheaper and plentier; they will come in quite, without quarrels and fightings. If our people do bad, there must be a regular palaver and no arms taken up. If your people do bad, the business must be settled the same way. If it be a great crime, I suppose the bad men will be shut up and made to work hard, and no lives taken. If you want to know the truth of these things, you may send some of your sons to America for education, and perhaps some headmen to see what these men say is true. To all this, and to each sentence, he said, hem, hem.

Not finding the prince disposed to say much, Mr. K. sent Mr. M for a bottle of wine and a little tobacco. He drank a little of it, and gave the rest to his people. He then sent two fowls on board for our dinner.

The prince then told Mr. K. that all he said was true and good. But he was only a boy, and could say nothing before he saw the king. He could give no answer; he must call all the headman together, and tell them the business, that they might speak their mind, for the country belonged to all the kings and headmen. But he would hold a palaver tomorrow and hear what the gentlemen would say.

This prince, Kong Couber, is the son of old king Sherbro. It is a custom of the people, when a king dies, to select a king from another family. While one of another family enjoys the name of king, this prince has the ability to preserve the power in his own lands. He is a man of superior intelligence and skilled in palavers. We shall probably be detained a weak at least. It is impossible to foresee the result. We now propose to obtain a pledge that we may occupy some miles square on Sherbro Island opposite the Bagroo, and tracts of land on that river including the mountains twenty 003233or twenty-five miles up. The country is represented fertile, with very few inhabitants, and especially in the hilly parts healthy. Large vessels may safely come to Jenkins, and there are four fathoms water up the Bragoo.

Yonie, Saturday, 4th April.The morning cloudy; the thermometer stands at 80 ° the extremes of temperature which I have noticed since I left Sierra Leone, were 97° and 86°.

The loud and confused cries of the natives in the village, occasioned by the death of one of the women, attracted our attention at an early hour. These lamentations for the dead often continue a considerable time. When the inhabitants of the surrounding villages come into the place where the death has occurred, they commence their cries.

We have ascertained that the account which J. Banna, the African, gave us in London, is correct. He has a brother living in the Gallinas. We have not ascertained whether his father is alive. The rock to which he referred, split into two parts, and one part standing erect, and visible three days' journey off, appears to be an inaccessible ledge, the resort of wild birds. Banna, who expressed an ardent desire to bring his brethren to a knowledge of the truth, may yet be a blessing to his country.

We went on shore to attend the palaver. Kong Couber met us where we landed, in a friendly manner, and introduced us to King Sherbro. He was sitting in the door of his hut, barefoot, with a cap and three-cornered hat on his head, dressed in a calico gown, and some folds of a country cloth, with a large silver-headed cane in his left hand, and a horse tail, the regal badge, in his right. He is about sixty years of age. We walked together under a large cola tree, which furnished and excellent shade. Sherbro seated himself in a great chair, Mr. K. on his right hand Couber on a large mat before the King; Mr. B. and myself near the foot of the tree in front: the people, fifty or sixty in number, were seated in a circle, some some on mats, and some on the ground; the women and children around the circle behind the men. Some of the people were dressed in gowns, extending from the neck to the feet; some in blankets of the country cloth, wrapped around the body; some, particularly the young, in narrow strips of cloth; while the children were not burdened with any cloths at all.

Our present of bafta, tobacco, &c. was placed on a mat in the centre of the circle. After the usual ceremonies in opening a palaver, our character, and the object of our visit was made known. Good and great men, in America, had sent us to talk to King Sherbro about the children of those African 003334people who, in times past have been carried from Africa to America. Some of them are free to go where they pleased and some of them think of returning to the land of their fathers. Some people in our country think of helping them, and have sent us to speak with Sherbro and other kings, to see if land may be given to these strangers to sit down quietly. The people who came, by cultivating the ground, and by knowledge of the arts, will increase the necessaries and conveniences of life. We come as messengers of peace and good tidings--no arms in our hands--wish no war. If the King consent to our wishes, and the people obtain a quiet settlement here, we think they will establish schools to instruct all the children. They will bring the book of God with them; and when you are able to understand it, we hope it will make you more happy while you live here, and after you die. What word will king Sherbro send back to the people in our country?

Parts of our instructions were read, with many additional observations, and the whole was carefully interpreted, as we read or spoke.

Kong Couber, who managed the whole business on their part, replied, all you say is well, very well: but, said he to Mr. K. you say you called on Caulker; why did not Caulker send his present to King Sherbro? David Caulker answered, his uncle was poor, and had nothing in his hand to send when they came away. But, said Couber, Caulker ought to have sent something to his father. These men were sent to King Sherbro, why did they call on Somano and Safah before they came to me? We told him, it was convenient to us to call on them as we came down; and no disrespect was designed to Sherbro, as we were not minutely informed of the rank of the kings, or the customs of the country. How would you like it, said he, when a table was set for yourself that your child sit down before you and you eat afterwards? But why did not Somano and Safah come and speak their mind to Sherbro? Tasso, Somano's deputy, said, that king Somano sent him to hear what Sherbro would say, that he might know what answer to give to the strangers. All this was unsatisfactory. It was concluded that no answer could be given until Safah and Somano came. Tasso was sent to call them.

The palaver lasted between three and four hours. Despatch in business is what Africans kings know nothing of. They talk around a subject for hours without coming to the point.

The evening, the natives renewed their lamentations for the dead, with dancing, beating on a drum, &c. The music 003435is dull and monotonous. When a king, or headman dies, they make much parade. D. Caulker says, that during the cry for old Caulker, the people came from all the country, and drank twenty puncheons of rum.

Mr. K. is a second Paul Cuffee. He has a good mind and considerable knowledge. His writings discovers him to be a man of sense and worth. He has a good heart and no one can be more anxious for the temporal and spiritual welfare of Africans, and their descendants. He has enlarged views, and believe with the fullest confidence, that the time has arrived, when the descendants of Africans abroad shall begin to return to their own country. His mind relies on the promise of God, "Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God." He say, if we can fix on a proper place for a colony our people may come out by hundreds and thousands, and we need not fear the consequences, only sending some men of education and piety to be their conductors and guides. Africa is the land of black men, and to Africa they must and will come. It is at present a wide and fertile wilderness; but it may be made to bud and blossom like the rose. As for land, he says, it belongs to Africans abroad, as well as those now in this country; and if they are disposed to return, land they must and shall have. They have not forfeited a right to the inheritance of their fathers, by being carried by force from their country. The good people in America have only to help them to get back, and assist them a year or two, until they can help themselves. Then if they will not work, the fault is their own. They certainly will not freeze nor starve. Let any class of the people of colour come, only give us a few who will be good leaders of the rest. He urges the plan of colonization, among other reasons, on the ground, that it will prevent insurrection among the slaves--remove some bad men who will not have the same opportunity to do mischief here as there--bring into this country some good men, who will shine as lights in this dark world--give an opportunity to masters who ware disposed to release their slaves, and thus promote a gradual emancipation-- provide a home for many oppressed free men, and confer infinite blessings on this country. Mr. K. thinks the greater part of the people of colour, who are now in America, will yet return to Africa.

Yonie, Sabbath, 5th April.Called on Kong Couber at his thatched cottage. Mr. K. told him it was our Sabbath, devoted to the service of God in christian countries, when God's book was read before the people. He answered, all people should be glad to hear God's book--it was the best book--God's palaver was the 003536old and good palaver. I stated to him the belief of good people in America, respecting the creation of the world, the sinful state of mankind, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. I referred him to the blessings which the christian religion confers on the persons and nations who embrace it, and contrasted the state of the American and African people, noticing even the necessaries and conveniences of life which we enjoyed and of which they destitute. I told him our most precious comforts were derived from the love of God and an obedience to this commands. I spoke of the future judgment, when we must all appear before God, to give an account of the deeds done here in the body, when, as our conduct had been good or bad in the sight of God, we should receive a sentence of approbation or condemnation; that, though the body is laid in the grave, the soul lives, and will hereafter be united with the body, &c &c. I urged the importance of worshipping God and not devils; that God, who was the Possessor of the world, would be angry with the people who erected altars devils, and would visit them in judgment; that the devil was only a creature, and had no power than God gave him. I told him all in christian countries were not good people: he had seen many from America and England who were bad men. Mr. K. named perhaps a dozen foreigners with whom Couber had been acquainted, who were slave-traders, and bad men, who did not prosper, but died poor and wretch, often leaving their children cast upon the world friendless and neglected. He said that the afflictions which some of the natives suffered, were the judgments of God for their sins: here the leopard comes and, sometimes, drives the people away from a town; a shark or an alligator catches a boy, and you say he was killed by a witch, and go and sell a whole family into slavery. Such things were not known in England or America.

Kong Couber listened with a serious countenance and fixed attention. I could not but believe that he was impressed with a conviction of the truth of what was said, Mr. K. told Couber that he had been in Sherbro about twenty years, but he never knew two so good men come to it on so good an errand.

We learn that the young men in this and the adjacent towns are in favour of the contemplated colony. They think it will be a good thing for the country, and make them know more. The consent of the Kings will probably for lands.

Since Mr. K. has been in this country, he has saved five or six persons from death; some condemned for witchcraft, 003637and some for crimes they never committed. Some of these were nearly dead by the excessive quantities of red water which they have been compelled to drink. He was sometimes paid fifty or a hundred bars to save one from these superstitious murderers. He has also rescued fifteen or twenty persons from foreign slavery, sometimes by interposing his authority, but more commonly by purchase. He speaks of--, a headman of vile character, who is engaged in furnishing slaves for the ships now at Gallinas, about fifty miles down the coast. It is asserted that seven or eight vessels are now lying off that river, waiting for cargoes; one of which unfurls the American flag, armed with twenty guns, and belonging to--, who professes to be an American citizen. It is high time for the American government to guard against the violation of their laws, at least by American citizens, and to interpose their authority to check this barbarous traffick.

Yonie, Monday, 6th April.Safah and Somano have not arrived. We have been some miles towards the Shebar, and called at several places on the island. The ground is ten or fifteen feet above tidewater; the soil is sandy; some clear spaces of two or three miles, are covered with wild grass and some few palm trees; a cassada field, well fenced, promised an abundant crop. Mr. M. who walked without shoes, complained much of the heat of the sand.

We called at one place, where were five or six women, sitting near their huts, under the shade of a cocoa tree. All were at work; one was spinning cotton on two sticks, according to the custom of the country; another was making a basket; another weaving a mat, &c. Near a dozen little children were playing around, or sleeping on the sand in the shade. A man soon came up, accepted a few leaves of tobacco, and gave us some cool bamboo wine. It is very refreshing and pleasant to the taste, though not esteemed healthy in large quantities.

We stopped at two or three islands in the bay, not more than half a mile in extent, low and covered with mangroves. We shot a few birds, and made some unsuccessful attempts at fishing.

Mr. K. has spent a part of the day with the king and people. He thinks we have a fair prospect of obtaining lands, both for a commercial town or towns, on the coast, and more extended settlements in the interior. We have been afraid to attack the superstitious customs of the people, while our negotiations were pending; but they have always listened to us with attention, and Mr. K. says they are pleased with 003738the idea that our people will build churches for the worship of the true God, and will teach the children to read the words in God's book.

Mr. K. conducted our evening's worship, and prayed earnestly for Africans, their descendants in foreign lands, the Colonization Society, their agents, &c. &c. He does not allow that this plan originated in America, but insists that it had its origin in heaven; and he has much greater confidence than the Managers of the Colonization Society, that their plans, if pursued with prudence and vigour, will be completely successful. He has great influence in Sherbro, owns considerable tracts of land here, and is acknowledged by the natives to be a headman of the country. The districts of country on which we are fixing our thoughts, are recommended by a number of persons as the best for our objects on this part of the coast. They have good water, rapids in the rivers for mills, and a soil suited to rice, coffee, cotton, &c. We can see distinctly, as we lay off Yonie, the high range of mountains to the right of the Bagroo, perhaps twenty-five miles distant.

We have no intelligence from Safah and Somano. We must wait with patience on these people. Some years ago, a destructive war raged between Caulker and Cleveland, in which most of the Bullom people were enlisted on one side or the other. Sherbro was for Cleveland, Safah and Somano were for Caulker. A cessation of arms was effected by a governor of Sierra Leone, but his early death prevented the consummation of the treaty, and mutual jealousies have existed ever since. They have not yet seen each other for years. Sherbro wishes to improve this opportunity to bring them together. As the country is common property, one dares not move, until he knows the mind of the rest.

Yonie, Tuesday, 7th April.Mr. Martin, D. and R. Caulker, and one of Sherbro's men, were sent on an embassy after Safah and Somano, and forbidden to sleep before they returned.

We have had much conversation on the organization and government of the proposed colony. The natives need not be feared. They are not numerous, have few arms, timid in disposition, jealous of each other, and broken up into small, independent, elective governments. There is little reason to fear a general combination among them, and their strength would be small if they should combine together. If the Sierra Leone colony should continue favourable, and throw no obstacles in our way, that will keep the native people in awe. Should our settlement prosper, it will in two or three years be fully competent to defend itself without aid from 003839our country; and previously to that time a single armed sloop or brig, sent to execute the abolition laws, would give to our settlements perfect security. If the people were troublesome, fire a big gun out in the bay, and they would all fly to the bush, and not one individual be found.

Great attention should be paid to select a proper person for governor. Mr. K. is not free to express his opinion decidedly, but thinks it may be best for the first few years to have a white governor, a man of considerable age, and great moderation and prudence. If, however, a Paul Cuffee could be found among the people of colour, who was disposed to come out to this country, it might be well to appoint him governor: in this case, great care should be taken to select men of good character for the first colonists, and some white men of firm integrity, might properly come with them as judges and counsellors.

Sherbro Island has no cattle or horses. The goats and sheep thrive well and grow fat. Domestic fowls are quite numerous. There are, on the island, wild hogs, a species of deer, porcupines, monkeys, guinea-hens, pigeons, parrots, and a great variety of birds. Rice, corn, cassada, yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, plantains, cocoa nuts, oranges, limes, &c. are found here; also coffee, indigo, and cotton. There are many medicinal roots and plants, and woods, barks, and leaves for colouring, known to the natives. Fish are said to be numerous, and of a good quality.

Mr. K. brought some cattle from the Kittam country to this island some years ago, which grew large and fat.

Somano and Safah arrived to-day; but another circumstance has occurred, which will delay our negotiations: one of Kong Couber's wives died this morning, and the cry for her may prevent his taking a part in the council for some days.

Yonie, Wednesday, 8th April.We learn that some consultations respecting the dead, will put off any palaver to-day. As our presence will not be required here to-day, we propose to sail down to the mouth of the Shebar, which may properly be considered an outlet of Sherbro sound, about eight miles from Yonie. We anchored off Bohol, in three fathoms water, about two hundred yards from the shore. Bohol is a mile from Shebar, has thirty-five cottages, one of which, belonging to Lewis Tucker, the headman, is sixty feet by twenty, built in the usual style.

We presented to the headman a bottle of wine and a little tobacco. He knew and approved the object of our visit to this country. He said we were all brethren; some of 003940the headmen of the country (including himself) were the children of Europeans or Americans, and it would be strange if they should drive away their brethren of whatever colour, especially as they wanted such things as the country did not produce, or they knew not how to manufacture, which our people would bring them.

We walked across the point to the beach, against which the surf beats with great violence and a perpetual roar. We could see ten or fifteen miles towards Gallinas. The coast appeared low, covered with vegetation and lined with a beach of white sand. The whole peninsula is sandy, covered with pullom and palm-trees, shrubs, &c. We saw fields of cassada. We walked around the point to the mouth of the Shebar. It is one mile wide. The bar is semi-circular, making a circuit of three or four miles. It has an island in the middle; the best channel is on the Sherbro Island side, having three and a half and four fathoms water at full tide. Schooners and brigs have come into the Shebar, but the attempt is hazardous. There are nine fathoms in some places within the bar. We were anxious to cross the bar to ascertain the soundings, but could not find a pilot. In the rainy season, the south-west winds raise the waves very high.

We returned to anchor, off Yonie, before dark. The dance begins. Near the town is a thick grove, called the devil's bush, from which they profess to believe the devil makes his appearance occasionally in the evening, during the dance. His approach is known by frightful noises, now resembling the whistling of an elephant, and now the roaring of a lion. The poor women and children are obliged to scamper into their houses, and keep clapping their hands, until the devil is gone. Then the dance is renewed. This ceremony is a part of the Purrah system; the great secret of which is said to be, to keep the women in subordination.

Yonie, Thursday, 9th April.The kings met this morning for consultation. An additional present is necessary. Patience may almost have her perfect work on the dispositions and hearts of those who wait on men so slothful in business and so eager to receive the tribute of strangers.

I am not certain but Mr. Caulker, of the Bananas, would consent to receive some of our people on his island. It is a very pleasant place, has good water, and high land, and is open to the sea breeze. It produces, or is capable of producing, most of the articles found in tropical climates. It is above eight miles long and three broad, six miles from the main land. There is one strong objection, however, that the Sierra Leone colony lays some general claim to be 004041islands,though Mr. C. does not acknowledge the validity of the claim.

The Kings have been some hours in friendly consultation. They would not have embraced each other at this time, had not our visit and the mediation of Kizell brought them together. They have settled past difficulties, and are consulting on the subject of our application. They engage to see us and express their mind to-morrow.

We wish to ascertain, first, whether they will promise to the American society or government, tracts of land, eligible, and sufficiently extensive, where our people of colour may settle; and, secondly, on what conditions such tracts of land may be purchased or occupied. Should we succeed in these respects, we shall expect them to engage to favour and support the colony, so far as may be in their power.

Yesterday, when Mr. B. and Mr. K. were on shore condoling with Kong Couber, on the death of one of his wives, Couber said, referring to us, may the Lord bless you, and as you came to this country with good wishes, may you find good things. This appears to express confidence in our character, and approbation of our objects.

The climate of the Bagroo country we may presume will be healthy, from its vicinity to high lands or rather mountains, which are distinctly seen from this place, and appear to be only a few miles from the bay. They are open to the sea-breeze. They give rise to many brooks and springs, and the soil is believed to be fertile. The quantity of rice exported from the Bagroo river to Sierra Leone is very considerable, with some ivory, honey, wax, palm oil, &c.

Large ships may safely come to Jenkins, opposite to the mouth of the Bagroo, and vessels of moderate size may pass up the river.

Yonie, Friday, 10th April.At 10 A.M. we were informed the Kings were ready to receive us in council. We went on shore and found all assembled under the cola tree. Sherbro was seated in his armed chair, with Somana on his right hand, and Safah on his left, holding the insignia of his office, the silver-headed came and the horse tail. Couber sat on a mat before Sherbro. Mr. B. Mr. K and myself sat facing the kings. After shaking hands with the kings and princes, Mr. K. said, we are come. Couber replied, we see you; we are glad; we love you; we do not hate you; you are our strangers; we love we love your country; we are friends; we love peace as you do; war is not good; &c. &c. But when you did come from the headmen of your country to Sherbro, where is the letter you did bring to Sherbro? We answered that we had instructions to visit Sherbro, and consult 004142with the kings of the country; but as King Sherbro was not personally known in the country, no letter was addressed to him. He afterwards said, if we had come in our ship directly to Yonie, they could give us an answer; and asked Mr. K. if his father, the governor of Sierra Leone, did not send him with us. Mr. K said the governor did not, send as he was absent at the Ganbia, and beside the people of Sierra Leone were free men to go where they pleased, without asking their father. I replied, that we came to Sierra Leone, strangers to all the people, and finding our friends Kizell, Martin, and Anderson, to be acquainted with the language and kings of the country, we invited them to come with us Mr. K. said he had a letter from a friend in England to assist us; besides, if strangers of King Sherbro arrive at Sierra Leone, it was not fit to let them stand alone, but come and introduce them.

Kong Couber said, the country belongs to all the Kings and people, we cannot sell land, unless we see them all.--We in reply, urged the necessity of a definite answer, that we might carry their good words to our people; or go to other Kings who would give us a good answer. We inquired whether the headmen and people could not be assembled before we went away. Couber answered it was the busy season of the year, rains were coming on, the people were clearing their plantations. and sowing their rice; the kings were poor, and must work as well as the people; the people could not be called together unless there was something to set before them, &c. &c. If we had goods to buy lands and people sit down, they would call the headmen together. After much palaver and a forcible recapitulation of the object of our visit, we inquired, What answer shall we carry to our people of colour? will King Sherbro receive his children? Yes, we cannot hate them, we will receive them.

We proposed that we should have liberty to look about their country, and go to other Kings on the coast, if we chose, without giving offence: they assented. They proposed that we should write Sherbro's words in two books: leave one book with them, and take the other to our country; when we came back, or any others, from our headmen they should bring this book and a letter addressed to King Sherbro: we assented. Couber said, our present was carefully preserved and was at our command. We answered, we freely gave it to King Sherbro and the people. He inquired if we should consider it a payment for land. We said no. These people have so long dealt with rogues, that they cannot, without difficulty, trust honest men.

Yonie, Saturday, 11th April.A number of the natives were present at our morning worship, and behaved with great propriety. Afterwards, I stated to them the fundamental truths of the Christian religion, and urged on them the necessity of a Saviour for sinners, and the duty of a holy life. They assented to my words, and said, that they and their brethren believed that good men, when they died, went to God, and bad men to hell. Their convictions are less erroneous than their practices. The obstacles to the introduction of religious knowledge into this country, appear not to be so great as in many other heathen lands.

When on shore to-day we read to Kong Couber the book which we had written according to his suggestion. He said it was right, the Kings had agreed to do so, and their word might be relied on. But he said he was alone, and must not say much, lest the Kings or people should say he was secretly selling the country without consulting them.

We repeated some of the advantages which might flow from our settlements--the introduction of the spinning wheel, the loom, the plough, machines for cleaning rice, and mills for sawing wood--the establishment of schools. &c.; and endeavoured to convince him that we did not want lands for white men, because we have vast uncultivated tracts in our country, but for such of the descendants of Africans as might improve their situation by such a change. I expressed to him a hope that Africans would hereafter cultivate their lands better, build ships, and go to England and America with their ivory, rice, palm oil, cotton, and coffee. We gave him an outline of Paul Cuffee's life, whose father was an African.

Kong Couber offered to send two of his sons to America for an education, in any American ship which might come to Sherbro on this business. It will, no doubt, have a good effect on the minds of the people here, if any vessel should visit this country to carry into effect the plan of the Colonization Society, that some of the upright and influential men of colour should come out. They could look at the country, and speak for themselves. The natives would see that they were their brethren and friends.

In attempting to obtain lands of the Kings, we have had to encounter only such objections as we anticipated. They have had to deal with the worst class of white men, who have often committed the grossest acts of violence and injustice. In 1806, a slave-trader made some present to old king Sherbro and the people, and allured the old king and some of the princes on board his ship, off the Sherbar. He would not 004344then liberate them, except with much unkind treatment, and in exchange for many salves.

They know that we are decidedly opposed to the slavetrade, which some of them would relinquish with reluctance. Their convictions and better judgment are against it. They know that the people of colour are numerous in our country, and it has occurred to them that so many may come as to give laws to this land. This they fear. They appear not to care that their superstition customs will be disregarded; but on the contrary, have always expressed an approbation that great God should be worshipped, and their children should learn to read his book. They do not like to say may have any particular tracts of country, through fear of offence to headmen, who have not been consulted.

Yonie, Sabbath, 12th April.The good hand of our God preserves us in peace and safety. The sun does not smite us by day, nor the moon by night. The heat is oppressive only a few hours in the day. The air is cooled by the sea-breeze. The thermometer is lower than often, on a summer day, in the United States. The atmosphere is hazy or cloudy much of the time.

This morning we sung the psalm, "Sweet is the work, my God, my king;" and I made some observations on the fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day."

We have thought much of going into the different villages and, by a interpreter, preaching to the people. But we are unwilling to take any step which might excite their superstitious fears, and lead them to oppose our plans. We came not to establish a solitary church, but to lay the foundation for thousands of churches. We have had conversation with the chief men on the truths of the Christian religion, and have had many of the people at different times to worship with us on board the ship. This has been a quiet day, and much more like a Sabbath than many I have spent in Christian lands.

Sier, Leon, Monday. 13th April.Having obtained a canoe and three men to paddle, we set out at 8 A.M. to make an excursion up the river Boom.--The mouth of the Boom is about six miles across the sound, south from Yonie, and about four miles from the Shebar. It is nearly two miles wide, including the islands, which, with slight interruptions, extend along the middle of the river twenty or thirty miles up. On the right bank the ground is flat, sandy, and liable to be overflowed two or three months in the rainy season. This peninsula is narrow, doubtless made by the sand thrown up by the sea. At Sier Leon, James Tucker's town, perhaps twenty-five miles from the 004445mouth of the Boom, we could distinctly hear the roaring of the waves, so that the river could not be many miles from the sea. The peninsula is well covered with trees, shrubs, and grass. We saw no barren places. Five or six small villages are scattered along the right bank a few miles apart. Some spaces were cleared for rice. Where the rice had sprung up a few inches, it appeared like wheat or oats of rich growth. The water is fresh ten miles up the river, and in the rainy season, when the current is strong, it continues fresh into the bay. The tide is perceptible about sixty miles up the river, and nearly so far the channel is filled with islands, shoals, and bars. The most shallow places are near the mouth. We meet with no person who has sailed up far enough to find it a narrow stream. The principal branch is the Kittam river, coming in from the south. The general course of the Boom appears to be nearly west, but the last thirty miles west.

We arrived at James Tucker's at 4 P.M. He expressed much satisfaction on our arrival and a six pounder was fired two or three times in honour of the strangers. He is a dark mulatto man, about forty-five years of age, was a private individual twenty-five years ago, has now five or six hundred people under him, has raised himself to this power and influence by his activity and success in trade. He was formerly engaged in furnishing cargoes for slave-ships; but now only occasionally sends a few people to the Gallinas, where slave-vessels are now lying.

Opposite to the town is an island extending along the middle of the river, leaving the branch next the town, about two hundred yards wide, and the other branch somewhat less. This, and other islands, Mr. T. cultivates for rice in the rainy season. I think they would produce Indian corn and other grain, in the dry season. Wild grass grows luxuriantly along the river, and is said to be good for horses and cattle.

Mr. T. is almost the only man in the Sherbro, who has had sufficient enterprize to attempt to raise cattle. Seven years ago he obtained of an American captain, a small cow, in exchange for two or three goats. He has raised more than thirty head, and has nearly that number now. We saw them, lively, fat, and of a good size. They run in the woods, and provide for themselves the year round. We said to Mr. T. that he merited to wear a crown of gold for his fair experiment in raising cattle.

Sheep and goats are common. Domestic fowls are abundant. Muscovy ducks are seen. Wild ducks abound in the bay and river. Wild hogs are numerous in the woods. The only beast of prey is the leopard.

On our arrival we gave to Mr. T. half a dozen knives and forks, and some tobacco. He gave us a house to occupy, and killed a sheep for ourdinner, and ordered his table to be spread. It was furnished with rice, bread, mutton, cassada, some vegetables, and pure water from the spring. We might have forgotten where we were if the head wife had not been obliged to come forward to eat the first spoonful, to assure her suspicious lord that she had infused no poison in the dish. Shame! Indignity! The same custom is universal, when one presents to another bamboo, palm, or other wine. The giver drinks the first glass.

We sat most of the evening, on mats, without the door, engaged in various palavers. Mr. T. engaged to use his influence in favour of our plan. He said he should like it much, and would give us land on the Boom, if that river was navigable, and suited us; it would belong to the kings to decide whether we should have lands for colonies. When we suggested some of the advantages of our settlements to the country--such as the facility obtaining goods in exchange for lands, and in honourable trade, he said, "then we shall not need to catch the people, and sell them, as we have done." Mr. K. has often told the headman, that slave ships could not come here much longer. One of the people asked Mr. T. "how it could be true, that the Americans would let any of the people of colour come back to Africa, when they were so eager to buy slaves?" They appear to consider the slave-vessels, which are now at the Gallinas, American, and they undoubtedly know. We have said very little on the subject of the slave-trade, partly to ascertain their views more perfectly.

When the people returned from their plantations, just at sun-set, laden with baskets and hoes, cassada, fruits, and wood, they came, one after another, to make their respects to the strangers. Water was warmed for us to bathe, before we retired to sleep. There is truly much of the simplicity of patriarchal times among the native Africans.

Boom River, Tuesday, 4th April.When we left Mr. T. about 11 A.M. he gave us a basket of rice, and a cotton blanket of the country manufacture, for the American Society. This little present must be remembered and rewarded, if a convenient opportunity should occur. He is very superstitious. Some of his people are often accused of witchcraft, or turning themselves into leopards or alligators, to catch the people. The sentence is often foreign slavery: or the ordeal, the fatal red water; sometimes a whole family is involved in ruin: those who escape death by red water, are sold into slavery. But it will be important 004647to secure his influence in our favour, should we hereafter make settlements in the Sherbro, for his connections are numerous. One of his wives is a sister of D. Caulker: another, the daughter of Kong Couber: a brother presides over Bohol, and a sister over another town.

As we went up the south channel, we came down the north. This bank has a very different soil and aspect from the other. The south side is sandy, the north is alluvial mud and clay: the former comparatively light and sterile, the latter rich and productive. The alluvial land is between a quarter and a half mile wide. Some places are cleared for rice. The clearing consists in cutting down a few vines and shrubs, and burning the grass. We called at one place, where the people were scratching in the rice, with a species of hoes and sticks. Poor creatures! the women and children began to hide themselves in the grass and to retreat to the wood, until the voice of Kizell, whom they recognised, called them back. They rejoiced to see us, but could not banish all signs of timidity for some time. We gave them a little tobacco, and our company drank a calabash of their palm wine. The taste of it is not particularly agreeable, but use renders it more so. The high land, beyond this alluvial soil, has a level surface, and is covered with large trees of the original growth. All this tract, on the right bank as we descend, has the appearance of great fertility, and is nearly without inhabitants. This region will answer well for a colony, should no other more eligible place present itself. The banks exhibit a rich and verdant appearance, which continues the year round, and are not exceeded in natural beauty by any river which I have seen in the United States.

At Mr. Tucker's, we became acquainted with Soyarrah, the king of Cotton. He inherits from his father, who was a king, a considerable extent of territory, probably thirty miles by twenty, lying between the Boom and the Deong rivers. It does not extend down to the bay: Somano's land intervenes. This territory is generally dry, level, fertile, and covered with forests of ancient growth. Soyarrah has only a handful of people. War, slave-trade, red water, and (as Mr. K. says respecting western Africa,) "the curse of God, for their sins and devil-worship," have reduced a considerable population to a few scattered relics. Though suspicious and wary, like most African princes, after so many impositions, he discovered a readiness of apprehension, and a promptness in the despatch of business, which were very pleasing. He promised most cordially, tracts of his land for the settlement of our people, whenever they might come with goods to buy. This man and his offers will deserve attention in any future negotiations in Sherbro.

We arrived at the mouth of the Boom, at seven in the evening. As it was dark, the wind fresh, and the bay wide, we stopped at the little village Renta, and the headman of whom we hired our canoe, hospitably furnished us with his house. The room and bedstead was hung around with curtains of mats, curiously wrought. We slept comfortably. We called at this village as we went up yesterday morning. It is a romantic little spot. Twelve or fifteen houses stand close together; a narrow avenue to the bay gives access to the sea-breeze: palm, orange, cocoa-nut, banana, and plantain trees, overshadow the houses. Sugar-cane, cotton shrubs, and cassada plants, grow on each side the path which leads to a few rice fields just behind; then the whole is closely encircled with forest trees and wild vines of the richest foliage. Were it the abode of innocence, it might be esteemed a garden of Eden. The chief man is gaining wealth, and lives comfortably. He will probably be considered a king in the country in a few years.

There are several little establishments for boiling salt, not far off. There is, too, a small village, formerly owned by Mr. J. a colonist from Sierra Leone, who died here, a few years ago. Such colonists who have settled abroad, among the natives, though they have gained properly and influence, seem not, in the end, to have succeeded well. Perhaps they have too readily adopted the indolent habits, and vicious customs of the people around them.Sherbro Bay, Wednesday, 15th April.At day-light, we put our company in motion, and crossed the bay in safety, to our schooner, off Yonie. We went on shore to take leave of Kong Couber. King Sherbro and the second prince, Teng-Bang, were out of town; the one at his salt works, and the other at his rice plantation. Kong Couber inquired with apparent solicitude when we should return. We told him it was doubtful whether either of us would ever return, our country was far off. He said, we must return; the people knew us, and there was a good understanding between us and the headman; if we came back to-morrow in the manner we proposed, the headmen would meet, and the business be settled. We told him it was probable that some people from our country would visit Sherbro in a year; and if we were alive in our country, we would send letters and presents, which would convince Kong Couber that we remembered his kindness. He gave us a goat for our men, and two mats for our fathers in America. He walked along the shore with us, and giving us his hand, said in English, "May God bless you, and give you a good voyage to your country." While we gave sail to our little schooner, he sat 004849down by the shore, under an orange tree, apparently pensive and melancholy. The prince is conscious of the depressed condition of his people, and the barbarous state of his country. He sighs for their improvement. He has, in times past, complained to Mr. K., that his father did not send him to England for an Education; and has almost wished he had been sold as a slave, into America, like Mr. K., if he could only have acquired learning, and lived to return back to Africa. He has told his people, that if we came back to live there he should drink wine only, and no more rum, because rum turn the head, and made men fools. I am not certain but missionaries of prudence, self denial, and christian zeal, might spend their lives usefully here. There would be no want of children to instruct. Couber, and perhaps some other headman may be confided in. Serious obstacles must be anticipated. Slave-traders have made even savages more vicious. The people are generally idle, superstitious, self-indulgent, and fond of ardent spirits. Polygamy is nearly universal.

At 11 A.M. we anchored off Bendou, and sent our compliments to Somano. We rested a few minutes under the shade of a large orange tree, loaded with oranges of a full size. A lime tree stood near, whose branches were literally bent down with fruit. Somano, Safah, and their people, were assembled in the palaver-house. Their headwoman, or queen, had recently been accused of witchcraft. She had drank the red-water, and escaped without injury. This proved her innocence. Within a few days, the people had killed an elephant. This is considered a lucky omen, and a testimony of the favour of the gods. Hence, she brought forward a charge of the false accusation for witchcraft, and a demand of reparation. This was the subject of palaver. All the people were sitting around to witness the progress of the debate, and anxious about the result. The men who had distinguished themselves in killing the elephant, with their wives occupied prominent seats. They were dressed and ornamented with more richness and elegance than any I ever saw in Africa.

We had only a short conversation with the kings. Somano expressed his disapprobation of the conduct of Couber in taking upon himself the management of the palaver at Yonie, and in censuring part of his conduct. He said he had as many children (people) as Sherbro. All Caulker's people were his children: to which D. Caulker, to honour the old man, said, yes, he supposed so. Somano gave us a small basket of rice, and two mats. Safah said he was from home, and had not much with him, but gave two large mats. We 004950parted with the kings and people on very friendly terms. We crossed the bay from Bendou to York island, about six or eight miles, and anchored close in shore in three fathoms water. We engaged a canoe and men to go up the Deoug river to-morrow.

Deong River, Thursday, 16th April.At 9 a.m. we crossed the bay about five or six miles to the mouth of the Deong, passing two places near the beach, where the people were boiling salt. The shores of the bay, are the islands, are girt around with mangroves. The soil is black mud, liable to be overflowed by the tide, especially in the rainy season. The mouth of the river is, at the least, a mile wide. It enters the bay from the east, and preserves the same general direction about twenty miles, when it flows from the north of east. Like the Boom, the Deong has a series of islands extending up twenty or twenty-five miles, which divides the river into two channels. We ascended the right branch, which is not so wide and navigable as the left. About ten miles up, we came to land on the right bank, not liable to be overflowed in the rains. Near this, a small stream comes in from the right, which flows along Soyarrah's territory. Here the water in the river becomes fresh. There is a large ledge of rocks in the middle of the river. We directed our men to paddle towards it, to which they were wholly averse, believing that some evil spirits lived there, who would punish their temerity. We laid our commands upon them, when they yielded with reluctance, and threw water into the air with their hands, as if to appease the wrath of these local demons. The ledge is common free stone, of considerable extent, and a few feet above the surface. Mr. K. said, the natives have a tradition, that these rocks have crossed and re-crossed the river, sometimes above, and sometimes below the water, to the alarm and astonishment of all the country.

About sixteen miles above the mouth, the land becomes a little more elevated, with few mangroves, and exhibits a good soil. We passed two small villages; at one of which belonging to Thomas Tittle, a fair mulatto man, we called. He spread mats for us to sit down, and was gratified to see us. His father was the captain of a slave ship. At his suggestion, Thomas, in his youth, was sent to England for an education; but on his arrival there, the father was dead, and the African mulatto boy was sent back without an education. He speaks English well, and appears intelligent, but greatly laments the loss of instruction.

This country has seen better days. Its population was once much greater. The ravages of war, and the slave-trade, 005051are nowhere more visible than in this river. Towns have been burnt, hamlets are deserted. In these relics of villages, the people salute us as we pass by, and make many inquiries.

On the right bank, about twenty-four miles up, is a bluff or ridge of land, perhaps forty feet high, extending along half a mile. Near it is a village which has twenty huts, and formerly more than a hundred. This is the most eligible place for a large town, which we have seen on this river. The width of the river does not here exceed one hundred yards, though, in some places, one quarter of a mile. About four miles above this, we come to Papurrh, James Cleveland's town. We arrived a little after sunset. Mr. C. was not at home. The people seeing two of the Caulker family with us, who are the enemies of the Cleveland family, give us a very cold reception. We succeeded in obtaining a house to shelter us from the dew, some rice for supper, and some mats to sleep on. The man, at whose house we lodged, has a brother, who was recently condemned, justly, or unjustly, for adultery, and sold into foreign slavery. J. Cleveland, the headman, has had an English education--has considerable influence--has under him four or five towns, and perhaps five hundred people. Papurrh, the principal town, stands on the island, at the junction of the two branches of the river. It has thirty huts, and about one hundred and fifty souls.

The river Deong, before it separates into two channels, does not appear to be larger than one of them, about one hundred and fifty yards across. It is said to flow from the Krango country through the Timmanee. It has a fall of much celebrity about three miles above Papurrh, which we were very solicitous to see, but did not think it prudent to do it, without the consent of the headman. Fame makes the fall at least thirty or forty feet perpendicular; probably half of that is near the truth.

Deong River, Friday, 17th April.At 6 a.m. we left our village, making some little returns to our host, and to headwoman, and proceeded down the north branch of the river. There is a ledge of rocks of common free stone at the landing place, and another within half a mile, extending quite across the channel of the river. As the tide was flowing up the stream, the rocks obstructing the current, formed rapids. It was not without much struggling and difficulty, (whence the name of the village Papurrh,) that we could force our canoe over them.

We called repeatedly on the right and left bank. Some places were cleared for rice. The soil appears very rich. The native villages are very few and small. About eight miles 005152from Papurrh, on the right bank, as we descend, is a delightful spot for a town. It is near the Deong or Kurhoo mountains. The river is not more than two hundred yards over, but is sufficiently deep for trading vessels, and flat-bottomed boats: the latter would be safe and convenient in the bay, and in all these rivers. This country, with proper culture, seems capable of supporting a very large population.

Having made our way about twelve miles down the river, we called at a small village on the left bank to find some breakfast. We had two or three fowls, obtained at Papurrh. The women cleaned some rice for us, beating it with pestles in large mortars. One man went after palm wine and another after honey. We bought a quantity of the honey in exchange for tobacco. The honey has a flavour of the wild flowers on which the bees feed, otherwise it is very good and quite abundant. The principal man was very civil and hospitable, but did not appear pleased with the idea of our seeing the country and writing books. Will Comberbuss, a fine old man, on whom we called a few miles back, expressed a different opinion: he said "it would be a very good thing for the country, if our people would come and bring " knowledge; the land would produce rice, cotton, coffee, "tobacco, and all good things, but the people did not know."

The banks are low for the last ten miles, and covered with mangroves. The Perra mountains may be seen from the river in some places. We had some rain to-day, for the first time since we came to the coast.

We crossed the bay with a fresh wind against us, occasionally dashing the waves into the canoe, and arrived at our little schooner, at 9 p. m. somewhat weary, wet, and hungry.

Sherbo Sound, Saturday, 18th April.We sailed from York island eight of ten miles, and anchored off Campelar, a little village belonging to Mr. Kizell. It is situated on a low spot, nearly surrounded with mangroves; but open to the sea-breeze, and represented healthy. It was chiefly designed for the accommodation of Mr. K's wife's friends, and convenient for boiling salt. We saw a brother-in-law, whom Mr. K. rescued from foreign slavery at much expense--a man of native intelligence and a good aspect. We had a tornado to-day. It is a violent gust of wind, of short duration, usually attended with rain, lightning, and thunder.

Sabbath, 19th April.Darkness, gross darkness, covers the nations around us. But this darkness shall be dispelled. The sun of righteousness will yet arise around them, with healing in his beams. In this consideration, we do rejoice, and will rejoice.

Monday, 20th April.At 4 a. m. we sent Mr. M. and Rango, king Fara's chief man, to request his majesty to meet us, at Campelar. He lives at Marro, about twelve miles distant, on Sherbro island. He claims the land on the Bagroo, and is one of the important personages of the country. Far the land about Campelar, five or six hundred acres, Mr. K. paid in goods, about one hundred and fifty dollars. It will produce rice and cassada, but is chiefly used as a salt establishment. Mr. K. bought this place in 1814, and hired some men to clear away and burn the bushes. It was said that some serpents were involved in the couflagration. The natives who have a particular veneration for serpents, (believing them to be the abode of the evil spirits, whose power and displeasure they deprecate,) asserted that the devils were so disturbed at the burning of the bushes, that they came into their towns, raising the most bitter complaints against John Kizell. They even thought of calling a palaver to try the offender according to the custom of the country. Several of the people of this village have been saved by Mr. K. from death or foreign slavery. No death has ever occurred in the village, since its settlement.

Our men went out at low water and brought in a boat-load of fine large oysters. We had a tornado to-day. It greatly purifies the air, dispels the general haze, and seems to diminish distances. After the rain the mountains appeared admirably, with clouds resting along their sides or crowning their summits.

At York island, we took on board a man of Bandasuma, in Banga river. He went up the Deong river, the last moon, to trade for cloths. His canoe was left at Mattroo, just below the falls in Deong river. There he engaged men to help him to carry his salt across the country, eight days' journey. Passing the Timmances, he traded chiefly with the Krangos and Kussoos. On his return he was unfortunately plundered of his cloths, amounting to twenty or thirty pieces. He describes the country as high, generally level, and covered with forests. He speaks of mountains, in the third or fourth day's journey.

Tuesday, 21st AprilWe have been waiting almost with impatience for the king of Fara. We are hoping to finish our journeys, and leave this part of the coast, late in May, or early in June, before the rains are fully set in. The weather, since our arrival in Africa, has hitherto been quite pleasant, except the heat, occasionally rather oppressive. The tornado this evening, was severe; the wind blew hard a half an hour, and some rain fell. We perceive many appearances of distant thunder-storms, especially towards evening.

Our canoe returned this morning with the king of Fara. His people were rather unwilling to let him leave his town. Mr. M. says Maro has thirty cottages; that the natives are badly supplied with provisions; that the soil is sandy, except the mangrove land, which is muddy and sometimes overflowed. He, however, bought half a dozen fowls for a bar of tobacco, which would not indicate any famine.

Should commissioners of the American Society hereafter visit Africa, they should have a ship at their command, and a captain well acquainted with the coast. They should be furnished with ample stores of provisions, and with goods for trade, for the purchase of lands, and for presents to the kings.

When a place is selected, the lands should be cleared to a considerable extent, and some houses constructed, before many families removed. This could be done, under the direction of a few proper persons, employing native labourers. The expense would be trifling.

Should a colony be established in this part of Africa, it remains a question whether it should be governed by white men, or whether the people of colour will consider themselves competent to self-government in the first instance. If Paul Cuffee were alive it might settle the question; but unless a judicious man of colour can be found, who will secure the confidence of all parties, it will be best to have a white governor. Every thing should be done to encourage the people of colour to make exertions to help themselves. The lands should be kept cheap and easily attainable. Each should become a possessor of land and cultivate his own.

In making a purchase of lands, the goods should not all be given to one king, but properly apportioned to all in the vicinity.

A canoe with twelve persons, from Bendou to the Plantain islands, stopped along side. Two women appeared to be the principal personages. Some of the women have very amiable and intelligent faces. The Africans generally appear cheerful and happy. Some of the canoes will carry forty persons, and sail about this bay at all seasons of the year, with entire safety. Sometimes they spread a mat for a sail. Some use oars, but they generally use paddles.--This land was once more populous. It is doubtful whether the population is now increasing, though the proportion of small children is very large. I think I never saw so great a proportion of healthy active children in any country. Great numbers of the youth and the middle aged are in foreign lands, while the relics of old age, the headmen, and throngs of young children are left behind.

Fara pretends to be waiting for his principal men. He is making inquiries of our interpreters respecting our objects. We may well confide in their representations: they are faithful men, and deeply interested in our success.

Fara mentioned to Mr. K. a surprising phenomenon, of which he desired an explanation. A large tree, by a public path, well known to have lain on the ground some years, has lately risen up, stands firm and erect, and grows green and luxuriant. Mr. K. after some consideration, said he thought he could explain it. He said, "king Fara, his people, and his country, had long been prostrated and lain in the dust. They are now beginning to rise, and if they encourage these people to come from America, we hope they will help to give them wisdom and strength." Fara looked grave at the explanation, and thought it might be so.

Tuesday, 23rd April.We had an interview with Fara, and made a brief statement of our objects and wishes, which he well understood Rango, the chief speaker, replied in a very appropriate manner, "We hear you; we like your words; may God bless you, give you health and long life; may he bless Kizell, Martin, and the Caulkers too, because they were good in coming to introduce you. We shall not say much now Fara, you see, is young, a boy; he will stand behind Sherbro, and will speak the same word as his father. We have not talked with Sherbro--you have; you have seen Caulker, Tucker, Soyarrah, &c. --they have offered you lands:--which do you fancy most? When a man wants a wife,and goes to a father who has many daughters, he tells the father which he likes best," &c. We told him that we had not seen all parts of the country yet, and were not prepared to make a selection; nor could we let the kings know our choice until we should return from our country. He said, "we were at liberty to go any where; the country was large many parts where no people lived were very good land--the banks of the Yaltucker were fertile, and had few people; the Bagroo country was wide and vacant." He thanked us for our present, and Mr. K. for bringing us to Sherbro.--He said he knew we should write all his words in our books, so we must hear true and write straight, (laying his palaver brush flat and straight on the ground.) They said "it was a custom of their country, when strangers came, to pour a little wine on the graves of their fathers, and say 'good strangers have come to us, O, bless good strangers,' &c. and they wanted a little wine to pour at the root of the tree, once fallen, now standing erect." We told them their intimation would not be forgotten; and having taken an affectionate 005556leave of them, we returned on board, and sent them a bottle of wine, rather to bedew their royal lips than to sprinkle the ashes of their fathers, or irrigate the marvellous tree.

At 11 A.M. we sailed from Campelar, having seven or eight fathoms water until we came to the mouth of the Bagroo, where we had four or five fathoms. The general course of the Bagroo is from the east. The banks are low, and covered with mangroves. Many little islands lie along on each side, near the mouth. The river is one and a half, and one mile wide, for the first six miles. Here comes in, on the right the Banga, from the south-east, a quarter of a mile wide at its entrance. Shortly above, comes in the Robanna, on the left, one hundred yards wide. This flows out from the Bagroo fifteen miles above, and having made a little excursion of about twenty-five miles here returns to a parent stream. Passing up about ten miles, from the Banga, with a few curves and windings, comes in from the right, the beautiful Mano, one hundred yards wide. Here we anchored early in the evening, in five fathoms. By measure, the Bagroo was found here to be three hundred and fifty yards over. At the confluence of these rivers, or on the right bank of the Mano, is the place for our town. Mr. K. gives it a preference to any other part of Sherbro.

Mano River, Friday 24th April.We took a canoe to make an excursion up the Mano.--This branch of the Bagroo is three and a half and four fathoms deep. It has low banks about two miles, and covered with mangroves, with the exception of one place, one mile up, on the right hand. Here we stopped to lay the plan of a town. The land gradually rises back twenty-five or thirty feet, is sufficiently supplied with a stone for building or other purposes, and is covered with fine large timber of various qualities. The Mano mountain, or a ridge of it, terminates abruptly on the left bank just above, which adds much to rude scenery of the spot. The ground is hard and dry, covered with six or eight inches of vegetable mould. Six miles above, the hills on the right bank are cleared to a great extent, for rice. The soil did not appear to be deep. On the opposite bank stands the village of Mano, over which a kind, sensible man presides, named Superwill. He sent a man with us to show us the falls or rapids in the river two miles above. The water becomes more shallow. Ledges of rocks lie along in some parts of the channel. The rapids are formed by ledges extending across the river; for a quarter of a mile. These are bare now, in the dry season, so that we could walk nearly across the river; but in the rainy season, they mostly covered. The width of the 005657channel is sixty or eighty yards. This being the driest season of the year, the quantity of water descending did not appear to be great, but the current was rapid. No one perpendicular fall exceeded about four feet. The descent in three or four hundred yards, appeared to be twelve or fifteen feet. Here is an abundance of stone convenient for laying the foundation of forges, mills, and water works of any description. There is an abundance of large, hard timber, above the rapids, and along the banks. Indeed, the country is a forest. There we crossed a fine rivulet of very cool and pure water, descending from the hill, and flowing over a bottom of gravel and sand. We went up the hill to see the rice plantations. The country back appeared to be high land, agreeably undulating, and covered with forest. For health and comfort it appears very inviting, though the soil is not so fertile nor so easy of tillage, as on the banks, and in the low lands.

On our return we stopped at Mano. The head-woman had boiled for us a dish of rice, and dressed some fowls. We gave her a small present, as we had before done to the headman. Superwill, the headman, gave us a lamb. All the people in this river appeared most friendly and kind. They expressed great satisfaction at our words, and eager to see our people come, if they would be kind, and bring God's book. We said that persons must be sent with our people to establish schools for the children, and to instruct the people. They said they should be glad. One man, whose hair and beard were white with age, said, he wished it could be now; it was much wanted in the country--he wished to hear more about God's book before he died. It is certainly surprising that there should be such a desire among the people to hear the book of God, and to have their children instructed to read. There is just reason to hope that the principles of our holy religion would be embraced by many in this country, if they were instructed in them.

It seems desirable to obtain this country to the right of the Mano. It is high and airy. It is back eighty or ninety miles to the Timmannee country. It is called a good country by those who have travelled over it. A brook is spoken of, which empties into Mano, one or two miles above the rapids, and extends far into the interior. The whole country, after we leave the little villages on the Mano, has no inhabitants until we reach the Timmannees. Its extent, vacant population, and probable fertility, render it highly eligible. To this might be added the peninsula between the Bagroo and Mano rivers, which will include the Mano mountain, 005758as the other tract does the Perra mountain. These alone form a vacant region of three thousand square miles, and capable of supporting with very moderate culture, a population of twenty thousand. It includes mountains, rivers, forests, rapids, and springs of water. The Bagroo will admit vessels of a good size to the mouth of the Mano; and the Mano, especially at high tide, or in the rainy season, has three and four fathoms water, nearly to the rapids, above the village Mano. Another vacant and fertile tract, lies north of the Boom river. Perhaps this should be preferred to the other. Except where the towns stand, any part of the country may be bought in exchange for goods, nearly on our own terms.

Bagroo River, Saturday, 25th April.We floated up with the tide from the mouth of the Mano to the village Tasso, on the left bank, perhaps ten miles. As we sailed up we passed two little villages, on the left, and the Mano mountain on the right. This mountain has a very interesting appearance, covered with forest, having usually a gradual ascent, and presenting eligible places for buildings, and for small towns, if the soil should prove favourable for agriculture. The mangroves occupy a narrow space nearly all along the banks: where they grow, the soil is a black mud, doubtless rich, if it could be cleared, and sufficiently secured from inundation for purposes of culture.

Just below Tasso, and on the same side, is a trading establishment, called Liverpool, now under the superintendence of a Mr. Jones, one of the first settlers of Sierra Leone. He has lived here, with a considerable family of children and grand-children, some years. He and his son appear to be sensible, christian men, and anxious to see their brethren in America return to this country. They cultivate rice, cassada, sweet potatoes, and a variety of fruits. Indian corn, when planted grows well, but rice is preferred. They think that beans, and a great variety of roots and vegetables would do well, if cultivated with any care. The wild pigs are very numerous, and root up the fields of cassada. Fowls, sheep, and goats thrive and multiply. The leopard was troublesome formerly, in catching the kids and lambs. We went back to the spring of water, and to the rice and cassada fields. The land on this side of the Bagroo, is quite different from that on the other side, and to the right of the Mano. Here, it is level country, the whole distance to the Yaltucker, or to the Camaranca river. It is rather a thin soil, and generally sandy, but easy of tillage, and quite productive. It is covered with a luxuriant growth of small wood, shrubs, and vines. Which tract may finally prove the most eligible, admits of doubt.

We lay off Tasso. Somango is the headman. The village has thirty houses. The people are said to be very wicked and superstitious.

Mr. K. saw Somango towards evening, and stated to him our general objects. He appeared friendly; but he told Mr. K. when strangers came, they gave him wine or rum. Mr. K. said, that slave-traders gave rum to make them quarrel and sell each other; this was what they wanted: but the strangers he had brought, came to open their eyes, and not to blind them, and hoped to find and leave them sober, that they might be able to give a true answer and speak good words.

Bagroo River, Monday, 27th April.Somango has gone to Robanna, to consult with Sologo, and to invite him to Tasso. Sologo is quite aged, and is considered the principal man in this river.

I took the boat and went up the Bagroo. Mangroves still line the banks. In a mile and a half we came to two forks in the river; each branch is more than one hundred yards wide; the one runs from the north, and the other from the east. From Mr. K's account, I should not think that large canoes could ascend either branch, more than fifteen or twenty miles, and the source of each cannot be more than fifty or sixty miles. Both branches become inconsiderable brooks above where the tide flows.

We called at a place, once a slave-factory of the Bance-island Company, now overgrown with grass and shrubs. There are orange and lime trees adjacent. We knocked off a few oranges with sticks, and asked our boatmen to climb the trees and gather more. They hesitated, being afraid there were gregrees on the trees. We called at another place, where Gordon Hicks, and other Sierra Leone colonists used to trade. The land is not liable to be overflowed, sandy but productive.

We had conversation with a Mr. Wilson, at Liverpool, who is a man of colour, formerly of Boston, or Baltimore. He is a ship carpenter, and came out from Boston to Sierra Leone, about four years ago. He said it was best for the people of colour, who are now in America, to come to this country. He said that houses, built in the style of the natives, at ten or twelve dollars each, ten feet by fifteen or twenty, would be best, just in the infancy of the colony. Carpenters, and all mechanics, should come from America. If they could not work the whole day at first, they could work a part of the day, and superintend the business. He said he gave more than one hundred dollars at Sierra Leone, for the frame only 005960of a small wooden house. The carpenters of Sierra Leone charge a dollar a day: three or four of them would not do more work in a day than one in the United States. He said that one kind of the mangroves hard, tall, and straight, would make very good house-timber.

Mr. K. said that if a place were selected for a colony, he could see fifty or an hundred acres of land cleared in a short time, and houses, constructed in the country style, to accommodate the first settlers. The expense of clearing the land might be about six dollars an acre.

The young Mr. J. said that he had travelled through the Bagroo country to the Timmannees, between two and three day's journey, and could strongly recommend it to us. It was high, supplied with brooks and springs, having sufficient stone for building and other purposes, and richly covered with forest trees, which sufficiently indicated a good soil.--He said the Bagroo was the most extensive district in Sherbro, and was without inhabitants.

Tuesday, 28th April.Tasso extends along the bank one hundred yards, and fifty back. It has orange, lime, cocoa-nut, banana, and plantain trees around it; and then forest and wild shrubbery.--Some tall and elegant pullom trees stand in the devil's bush. The rice fields are concealed one or two miles back of the town. The Mano mountain bears S.E. four miles distant. From Liverpool, we can look across to the cleared lands beyond the Mano river, where we were five days ago. Rice, honey, cassada, and fowls, are quite cheap and abundant. The meat of the goat is preferred to mutton, having nothing of the rancid flavour which is observed in northern latitudes. Cattle might be raised to any extent, but no one here has wealth or energy enough. Horses are unknown, but might be introduced from the Foulhas and Soosoos. The horses, used by the Indians on the Mississippi, I think would do well here. Probably mules and oxen might be used in the cultivation of the soil.

Mr. J. gave us a long account of the difficulties of the Sierra Leone colony with the natives. He thinks three hundred men, well armed, who could be assembled on a short notice, would afford entire security to any colony against them.

Wednesday, 29th April.As Somango does not return and there is no advantage arising from a delay at Tasso, we conclude to go down the river and call at Robanna, where Somango is now engaged in consultations with Sologo. Robanna is situated on Robanna river or creek, which runs out of the Bagroo a little below Tasso; and returns into it again about fifteen miles 006061further down. We sent Mr. Anderson in a canoe down the Robanna, while we sailed down the Bagroo. Mr. A. found Sologo at home, who sent word that if we would call on him at Robanna, he would tell us what was in his head.

We have become so far acquainted with the country as to satisfy ourselves shat there is much good land unoccupied by any people, and that it has good water. The climate we believe will be deemed as temperate as that of any part of the coast between the Senegal and the equator. We do not see why it may not be a healthy country, as it has mountains and high ridges of land. The Mano has high banks a few miles above its mouth, though the Bagroo banks below this, are wholly covered with mangroves. The ridges of land are open to the sea-breeze. Brooks and springs may be found in almost any direction. Mills may be erected on the Mano.

The natives believe in the existence of a supreme God, who is great and good, but indifferent to the concerns of men. It is their concerns to secure the favour and avert the displeasure of certain inferior malignant spirits, whom they imagine to be continually attendant on their persons, and to be the authors of all their evils. They place great confidence in their gregrees or amulets. They have sacred groves, trees, and huts. They occasionally strew fruits about their towns, or spread mats by the public paths, as offerings to the invisible spirits. They sometimes make prayers on the graves of their fathers, or under their sacred trees. Though they may sometimes pay a kind of homage to the Supreme God, yet their ideas of him are very indistinct. The true light has never shone upon them. One who was present the other day, at our social worship, afterwards said to a friend "that he never knew before that white men prayed."

These three days Mr. B. has been quite unwell. In the afternoon and evening he has high fever. It appears to have been brought on by too much fatigue on our excursions up the Deong and Mano rivers, and by too great exposure to the sun. He complains of severe pains in the head, and general disquietude. He has little sound sleep. He certainly needs medical aid and better attention than we can give him on board this little schooner. On his account, I am anxious to return directly to Sierra Leone. But he thinks there is as fair a prospect of his recovery here, as at the colony. He considers it very important that I should see Sologo and Pa Poosoo, and says a slight flush of the face ought not to prevent it.

Thursday, 30th April.We early embarked in our canoe to go up to Rovanna. The island formed by the Robanna and the Bagroo, is about five miles wide and fifteen long. It has a considerable quantity of dry land, though generally skirted with mangroves. A tract on the upper part of it belongs to Mr.K. The town stands on the left bank of the Robanna, about five mile from the Bagroo, but in the usual style. There are orange, cocoa-nuts, lime, banana, and plantain trees, with many others, around the town. The area is about half an acre. It was formerly a large town. The cotton bush, cassada, sweet potatoes, &c. grow on the bank near the town. Sologo is a very old man, probably seventy, having a beard long and white. The kings in this country are generally old men. We gave him a small piece of bafta, some tobacco, and powder, and stated to him our object in calling. He thanked us for our present, and said he was pleased with our object. He said king Fara was over that part of the country. He told the story of the captured and escape of old king Sherbro, and said that he afterwards came to Robanna, where he died, and was buried. He said that the kings and headmen had never met together to appoint a regular successor. He did not like the conduct of Kong Couher in retaining the power in his own hands, and did not appear disposed fully to acknowledge the supremacy of Sherbro. He thought as old king Sherbro died and was buried in his town, and no successor had been regularly appointed, he was equal or superior to the present king Sherbro. He, however, acknowledges Fara to be over him: and Fara, whom we saw the other day, says that Sherbro is the father of the country.--Sologo is aged, feeble, and poor, and would no doubt grant our wishes, so far as it depended on him, if he might have a share in the goods given for lands. He said he knew our object was a good one, and that Mr. K. who brought us to him, was a friend to the country. He gave us two fowls and a quantity of rice, which we accepted in compliance with his wishes and general custom. The kings and people are all poor, because they are too indolent to make any considerable efforts to obtain wealth. They often oppose the active young men, who are collecting things confortable around them; and say these young men are high-minded: they want to go before all, and outdo their fathers. They have been known to call palvaters, take away the property of the young men and sell them as slaves. The indolence of the people is not chiefly owing to climate, but to their dispositions and habits.

In going to Robanna, we passed places as we have done in all the other rivers, where there were formerly large towns, and now not a hut standing. Wars, the slave-trade, and red water, have wasted away the inhabitants Mr. K thinks the population has decreased one half since he became acquainted with the country, twenty years ago. He considers the population now decreasing. This may be ascribed partly to the practice of polygamy, but more to the slave trade, which is still privately carried on to a considerable extent, and, as Mr. K. thinks, still more to the sovereign and mysterious providence of God, who has so ordered it, that the country might now be vacant for the introduction of a better people.

Friday, 1st May.Soon after sun-rise, we set out in our canoe to go up the Banga, as far as Bandasuma, on a visit to Pa Poosoo the headman. The Banga in nearly a mile wide at the mouth, and about a quarter of a mile wide at Bandasuma, seven miles up. The banks are low, muddy and overgrown with mangroves. At one place, however, the dry land comes down nearly to the bank of the river. As far as I could ascertain, this high land extends back to the Mano, and might be included in any future purchase of lands on that river. This tract Pa Poosoo has offered to Mr. K. if he would come and live in the country.

Soon after our arrival at Bandasuma, we had an interview with Pa Poosoo, who expressed great satisfaction with our designs. As some of his men whom he wished to consult were out of town, he sent for them, and waited for their return. It rained very hard late in the afternoon, and was cloudy until night. After sun-set, having consulted with the principal men, Pa Poosoo made known to us that he was ready to give us an answer. We assembled at the king's house. A wax candle was burning in the wall. The king's brother said, (in reference to myself and Mr. B. who was unable to come with us.) "May God bless you, and as you came in health to this country, may you return in health to your own. We are glad to hear what you say; we like it well. The old people among us wish you had come before. They are now afraid they will die too soon. They want to see the time when people will come to this country to teach the children to read and write, and to know the true God. The king says I must tell you he likes your object much: and if the other kings call him to say what is in his heart, he shall say, give the people land. We know you come with a good mind, because Mr. K. brings you, and he is a friend to our country. The old people will 006364die fools, but if these people come from America, the children will turn and know more than their fathers. But they were afraid the people would not come, and it would never be as they said. There was much good land where no people lived." I inquired what part of the country would be best for the people, when they should come to settle. They replied, when a man was looking for a wife, he would not like to have another to select for him. They asked in return, what part of the country pleased us most? I replied that we wished to see more of it, before we fixed on any part. They afterwards said, if they were to choose the place, they would say, bring the people to our town. Pa Poosoo is nearly seventy years old, of a pleasant countenance,and good character. We staid over night. More rain fell.

Sunday, 2d May.We prepared to return early. Pa Poosoo thanked us for our present, and gave us two leopard skins in return. We took an affectionate leave of the kind old man. His town is pleasantly situated on a point of land, formed by the junction of the Banga and Bangasuma, and contains eighty cottages. The ground is very productive, through the soil does not appear to be very rich. It has an abundant growth of trees, shrubs and vines. The Banga has one considerable branch making off to the left, as we ascended. It has also many outlets or deep muddy creeks, one of which connects it with the Bagroo, just below the mouth of the Mano.

Since we left Sierra Leone, we have had land offered us by T. Caulker, on the Camaranca; by J. Tucker, on the Boom; by the kong of Cotton, on the Deong: by Fara, on the Bagroo, or the Yaltucker; and by Pa Poosoo, on the Banga. The Bagroo presents one of the best places for the commencement of a colony, in this part of Africa. It might soon extend to the right of the Mano, towards the Perra mountains; and then, it desired, it might have liberty to spread back into the interior fifty or eighty miles. The country is unoccupied, has good water, is dry, and agreeably uneven.

We reached our schooner at 10 A.M. and made preparations to leave the river. We found that some of our crew had been to oyster bank, and gathered two boat loads, which were a sufficient quantity to supply ten or twelve men a week.

We daily see the smoke of several fires, where the natives are clearing the ground for rice. This has been a common and pleasant spectacle, while we have been in the country.

Banana Islands, Tuesday, 5th May.

Early this morning we called at the Banana islands, and restored to Mr. Caulker his messengers, who have attended us the whole circuit. The young men have behaved well, while they have been with us, and one of them has made some progress in the first rules of arithmetic.

Sierra Leone, Thursday, 7th May.

We arrived to-day, and took lodgings with the Rev. Mr. Brown, a worthy missionary of the Wesleyan Methodist connection.

Sierra Leone, Saturday, 9th May.I called on Governor Macarthy. He received me in a very friendly manner, and offered us any assistance in his power. He expressed a confidence in the benevolent views of the American Society.

A Danish ship arrived to-day, having on board a nobleman, who was a late Governor of one of the Danish forts on the Gold coast. He is now on his return from Denmark to his station.

We have spent some time with the Rev. Mr. Rylander, a missionary of the Church Missionary Society, whose name is familiar in the United States. He is an intelligent, meek, and devout man. He mourns over the inefficacy of his labors among the natives. Tears stood in his eyes while he describe the state of the people, and spoke of the small fruits which he was allowed to witness of the usefulness of his labours. All the missionaries here are christian men, and entitled to the confidence and prayers of good people throughout the earth.

Captain Appleton sailed to-day to enter upon the duties of his office, as commandant of St. Mary's, in the Gambia.

Sierra Leone, Sabbath, 10th May.There is a great degree of regularity among the people of this place. There does not seem to be any labour on this day, and a large proportion are regular attendants on the worship of God. The untractable Kroo-men will indeed indulge in their wrestlings and other sports on the beach, not withstanding past attempts to check them.

I heard a sermon from the Rev. Mr. Garmon, the colonial chaplain, and another from the Rev. Mr. Brown. There are foundations laid for three houses of worship in Freetown--They will be constructed of stone, large and durable. These edifices and churches, which have been built and are building, prove the permanence of the colony and are a pledge of its future prosperity.

Sierra Leone, Tuesday, 12th May.

I called on the Danish Governor, and showed him Count Schimmelman,s letter to us. He esteemed the objects of our embassy humane, important, and adapted to promote the best interests of Africans. He did not conceive that colonies of the American people of colour world, in the least, interfere with any existing European establishment; on the contrary, they night aid each other, and combine their efforts to civilize and instruct the African nations. Agriculture and commerce would naturally increase with the number of settlements, which had these objects in view. He had been on the coast five years, and considered the high lands healthy. He had been invited by the bishop of Copenhagen to translate the Bible into the language of Acra, and he expressed his determination to execute the work, which he had already begun!

Sierra Leone, Monday, 18th May.

I have now visited most of the villages in the colony. The population of the colony is nearly twelve thousand. The schools are in a flourishing state, accommodating nearly two thousand children. Each village has a superintendent, who is a clergyman or schoolmaster. Each village has a place of worship, where prayers are made, morning and evening, in the presence of his people. The Sabbath is observed through the colony.

The Governor is justly esteemed as a father and patron of the colony. he makes great exertions for its improvement.

Respecting an American colony, he has at different times expressed the following opinions, which I am the more disposed to write down, as some of them deserve particular consideration: That a private society can hardly be expected to have adequate funds to found and support a colony without the aid of government: that, in the first instance, white men of intelligence and good character should occupy some of the principal offices: that the government should be mild and energetic: that forts would be necessary: that one hundred men, with arms, and some knowledge of discipline, could defend themselves from the natives: that the occasional visits of an armed vessel, engaged in detecting slavetraders, would give entire security: that the neutrality of a colony could easily be insured by an application to the European governments: that the first colonists should be men of sober and industrious habits, who will devote themselves to agriculture or some of the useful mechanic arts: that one year's provisions, or the means of purchasing them, would be necessary to the colonists: that, if expedient, the 006667limits of this colony might be enlarged to accommodate five or ten thousand emigrants from America: that it was particularly proper for the American government to commission an armed ship to this coast, to capture slave-trading vessels, as two-thirds of them are, or have been American: that the free people of colour would be better situated in Africa, than they are, or can soon expect to be, in America.

I am every day more convinced of the practicability and expediency of establishing American colonies on this coast.

Brig Success, Friday, 22d May.We have taken an affectionate leave of the clergymen, the civil officers, and the colonists of Sierra Leone. We are embarked for the United States, by way of England, and the continent of Africa recedes from our view.

To the journal of Mr. Mills, we deem it expedient to annex the following extracts from a correspondence between Governor Columbine and Mr. John Kizell, the former being Governor of Sierra Leone, and the latter a resident of that colony. The following brief notice of Mr. Kizell, and the letter of Governor Columbine to the Sherbro chiefs, will show the character of the man and the object of his visit to the country now selected for the American colony:Account of John Kizell, given by Governor Columbine, and attached to the following correspondence.

John Kizell is a black man, a native of the country some leagues inland from the Sherbro. His father was a chief of some consequence, and so was his uncle. They resided at different towns; and when Kizell was a boy, he was sent by his father on a visit to his uncle, who was desirous to have him with him. On the very night of his arrival, the town was attacked; a bloody battle ensued, in which his uncle and most of his people were killed. Some escaped; the rest were taken prisoners, and amongst these was Kizell. His father, as soon as he heard of his son's disaster, made every effort to relieve him, offering three slaves and some goods for him; but his enemies declared they would not give him up for any price, and that they would rather put him to death. He was taken to the Gallinas, put on board an English ship, and carried as one of a cargo slaves to Charlestown. On 006768the passage, one of our women, pining away with grief on account of her situation, was tied up to the mast, and flogged to death, as a warning to others not to indulge their melancholy to the detriment of their health, and thereby to injure their value to the christian owners.

He arrived in America a few years before Sir H. Clinton took Charlestown. In consequence of the general's proclamation, he with many other slaves, joined the royal standard. He was close to Col. Ferguson when he was killed.

After the war, he was removed to Nova Scotia, from which place he came hither in 1792.

He is an intelligent man; has alway preserved an excellent character; and has the welfare of his native country sincerly at heart. The government of this colony have repeatedly employed him in their negotiations with the Caulkers and Clevelands, and other chiefs of Sherbro; and he appears always to have discharged his duty with great integrity and address.

To this biographical sketch we add the following anecdote from a magazine published in Boston, in the year 1796, which is calculated to inspire still greater confidence in the goodness and generosity of this friend to our cause, who is pledged to render us every assistance in his power on the shores of Africa.

It occurred about the time of the destruction of Sierra Leone by the French fleet.

"The brig Amy, which happened not to have sailed from Plymouth when the news of the calamity (the devastation made by the French fleet at Sierra Leone,) was pretty generally known, arrived at Freetown, March 26th, 1795, after a passage of forty days. She carried out his excellency Governor Dawes, whose return to the settlement caused universal joy. John Kizell, one of our negro baptist brethren, who came to England in the company's service, sailed in the same vessel, and was enabled to take out a venture with him, which he sold extremely well. The profits were to have been solely for his use; but though in the general havock which was made while he was from home he lost what property he had in the colony, of his own accord, in the generosity of his heart, he divided the profits of his venture among his brethren, thus alleviating their distressess as far as he was able."

The journal of Mr. Mills and the following extracts sufficiently show the extent of his influence, the zeal of his character, and what aid we may expect from him in our Inture operations.

Extracts from the correspondence of Mr. John Kizell, with governor Columbine, respecting his negotiations with the chiefs in the river Sherbro and giving an account of that river.Mr. Kizell carried with him the following letter from governor Columbine to the chiefs in the Sherbro river, dated August, 1810.

"FRIENDS,"I have sent Mr. Kizell to visit you on my part, in order that you may communicate to him any thing that you may wish to say to me.

"With respect to the slave vessels which have been taken, they have been captured and condemned for breaking the laws of Great Britain, and for other reasons which it is not necessary for me to dwell upon just now.

"The laws of my country compel me to search all slaveships, and deal with them according to the European law of nations and the acts of the British parliament.

"You must be sensible that the slave-trade cannot be carried on much longer; and therefore I earnestly hope and entreat that you will turn your views to the cultivation of your land, by which alone you can ever rise above the poverty which renders you so dependent on Europe.

"What has the slave-trade produced for any of you? Can any one of you be said to be rich? Or is any one of you even in easy circumstances? No. Yet all this distress, and the depopulation of your country, arise merely from the sale of its inhabitants: instead of keeping the Africans to till their own soil, they are sent to till the colonies belonging to Europe.

"If the inhabitants of Europe had sold each other in like manner, do you suppose that we should have had ships and fleets, and armies, and riches, as we now have? Certainly not.

"I hope you will allow my friend, Mr. Kizell, to have a sufficient portion of ground, or territory, for him to build a town, and to point out to you the proper mode of rearing those articles of trade, which will supply you with all European commodities. You cannot have the least reason to be jealous of him; he is one of yourselves; and he has the welfare of you and his country very earnestly at heart: and I entreat you to forward his views as much as possible, and to join him in a noble endeavour to make yourselves and your children great, and your country happy.

"I shall leave the transaction entirely to yourselves, as I do not intend to send a single European to live in Mr. Kizell's intended town; but I shall furnish him with tools, &c. for cultivation.

I have no personal advantage to derive from your taking my advice on this subject; it arises merely from a sincere wish to see Africa in a better condition than it is at present.

"I beg leave to observe that Mr. Kizell is my friend and"I am, gentlemen, &c. &c.(Signed) "E. H. COLUMBINE."

The following are extracts from the letters of Mr. Kizell to governor Columbine.September 30, 1310."I have got into the Sherbro. I have acted as I thought for the best. When I came to York island, I saw Mr. Cleveland: I gave him two gallons of rum and two bars of tobacco; and I then showed him your letter. When he saw it he was glad: he said there never was a man that ever came to this country who spoke so well for the wellfare of the people, and the happiness of the country as you do; and that this was his wish for these many years past; he said he hoped it would be carried on. Then he told me to go to the kings to see if they would give me land; if not, that he will give me land for such a noble work. Before that work should be disappointed, he would give land himself. He said he would send all his sons to you and Mr. Dawes to bring them up, that they may help me to Sumano (a chief,) to tell him that what the governor says is all good and truth; and that they must hear what I say to them; for it is not form me, but from the governor, who is a friend to that country.

"I went to Sumana with the headman. I gave him the things you sent for him; he was glad, and all his people. I then showed them your letter. The young people were thankful for the word they heard, but there were some that did not like it. I then asked then, 'From the time your fathers began to sell slaves, to this day, what have you got by it? Can any of you show how much money you have; how much gold; how many slaves, and vessels, and cattles; how many people you have? They said, None. Then I turned to their king; I asked him in what was he better than his people? He said he was the poorest: he said he only talked palavers when any one brought them to him to talk. I then asked him what they gave him for his trouble? He said, Nothing. I then told him, 'Our king wants to make rich; and you must hearken to what he says.' He said that my king talked right: he wanted the country to be free. He then promised that he would give land for that work, but that he cannot do anything before he sees all the rest of the kings.

"I then went to Safer. There were a hundred people there with the king. When I came, the first word was, 'Are you come? It is you that have got all the slave-vessels taken out of the river. You are come to make war on us:' with much more to this effect. I told the king I was sent to him: why would he not hear what I had to say before he began to make these charges? There was a young man with the king, who said, 'Kizell says he is sent to you; why will you not wait till you hear what he has to say?' The king said, this was right. I gave the governor's letter to him. He said, I should not read it to him: he had a white man that could read it to him. He sent for Crundell;* and when he came, the letter was given to him. Crundell looked at it, and immediately cursed and swore, and raved he told the king and his people that the governor was a nuisance: 'He is like Bonaparte: he wants to take the country from you. As for Kizell he the worst man the governor could pick out at Sierra Leone to send to you. KIZELL is a troubleme, undermining man. The people of Sierra Leone want to take the country, as they have taken my goods from me.' (Probably alluding to the capture of slave-ships.) I then got up and called Mr. Taylor, a mulatto man, who was present, to bear witness to all that Crundell had said, as he would, sooner or later he called to account for it. I told him I knew he did not want the slave-trade to stop: he wished to kill the people's children and to drink their blood. He said he did not meant. As for selling slaves, God had ordered him to sell slaves: If God did not like it, why did he not put a stop to it? I told him God had ordered him not to swear: why did he not obey him in this too? Mr. Taylor then told him, that what he had said against the governor was not right: the governor loved the people, and did not like to see them continue in slavery: the letter he had sent was a friendly letter: If Kizell had not been a trusty man, the governor would not have sent him; 'Yet you, Crundell, tell the people not to hear him.' Crundell asked, why had they not rather sent him the act, and desired him not to sell slaves? but now he would sell slaves I told him that he knew the law already, but that he wanted to fatten on the people's blood.

"I inquired if they did not know that there had been a treaty made in old times between the king of England and king Sherbro? Crundell told the people I was a liar, and that there was no such thing: Bance Island+ had the grant for the country and no one else; he belonged to that place, and the people must hearken to bance Island. I told him I considered Bance Island merely as a private factory, which had nothing 007172to do with government affairs. You say 'the people must hearken to Bance Island, and that you are one of them: I tell you Bance Island is now of no more consequence than the dirt under my feet.' Then he and the people about got into a great rage. I told them they might believe me when I said that they should see no more slave-ships come into their river. Crundell asked, 'Does not the law say you shall not trespass on other people's waters? you have no right to take vessels out of these rivers.' I told him the governor would do nothing which he had not right to do.

"At one time they were so violent, I thought they would have beat me. They had got plenty of sum, and had all been drinking freely before I came to them. The same young man, who had before spoken to the king, now rose, and said to the king and the people, 'Some years ago, when we were in trouble, was it not John Kizell who was sent from Sierra Leone to make peace for us?* We were then all glad to see him: then we all called him a good man. Is this not the same Kizell whom the governor sent us before? Yet now you call him a bad man; and why? Where was Crundell at that time? Was he not at the Gallinas buying and selling slaves? He that troubles Kizell, must first beat me.' This speech turned things in my favor, and Crundell, finding he could do no more, went away.

"Then Taylor took the letter, and read it to the king and all his people; they were glad. He said he did not think it had been such a letter. What made him talk to me as he had done, was, that the white people had told him that we were come to take his country from him: but he would go to Sierra Leone himself, and see the governor, and get from under his hand a promise in writing, that he might no longer be troubled with such reports. I said I should be glad if he went. Then the young man had spoken so well before, told him, 'Why do you listen to fool people? If your people had done any harm to John Kizell to-day, your name (reputation) would have gone for ever: then indeed you would have had need to be afraid. afraid.'

"The king then called me, and we sat down: he said he would give me land: he said he was sorry he had talked to me as he had, but it was because they had told him so many things against me, and that I had come to make war; but he would order two men to go with me; so that when the people saw them, they might not be afraid; for they also had heard that I was come to make war on them.

"I left them and went into another river, called Bange. There are but few people there; they all came, men and women to see me. I read the letter to them: they thanked you, and told me they had had much trouble; the war had broke up their town: God had sent me to them: they would not let me go, but they would give me land to live upon. I told them I could not agree to this, unless they agreed to the terms of the letter which I had brought. They said their father (chief) was not at home; he was gone to the Plantains to the burial of old Caulker, but they would send for him. which they did the same day.

"The next day I went to take a walk with on of my boys, and was surprised to see so many coffee trees near the town. Some places were entirely covered by them. I pulled up three plants, and carried them to the town: I asked what it was? they said it was all over their country. I then told them it was coffee. They said, they did not know it: they can get plenty of it in the season. I told them if they would get a house full of it, I would buy it of them. Four days after, some people came from the upper country (the interior) to see me. I began to talk about the coffee. They said, I must go and show it to them. When I had done this, they said, they thought it was nothing valuable; it was in their country also, and they used it to fence their plantations: it was all over the country: at some places nothing else was to be seen.

"I was glad to find that there was another trade which might be put in the room of the slave-trade, and which might not lie in the hands of the white traders and the chiefs. The coffee trade is fit for women and boys, so that the poor women and the young people may get money as well as the chiefs; for at present they and the white slave-traders keep the country under, because they can get goods, and the rest cannot. I have heard them (the traders) say, that the natives are their money. I was concerned to think that there was no man to be found among them who had the welfare of this country and people at heart, to observe what is in it, and what it will produce, instead of taking the natives and carrying them to the European islands to raise coffee, which is the natural plant of Africa. Her people are carried off to raise coffee to supply the markets of Europe, when they might as well get it from Africa, if the people were but directed what to do. But I thank Almighty God for his over-ruling power; he does all things in their season; and this is the time he has appointed in which to rouse the great men of England, and to put it in their hearts to consider the human race. May the Almighty God incline them to persevere: for these men of sin would 007374wish to keep the black people in slavery, and their minds in darkness, so that they should enjoy neither the good of this world, nor the happiness of the world to come.

"After I saw there was plenty of coffee in the country, I thought there must be more things to be seen. I saw the women had some nuts, which they said were to rub their skin, as the nuts had a sweet smell. They look like nutmegs. As you know the nature of nutmegs, I have sent five to you in the shell, to examine.

"The land here is very good; I have examined it, and find it good land."

"There is here a great deal of land on which no people live. There are, in my opinion, millions of acres that never were cultivated. The people ought to be taught to work the ground; and if there is no one who will take upon him to show them what true riches are, they will always have the foolish notion, that all riches must come from Europe, although this country is very good. You cannot make them believe that they can have riches in this country, as in other. They are given up to all manner of wickedness; they buy all kinds of greogrees (amulets,) which they think will procure them favour with white men; so that they may get money from them by the help of their greegrees instead of working for it. The poor women have all the hardest of the work on the plantations. When the men have finished cutting down the wood and burning it off, then the young people and women perform the rest of the labour until the rice harvest is gathered. When the season comes round again, the men prepare the plantation as before; for they do not plant in one place two following years, but cut fresh plantations every year: and during the time the men are so employed, the women are employed in making salt. The tools they have are very bad; their axe is not larger than a two-inch chissel; their hoes are no better. The men think on nothing but how to get slaves and country cloth. They will trust nobody; they walk with their swords in their hands: when they sit down, they still keep them in their hands, for fear of being caught by some one of the slave-traders. It is they who have done the country so much hurt, so that a man cannot trust his friend, for fear of being betrayed by him. Indeed, they have great reason to be afraid, for I have seen a man deliver up nanother he has called his friend, for a little rum, tobacco, or cloth! Whole families have been sold by these kind friends.

"There must be some one that will take upon him to bring them under, and set an example for them to go by: and that man must understand their ways. This country wants nothing 007475but people to bring them into order, and let them see, thay by working they will get money, and not by the slave-trade; for that destroys the happiness of the country.

"I will now describe how the natives live in this country. They are all alike, the great and the poor; you cannot tell the master from the servant at first. The servant has as much to say as his master in any common discourse, but not in a palaver,* for that belongs only to the master. Of all people I have ever seen, I think they are the kindest. They will let none of their people want for victuals: they will lend, and not look for it again: they will even lend clothes to each other, if they want to go any where: if strangers come to them, they will give them victuals for nothing: they will go out of their beds that the strangers may sleep in them. The women are particularly kind. The men are very fond of palm wine; they will spend a whole day in looking for palm wine. They love dancing; they will dance all night. They have but little, yet they are happy whilst that little lasts. At times they are greatly troubled with the slave-trade, by some of them being caught under different pretences. A man owes money; or some one of his family owes it; or he has been guilty of adultery. In these cases, if unable to seize the party themselves, they give him up to some one who is able, and who goes and takes them by force of arms. On one occasion, When I lived in the Sherbro, a number of armed men came to seize five persons living under me, who, they said, had been thus given to them. We had a great quarrel: I would not give them up: we had five days' palaver: there were three chiefs against me. I told them if they did sell the people whom they had caught at my place, I would complain to the governor. After five days' talk I recovered them.

"Sometimes I am astonished to see how contented they are with so little; I consider that happiness does not consist in plenty of goods.

"Their land is so fertile in some places, that it would surprise any man to see what a quantity of rice they will raise on a small spot. As for fish, their rivers abound with it; they can get as much as they want. Their sheep and goats are very fine and fat. They have plenty of fowls; also wild hogs, wild ducks, and geese. They do not salt their meat, but dry it over the fire. They do not work hard except when they prepare their rice plantations, which is during about two months in the spring; after which the men go and make canoes, or cut camwood, or carry the salt which the women have made, to sell for cloth or slaves. This is usually 007576done in the rainy season (from June to September.) They are not afraid of being wet; they will work in the rain. When they come home from work, the women give them warm water to wash their bodies, and oil to anoint themselves with. The women will not do any thing in the morning before they have washed their bodies. They have the hardest lot: they do all the drudgery; they beat the rice, fetch wood, make salt, plaster the houses, go a fishing with hand nets, make oil from the palm nuts which the men bring home. Their rice ripens in three months from the time it is sown. When the rice is cut, they put it under water, where it keeps sound and good. When they wish to use it, they go into the water and take as much thence as they want. During the rainy season the low lands are overflowed. When the water goes away, it leaves the land moist, which is then planted, and will bring any thing to the greatest perfection. They have very good clay: the women make pots with it, which they sell for rice, cassada, and plantains. The cotton tree grows here in great abundance: I think the cotton would do for hats as well as fur. The men make straw hats. It is the men who sew the European cloth that gets into garments: of the women, not one out of twenty knows how to sew.

"All the male children are circumcised.

"The king is poorer than any of his subjects. I have many a time gone into the houses of their kings. Sometimes I have seen one box, and a bed made of sticks on the ground, and a mat, or two country cloths, on the bed. He is obliged to work himself if he has no wives and children. He has only the name of king, without the power: he cannot do as he pleases. When there is a palaver, he must have it settled before the rest of the old men, who are looked upon as much as the king; and the people will give ear to them as soon as they will to the king.

"The women, as I before observed, make salt; the men put it up in small baskets, and carry it to the interior of the country, and buy country cloth with it, (for they make no cloth themselves:) this they give to their wives, and use for themselves.

"Their town has no regular street in it; the houses are built close together. They are made with strong rods of bamboo fixed in the ground, which are tied together at the top with string: they use no nails; they tie all with string, and then wattle it and cover with grass, which the women plaster over with mud. Their doors consist of mats hung at the opening which is left; sometimes they are made of small bamboos tied together. There are no locks to their doors. 007677They will not steal from each other. They are fond of present from strangers; the king gets but little of any present that is made to him; if he is old, they will sometimes tell him he has long eaten of the country, and it is time for the young people to eat as he has done. If the present consists of rum, they all must have a taste of it, if there is not more than a table spoonful for each; if tobacco, and their is not enough to give every one a leaf, it must be cut so that all may have a piece; if it is a jug of rum the king gets one bottle full.

"The young women are not allowed to have whom they like for a husband; the choice rests with the parents. If a man wishes to marry the daughter, he must bring to the value of twenty or thirty bars to the father and mother; if they like the man, and the brother likes him, then they will call all their family together, and tell them: 'We have a man in the house who wishes to have our daughter; it is that which makes us call the family together, that they may know it.' Then the friends inquire what he has brought with him; the man tells them. They then tell him to go and bring a quantity of palm wine. When he returns, they again call the family together; they all place themselves on the ground, and drink the wine, and then give him his wife. In this case, all the children he has by her are his; but, if he gives nothing for his wife, then the children will all be taken from him, and will belong to the woman's family; he will have nothing to do with them.

"If the people of this country had the same learning as Europeans, the best lawyer could not excel them in words and speeches. They are a sensible people to talk to in their palvers. They will sometimes talk a palaver so well, that you would be both pleased and astonished with them. If you were to hear two of them speaking, and how ably they open a cause before they begin to enter into an argument about it, you would be suprised. In their palavers (councils or courts,) they use a great deal of ceremony at first; presenting mats, kala, or palm wine, to the old men. They then relate their story; the old men and the women sitting down to listen. A man stands by him who speaks, and repeats what he says as loud as he can; indeed, both speak very loud. When he has finished his speech he sits down. His adversary then gets up, and begins, as before, with much ceremony, thanking the man who spoke against him for what he said. Having told his story, all the old men get up and say, they must retire and consider the matter before they give an answer. If the party losing the cause is unwilling to give it up, then the other will ask him, if he will go before the king to talk the palaver? 007778If he says, yes, then they must go before the king with their people.

"The old men are much respected; the king, with their approbation, appoints a time to hear their palaver; but before it begins, both parties must deposit a like sum (twenty, thirty, or forty bars) to await the king's sentence. Then the two men are called on, and all the old men and the women sit as before while the accuser relates his complaint; another man repeating all he says after him. Every thing he says looks like truth, and very clear. But when he has done, the other party will get up and deny all that has been said, and give to things a very different appearance. They have no jury, as we have; their old men settle all. Having heard all the pleading, the old men go out in what is called the devil's bush,* and determine who is in the right.

"Sometimes, when they see that the party who is in the wrong is the strongest, they will not give justice, being afraid of the consequences: this I have seen, and have reprimanded them for.

"I have said that the king has the name of a king, but not the power; yet, in general, they do nothing without his knowledge. The king cannot make use of the services of any young man without asking the leave of his father or mother. If he happen to have no people of his own, and he wishes to go to a distance he must beg his people to convey him. The people do not contribute to his support; if he has no slaves or children of his own, he must work himself: if he has children, they will do all his work for him All the land is said to belong to the king; but if a man chooses to clear a spot, and erect a town, he may: the land is free for any people. If a stranger, indeed, that is, an European, should wish to settle among them he must make a present of goods to the king. These goods being received, all the people are called together, men, women, and children, and are told that he has given the stranger a piece of land. This is done, as they have no writing, that they and their children after them, may know what has taken place. The goods are then divided, and although the land is called the king's, yet he will get no more for his share than any of the other old men. After this cermony, the stranger may live on the land as long as he pleases; but he cannot sell it again. His children's children may live on it as long as any of them remain. He must take care, however, to conduct himself peaceably and respectfully till he becomes powerful; then he may do as he pleases. All the disputes they do not 007879carry to the king, they will bring to him; especially in cases in which one man charges another with owing him money. In such cases, if the debt is proved, it is usual for the referee to buy the debtor of the injured party as a slave; and having thus settled the palaver, the purchaser will soon have him in a ychain, on which the creditor receives the price agreed upon. Sometimes on this ground all the people and family of the debtor are seized and sold. Such is the abominable custom of this country. It is the slave traders who have made it so; they have done it to get their own ends served in getting slaves. I have seen whole families sold in this way.

"They have a bad way in making their kings. They will not suffer the sons of the old kings to succeed him as king. They will say, "That family has had the kingdom a long time; we must give it to another family, that all may be equal.' It certainly is no great object, as it is only the name without the power.

"I was once so greatly astonished by a circumstance which happened when I first went to that country, that I could hardly believe my own eyes. I had seen a woman far advanced in pregnancy; three days after, about half past four in the morning, I was told that this woman had been delivered of a boy. I got up about six, and went to the river side, when I saw the same woman washing in tihe river, in which she stood up to her knees. I thought I knew the woman, but that it was impossible it should be the same who had been brought to bed that morning. I called one of the people who spoke English, and inquired of him, I found it to be even so. Astonished at this, I asked if she would not catch cold and die? They laughed at my question, and said, they had a medicine which they gave to the women after they were delivered; and referred me to an old woman in the town who knew all the medicines. The old woman asked a high price for her secret: I paid it, and she showed me the medicine.

"My wish is to place the country in the truest light that I can. I will begin with the island of Sherbro. The land here is not very good; it is sandy, with some swampy ground in it; it is good, however, for the growth of palm trees, of which there are great numberse in the island. This tree is one of the best that grows: I do not know one that is better. It produces the common palm oil, also a fine kind, called nut oil. From its leaves they make excellent lines and rope; and, indeed, it is from this they make all their fishing nets and fishing lines. This tree produces also the palm wine, and the palm cabbage, which is very good food, and cats like 007980a turnip. With the leaves, too, they cover their houses.--From the bamboo tree, which also abounds here, they procure very good wine, as well as the materials from which they make their mats: the limbs of this tree are used in building their houses. Fowls are to be had in great plenty in this island. The inhabitants live chiefly by making salt; they sell it for rice, and cassada, and cloth; they have no corn: cloth, tobacco, iron pots, neptunes, kettles, iron bars, beads, and all kinds of trade goods, are what they call money.

"Their towns are built all alike. The houses are covered with grass or leaves, and wattled, and either plastered with mud, or covered with mats: mats will admit the air. I said before, that he who has greatest number of people can do as he pleases. This is, perhaps, the reason why there are no large towns here. They live in families: you will see in some towns no other persons but such as belong to a particular family. The kings have thus little or no power to punish him who does wrong: as all his own people stand up for him, and will not suffer him to be punished.

"In the Sherbro, there is plenty of fish and oysters; and plenty of turtles also in their season.

"The Shebar is very poor land, it is a neck of land which runs towards the Gallinas; this neck is formed by the rivers Boom and Kittam. The land is sand, with here and there swamps. The Shebar is a very good habour for shipping, but the land is not good.

"The Bullom land is,in general, good: some parts very good, and some sandy, with many swamps. The low land very rich; it is overflowed once a year. When the water retires, it leaves such a rich soil, that whatever is planted will come to the greatest perfection. Wild rice grows in this country: you will see many acres together, on which the wild ducks, geese, and birds of all kinds, that will eat rice, live. Fresh-water fish, of all kinds, are in great plenty in this country, and great varieties of birds, large and small.

"The cotton tree is in great plenty by the river side; I think it is as good as fur for hats. Sea cows are to be seen in the river, in the dry season, in considerable numbers.

"They have here a kind of rice, which grows in the water. It would surprise any man to see what a quantity of rice they will get off a small spot of land. The high land would grow cotton very well. The meadow, which is the low land, extends for miles, and no rice is to be seen upon it except cotton trees by the river side. The grass is very good for cattle; they like it well. I have some bullocks there, which are quite fat: the sheep and goats are also in 008081good order. If a man has four acres of land in the country, he can well maintain his family, (supposing he has six in family,) and have rice to spare.

"The neck of land is three miles wide in some palces, and in some not so much. The low land is broken into small islands, which are covered with water in the rainy season. In the dry season the whole is covered with good grass.--There are vast swarms of musketoes here in their season. They come twice a year; in the fall, and in the spring. When the water rises over the low land, it drives all the snakes out of the grass to the trees: you will then see plenty of snakes on the trees by the river side, sometimes ten in one tree. Sometimes the snakes will go into the houses, the towns being surrounded with bushy and large trees. The men are very idle. In the dry season they will often sit all day playing with a bone or a nut, which they twirl about: this is a species of amusement they are very fond of--some will go for palm wine. I say they might live happy, it it was not for the slave trade; their wants are few, and they are content with what they have.

"The Kittam is a country where I think there is more low land than in the Bullom. This country is covered with grass, except by the river side. The higher land is sandy, with a little black mould, and there the cam-wood grows, which has a better dye than that of Rokelle, but is not so sound or straight, and therefore it does not stow so well. The low land is good. They have rice in the country that will ripen in three months from the time it is planted, and keep sound and good under water.

"The Kittam river is a branch of the Boom river. The place where it joins the Boom is about twenty miles from the Shebar. There are some beautiful lakes in this district. The lake Barmer is large, it is one mile and a half in length, and there is an island in the middle of it; and it has very beautiful views. On the east and south sides are high trees, but on the west and north are grass fields. There is plenty of fish in the lake. The lake Corque is also large; the trees on this lake are mostly camwood. The water of the lake Cammerson is black. No river runs from any of them, that I could perceive. The lake Caprahaw is the most beautiful of them all. There are great many coves and points on it. If a gentleman had it in England, he would not take ten thousand pounds for it. On this lake it is that a mortal poisonous tree is said to grow. The natives will not show it to any man; although they love me, and would do much for me, yet I could never get them to show it to me.

"The clay of this district is very good. The people are the same as those of Bullom. They have very fine and fat cattle; they do not like the trouble of raising cattle--if they did, their country would be one of the best for stock--but they love ease and palm wine. As I before observed, they have but little, and with that they are content.

"The Boom is a good country, it is more like a garden than any I have seen: the land is good, very good: all things that are planted thrive well. Here is good timber. The plantain grows wild without care. The cassada is the best I have seen. All the things grow well and large. Rice is in plenty. Of this country I cannot speak too well--it deserves all I can say for it. There are plenty of wild buffaloes here; they go in droves. As for birds of all kinds, large and small, vast numbers are to be seen in the time of their breeding. They build their nests on large cotton trees. There is a snake in this country (as I am informed by the natives) so very large that it will seize a buffaloe. This I have had from more than twenty people.

"I am much taken up with this country, only it is too far from Sierra Leone. It is a good country--the people, however, are lazy, but this is no wonder: they love ease, they feel no need of riches: they have no care for anything: all things are free: articles of food grow wild in the woods; the plantain itself grows wild in the woods. They live content, having no want of much clothing, or shoes, or hats. The trees, and almost all the animals of the country, contribute to furnish them with food. The land is rich and good; and if it was not for that cursed slave-trade, I think they would be the happiest people in the world. As for coffee, that is the common tree of the country.

"The Bagroo land is good for rice and timber. Coffee is the common tree of the country here also; you may see it in the woods as common as any tree. I and Samuel Garvin have gone into the woods some miles, and have seen the coffee tree in all the woods as we walked, even by the water side. I have heard that the coffee tree grows only on high lands; but we have seen it all over the low lands. The soil is good, and free from stone: it will yield any thing that is planted on it to perfection: but it wants people who understand how to work it.

"At Deong or Mattaroo the land is good; and the timber is as good as in any other part of the country. The people are great lovers of rum, and given to all manner of wickedness. Sir, I will stop at this: this is the true state of the country, and most of which I have been an eye witness to."I am, &c.

January 30, 1810."On the 18th December, I was at Shebar: there were some of the slave-traders there, and several Kroomen with them. There was a young man who had received goods from these traders, with which to purchase slaves for them. He had not got the slaves ready at the time a ppointed. When the traders saw the slaves were not procured, they said they would seize his wives for them. This was overheard, and the women and children escaped into the bush. In the evening, at dusk, the women ventured out. As they were going towards the town, they saw on the road two or three Kroomen. One of the young women, who was terrified at seeing them, ran back with such force that, meeting another woman with a bundle of wood on her head, she had not time to stop herself, but came against the wood with so much violence, that a splinter pierced one of her eyes about an inch. Hearing a great cry, I went to inquire the cause. They pointed to the woman, who was in very great agony. I think she will lose the sight of that eye. I went to the traders, and told them they had made the country so bad, that a man was afraid of his own friends. I talked very sharp to them. I told them that they made the Kroomen their dogs, to seize people. They said I was a dog too, for the governor sent me to tell him all I saw; but that I should never be able to stop the slave-trade. I told them, if the governor would but give me a few men, I would soon find men enough to help me. I left the slave-brig at Shebar which had been taken and carried to Sierra Leone and released again. The slaves they were seizing in such a violent manner were for her.

"I quitted that place, and went to Kittam to queen Messe, I gave her the articles you sent for her. All the old women and young people came to hear what I had to say. I then showed your letter to her. She said the present sent was not enough. I interrupted her, and said the governor did not send me to blind her eyes, but to open them; and to persuade her no longer to sell her people. On hearing this, all the young people gave a shout, and the women clapped their hands for joy. I saw she did not like it; but she said nothing. I told her it was her who had sold all her people, and that we meant to put a stop to it in the country if we could. All the young people shouted again, and said, 'the old people knew that they could not be sold, but that it was the young people who must be sold.' Then she said to me, 'if you come to stop the slave-trade, will you give me the old price for wood, rice, goats, and all other things, as in the old time?' I told her, 'I was not sent to fix prices; every man knew the price of his own goods; but as for you, you 008384have changed the old price of your goods for that of your sons and daughters; the price you ought to have got for your goods, you now get for your people.' The young people said that was the truth. One old man got up; he said the letter was good, and they must give an answer. They then appointed a day for me to come. On that day I went to meet them, but not one was to be seen, except three old men who were sick! I was much displeased, and told them to tell Messe, that as she and her people thought the governor not worthy of an answer to his letter, or of attention to his messenger I would tell him of it; they had given us a great affront."

The extracts given above, ought to have great weight, since they came from an impartial person, who is well acquainted with all the circumstances of the people and country of Sherbro. Let it be remembered that he and the present governor of Sierra Leone, are decidedly of opinion that Africa is the country where our colonists should be sent.

Extracts from works relating to Africa.These extracts are respectfully submitted to those who have not access to the original works, or no leisure to read many volumes on the subject. They are adapted to show that a colonization of the free people of colour of the United States in Africa is practicable and safe--that lands are attainable, and that the natural resources and productions of the country are rich, various, and abundant.

II.Lands may be fairly purchased in Africa of the native kings and people on very moderate terms.

EXTRACTS."The native Africans would resign to us, with all their heart vast and fertile tracts of land which have lain uncultivated from creation, if we would cease from our depredations, and live with them in peace."Voyages en Guinee par. P. E. Isert, p. 308.

"The king gave this island to the chevalier, and very much pressed him to settle on it."--"Captain Peter, finding that the chevalier des Marchais was not satisfied with the 008485little island, told him to search for a place which he though more proper for a colony, and he would cheerfully put him in the possession of it."Wadstrom on colonization, pp. 319, 322, part 2d.Quoted from Labat's collection of des Marchais' voyages.

"Indeed the king now repeated the same thing, adding, that if we came to make the country, (signifying to form a settlement) as the Portuguese had done at Cabenda, he would give me all the land I required." Tuckey's expedition to Congo or Zaire, p. 100, 4to edit.

FACTS.The Sierra Leone Company originally purchased a tract of land twelve miles square, on the south bank of Sierra Leone river. Lieut. Beaver, in behalf of the Bulama Company, purchased the island of Bulama and a considerable trace of land on the north bank of the Rio Grande. The English have recently occupied Banyan Point on the south bank of the Gambia, allowing a small annual rent to the king of Combo. Dr. Isert. in behalf of the Danish government obtained the occupation of lands in the mountains of Aquapim, for a small annual rent. The chevalier des Marchais, a century ago, had lands offered him by king Peter, of Cape Mesurado. The Europeans have ever been able to obtain stations for commerce and trade, whenever and wherever they have desired. The colonists of Sierra Leone, in hundreds of instances, have had lands offered them by the native kings and head-men of the adjacent country, if they would settle among them and cultivate plantations. The kings in Sherbro promised tracts of land to the agents of the American Colonization Society, in exchange for goods, whenever any of the free people of colour might remove thither.

OPINIONS.A gentleman, a former governor of Sierra Leone, expressed it as his opinion, that the agents of the American Colonization Society might have obtained the same promise of lands from the native kings on nearly any part of the western coast of Africa, as from the kings of Sherbro. It was the opinion of the agents, when in Africa, that the same goods which would have purchased a full cargo of slaves, would purchase lands to accommodate five or ten thousand people. A colonist of Sierra Leone, a native African, expressed it as his opinion, that those who, or whose fathers, had been torn by violence and injustice from their country, had not 008586thereby lost their title to a share in the inheritance of their fathers; any of them, therefore, who chose to return, ought might, and should have lands.

II.These lands, extensive, vacant, and often fertile, having great natural resources, and capable of yielding the most valuable productions, are adapted to the purposes of colonization, and may generally be occupied with perfect safety. This arrangement would be highly beneficial to the natives of Africa, and might be advantageous to the free people of colour of the United States.

EXTRACTS."It is melancholy to observe that Africa, which has near ten thousand miles of sea-coast, and noble, large, and deep rivers, should yet have no navigation. Africa, though a full quarter of the globe, and capable, under proper improvement, of producing so many things delightful, as well as convenient, seems utterly neglected by those who are civilized themselves."Postlethwayt's Dictionary, Art. Africa.

"The chief objects of his inquiry and observation in Africa, were the character of the natives, and the evils they suffer from the slave-trade, the produce of the country, and above all, how far it seems capable of improvement and of colonization."

"The author, particularly since he trod the fertile soil of Africa, and surveyed her rude but valuable natural stores, has often been grieved and astonished that such a country should have been so long overlooked by the industrious nations of Europe."Wadstrom on colonization in Africa, part 2, p. 4, of introd.

"The extent of fertile land is, however, capable, with very moderate industry, of supporting a great increase of population, not the one hundredth part of that we have passed over being made any use of whatever.Tuckey's expedition to the Congo or Zaire. p. 109, 4to ed.

"The Gold coast, as well as tropical Africa, is capable of affording incalculable advantages, if the inhabitants can be excited to industry. It is enriched beyond the credibility of those unacquainted with it. Its hills are stored with various metals and minerals, and its valleys are blessed with a fertility, scarcely to be exceeded by any country under the same latitude."Meredith's account of Gold coast, p. 6. introduction:

"There is a variety of soil to be observed along the coast, from a light sandy and gravelly kind, to a fine black mould and loamy clay: as we advance a little into the country, the soil assumes a more uniform, and, in general a more favourable appearance; and, if we continue to advance, it will be found rich in the extreme, and, in general, fit for every purpose. About the distance of six or eight miles from the sea, the soil partakes of such happy variety, that it is capable of every sort of cultivation. It is very remarkable that tropical Africa, on an examination, will be found to possess the richest soil on the whole continent."Idem. p. 4.

"The general appearance of this country from the sea, may be compared to an immense forest; high lands are seen in different directions, crowned with lofty trees and thick underwoods. On a nearer prospect, and on a strict examination of the country, the valleys are, in many places, richly planted, and extensive plains are seen, beautifully studded, and decorated with clumps of trees and bushes. As we advance into the country, where there is more moisture throughout the year than on the coast, and where the fertility of the soil brings forth the most vigorous vegetation, the woods are so stopped up with its luxuriance, as to be almost impenetrable, and the surface of the ground is hid under a covering of shrubs, weeds, and various herbs. The rivers, which are not directed by the hand of art to run in a regular channel, are seen winding in different directions, and taking those courses which the nature of the country points out or admits of; in some places they overflow their banks in the wet season, and form stagnant ponds; whereas, in other places, they run in a rapid manner."Meredith's Gold coast, p. 18.

"In short, there are so many places where I could build towns, protect them, and insure success to cultivators, that if the good people of England knew but one half of the advantages to be derived from colonizing this part of Africa, on an extensive scale, you might command half the money in the kingdom."Beaver's Letters from Bulama, Wadstrom, p. 303, 2d part.

"Your memorialists have received information that the coast of Africa adjacent to the river Grande is very healthy, the soil rich, and abundant of tropical productions, and that the inhabitants are of a peaceable disposition."

"And are persuaded, that a colony may be established and a trade carried on upon the said coast of Africa, in a manner very beneficial to themselves and advantageous to the parent state.Memorial of the Bulama Company in Beaver's Af. Memoranda, p. 13.

"Every tribe so far cultivates the earth as annually to sow rice and maize, and plant yams and cassada, sufficient for the year's consumption of the whole community."

"They all manufacture a narrow cloth from the cotton which grows abundantly in their country; these cloths are about two yards long and four inches broad; ten of them, sowed together, makes one of a very good size."

"One great objection to the colonizing the proposed country, for the purposes of cultivation, will probably be, that it will interfere with our islands in the West Indies."Idem. p. 384.

"Supposing the colonization of the country between Gambia and the Grande, as well as the uninhabited Bijuga isles, to be undertaken by individuals, sanctioned by government itself. I should recommend the repossessing ourselves of Bulama immediately; and upon the fertile soil of that beautiful little island I should commence such a plan of cultivation, which, with common prudence and common success, would, I doubt not, in less than twenty years export to the parent country produce to the value of more than a million sterling."Idem p. 389.

"But if, on the contrary, our measures are justly taken and wisely executed, the enterprise recommended will prove of great importance to the trade and commerce of this kingdom; not merely by the productions proposed to be there raised, and for which we now pay enormous sums to foreign countries, but by the opening of new and extensive channels to the introduction of our manufactures to the very heart of Africa. And it will, at the same time, in my opinion, be the safest and surest way of abolishing the slavery of the Africans, or usefully exploring the interior of their country, and of introducing among the people religion, letters, and civilization."Idem. p. 410.

"The atmosphere of the island is remarkably salubtious."

"The soil is exuberantly fertile, as is evident from the spontaneous vegetation that every where appears, and from the aspect of the garden which we made, wherein all the esculent vegetables of the European gardens, as well as sugar canes, plantains, bananas, pine, apples, the lime, the orange, the guava, the olive, and the vine of several species, which the Hankey brought from Teneriffe, throve with a luxuriance that seemed marvellous to Englishmen who were unacquainted with the combined effects of heat and moisture upon rich and new land."I. Young's account of Bulama in Wadstrom's notes, p. 309.

"Africa lies in climates, which in the other continents produce the richest materials of commerce, and its productions are actually similar.--The principal are gold, ivory, dying wood, gums, honey, wax, ambergris, &c."

"I have, by observations made in a four years residence, a moral certainty that on a proper plan, a most lucrative, safe, and honourable traffick may be carried on to that quarter from Europe. The grain coast from its fertility in rice, would, if a proper vent was opened, in a few years produce of that commodity alone, and the finest in the world, an immense quantity. And nothing is wanted but encouragement to procure great quantities of cotton, as fine as the East Indian, and tobacco as the Brazilian; also, sugar and a species of indigo infinitely superior to that of the west, and various drugs, peculiar to Africa, others the usual result of industry in those climates."

"My plan would tend to emancipate and to civilize every year several thousands of slaves, to dry up one great source of that diabolical commerce; and, if not to produce liberty to the slaves in the West Indies, at least to meliorate their condition.

"I conceived this project in Africa, where an industrious cultivation of the soil, with various excursions, made me well acquainted with the genius, customs, agriculture, trade, and arts of the natives.

"It is then very obvious, that by a regular code of laws, a well concerted plan of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and with little more money than would buy a cargo of slaves, a free commonwealth might be founded, which would be a sanctuary for the oppressed people of colour, and gradually abolish the trade in the human species. In short, if a community of two or three hundred persons were to be associated on such principles as constitute the prosperity of civilized nations, such are the fertility of the soil, the value of its products, and the advantages of such an establishment, that it must, with the blessing of the Almighty, increase with a rapidity beyond all example.

"As rice is the finest and most nourishing of all grain, and cotton comes into universal demand, we shall have two solid objects of commerce on which to exercise our industry.

"Such are the mildness and fertility of the climate and country, that a man possessed of a change of clothing, an axe, a hoe, and a pocket knife, may soon place himself in an easy situation. All the clothing wanted is what decency requires; and the earth turned up of two or three inches, with a slight hoe, produces any kind of grain. These favourable 008990circumstances combined with the peaceable temper of the natives, promise the numerous advantages resulting from the quiet cultivation of the earth, and the exportation of its productions, which may be very advantageously exchanged for European manufactures.

"An opportunity so advantageous may never be offered to them (people of color) again; for they and their posterity may enjoy perfect freedom, settled in a country congenial to their constitutions, and having the means, by moderate labour, of the most comfortable livelihood, they will find a certain retreat from their former sufferings."Smeathman's Letters in Wadstrom, 2d part, p. 197. 210.

"The idea of civilizing Africa by sending a few negroes educated in England appears to be utterly useless; the little knowledge acquired by such persons having the same effect on the universal ignorance and barbarism of their countrymen that a drop of fresh water would have in the ocean."Tuckey's Expedition, p. 197.

"In fact, if we mean to accelerate the progress of civilization, it can only be done by colonization."Idem. p. 487.

"To accomplish this magnificent design in Africa, let us form agricultural colonies on its coast, which presents a variety of situations, where we shall be little, or not at all, disturbed in our operations."

"Let us kindly mix with the inhabitants, and assist in the cultivation of their fertile soil, with a view of inviting them to participate with us in its inexhaustible stores, and in the concomitant blessings of improving reason and progressive civilization."Wadstrom, p. 23.

"The vegetable productions of the coast consist of maize, millet, rice, yams, cassada, potatoes, plantains, bananas, guavas, chillees of all kinds, and other tropical fruits."Meredith's Gold Coast, p. 25.

"The sugar cane grows spontaneously, and to a tolerable size; and the black pepper has been discovered inland. The indigo plant is common to many parts of the coast, and the cotton-shrub may be seen in a wild uncultivated state."Idem. p. 25.

"The only vegetable production of any consequence in commerce is cotton, which grows wild, very luxuriantly."Tuckey's Narrative, p. 120.

"Here I learn that they have two crops of Indian corn a year."Idem. p. 208.

"M. Adanson, a celebrated naturalist who was sent to Africa in 1753, at the request of the French Academy of Sciences, observes, that the soil from Cape Blanco to the Gambia, though by no means bad upon the whole, is not to be compared in fertility with that of the country from that river to Rio Nunez, which is equalled by few soils, and excelled by none, on the face of the globe."

"The evidence given before the Privy Council"--"proves that the large extent of land, just mentioned, wants nothing but skilful culture to render it more than commonly productive of every tropical article."Wadstrom, p. 27.

"It would be tedious, as well as difficult, to enumerate the African plants and woods proper for the purposes of cabinet work, dying and ship-building."Wadstrom, p. 27.

"Cattle are indeed met with on some parts of this coast, but not in such numbers as in the Foulha country. Mr. Winterbottom, my brother, in his Journal, speaks of "charming meadows with cattle grazing in them," and several times mentions herds consisting of an hundred head, in good condition. These cattle are in size between the largest and smallest English breed."Winterbottom's Sierra Leone, p. 54, of Vol. I.

From the Gambia downwards, as far as the Gold Coast, rice constitutes the chief support of the natives. In its stead, on the Gold Coast, they chiefly cultivate maize, or Indian corn, millet, and yams, though in the interior country rice is the general food."Idem. p. 55.

"The animals which these nations use for food, are deer, buffaloes, sheep, goats, oxen, wild hogs, and fowls."

"Fowls like those in Europe, are raised in prodigious numbers, and are excellent food."Idem. p. 66.

"At length I found myself amidst the natives of one of the finest valleys in the world; they amounted to upwards of two thousand."Golberry's Travels, Vol.II. p. 30.

"The chiefs of the two villages approached towards me, shook hands, and offered some milk, eggs, chickens, fruit, and palm wine."Idem. p. 31.

"Infatuated with the charms of this country, and above all, by the beauty of a meadow surrounded with large trees, and refreshed by a stream of soft water, I resolved to halt."Idem. p. 32.

"The amiable hospitality of the inhabitants of the valley of the two Gagnacks, had inspired me with a confidence for the whole race of negroes, which I had nearly repented."Idem. p. 33.

"Indigo and cotton grow at their feet without culture. The women collect a quantity of cotton sufficient for each family."Idem. p. 242.

"The soil (old Calebar river) is a loose red sand--the country is overgrown with brush-wood. They sell a vast many yams and plantains to the ships, for the slaves during their middle passage. The sugar-cane grows very abundantly--it is equally fine with what is produced in the West Indies."Proceedings of the African Association, Vol. 2d. p. 408.

"Their food is chop, made of yam cut in slices, cayenue pepper, palm oil, and fowl, fish, goat, or wildhog."Idem. p. 411.

"It had been ascertained, beyond a doubt, that the climate and soil of Africa were admirably suited to the growth of sugar, spices, coffee, cotton, indigo, rice, and every other species of tropical produce."Wadstrom, p. 24, of part 2d.

"When I was obliged to abandon the island, (Bulama) we had cut down and burned the trees off about fifty acres of ground; we had in the garden many tropical fruits, esculent vegetables, and cotton trees; all of which appeared to be in their native soil, and thriving admirably." "I have proved the practicability of our plan." I trust our labour has not been altogether fruitless, but that we have been paving the way for some more fortunate enterprize." "I hope that the day is not far distant, when some enlarged and liberal plan will be adopted to cultivate the western coast of Africa, without interfering with the freedom of the natives; such a plan, pursued with a liberal policy, is the surest way of introducing civilization, and at the same time of abolishing slavery."Beaver's Af. Memoranda, p. 302, 307.

"I think I can confidently assert, that had every person who sailed in this expedition, carried with them only the same mind and same zeal for its success with myself, Great Britain would at this moment have been possessed of a rich, fertile, valuable, and extensive colony on the western coast of Africa."Idem. p. 214.

"Numerous rivers, rivulets, creeks, dividing, intersecting, and watering its western part, and thus facilitating its communication and commerce, seem to point it out as a most eligible spot for European colonization."

"Of the above described territories, my own personal knowledge is confined to that part of the southern boundary comprised between Cape Roxo and Ghinala, and extent of about one hundred and eighty miles. And I do not believe that in the whole world there can be found one more rich and fertile."Idem. p. 328.

"The soil (of Bulama) is every where rich and prolific, and affords ample pasturage to innumerable elephants, buffaloes, deer, and other wild animals which graze on its surface."Idem. p. 342.

"It cannot, however, admit of a doubt, that all the rich and valuable productions, both of the East and West Indies, might be naturalized and brought to the utmost perfection in the tropical parts of this immense continent. Nothing is wanting to this end but example to enlighten the minds of the natives, and instruction to enable them to direct their industry to proper objects. It was not possible for me to behold the wonderful fertility of the soil, the vast herds of cattle, proper both for labour and food, and a variety of other circumstances favourable to colonization and agriculture, and reflect withal on the means which presented themselves of a vast inland navigation, without lamenting that a country so abundantly gifted and favoured by nature, should remain in its present savage and neglected state."Park's Travels, chap. 23. vol. I

III.Africa has nothing in its climate to distinguish it from any other tropical region. The temperature is very uniform; not more hot than is often known in the United States, and is conducive to the health of the natives of the country. If the country were cleared and cultivated, there is no reason to doubt that it might be visited by foreigners with as much safety as South America, or the East or West Indies.

EXTRACTS."Those who are acquainted with the soil and climate of the Gold Coast, and who have an equal knowledge of the West Indies, will doubtless, agree in this opinion that the 009394Gold Coast has the advantage of the West India islands, not only in soil and climate, but in seasons."Meredith's Gold Coast, p. 3, of Introduc.

"It will be found that on the equator, and about five or six degrees on either side of it, are most temperate parts of tropical Africa. The sun has less power there than in more northern or southern situations, because he is more obscured throughout the year. At Tantumquerry, Winnebah, and Accra, countries situated east of Cape Coast, the heat has been very seldom known to exceed 87 degrees, and the quicksilver in Fahrenheit's thermometer has been observed as low as 74 degrees at Winnibah, in June, July, August, and the greater part of September, and not higher than 78 degrees. Hence the latitude of a place is no criterion to go by, as to the heat of its climate. Expreience informs us, that the climate of tropical countries vary, in poportion to their natural qualities, and to the extent cultivation is carried on. High lands also contribute to a temperature of air." &c.Idem. pp. 2, 3.

I think it would not admit of a doubt, that if a tract of land in Guinea was as well improved as the island Barbadoes, and as perfectly free from trees, underwood, marshes, &c. the air would be rendered equally healthful there, as in that pleasant West India island.Doctor Lind on hot climates, in Meredith's Gold Coastof Africa, p. 40.

Resolution of the General Assembly of Virginia."Whereas, the General Assembly of Virgina have repeatedly sought to obtain an asylum, beyond the limits of the United States, for such persons of colour, as had been, or might be emancipated under the laws of this commonwealth, but have hitherto found all their efforts for the accomplishment of this desirable purpose, frustrated, either by the disturbed state of other nations, or domestic causes qually unpropitious to its success:

They now avail themselves of a period when peace has healed wounds of humanity, and the principal nations of Europe have concurred with the government of the United States, in abolishing the African slave-trade, (a traffick which this commonwealth, both before and since the revolution, zealously sought to terminate,) to renew this effort, and do therefore, Resolve, That the executive be requested to correspond 009495with the President of the United States, for the purpose of obtaining a territory upon the coast of Africa or at some other place, not within any of the states, or territorial governments of the United States, to serve as an asylum for suvch persons of colour as are now free, and may desire the same; and those who may hereafter be emancipated, within this commonwealth, and that the Senators and Representatives of this state in the Congress of the United States, be requested to exert their best efforts, to aid the President of the United States in the attainment of the above object: Provided, That no contract or arrangement respecting such territory, shall be obligatory on this commonwealth until ratified by the legislature."

Passed by the House of Delegates, December 15th--by the Senate with an amendment, December 20th--concurred in by the House of Delegates, December 21, 1816.

Since the meeting of the Society the following resolution has unanimously passed the legislature of Maryland.

BY THE HOUSE DELEGATES, January 26th, 1818Resolved, unanimously, That the governor be requested to communicate to the President of the United States, and to our Senators and Representatives in Congress, the opinion of this general assembly, that a wise and provident policy suggests the expendiency, on the part of our national government, of procuring, through negotiation, by cession or purchase, a tract of country on the western coast of Africa, for the colonization of the free people of colour of the United States. By order,LOUIS GASSAWAY, clerk.

Resolution of the Legislature of the State of Tennessee.Your committe are of opinion that such parts so said memorials and petitions as ask this general assembly to aid the federal government in devising and executing a plan for colonizing, in some distant country, the free people of colour in the United States, is reasonable, and for the purpose of effecting the object which they have in view, the committee have drafted a resolution, which accompanies this report, the adoption of which they would reccommend.

The committee are of opinion that such parts of said memorials and petitions as pray the passage of a law to prohibit the bringing of slaves into, or through, the state, for sale, as well as those parts which pray that the owners of slaves of certain ages and descriptions, may be permitted to emancipate them without giving any security, are reasonable; and to endeavour to accomplish those object, they have drafted a bill, which accompanies this report, the enacting of which into a law, the committee also recommend.All which is respectfully submitted.NATH. WILLIS, chairman.

Mr Willis, from the same committe, submitted the following resolution, which was read and adopted:

Resolved, By the general assembly of the state of Tennesee, That the Senators in Congress form this state be, and they are hereby instructed, and that the Representatives be and they are hereby requested, to give to government of the United States any aid in their power, in divising and carrying into effect a plan which may have for its object the colonizing, in some distant country, the free people of colour who are within the the limits of the United States, or within the limits of any of their territories.

Report of the committee of the House of Representatives of the United States.--April 18, 1818.The committee to whom was referred the memorial of the "President and board of managers of the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States," have, according to order, had the same under their attentive consideration.

Referring to the memorial itself, and to the report of the committee on the slave-trade, to the 14th Congress, your committee beg leave to add, that a new interest has been recently imparted to the benevolent enterprise of the memorialists, by the prospect of a speedy termination of the odious traffick, which has been so long the crime of Europe, the scourge of Afirca, and the affliction and disgrace of America. Spain and Portugal have at length concurred in that just and humane policy of the United States, which Great Britian was the first to imitate, and which by her liberal and unremitting zeal, she has successfully extended throughout the civilized world.

So far as the civilization of Africa, the victim of this inhuman traflick, is embraced among the views of the memorialists, the removal of this formidable impediment to their success, is calculated to elevate the hopes of the philanthropist, and to secure to their enterprise a larger share of public confidence.

America cannot but sympathize in the wish to redeem from ignorance, barbarism, and supersition, a continent of vast extent, spread out beneath every climate, embracing every variety of soil, and inhabited by a much injured and degraded portion of the human race.

But your committee have not hesitation acknowledging they they desire a yet stronger incentive to recommend this enterprise to the countenance and favour of the house than considerations peculiar to the United States. These were presented to the last Congress by the report to which your committee have referred, and they deem it necessary, therefore, to press them upon the attention of the house.--They cannot, however, forbear to remark, that time is unceasingly aggravating all those domestic evils, for which the memorialists propose the only competent remedy, and that the most auspicious circumstances conspire at present to promote its successful application.

Europe, after passing through a war of unprecedented extent and caiamity, enjoys a repose which she has rarely known, and which, for the honour of humanity, it may be hoped she will be disposed to signalize by some act of distinguished generosity. She will not, surely, be content with a mere forbearance of further injustice, but seek to repair the wrongs which she has inflicted upon an unhappy race of men.

The people of the United States have retired from the same conflict, to enjoy a prosperity which has never been surpassed in the history of the world. Respected abroad, they possess abundance, tranquillity, and happiness at home.

A survey of such blessings, naturally inspires a sentiment, the existence of which is illustrated not only by the formation of the society, from which this memorial proceeds, a society, from which this memorial proceeds, a society embracing individuals of every religious and political denomination, and inhabitants of every state in this widespread Union, but by the almost unanimous proceedings of the legislatures of Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Georgia, either recommending or countenancing the same benevolent object.

It cannot be supposed that the liberal and enlightened policy which dictated the resolutions and acts of those particular states, is confined to themselves alone. Their neighbours, 009798alike circumstanced, actuated by the same interests and feelings, will be conducted to the same conclusion, in relation to questions not only of vital importance to them, but in their remote bearing of scarely less moment to the stability and prosperity of the Union.

The Auxiliary Colonization Societies which are daily springing up in other quarters of the United States, evince, that if the feelings which animate them, were local in their origin, they required only to be manifested, in order to awaken the sympathy and to secure the co-operation of the rest of America, in the attainment of their common object.

Your committee would not thus favourably regard the prayer of the memorialists, if it sought to impair, in the slighest degree, the rights of private property, or the yet more sacred rights of personal liberty, secured to every description of freemen in the United States.

The resolution of the legislature of Virginia, the subsequent acts and declarations, as well as the high character of the memorialists themselves, added to the most obvious interest of the states who have recently sanctioned the purpose, or recognized the existence of the American Colonization Society, exclude the remotest apprehension of such injustice and inhumanity.

The memorialists propose to attain the noblest end which benevolence can conceive, by temperate and practicable means.

As preliminary to their success and in anticipation of the acts of the government, they have, at considerable expense, sent out agents to explore the coast of Africa, and to select a seat for their contemplated colony. These agents were instructed first to visit Europe. Their reception in England, and the intelligence which had been received from them down to the period of their late embarkation for Africa, were as favourable as could have been anticipated, to the success of their mission.

This success however, cannot be complete, until the object of the memorialists shall have received the saction, and their efforts the aid of the federal government.

If their memorial does not furnish sufficient ground for the interposition of the national legislature, in their behalf, it appears to your committee, that the resolution of Virginia, which they beg leave to subjoin to this report, subsequently sustained by a similar resolution of Maryland and Tennessee, unquestionably do so.

Whether a treaty for the territory of the proposed colony is to be opened with the native tribes of Africa, or with the European governments which claim certain portions of the 009899shores of that continent, it is by the authority of the United States alone, that such negotiation can be eflected.

The several states having, by their adoption of the federal constitution surrendered the power of negotiation, to the general government, have an undoubted right to claim the exercise of that sovereign authority for their benefit, whenever it can be exerted consistently with the welfare of the United States.

Your committee cannot forbear to add another, to them a very solemn consideration, as an inducement for the exercise of this authority in the manner proposed by the general assembly of Virginia. The act of congress which interdicts the African slave-trade, and subjects the citizens of the United States who engage in its prosecution, to merited punishment, has left the unfortunate beings, whom the violations of this law are daily casting upon the American shore, to the separate provisions of the respective states within whose jurisdiction they may chance to be found.

To say nothing of the abstract properity of transferring such an authority over the persons and liberty of these foreigners from the national, to the state legislatures, entertaining no apprehension that congress will be rendered thereby accessary to any act of cruelty or inhumanity; it must be yet apparent, that the individual states have a right to require the aid now sought to be obtained from the general government, in order to enable themselves to discharge the trust reposed in them, without a violation of their local policy, or injustice to those unfortunate Africans, placed at their disposal, by the laws of the United States.

Your committee were instructed by two other resolutions of the house, to inquire into the expediency of making more effectual provision by law, for preventing the participation of the citizens of the United States in the African slave-trade, and of correcting certain abuses which are practised in the internal commerce of the United States. Both these objects have been accomplished by bills which subsequently originated in the other branch of the national legislature, and which came down to the house of representatives under circumstances which ensured to them an earlier decision than would have followed a report from your committee. They beg leave, however, to remark, that the beneficial effect to be expected from any improvement of the pre-existing laws, in relation to the former species of traffick, which commences its enterprize against humanity, upon a foreign and remote coast, and matures it upon that of America, in such a manner as to elude detection by ordinary vigilance, must depend on the efforts of another branch of the government.

It does not become your committee to do more, in relations to this branch of the inquiry charged upon them, than to intimate their opinion that no act of legislation, whatever, would be so likely to put down this iniquitous traffick, as the multiplication of the revenue cutters, upon the American shores most frequented by the vessels engaged in it, and employment of such part of the navy as would be best adapted to such service, in occasional visits to the African coast, at the season when it is frequented by the same description of vessels.

Your committee therefore ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the second and third resolutions, to which they have referred, and beg leave to recommend to the house, in relation to the first, the adoption of the following resolution:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested to take such measures as he may deem proper, to ascertain whether a suitable territory can be procured on the coast of Africa, for colonizing such of the free people of color of the United States as may be willing to avail themselves of such an asylum, and to enter into such negotiation with the native tribes of Africa, or with one or more of the governments of Europe as may be necessary to obtain such territory, and to secure to the contemplated colony every advantage which be may deem essential to its future independence and prosperity.

Address of the Synod of Tennesse, to the Society for the Colonization of the Free People of Color in the United States.To the Hon. Bushrod Washington, Esq. President, &c.Respected Sir,Through you the synod of Tennesse embrace, with lively pleasure, an early opportunity of congratulating the society formed at the capital of our nation, and consisting of so many of our distinguished statesmen and fellow citizens, for the colonization of the free people of colour among us, who may accede to their plan. We congratulate you on the noble and important object for which you are associated, on the providential signs of our times which signally favour your efforts, and on the wide-spread and growing impression upon the public mind, that your success is connected with 0100101the best interests, not only of the people of colour, but of our country and mankind. If it is important that legal equality should accompany liberty, that Africa should receive the gospel, and that the evils of the slave-trade should be over-ruled for her final enjoyment of the blessings of civilization and knowledge, liberty and religion, then it is important that your design should be encouraged. We wish you therefore, to know, that within our bounds the public sentiment appears clearly and decidedly in your favour, and that the more vigorously and perseveringly you combine and extend your exertions on the plan you have adopted, the more you are likely to be crowned with the approbation of the people as well as with the higher rewards of doing good. As ministers and disciples of Him who proclaims light to them that sit in darkness, peace to a jarring world, liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound, we anticipate the glorious day, when men shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest in all lands; when every one shall sit under his own vine and under his own fir tree, having none to molest or to make him afraid; when the rod of the oppressor and the tears of the oppressed shall be known no more; but all men shall do unto others as they would be done unto in similar circumstances. This glorious change in the state of the world we expect will be brought about by the instrumentality of men under the blessing of God. While, then, the heralds of salvation go forth in the name and strength of their divine master to preach the gospel to every creature, we ardently wish that your exertions and the best influence of all philanthropists may be united, to meliorate the condition of human society, and especially of its most degraded classes, till liberty, religion, and happiness shall be the enjoyment of the whole family of man.Nashville Church, Oct. 3d, 1317.A true copy from the records of the synod of Tennessee. CHARLES COFFIN, Stated Clerk.Extract from the Journal of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Virginia, holden in Petersburgh on the 13th May, 1819. May 14, 1819."Resolved, That this convention highly approve of the objects of the American Colonization Society, and that a committee be appointed to transmit to the President of the 0101102society, a copy of this resolution, and to assure him of the good wishes and prayers of the committee in behalf of the benevolent exertions of the society.

Resolved, That the Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer, Robert Page, esquire, and Mr. Needham Washington be the committee for that purpose."

Petersburgh, May 14, 1819. Dear Sir,We, the committee appointed by the convention for carrying into effect the foregoing resolution, have great pleasure in fulfilling this duty.

The object of the society over which you preside, is one which cannot fail to awaken the sympathy of every humane mind. The forebodings of the politician, the regrets of humanity, and the prayers of christians, have long been turned on the question of providing a remedy against the evils growing out of the African population in this country. To ameliorate the condition of that portion of society, and at the same time to secure an exemption from any tendency to licentiousness and insubordination, are objects which have been considered irreconcilable, and which have served to perplex both politician and the philanthropist. The plan and views of your society, as far as they are understood by this convention, appear to be well calculated to effect and harmonize these objects--to rescue this unhappy class of our fellow creatures from the ignorance, vice, and degradation, to which the habits and sentiments, if not the necessities of the present social state, seem likely to doom them as long as they remain in this country: to restore a people whom "God hath made of one blood" with ourselves, to their natural birthright of human beings; and by a process so gradual as to guard against the effects of too abrupt a termination of long established habits; to deliver this country from a calamity, which, in its present progress, is portentous of incalculable misery and disaster. Nay, more: The sphere of your benevolence takes a still wider range, and proposes, by colonizing this people on the coast of Africa, to diffuse thereby the blessings of civilization and christianity throughout the vast extent of that benighted region. May it not be that the Great Disposer of events designs thus to vindicate the mysterious dispensations of that Providence, which can, in this way, render that which was an outrage upon every principle of religion and humanity, subservient to the greater and more beneficent purposes of his mercy and grace? Like the captivity of Joseph, which was meant, indeed, for evil, by the perpetrators of the crime, may not the affecting 0102103history of this people prove, that their misfortunes were permitted, in order "save much people alive," and that their own destiny might be ultimately more glorious than otherwise it would have been?

These views and hopes are confirmed by the remarkable synchronism of events and circumstances. The simultaneous efforts now in preparation on every part of the globe, for the furtherance of humanity and religion; the unanimity and zeal with which the Colonization Society has been cherished and supported, even among those who might have been supposed to be most hostile to its objects; and the patronage which our general government appears disposed to afford it, are flattering indications, that these are the mighty doings of Him, "who turneth the hearts of men as rivers of water." The time appears to have come, when "the isles shall wait upon him," and "Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto Him"--when the poor negroes shall behold the waters of the Gambia, the Niger, the Senegal, and the Sherbro, whitening with the sails of commerce; when he shall behold cities and villages spreading on his trackless deserts, and temples lifting their heads; when his valleys and rocks shall resound to "the church going bell," which calls him to worship, in the beauties of holiness, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind.

To labour in this work is to co-work with God. For your encouragement to persevere therein, you require not our approbation. You have a noble reward; a more elevated source of satisfaction, in the consciousness of doing good, and in the high prospects which your labours have already unfolded. But we deemed it matter of justice to ourselves, to assure you of our best wishes and prayers. We wish you good luck in the name of God and of humanity. May Heaven reward your labour of love!

For yourself, sir, individually, be pleased to accept the assurance of high esteem. Long may you live to preside over "The American Colonization Society," and to extend to other lands the blessings of a life, which has already conferred important benefits on your own country!

We are, very respectfully, for ourselves, and in behalf of the convention, your sincere friends and obedient servants.WM. H. WILMER,ROBERT PAGE,NEEDHAM WASHINGTON.The honourable Bushrod Washington, President of the American Colonization Society.

In convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland.Resolved, That the institution of the society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, on the coast of Africa, meets with the cordial approbation of this convention; and that it be earnestly recommended to all the members of this church, to give to the said society their countenance and support.

Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be presented to the honourable Bushrod Washington, the president; and to the members of the board of managers, for their zealous and persevering exertious in furtherance of the benevolent object of the society.

Resolved, That the secretary transmit a copy of these resolutions to the president and secretary of the society.Test,H. L. DAVIS, Secretary.Resolution of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.The objects and plans of the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, having been stated to the general assembly, and the same having been considered and discussed, the assembly resolved, that in their opinion the plan of the society is benevolent in its design, and if properly supported, and judiciously and vigorously prosecuted, calculated to be extensively useful to this country and to Africa.

The situation of the people of colour has frequently attracted the attention of this assembly. In the distinctive and indelible marks of their colour, and the prejudices of the people, an insuperable obstacle has been placed to the execution of any plan for elevating their character, and placing them on a footing with their brethren of the same common family. In restoring them to the land of their fathers, the assembly hope the way may be opened, not only for the accomplishment of that object, but for introducing civilization and the gospel to the benighted nations of Africa.--From the information and statements received, the assembly believes, that the proposed colony in Africa, may be made a powerful auxiliary in the efforts which are making to abolish the iniquitous traffick in slaves, carried on in Africa, and happily calculated to lay the foundation for a gradual emancipation of slaves in our own country, in a legal and constitutional manner; and without violating the rights, or injuring the feelings of our southern brethren.

With these views, the assembly feel it a duty earnestly to recommend the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Colour of the United States to the patronage and attention of the churches under their care, and to benevolent individuals throughout the Union.

A true extract from the minutes of the general assembly of the Protestant Church.Attest, I. E. LATTA, permanent clerk.Session of the Assembly,May 31st, 1819.Address from the Presbytery of North-Carolina.Hillsborough, April 18, 1818. SIR,The Presbytery of Orange, in the state of North-Carolina, learn with sincere and peculiar satisfaction, that a plan for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, has now ceased to be merely a subject of anxious wish to the hearts of the humane, and the charity of the christian. We rejoice in the institution of a society, in which, permit us, sir, to say, that you your selection to the presidency is calculated to excite a general confidence. To Him who has ruled in this auspicious event, we would render our thanks, that the society has already commenced its operations, and is now, with a well-directed energy, advancing in their execution. It has long been the firm opinion of many in this part of our country, that nothing more was necessary to success, in colonizing vast numbers of free people of colour, than a common understanding among its friends, with a well digested method, distinctly pointed out, and evidently practicable without injury to the community. When the feeling and patriotic bosom has breathed the ardent wish, that our country might be redeemed from the complicated evils which have been incorporated with society, it was to such a plan only as it was the object of your institution to patronize and effect, that the intelligent mind could look for the consolation of hope. Colonization was necessary; but how were the wisdom and efficacy to be combined, which were essential to its accomplishment. It was necessary, not only that cautious prudence should be satisfied, but even reluctant selfishness must, if possible, be left without a plausible plea for opposition, from apprehensions of public danger, un-toward circumstances, or untimely failure. We think, that in 0105106the constitution and proceedings of the Colonization Society, we see all that we could wish. We might indeed desire to witness, and experience ourselves, a speedy and complete termination to the moral disease which mingles and circulates its vitiating influence through the whole of our social state; but with prayerful resignation we would submit to the will of our Heavenly Father, and be fervently grateful to him, for the prospect with which he permits our longing eyes to be cheered. As a pledge of ardour which animates this Presbytery in the casue which engages the society, we are directed to inform you, that a resolution appointing a committee to give expression to their feelings, they have annexed another, "That it be earnestly recommended by this body to each of its members, to employ his influence and personal exertions, for promoting the establishment of societies, auxiliary to the principal Colonization Society."

Our prayers, sir, are ever with you, and with the society, that God, in whose hands the hearts of men are as the rivers of water, to turn them whithersoever he will, may plenteously infuse into your minds, and into the hearts of the people, a spirit of union and strength to accomplish the great object of your benevolent institution, for the sake of our Great Redeemer.Signed by the committee,FREDERICK NASH,WM. McPHEETON,JOSEPH CALDWELL.Hon. Bushrod Washington,President of the American Colonization Society.Copy of a letter from Thomas Jefferson, late President of the United States, to John Lynd.Moticello, Jan. 21, 1811. Sir,You have asked my opinion on the proposition of Ann Mittlin, to take measures for procuring, on the coast of Africa, an establishment to which the people of colour of these United States might, from time to time, be colonized, under the auspices of different governments. Having long ago made up my mind on this subject, I have no hesitation in saying, that I have ever thought that the most desirable measure which could be adopted for gradually drawing off this part of our population--most advantageous for themselves as well as for us; going from a country possessing all 0106107the useful arts, they might be the means of transplanting them among the inhabitants of Africa; and would thus carry back to the country of their origin, the seeds of civilization, which might render their sojournment here a blessing, in the end, to that country.

I received, in the first year of my entering into the administration of the general government, a letter from the governor of Virginia, consulting me, at the request of the legislature of the state, on the means of procuring some such asylum to which these people might be occasionally sent. I proposed to him the establishment of Sierra Leone, in which a private company in England had already colonized a number of negroes, and particularly the fugitives from these states during the revolutionary war: and at the same time suggested, if that could not be obtained, some of the Portuguese possessions in South America as most desirable.

The subsequent legislature approving these ideas, I wrote the ensuing year (1802) to Mr. King, our minister in London, to endeavour to negotiate with the Sierra Leone company, and induce them to receive such of these people as might be colonized thither. He opened a correspondence with Mr. W--and Mr. Thornton, secretary of the company, on the subject, and in 1803, I received, through Mr. King, the result; which was, that the colony was going on in but a languishing condition; that the funds of the company were likely to fail, as they received no return of profit to keep them up; that they were then in treaty with the government to take the establishment off their hands; but, that in no event should they be willing to receive more of these people from the United States, as it was that portion of settlers who had gone from the United States, who, by their idleness and turbulence, had kept the settlement in constant danger of dissolution, which could not have been prevented, but for the aid of the Marroon negroes, from the West Indies, who were more industrious and orderly than the others, and supported the authority of the government and its laws.

I think I learned afterwards, that the British government had taken the colony into their own hands, and I believe it still exists.

The effort which I made with Portugal to obtain an establishment from them, within their colonies in South America, proved also abortive.

You inquired further whether I would use my endeavours to procure such an establishment secure against violence from other powers, and particularly the French. Certainly, I shall be willing to do anything I can to give it effect and safety.

But I am but a private individual, and could only use endeavours with individuals. Whereas, the national government can address themselves at once to those of Europe to obtain the desired security, and will unquestionably be ready to exert its influence with those nations to effect an object so benevolent in itself, and so important to a great portion of its constituents. Indeed, nothing is more to be wished than the United States, would themselves undertake to make such an establishment on the coast of Africa.

Exclusive of motives of humanity, the commercial advantages to be derived from it, might defray all its expenses; but for this, the national mind is not prepared. It may perhaps be doubted whether many of these people would voluntarily consent to such an exchange of situation, and but few of those who are advanced to a certain age in habits of slavery would be capable of governing themselves; this should not, however, discourage the experiment, nor the early trial of it. And propositions should be made with all the prudent caution and attention requisite to reconcile it to the interest, the safety, and prejudice of all parties.Accept the assurance of my respects and esteem.THOMAS JEFFERSON.Mr. Clay's Speech before the Society, Jan. 1st, 1818.Mr. Clay rose to submit a motion which he had hoped some other gentleman would have offered. It was a vote of thanks to the Board of Managers. He would not be restrained from proposing it by the official relation in which he stood to the Board, because, although he was ex-officio a member, he had really participated very little in its valuable labours, and therefore could not be justly reproached with proposing thanks to himself.

Whilst he was up, he would detain the society for a few moments. It was proper again and again to repeat, that it was far from the intention of the society to effect, in any manner, the tenure by which a certain species of property is held. He was himself a slave-holder; and he considered that kind of property as inviolable as any other in the country. He would resist as soon, and with as much firmness, encroachments upon it as he would encroachments upon any other property which he held. Nor was he disposed even to go as far as the gentleman who had just spoken, (Mr. 0108109Mercer) in saying that he would emancipate his slaves, if the means were provided of sending them from the country. It was also proper to repeat, that it was equally remote from the intention of the society, that any sort of coercion should be employed in regard to the free people of colour, who were the objects of its proceedings. Whatever we proposed to be done was entirely voluntary on their part.

It has been said that the plan of the society is impracticable and Utopian. Why? How have the descendants of Africa been brought to the shores of America? By the most nefarious traffick that ever disgraced the annals of man. It has been, it is true, the work of ages. May we not, by a gradual and perservering exertion, restore to Africa that portion of her race among us that shall be liberated? He would not, he could not believe that man, in the pursuit of the vilest cupidity, in the prosecution of purposes of the most cruel injustice, which had constantly marked the African slave-trade, could accomplish more than might be attained in a cause which was recommended by so many high, honourable, and animating considerations. Such was the cause in which this society is engaged. The christian, of whom unwearied constancy is the characteristic; the statesman who looks only to the safety and the happiness of his own country; in short, all good men will find motives for engaging their co-operation or their wishes in behalf of the society. Its object is not impracticable. Scarcely any thing--nothing is beyond the power of those who, in the pursuit of a just purpose, approved by good men, and sanctioned by Providence, boldly and resolutely determine to command success.

But the persons, the amelioration of whose condition is the object of the society, will not, it is said, accept the proffered favour. Mr. C. believed at first, that, from want of information, very few of them would--not perhaps one in a hundred, in the interior. He was inclined to believe, however, that a number, amply sufficient for the commencement of a colonial establishment, would go. These would be drawn principally from the cities, which would act as a sort of depot from the country for the colony. Let five in a hundred only, of that portion of our population, be induced to migrate, and a number abundantly sufficient to begin with will be obtained. The first difficulties obviated, and all will be obviated. Let the colony be once firmly established and in prosperity, and all the obstacles will disappear. Why should they not go? Look at the earliest history of man; follow him through all his subsequent progress, and you will find him continually migrating. What is the motive of this unceasing change of abode? To better his condition. What 0109110brought our fathers voluntarily to these shores, then savage and forbidding, not less savage and forbidding perhaps than those of Africa itself? To render themselves more happy. This word happiness, Mr. C. said, comprised many items. It comprehended what was hardly less important than subsistence--political and social considerations. These the men of colour never can enjoy here, but are what he would find in the contemplated colony. And can there be any thing, to a reflecting freeman, (and some among the class of persons to whom he alluded were doubtless capable of reflection) more humiliating, more dark and cheerless, than to see himself, and to trace in imagination his posterity, through all succeeding time, degraded and debased, aliens to the society of which they are members, and cut off from all its higher blessings?

Further, several of the slave-holding states already had, and perhaps a all of them would, prohibit entirely emancipation, without some such outlet was created. A sense of their own safety required the painful prohibition. Experience proved that persons turned loose who were neither freemen nor slaves, constituted a great moral evil, threatening to contaminate all parts of society. Let the colony once be successfully planted, and legislative bodies, who have been grieved at the necessity of passing those prohibitory laws, which at a distance might appear to stain our codes, will hasten to remove the impediments to the exercise of benevolence and humanity. They will annex the condition that the emancipated shall leave the country; and he has placed a false estimate upon liberty who believes that there are many who would refuse the boon, when coupled even with such a condition.

But, Mr. C. said, he would not longer digress from the object of his motion. He was persuaded he would meet the unanimous concurrence of the society, in the proposition that its thanks be tendered to the Board of Managers for the able and satisfactory manner in which they had executed their duties.

Extract of a letter from the Hon. Robert G. Harper, to Elias B. Caldwell, Esq. Secretary of the Society. Dated Baltimore August 20, 1317.I may, perhaps, on some future occasion develope a plan, on which I have long meditated, for colonizing gradually 0110111and with the consent of their owners, and of themselves where free, the whole coloured population, slaves and all: but this is not the proper place for such an explanation, for which, indeed, I have not time now. But it is an essential part of the plan, and of every such plan, to prepare the way for its adoption and execution, by commencing a colony of blacks, in a suitable situation and under proper management. This is what your society propose to accomplish. Their project, therefore, if rightly formed and well conducted, will open the way for this more extensive and beneficial plan, of removing gradually and imperceptibly, but certainly, the whole coloured population from the country, and leaving its place to be imperceptibly supplied, as it would necessarily be, by a class of free white cultivators. In every part of the country this operation must necessarily be slow. In the southern and south-western states it will be very long before it will be accomplished, and a very considerable time must probably elapse, before it can even commence. It will begin first, and be first completed, in the middle states; where the evils of slavery are most sensibly felt, the desire of getting rid of the slaves is already strong, and a greater facility exists of supplying their place, by white cultivators. From thence it will gradually extend to the south and south-west; till by its steady, constant, and imperceptible operation, the civils slavery shall be rooted out from every part of the United States; and the slaves themselves, and their posterity, shall be converted into a free, civilized nation, in the country from which their progenitors were dragged, to be wretched themselves and a curse to the whites.

This great end is to be attained in no other way, than by a plan of universal colonization, founded on the consent of the slave holders, and of the colonists themselves. For such a plan that of the present colonization society opens and prepares the way, by exploring the ground, selecting a proper situation, and planting a colony, which may serve as a receptacle, a nursery, and a school for those which are to follow. It is in this point of view that I consider its benefits as the most extensive and important, though not the most immediate.

The advantages of this undertaking to which I have hitherto adverted, are confined to ourselves. They consist in ridding us of the free people of colour, and preparing the way for getting rid of the slaves and of slavery. In these points of view they are undoubtedly very great. But there are advantages to the free blacks themselves, to the slaves, and to the immense population of middle and southern Africa, which no less recommend this undertaking to our cordial and zealous support.

To the free blacks themselves the benefits are the most obvious, and will be the most immediate. Here they are condemned to a state of hopeless inferiority, and consequent degradation. As they cannot emerge from this state, they lose, by degrees, the hope, at last the desire of emerging.--With this hope and desire they lose the most powerful incitements to industry, frugality, good conduct, and honorable exertion For want of this incitement, this noble and ennobling emulation, they sink for the most part into a state of sloth, wretchedness and profligacy. The few honourable exceptions serve merely to show of what the race is capable in proper situation. Transplanted to a colony composed of themselves alone, they would enjoy real equality: in other words real freedom. They would become proprietors of land, master mechanics, ship owners, navigator, and merchants, and by degrees, school masters, justices of the peace, militia officers, ministers of religion, judges, and legislators. There would be no white population to remind them of, and to perpetuate their inferiority; but enjoying all the privileges of freedom, they would soon enjoy all its advantages, and all its dignity. The whites who might visit them would visit them as equals, for the purpose of a commerce mutally advantageous. They would soon feel the noble emulation to excel, which is the fruitful source of excellence in all the various departments of life; and under the influence of this generous an powerful sentiments, united with the desire and hope of improving their condition, the most universal and active incitements to exertion among men, they would rise rapidly in the scale of existence, and soon become equal to the people of European origin, so long their masters and oppressors. Of all this, the most intelligent among them, would soon become sensible. The others would learn it from them; and the prospect and hope of such blessings would have an immediate and most beneficial effect on their condition and character. For it will be easy to adopt such regulations, as to exclude from this colony all but those who shall deserve by their conduct to be admitted: thus rendering the hope of admission a powerful incentive to industry, honesty, and religion.

To slave the advantages, though not so obvious and immediate, are yet certain and great.

In the first place, they would be greatly benefited by the removal of the free blacks, who now corrupt them and render them discontented; thus exposing them to harsher treatment and greater privations. In the next place, this measure would open the way to their more frequent and easier manumission; for many persons who are now restrained from manumitting 0112113their slaves, by the conviction that they generally become a nuisance when manumitted in the country, would glady give them freedom, if they were to be sent to a place where they might enjoy it, usefully to themselves and to society. And lastly, as this species of manumission, attended by removal to country where they might obtain all the advantages of freedom, would be a great blessing, and would soon be so considered by the slaves, the hope of deserving and obtaining it would be a great solace to ther sufferings, and a powerful inciitement to good conduct. It would thus tend to make them happier and better before it came, and to fit them better for usefulness and happiness afterwards.

Such a colony, too, would enlarge the range of civilization and commerce, and thus tend to the benefit of all cvilized and commercial nations. In this benefit our own nation would most largely participate because, having founded the colony, and giving it constant supplies of new members, as well as its first and principal supply of necessaries and comforts, its first connexions would be formed with us, and would naturally grow with its growth and our own, till they ripened into fixed habits of intercourse, friendship, and attachment.

The greatest benefit, however, to be hoped from this enterprize, that which in contemplation most delights the philanthropic mind, still remains to be unfolded. It is the benefit to Africa herself, from this return of her sons to her bosom, bearing with them arts, knowledge, and civilization, to which she has hitherto been a stranger. Cast you eyes, my dear sir, on this vast continent. Pass over the northern and northern-eastern parts, and the great desert, where sterility, ferocious ignorance, and fanaticism seem to hold exclusive and prepetual sway. Fix your attention on Soudan, and the widely extended regions to the south. You see there innumerable tribes and nations of blacks, mild and humane in their dispositions, sufficiently intelligent, robust, active, and vigourous, not averse from labour of wholly ignorant of agriculture, and possessing some knowledge of the ruder arts, which minister to the first wants of civilized man. You see a soil generally fertile, a climate healthy for the natives, and a mighty river which rolls its waters through vast regions inhabited by these tribes, and seems destined by an all-wise and beneficent Providence, one day to connect them with each other, and all of them with the rest of the world, in the relations of commerce and friendly intercourse. What a field is here presented for the blessings of civilization and christianity, which colonies of civilized blacks afford the best 0113114and probably the only means of introducing! These colonies, composed of blacks already instructed in the arts of civilized life, and the truths of the gospel; judiciously placed, well conducted, and constantly enlarged, will extend gradually into the interior, will form commercial and political connexions with the native tribes in their vicinity, will extend those connexions to tribes more and more remote, will incorporate many of the natives with the colonies, and in their turn make establishments and settlements among the natives, and thus diffuse all around the arts of civilization, and the benefits of literary, moral, and religious instruction.

Ages, indeed, may be required, for the full attainment of these objects. Untoward events or unforeseen difficulties may retard or defeat them: But the prospect, however remote or uncertain, is still animating. and the hope of success seems sufficients to stimulate us to the utmost exertion. How vast and sublime a career does this undertaking open, to a generous ambition, aspiring to deathless fame by great and useful actions! Who can count the millions, that in future times shall know and bless the names of those, by whom this magnificent scheme of beneficence and philanthropy has been conceived, and shall be carried into execution? Throughout the widely extended regions of middle and southern Africa, then filled with populous and polished nations, their memories shall be cherished and their praises sung; when other states, and even the flourishing and vigorrous nation to which they belong, now in its flower of youth, shall have run their round of rise, grandeur, and decay, and, like the founders of Palmyra, Tyre, Babylon, Memphis, and Thebes, shall no longer be know, except by vague reports, of their former greatness, or by some fragments of those works of art, the monuments of their taste, their power, or their pride, which they may leave behind.

Letters and documents, affording proof of the willingness, and anxiety, of the Free people of colour to go to Africa.LETTER FROM THE WABASH.To Elias B. Caldwell, Esq.Secretary of the American Colonization Society.

Sir--Being desirous to know the success of the agent's returned from Africa, and the proceedings of the honourable society of which you are secretary. I request of you to send me a few copies of the second annual report. In applying for this information I am influenced by the motives which 0114115actuated me when I presumed to address the philanthropic and enlightened President; and the pleasure I feel in complying with the wishes of a number of the free people of colour, for whose benefit I commenced the correspondence. Some of them are impatient, and if means of migration to the proposed colony, for coloured people from the western country, were provided, they would embrace the earliest opportunity to leave this section of the United States, to go where they are convinced they would, under the auspices of the general government, enjoy all those natural and political rights to which their talents and industry entitle them, but which are prohibited to them in our free states. The wealthiest among them have recently disposed of their land, and moveable property that they might be ready to depart; and with grievous sensibility informed me, that they might escape the danger of being carried away to slave states as a number of their colour have been, notwithstanding the exertions of a few friends among the citizens, who in some cases prevented it, and in several instituted suits for the recovery of the unfortunate kidnapped, which have not yet been determined.

I have been endeavoring to form an auxiliary society in Indiana and Illinois, by means of some patriotic citizens in each, but lament I have to add that I have not succeeded in either, so far as to enable me to transmit to you, for the information of the society, even a resolution on the subject. Men usually imitate others; and, if I may be allowed to form an opinion, I may say that the patriotic decision of the House of Representatives of the United States, in prohibiting slavery in the Missouri, which I consider as the predominant sense of the citizens' constituents of that august body; the act of Congress putting the Navy at the disposal of the President, for the protection of the Africans; and the sentiments almost generally diffused by the news-papers, friendly to the amelioration of the condition of the people of colour, cannot fail to inform the western citizens, and induce them, ere long, to establish societies auxiliary to the general, I almost said national, society at Washington.

I pray you, sir, to accept of my grateful acknowledgment of the respect evinced in the publication of my letter to the honourable Bushrod Washington, President of the society, in their first annual report; and of my sincere thanks for the honour you did me of transmitting to me three copies of it, which were duly received and distributed.I am &c.WM. M'INTOSH.

Grand Rapids, near Palmyra,State of Illinois, 14th May, 1819. 0115116The following is an extract of a letter from one of the free negroes mentioned in the letter of Mr. M'Intosh, and confirms the statement there given.Lamott, Illinois Territory, July 13th, 1818."I am a free man of colour, have a family and a large connection of free people of colour residing on the Wabash, who are all willing to leave America whenever the way shall be opened. We love this country and its liberties, if we could share an equal right in them; but our freedom is partial, and we have no hope that it ever will be otherwise here; therefore we had rather be gone, though we should suffer hunger and nakedness for years. Your honour may be assured that nothing shall be lacking on our part in complying with whatever provision shall be made by the United States, whether it be to go to Africa or some other place; we shall hold ourselves in readiness, praying that God (who made man free in the begginning, and who by his kind providence has broken the yoke from every white American) would inspire the heart of every true son of liberty with zeal and pity, to open the door of freedom for us also.I am, &c.ABRAHAM CAMP.Elias B. Caldwell, Esq.Secretary of the Colonization Society of the United States.Letter from the Petersburgh African Missionary Society.Petersburgh, Va. 30th April, 1819.Dear Sir,Having been authorized by the Petersburgh African Missionary Society of persons of colour, to address you in their behalf on the subject of the intended colony in Sherbro, permit me, honoured sir, to tell you, that this society has been in existence only seven months, and their object is to send forth missionaries to the benighted land of Africa; numbers would be willing to go if they could get correct information from you respecting the country, and the means of conveyance from this place. It is the general opinion among us, that if 0116117we could only obtain the information from the board of your society, that would give us proper ideas of the scite and mode of government, and how we should be protected; that we would embrace the opportunity, and prepare to leave our adopted, for our colonial, asylum.

Please answer this as soon as you conveniently can, as the people are anxious to hear from you.

With considerations of the highest esteem and respect,I remain, dear sir, your truly humble servant,JOHN T. RAYMOND,Corresp. Sec. Af. Miss. Soc.To Elias B. Caldwell, Esq.Washington City, Dis. Columbia.

Letter from A. Waugh, Esq. to the Hon. C.F. [Merc?]Centreville, 2d June, 1819.Dear Sir,There is a coloured man in our county, who wishes to go to Africa among the first that go. To secure a conveyance as early as possible, he is urging me to present him to the notice of the society. Having no acquaintance with the officers of the society at Washington, I have taken the liberty of referring him to you, and it is probable you will see him at London court. He is of good character, and will be useful in the colony, I have no doubt. He is without education, but is an intelligent man, of a strong mind, and good understanding, and has considerable influence among his acquaintance of colour. He thinks he can prevail on nearly one hundred to accompany him, among whom are several slaves whose masters have promised him to let go. You will be so good as to write him a few lines (directed to me) directing him how to proceed, and informing him whether he may take any person with him who may choose to go--when it is likely they will be sent, &c.I am, with much esteem, yours, &c.ALEX. WAUGH.

P.S. His name is George Bowing, has ten or twelve in family.

Philadelphia, sd June 1819Dear Sir,The enclosed has just been left with me to obtain information on the subject to which it refers, at your leisure a communication may be made, which I can hand to the parties.Very sincerely, I am, dear sir,Your friend and obedient servant,ROBERT RALSTON.Elias B. Caldwell, Esq.Philadelphia, May 29th, 1819.We, the undersigned, do hereby request the Colonization Society to give us an exact information of their progress in obtaining a ship and men to go on to the coast of Africa, on wages for one year, and to return if they choose and bring the report back to America.Daniel George,Eph. SandersJoseph Blake,T. George Fortune,Ashmil Hall,John Grifen,John Gun,Henry B. Kean,Francis Proctor,Peter Stevenson,William Johnson,Henry Wittshny,William Foster,Samuel Branham,James Brister,Caton Green,Moses Miller,Richard Parker,John Walters,

The above persons are willing to offer their services, (most of them having families,) if satisfactory information is given to the inquiries now made.

One of those who applied for permission to go out as a first colonist, observed to a gentleman whose interposition he sought, "that God had made him in the form of a man, and designed him, no doubt, to fill the place of a man, but here I cannot, I therefore wish to go to a country where I can have a free exercise of all my powers. I have long been wishing to see this day, it is now beginning to dawn upon us, and if we neglect the light, greater darkness may befall us."

In addition to these applications, three men of colour, two of them Baptists, of the town of Richmond, and one a Methodist, of the town of Petersburg, Virginia, have been regularly appointed by their respective churches as proper missionaries to Africa; and beg leave to go with our Colony, actuated by the pious hope that their ministerial labours will be accepted 0118119by the Almighty, and blessed to their brethren in benighted Africa.

The following statement and letter taken from a public paper, relating to a number of these unfortunate beings, cannot fail to interest the benevolent reader. Cannot we find some home for these poor exiles, these wretched wanderers through our land? Is the whole earth so filled with their superiors that no place is left them where they may enjoy that freedom which their Master designed them? If that country be provided them who will doubt their emigration? If the threatenings of this letter be executed and the door of emigration be shut against such persons as in all probability it will, are not those states where these liberations occur, or where such numbers of these people dwell, bound by every consideration of policy, justice, humanity, and religion, to provide some other abode for them.

A negro Settlement in Ohio.By the following letter from a gentleman on a tour through Virginia, says the Hillsborough Ohio Gazette, to the editor, it will appear that we are to have a colony of free negroes (no less than five hundred) planted in our adjoining county. Much as we commiserate the situation of those, who, when emancipated, are obliged to leave their country, or again he enslaved, we trust our constitution and laws are not so entirely defective as to suffer us to be overrun by such a wretched population.

Richmond, Va. May, 1819.Dear Sir --Since my arrival in this country, I have understood that a large family of negroes, consisting of about five hundred,* have lately been liberated, and are to be marched to Ohio, and there settled on lands provided for them agreeably to the will of Mr. Gess, who formerly owned them. There are persons engaged collecting these poor miserable being from different quarters, and driving them like cattle to Goochland county, from whence they will take up their line of march to Ohio. I am told they are perhaps as depraved and ignorant a set of people as any of their kind, and that their departure is hailed with joy by all those who had lived in their neighbourhoods. How will they be received in Ohio? not very cordially, I trust. I am not prepared to say what course ought to be pursued against them; but I am well aware that our country will suffer seriously from the iniquitous policy pursued by the state of Virginia and 0119120Kentucky, in driving their free negroes upon us. The people of Ohio are bound, in justice to themselves, to adopt some counteracting measure, calculated to protect themselves from imposition.

Many people here are of opinion, that we will be compelled to introduce slavery in Ohio in self defence, and they appear to be gratified that we are suffering and likely to suffer many of the evils attending it, without (as they call it) any of the benefits. I have been gratified to tell them what I believe to be true--that nineteen twentieths of the people of Ohio are so opposed to slavery, that they would not consent to its introduction under any circumstances; and, although they commiserate the situation of those who have been liberated and compelled to abandon their country, or again be made slaves, yet in justice to themselves and their posterity, they will refuse admittance to such a people.

Extracts of Letters from Paul Cuffee, with some sketches of his life and character.Westport, 8th month, 6th inst. 1816ESTEEMED FRIEND,I do not expect to send a vessel to Africa this ensuring winter, when I went last to Africa I was some what disappointed, in not having a special licence from the British government.

My correspondent William Allen, of London, a member of the London African Institution, wrote to me to come to London, and engage with them, and keep open a communication between England and Africans generally. If we could open a circular route from Africa to England, and thence to America, I feel disposed to be made use of in any way that appeared most advantageous: I have not had any returns.

The people I carried out to Africa, were well received and had land granted them: they much want at Sierra Leone, a good mill-wright; a saw-mill is necessary, also a rice-mill for cleaning rice.

COPY OF CITATION.Colony of Sierra Leone, 25th of March.Mr. Perry Locke. You are hereby summoned and required to appear at the ensuing general session of the peace, which will be held at the court hall in Freetown, on Wednesday 0120121the 10th day of April, at the hour of ten in the forenoon, there to serve as a grand juror: herein fail not, at your peril.W.D. GRANT, Sheriff.

Perry Locke was one of the passengers that I carried out. He made great complaint to me; because he was called upon; I told him "he complained in America because he was deprived of these privileges; and then he murmured because he was thus called upon: go and fill thy seat, do as well as thou canst." I mention this, that others may see that they have equal rights in Africa. P. C.

Westport, 1st mo. 6th, 1817.RESPECTED FRIEND,The population of Sierra Leone, in 1811, was two thousand, and about one thousand in the suburbs.-Since that time they have not been numbered, but the colony, according to my judgment, from 1811 to 1815, had much improved, the soil for cultivation is not very flattering, but it is advantageously situated for a town and ship navigation. The coast of Africa abounds with rivers; the great river Gambia, according to the best information given me, is very fertile, as is the island Burso at the month of said river, but they are said to be sickly to the northern constitutions.--There is a river about fifty leagues south of Cape Sierra Leone, call the Sherborough, good navigation, and soil excellent.

Agreeable to information given me by a citizen of Sierra Leone, the citizen has ever been desirous that a settlement should be established at that place, with those people that may come from America--be is a man of good character.--The great river Congo, near the equator, its powerful population and goodness of soil, I hope will not always be neglected. I much approve of a vessel being sent as thou hast mentioned.In 1815, I carried out to Sierra Leone, nine families, thirty-eight in number; and in 1816, I have had so many applications, that I believe I might have had the greater part to have carried out of Boston and the vicinity. I should think about Christmas would be the most healthy season for a vessel to arrive on the coast. As to the length of the voyage, it would depend on the extent of discoveries to be made. I think from twelve to eighteen months, provided the voyage should extend tot the Cape of Good Hope and the Tristan Islands.

I should suppose that one vessel would be sufficient for visiting the coast; as to the force necessary, thou art the best judge. I think that the government of Great Britain, would not receive large numbers of every description of people of colour at their colony. Were the United States to undertake to settle a colony in Africa, it would be best to have good characters until the colony was well established. The English would not, probably, admit a free trade at Sierra Leone, unless they made a neutral port of it.

I should suppose that all those people who are unwilling to go to Sierra Leone, would have no objection to settle a new colony: thirty-eight in number went out with me, their expense was estimated at one hundred dollars per head, but were there a large number, they could be carried out for sixty dollars. The expense of thirty of the above number was borne by Paul Cuffe, the others paid their own passages. In addition to the above expense, I furnished them with provisions to the amount of 159l 8s 3d sterling; all this was done without fee or reward--my hope is in a coming day.PAUL CUFFE.

Sketch of Paul Cuffe's Life and Character.Paul Cuffe was born on one of the Elizabeth islands, near New-Bedford, in the county of Bristol, and state of Massachusetts, in 1759. His father was a native of Africa, and once a slave, his mother was one of the aborigines of America. By industry and enterprise, guided by an uncommon share of "plain sense and practical wisdom," he arose from poverty to opulence. He was largely concerned in navigation, and in many voyages, particularly to Russia, England, Africa, the West-Indies and the southern States, commanded his own vessel; a man of sterling integrity and active benevolence, of modest and dignified manners, he was known and honoured persons of the first respectability in England and the United States. Few, it has been said, could remain long in his presence without forgetting their prejudice against colour, and feeling their hearts expand with juster sentiments towards the most injured of the human family.

For the last twenty years his mind was chiefly occupied with the interests of his African brethren. With a view to their improvement, he made a voyage to Africa and England in 1811, in a vessel of his own, commanded by his nephew, Thomas Wainer. In 1815, he carried out to Sierra 0122123Leone, nine African families, consisting of thirty-eight persons, at an expense to himself of more than three thousand dollars. He died, September 7th, 1817, leaving an estate valued at twenty thousand dollars.

The following extract from a sermon of Peter Williams, a black man, and minister of an Episcopal church in New-York, on the death of Paul Cuffe, at the same time affords a specimen of the talents of the orator, and does justice to the character of the deceased.

"His countenance was serious but mild, his speech and habit plain and unostentatious, his deportment dignified and prepossessing, blending gravity with modesty and sweetness, and firmness with gentleness and humility. His whole exterior indicated a man of respectability and piety."

"He rose like the sun, diffusing wider and wider the rays of his beneficence, until having attained his zenith, even the nations beyond the seas were made to rejoice in his beams." "Such was his public character. Such was the warmth of his benevolence, the activity of his zeal, and the extent of his labours, in behalf of the African race. Indeed his whole life may be said to have been spent in their service. To their benefit he devoted the acquisitions of his youth, the time of his later years, and even the thoughts of his dying pillow." "His voyages are all over, he has made his last, and it was to the haven of eternal repose." "Draw near but let it be with fearful steps. That grave is peculiarly consecrated to sorrow. Over it, Europe and America mourn, and Africa, unhappy bereaved Africa, pours a deluge of tears."

Sketch of Sierra Leone.Colonization in Africa, with reference to civilization, appears to have been contemplated in England as early as 1775 or 1780. A definite plan was projected by Dr H. Smeathman, who had passed some years in Africa, in his letters to Dr. Knowles, in 1783. The first removal to Sierra Leone was in 1787. The people from Nova Scotia, who were once slaves in the United States, were removed in 1791, and the Maroons from Jamaica, it is believed, in 1805. the liberations 0123124from slave-ships have been wholly since the abolition of the trade in 1807. The colony was supported by the Sierra Leone Company, until 1808, when it was taken under the patronage of government.

The colony is situated on the south bank of Sierra Leone river, in lat. 3 deg. 30 min. north. The original purchase was ten miles square. Freetown is the principal town, standing on St. George's Bay, six miles from Cape Sierra Leone. There are five villages, between two and seven miles distant, in different directions from Freetown, called Regent's, Gloucester, Wilberforce, Leicester, and Kissey Towns. The local situation of the colony is admirable for health and commerce. The sea-breeze has free access; the mountains are high, and the river is navigable by the largest ships.

The population exceeds twelve thousand. There are the first settlers from England and Nova Scotia, Maroons from Jamaica, those who have been liberated from captured slave-ships, and a few hundreds from the adjacent tribes.--All these are people of colour. To these may be added about fifty Europeans, who are civil and military officers, religious teachers, merchants, and mechanics. The colonists sustain most of the subordinate officers.

The schools are very flourishing. Nearly two thousand, including some adults, enjoy daily instruction. The children, who have been born in the colony, are active, intelligent, and healthy. Those who passed their first five or ten years without instruction, and then entered a period of confinement, famine, and disease on board of slave-ships, need some months or years to acquire the health, animation, and intelligence which they might otherwise have possessed. They are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic; and some of them, the rudiments of English grammar and geography. The Church Missionary Society has extended to this colony its kindest regard and liberal aid. Several chaplains and school-masters have been furnished and supported, at different periods, through their agency. The Christian Institution, established on Leicester Mountain, accommodates about two hundred children, who are mostly named and supported by benefactors in England. These are children once destined to foreign slavery, now fed, clothed, governed, and carefully taught in the christian religion. Assembled in the church to worship God, they are a spectacle of grateful admiration, and their state happily exemplifies the divine origin and holy principles of the religion in which they are taught. At Regent's town, which has a population of thirteen hundred, the agents saw two hundred children in the schools; and on the 0124125sabbath, more than one thousand of the children and people were present in the church, neatly dressed, sober, reverential, attentive to hear the word of God, and uniting their voices to sing his praise. The sabbath is observed through the colony, with the exception, perhaps, of some Europeans and the Kroo-men. Freetown has five religious teachers, (three Europeans and two men of colour,) Leicester Mountain has two, and each of the villages has one. These are all men of christian character.

Freetown makes a very decent appearance; the streets are at right angles, wide and neat; fruit trees grow about the town; the houses formerly built were small, but those now building are of stone, two stories high, airy, and convenient. The colony is advancing in wealth with sufficient rapidity. Trade has been chiefly pursued, but agriculture begins to have a share of attention.

Extract from the Sierra Leone Gazette, of the 3d January, 1818.This day, ten years, this colony was transferred from the Sierra Leone Company to his Majesty's government; and by a return published in the then Gazette, the total number of births in the year 17807, were fifty-seven; deaths, thirty-six; and marriages, fourteen. We hope to be enabled to give in our next the return for the year 1817; and, as an evident proof of the better state of morality in the colony, we are bold to say, the marriages frequently exceed in one week the number of one year at that time.

We ought, then, to begin 1818, by rendering thanks unto Him to whom all thanks are due. Let us compare the present state of the colony with the rank it held even so late as 1803. The number of the youth of both sexes attending schools in Freetown and the other towns, actually exceeds by hundreds the whole population of that year. We have encountered some difficulties. Our progress for a few years was slow: some of our friends have even affirmed that we were not only stationary, but actually retrograd retrograding. We are now happy to state, in defiance of those friends and of our opponents, that greater progress has been obtained, in all the branches of civilization and moral improvement, in the short space of three years, in this very colony, so much 0125126extolled, abused, traduced, and envied, than in any other part of his majesty's dominions.

We have much satisfaction in calling the attention of our readers to the fourth quarterly examination of the scholars of the Colonial Free-School, which took place on Monday the 2d ult., before his excellency the Governor, the honourable the Chief Justice, and the members of council. From the quarterly report of the schoolmaster, it appears that some of the scholars have quitted the school in the capacity of shop-keepers' clerks; but, that notwithstanding this, there is an increase of seventeen in the whole number of boys since the last quarter. The number of girls is the same. Though, in consequence of the holiday season and other accidental causes, there was a much thinner attendance (particularly of girls) on this, than on former similar occasions, it gave us great pleasure to observe that considerable improvement had taken place among the scholars in reading since the last examination; and several of them recited pieces of poetry and portions of scripture, very correctly.

On the whole, we may congratulate our readers on the promising state of the schools. Several boys now fill situations, for which, but for the school, they would have been totally unfit: this affords great encouragement to proceed.

Extract from the Sierra Leone Gazette, of the 10th Jan. 1818.On the 31st ult, an examination of the school was held at Regent's town, before his excellency the Governor, the honourable the Chief Justice, the members of council, and most of the principal inhabitants of the colony.

The appearance of the whole of the scholars (male and female) was equally creditable to their teachers and themselves. The sight of a well-regulated school has ever been interesting to a feeling heart : we own that to us it was most peculiarly so. We had seen, but a short, very short period before, those beings, now so cleanly clad, so decent in their appearance, no way inferior to our promising country boys and fair country lasses--we had seen them brought to this colony naked, without any idea of the true God, yoked together as the brute beasts employed by man for the labour of the field--and we thanked God for the change.

In reading, the adults have made considerable progress since the last examination, the boys and girls have kept 0126127pace with them. The examination was very properly concluded by singing (the boys and girls in chorus) of hymns in praise of our Redeemer. The singing was executed with infinite taste and good voices. Well might they, and well may we, sing praise to the Lord.

Here we might expatiate with delight on such a scene, and in such a place. Three years are scarcely clapsed, and a wilderness, known under the vile name of Hogbrook, is changed into a Christian and romantic spot, inhabited by upwards of thirteen Hundred British loyal subjects.

The company were hospitably entertained by his excellency, at the parsonage-house, erected within the last year, and newly finished : it is the residence of the Rev. William Johnson, the present worthy chaplain and superintendent. That house, the church, other public buildings, and indeed the private houses (now by subscription among themselves) were and are raising by those very beings whom the traffickers in human blood have so long calumniated and oppressed. The whole of those buildings are in a most elegant style; and we have been assured, as before stated, built by captured negroes, a few soldiers of the royal African Corps, and and an European artificer attached to engineer department. The day was ended as begun, in innocent hilarity, and will undoubtedly be long remembered by those present. The British flag was flying on the tower of St. Charle's Church, the first stone church erected on the west coast of Africa, in 1816. His excellency is now enlarging it; and when completed, which will be in the course of one or two months, it will accommodate thirteen or fourteen hundred persons.

Extract from the Sierra Leone Gazette, of the 17th Jan. 1313.On Tuesday the 6th instant the school at Leicester Mountain was examined, in presence of his excellency the governor, the hon. T.S. Buckle, &c. &c. The children appeared as might have been expected, from their being under the special care of the "Church Missionary Society." The examination was, with very great propriety, begun and ended by singing hymns in praise to God, and prayer.

The boys (two hundred) and girls (fifty) went through their different exercises in a manner creditable to themselves and their teachers. The examination took place in the church erected by the society on Leicester mountain. The 0127128site commands a most extensive view of the town, harbour, and ea. It will stand as a landmark of christianity. The sailor, on seeing its spire from afar, will return praise to his God, and bless his country for having thus afforded an asylum to the oppressed African. The view of a church on British ground in Africa, proclaim the liberty of the subject.

Extract of a Letter from his Excellency the Governor of Sierra Leone, addressed to the Secretary of the African Institution, dated Government House, 6th March, 1818.I shall avail myself of an early opportunity to forward the return of the schools. The number of scholars of both sexes in the country towns has increased, and the grand total of men, women, boys, and girls, now attending schools on the Peninsula, does not fall short of two thousand. The inhabitants the colony have so very frequently experienced the interest the friends of Africa take in their prosperity, that I feel it a most pleasing part of my duty to be enabled to prove, by incontrovertible documents, the very great improvement in the commercial importance of this colony. The enclosed returns prove, that during the year 1817, the amount of merchandise imported into the colony exceeds that of 1816, by 39,2861, and the number of vessels fourteen. I doubt not but you will observe with pleasure, that this increase is on the British goods. The prospect of our export for the present year is highly flattering, the wood for ship-building having been so successfully tried in the Royal dock yard. One vessel has already sailed, in January (the Pyrences:) the brig Mary sails this day with the same: the Magdalene is loaded in the harbour, on the point of sailing: the ship Preston is loading near Bance Island: several vessels are expected. The rice harvest has been abundant: preparations are making for cleaning that article, so as to render it fit for the West-India market; and if the experiments of rice mills, which I understand are now making at home, should succeed, I have no doubt but from the neighbourhood of the very colony, so frequently traduced, a great proportion, if not the whole, of our West-India Island, could be supplied with food procured by British merchants, and with goods the produce of the mother country, or of her East-India empire,--and the adjoining rivers would thus be amply repaid for giving up the slave-trade.

Comparative Statement of the Number of Vessels entered at Custom House, Free Town, Sierra Leone, and the Amount of Imports per said Vessels, for the undermentioned periods.PERIOD. No. ofInvoice amountInvoice amountTotalREMARKS.Vesselsof Imports ofof ForeignInvoiceentered. British Goods,Goods, per saidamount of per saidVessels.Imports Vessels.per said Vessels.

L. s. d. L. s. d L. s. d.From3028,019 5 11 3-4 8034 3 136,053 9 0 Four of Dec. 6,3-4these 1815,vessels to Dec.landed 9,no 1816.cargo. From4467,656 23 1-4 7683 9 9 1-275,339 12 0 Two of Dec.3-4these 10,vessels 1816,landed to Nov.no 22,cargo. 1817.Increase in the latter period, of fourteen vessels, and L.39,2863s. 0d. Sterling Imports.Custom House, Free Town.(Signed)J. REFFELL, Collector.Sierra Leone, 1st January, 1818.

EXPORTS for the Year commencing 1st January, and ending 31st December, 1817.Custom House, Free Town, Sierra Leone, (Signed) J. REFFEL, Collector.1st January, 1818.

ACCOUNT of the Captured Negroes in the Colony of Seirra Leone.(Signed)C.M'CARTHY.

Lists of Members and Subscribers to the several Societies.Members of the Maryland Auxiliary Society for Colonizing the Free People of Colour, with their own consent, established in the City of Baltimore.OFFICERS.Col. John Eager Howard, President.Gen. Robert Goodloe Harper,)Gen. William H. Winder,)Vice Presidents.Hon. Ch. Justice Brice,)Luke Tiernan, Treasurer.Edward J. Coale, Secretary.MANAGERS.Rev. James Inglis, D.D.Col. John Spear Smith. Philip E. Thomas.Peter Hoffman.John B. Morris.Isaac M'Kim.Maxwell M'Dowell, M.D.MEMBERS FOR LIFE.Dolls Isaac M'Kim, subscribed300 John Eager Howard,200 Robert Gilmor,200 Thomas Ellicott,100 Alexander M'Donald, 100 John N. D'Arcy, and Henry Didier,100 Charles Carrol, of Carrolton,100 Thomas Tenant,100 Peter Hoffman,100 John Hoffman, 100 George Hoffman,100 Alex. Fridge and--Morris, 100 James W. M'Culloch, 100 James Campbell, James Ritchie, and John Oldfield, 100 Amos A. Williams,100Roswell L. Colt,80 Nathaniel F. Williams,50 Mr. Von Capf,50 J.J. Cohen, jr.50 John Purviance,50 Richard Caton, 50 William and N. Tyson,50 Luke Tiernan,500132133Dolls William Tyson, 50 Andrew Ellicott,50 James Ellicott,50 Hugh Thompson, 50 John M'Henry,50 Philip E. Thomas,50 Evan Thomas,50 J.B. Morris,35 Robert Goodloe Harper,30 Wilson, Mullikin, & Co.50 MEMBERS NOT FOR LIFE.Benjamin Ellicott, 25 years,25 Samuel Hollingsworth, do.25 Ashton Alexander, 15 years,15 Isaac Burneston, do. 15 George T. Dunbar, 20 years,20 Isaac Tyson, do20 Francis Forman, do.20 Elisha N. Browne, 5 years,5 Thomas P. Baker, do.5 Eli Clagett, do.5 Evan Ellicott, 10 years,10 Wm. R. Gwynn, do.10 John Hughes, do.10 --Tompkins, do.10 Edward Harris, 5 years,5 Benjamin Hodges, do.5 Wm. Landsdale, do.5 Edward J. Coale, do.5 Gerard T. Hopkins, 11 years,11 William Hopkins, do. 11 Talbot Jones, 5 years,5Walter Jenkins, do.5 Bolton Jackson, do.5 Amos James,do.5 D. Karrick,do.5 George Law,do.5 Isaac M'Pherson,do.5 Col. M'Laughlin,do.5 Robert Oliver,do.5 John Oliver,do.5 Nicholas Popplein,do.5 William Patterson,do.50133134Dolls Jos. W. Patterson,5 years,5 John Reese,do.5 John Spear Smith,do.5 Resin D. Sheppard,do.5 James Sterret,do.5 Beall D. Stinchcomb,do.5 A.W. Williamsdo.5 Thomas Walsh,do.5 D. Whiteford,do.5 Samuel Winchester,da.5 Dr. John E Cooke,do.5 James Harwood,do.5 Wesley Starr,do.5 John Durham,do.5 S.K. Jennings,do.5 John Marriott,do.5 Abrahram Worthington, 20 years,20 William Norris, 11 years,11 Leonard Kimball, 10 years, 10 Isaac Phillips, do.10 Henry Thompson, do.10 Cumberland D. Williams, 10 years,10 Dennis F. Magrueder, 10 years,10 List of Subscribers and Members of the Society, at Washington. MEMBERS FOR LIFE.Dolls.John Marshall, Chief Justice, U.S.30Bushrod Washington, Mount Vernon, Va. 100 Charles Marsh, Woodstock, Vermont,30 Elias B. Caldwell, Washington,30 George Peter, Maryland,30 John Laird, Georgetown, D.C.30 F.S. Key,do.30 Edward Colston, Berkly county, Virginia.30 C.F. Mercer, London county,do.30 Wm. H. Fitzhugh, Fairfax county, do.50 H. Clay, Lexington, Kentucky,30 J.C. Herbert, Maryland,30 William Thornton, Washington,300134135Dolls. Robert Ralston, Philadelphia, Pa.100 Samuel Archer,do.50 J. Mason, Georgetown, D.C. 30Wm. H. Crawford, Georgia,30 J.T. Shaaf, Georgetowm, D.C. (deceased)30 H.H. Chapman, Annapolis,30 John Hartwell Cocke, New Canton, Va.30 William Garnett, Essex county, Va.50 Henry Foxall, Georgetown, D.C.50 ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS.Dolls.Dolls. Th. Henderson,5John Yerby,5 John Lockerman,5William Morton5 James Laurie,5James Melvin, jr.5 H. Carrol,5Dr. George Clarke,5 David Walker, of Ky.5Wm. Hawley,5 Robert Munro,5Dan. Bussard,5 Thos. Dougherty,5Dr. N. Magruder, 5 W.G. Blount, 5W.S. Lipscomb,5 Robert Dick, 1Thomas L. McKenny,5 Henry Ashton,1Walter Smith,5 William Yeates,1Robert Ould,5 E. Riggs,5John Kurtz,5 R. Thomas,1John Peter,5 Alex. M'Williams,1L. Mackall,5 Samuel Whitcomb, jr.1T.T. Gantt,15 James Riley, 5Wm. Marbury,10Alexander M'Donald,Darius Clagett, 10 G. Duvall, As. J.S.C.U.S.5Mrs. Custis, Arlington,10 Peter H. Wendover,10T. Corcoran,10 -----Condit, of N. Jersey,1Wm. Ryland,10 Carr Bowers, Va.5Isaac Owens,10 John Woodside,3Daniel Renner,10 David English,5John Barnes,10 J. Leander Catheart,5Robert Monroe,10 James Dunlop,5Washington Bowie,10 Wm. B. Randolph,5Samuel L. M'Kenny,100135136Dolls. Dolls. Richard Thomson,10James Carnahan,2 William Lang,2John Underwood,1 John Lutz,2James Laurie,3 Wm. Clagett, 2 Dan. H. Haskill,1 James J. Johnson,2 W.D. Addison,3 John D. Scott,2J. Estabrook,1 Richard Davis,2Horton Howard,1 N.R. Fitzhugh,1O.B. Brown,2 William Good,1Rich. Potts, Fredericktown, 1 John Clark, York Co. Pa. 1Andrew Coyle,1 T.G. Addison, Jun. 1Jonathan Elliot, 1 Burrell Basset,1William Hawley,5 Samuel Moore,1Augustus L. Chapin,1 George Clark,1William Morton, sen.1 E.H. Lee,2William Morton, Jun.1 Robert Dick, 1Isabella Morton, 1 Miss Ann Lingan,4Marian Morton,1 Joseph Thaw, 1Laurence W. Morton,1 Thomas Thorpe.1Adeline Morton,1 Mathew Hines,1Mary P. Morton,1William Whann,10John Morton,1 William Yates,2Rev. Dr. Stephen Balch,1John M'Clelland,5Walter Jones,1 James M'Cleary,1Members and Subscribers of the Auxiliary Colonization Society, taken at Annapolis, January, 1819.MEMBERS.Dolls.Dolls. Charles GoldsboroughHenry H. Harwood,20Gonvernor of Md.20Daniel Janifer, 20 Wm. Kilty, Chan. of Do. 20Clem. Dorsey,20Henry Maynadier,20George C. Washington, 20 John Pinkney,20E.R. Wilson,20 Benjan. Harwood,20Samuel Claggett,20 Hen. H. Chapman,20R.B. Taney,20 Dr. John Ridgeley,20Virgil Maxcy.20 0136137ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS.Dolls.Dolls.Jeremiah T. Chase,10Sam. Maynard,1 Samuel Ridout,10R.M. Chase,1 Eaniel Murray,10Thomas Franklin, 1 Thomas Chase,5Benjamin Pindle, 1 Wm. Spencer, 5James Hunter,1 Wm. Charmichael,5Wm. M'Parlin,1 George D. Pamham,5N.J. Watkins,1 Joseph Cresap,5George Shaw,1 Levin Gale,5Henry L. Davis,1 Peter Emerson,5Jonas Green,1 George B. Jackson, 5James Boyle,5 Wm. Hughlett,5William Brown,1 James Somerville,5Walter Cross,1 H. Brawner,3John Barber,1 Thos. C. Worthington.2Jon. Weedon,1 David Patton,2Lewis Neth,2 Thos. B. Hinson,2Thomas Furlong,1 David Mackey,2Francis Welch,1 Thomas Frazier,1Adam Miller,1 Ezekiah Linthicum, 1John Miller,1 N. Goldsborough,1John Hyde, 1 Thomas Blackstone, 1Wm. R. Thomson,1 B.J. Heard,1James Iglehart,1 James Tidball,1H.G. Munro,1 Addison Ridout,1Wrightson Bryan, 1 John Shaw,2George Macubin,1 James B. Steele,1Elizabeth Maynadier,1 Thomas H. Bowie,1Eliza Maynadier, 1 Donations subscribed by the Ladies of Annapolis.Dolls.Dolls. Elizabeth Lloyd,5Mrs. Crab, 5Elizabeth Worthington,5Mrs. Welsh,5 N. Carroll,5Elizabeth Sco10 Mrs. Neth,5E. Maynadi 5 Mrs. M'Tavish,5Mrs. Ta5 Miss Chase,5Mrs.Brice, 5 Ann Ridgely, 5Miss M. Tilghman 5 Harriett Ridgely,5Mrs. Bowie,5 0137138List of the officers of the Annapolis Auxilary colonization Society.President, J.T. Chase,1st Vice-President, Wm. Kilty,2nd Thomas Blackistone,3rd Wm. Spencer,4th Peter Emerson,5th C. Dorsey,6th Dr. Thomas Johnson,7th Wm. Hayward,8th James Murray,9th Benjamin W. Lecompte,10th John Moffat,11th Wm. D. Digges,12th Wm. R. Stuart,13th Ephraim K. Wilson,14th R. B. Taney,15th Charles S. Sewall,16th William Hughlett,17th Thomas Kennedy,18th George C. Washington,19th James Tidball,A.C. Magruder, Secretary,Jonathan Pickney, Treasurer,John Brewer, Recorder.BOARD OF MANAGERS.Rev. H.L. Davis, Daniel Murray,Rev. John Gist,Virgil Maxcy,H. Maynadier,John Stephen,Jeremiah Hughes, Nicholas J. Walkins. James Boyle,George Shaw,Fran. Hollingsworth,Dr. Dennis Claude. List of the Officers of the New-York Auxiliary Colonization Society.Col. Henry Rulgers, President,John R.B. Rodgers, M.D.)David Bethune, )Vice Presidents.Rev. Alexander McLeod, D.D.) 0138139Jonathan Goodhue, Treasurer,G.N. Bleecker, Corresponding Secretary,John B. Beck, M.D. Recording Secretary.OTHER MANAGERS.Rev. John B. Romeyn,Mr. John Adams,Rev. James Milnor,Mr. George Griffin, Mr. John Griscom,Mr. William Colgate, Mr. Joseph Smith,Mr. William B. Crosby, Mr. Najah Taylor,Mr. George Gallagher. Mr. George P. Shipman,The following lists of subscribers have been received since the first edition of this report. The societies of Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Chappel Hill, North-Carolina; of Fredericksburgh, London, and Fairfax, Virginia, have not yet made their returns.

The subscriptions of the southern States are merely such as were obtained by the agent, at the time of organizing socities, and by no means show the extent to which they will be carried.

In the next annual report full returns of the subscribers and officers will be obtained from all the societies.

The numbers of societies now in existence is twenty, and many others are expected to be organized in the course of the present year.List of Subscribers to the Auxiliary Society of Frederick county, Virginia.Nathaniel Burwell, President.Augustine C. Smith, Secretary.Obed Waite, Treasurer.Rev. Alexander Balmain, )Rev. William Hill, )Rev. William Meade,)Managers.Rev. George Reid,)Hon. Robert White, )Hon. Hugh Holmes,) 0139140List of Donations, payable in five annual instalments.Dolls Dolls.Nathaniel Burwell,500James M. Hite, 100 Philip Burwell,500John Kerfoot,100 Rev. William Meade,500James Sowers,100 Richard K. Meade,500William Mitchell,100 David Meade,500Robert Berkeley,100 John Milton,500James Davis,100 William Carnegy, 500Stephen Davis, 100 Hon. Hugh Holmes,200Judith Blackburn,100 Oliver Funston,200Rev. William Hill,50 James Ship,200Hon. Robert White,50 Susan Meade,100Obed Waite,50 Mary Meade,100James Baker,50 Lucy Meade,100Edward Smith,50 Rev. Alex. Balmain,100Joseph Fauntleroy,100 Daniel Lee,100Fielding Towers,50 Mrs. Page, of Fairfeild,100Philip Nelson, donation,100 Mrs. Norris,100Adam Bootyon, do.10 William Hay, sen.100We the subscribers to the Milledgeville Colonizing Society promise to pay the several sums annexed to our names agreeable to the terms there mentioned.ANNUALLY, FOR FIVE YEARS.Dolls.Dolls. Wm. Rabun, donation,50E.B. Jones, 5 Geo. R. Clayton,10William Lewis,5 Joel Crawford,10James Stanford,5 Daniel Sturges,10Wm. D. Tarratt,5 John Lucas, 10P. Tarratt, 5 James Glenn,10Wm. Turner,10 John B. Hines,10Hines Holt,20 Wm. H. Crenshan,10Henry Darnell,10 Walter Jones,10Richard Morgan,10 Thompson Bird,10Bem. Bowe,5 Arthur Ginn,10Tho. N. Baxter,5 Charles T. Paine,5Littleton Atkinson,5 H. Craft,5Peter Gent, 5 Solomon Belton,10John Clark,10 Myles Greene,10Seaton Grantland, 5 Wm. C. Redding,5E. Shakelford, jr.2 Alexander Greene.5Charles F.N. Betton,5 0140141List of Subscribers to the Augusta Auxiliary Society.Yrs. Dls.Yrs. Dls. J. Walker,525John Campbell,110 J. H. Montgomery,510Hugh Nesbit,110 R.H. Wilde,510John Moore, 110 Edward F. Campbell,525John Carmichael,110 Richard Tubman,520Samuel Hale,125 Charles Labuzard,510J.C. Clemn, 15 William Cumming,525W. Jones,15 Ralph Thomas,110H. Welsh,25 Augustin Slaughter,525W. Micon,25 Anderson Watkins,525R.V. Marye, 15 M.C. Leavensworth, 110Thomas H. Penn,15 Nicholas Ware,110W. Hobby,15 L.C. Cantelon,110James Fraser,110 List of Subscribers in Savannah, Georgia.ANNUALLY, FOR THREE YEARS.Dolls.Dolls. James M. Wayne,20Theodore Barton, 20 John Anderson,20Hazen Kimball, 1 year, 20 J.C. Dumming, 5 years,20Johnathan Meigs, do.20 Joseph Cumming,20Richard Habersham, do. 20 Oliver Sturgess,20I.B. Read, 20 John P. Williamson,20A.G. Semms,20 William Taylor,20F.R. Gray, 20David Leion,20Anthony Bartley, 20 Robert Habersham, 20I. Waldbury,20 Archibald Smith,20Henry Katlock,20 Edward F. Tatnel, 20Charleston, South Carolina.ANNUALLY, FOR FIVE YEARS.Dolls. Dolls. Christopher Gadsden,50Mr. Poinsett, donation,50 William Smith,50Mr. Gibbs, 30 0141142Additional Subscribers, City of Washington.Dolls. Dolls.Hon. Wm. H. Crawford,Wm. Waters, esq.5 second donation,50Mr. Briscoe,2 B. G. Orr, esq.20Mr. Thaw,Gen Parker, 10Mr. Hines,2 Gen. Van Ness,20Mr. Hutchinson,2 Wm. Wirt, esq.10William A. Scott, 1 B. L. Lear, esq.10A Young Man,5 T. Munroe, esq.10Strother Helm, Va.5 Maj. Van De Venter,5Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer,Mr. Lee,5Alexandria, 5 Mrs. Henrietta Elzey,5Mr. Dandridge, do30 J. K. Paulding, esq.3Fifty dollars have also been received from M. Hyde de Neuville, the French Minister to this country. And a second donation of one hundred and fifty dollars from Gen. John H. Cocke, of Virginia.Report of the Rev. William Meade, to the Managers of the American Colonization Society, relating to a journey through the southern states.

Gentlemen: You have already received, and laid before the public, my letter, written from Milledgeville, stating the arrangements made in behalf of the Africans, for whose relief I was specially sent to that place. I will only add, that they are now placed in such a situation as to incur no further expense, and are awaiting the issue of a trail pending between the claimants and the state, the result of which, it is confidently believed, will throw them into the arms of a benevolent society or of a just government, to be restored to their native land.

The interposition of the Society, which seemed to some of our friends not justifiable by the state of its funds, but which was nevertheless undertaken in a spirit of faith and charity, proved itself to be a most opportune and favourable circumstance. It attracted public attention by its novelty, excited public feeling by its humanity, and gave assurance to the world that our Society was about to do something. This was the commencement of a new era; hope was roused 0142143in the hearts of the humane and pious, that Africa was now about to receive good instead of evil from our country-men. Some, indeed, who had but little hope of success of our general enterprise, declared their willingness to contribute for the ransom of these; and a few, who intended to have become purchasers at their sale, expressed a pleasure at the thought of their restoration to Africa, and proved their sincerity by uniting with the society at Milledgeville. To this auspicious commencement do I ascribe more than half the success which attended my subsequent efforts.

It becomes me, while on this subject, to mention, that there are some hundreds of these unfortunate beings in Georgia, held by individuals throughout the state, to be returned to the governor in case of their condemnation; in which event, they will belong to the Society, on the same terms with those at Milledgeville. The individuals who claim them profess to be agents for Spanish merchants in the Havana or elsewhere, who maintain that the American officers seized them contrary to the laws of nations. Out of four or five cargoes thus brought in, surely the claims of humanity will be able to defeat some, at least, of the cruel attempts of fraud and oppression. The formation of three auxiliary societies under the direction of the first citizens of the state, will surely have a happy effect in urging the excution of all our laws against the horrid trade in human beings, which heretofore has been carried on by abandoned wretches, hovering along the coast, and smuggling them into the interior.

My appearing in behalf of the Africans, on the day of sale, produced a very desirable effect upon the citizens of Milledgeville and the surrounding country. Many of them came and offered their services in any way which could be available to the object of my visit, and assured me, that there were many others, in all parts of the state, who would cheerfully co-operate with the society in all its designs.

The method which pursued in Milledgeville, and in all the other places where societies were organized, was to spend a few days in visiting the citizens, paying all the respect which, in an affair of this general nature, is due to age office, wealth, and influence, to converse freely with them, and leave for their perusal such proclamations as I had with me; then to spend one or two days in carrying about a subscribers, to call a meeting and organize a society. In each place where I succeeded in establishing societies, I continaed my own personal application for subscriptions, until twelve hundred dollars were on the paper, as 0143144donations or annual subscriptions; after which, I left it in the hands of the managers, to conduct in such a manner as should seen best to them.

The second auxiliary society was formed at Augusta, where I pursued the same plan; where the first citizens, in office, talents, wealth, and influence, lend their aids, and were chosen to preside over its management. It is also due to the citizens of that place to mention, that only a few weeks before my arrival, they had contributed between two and three thousand dollars as a donation to a certain number of free negroes, who had been obliged to leave the place by a late law of that state. From Augusta I proceeded to Savannah, where the same favourable feeling existed, and where, without difficulty, subscriptions were obtained, a constitution adopted, and a day appointed for the choice of officers and managers. While in this place, I held a conversation, in the presence of several of the citizens, with four of the free people of colour, who were recommended for their intelligence, good character, and influence. Having heard me explain our views--having listened to some passages from Mill's journal and Paul Cuffe's letters, and asked some very sensible questions, they said, that this was a very different account from what they had heard of our Society; that they expected to be forced away, and to a place not calculated to better their condition, and not provided with a suitable protection. They had no idea that it was the offspring of piety and benevolence, and intended for their real benefit. They expressed it as their decided opinion, that if such were our views, and such was the country, many of their brethren would go. I gave them one of our reports, which they wished to read, saying, that they would take pains to give their brethren correct views of the whole matter. One of them observed, that he really believed this thing was of God, and, though there might seem many hardships about it, yet, if God undertook it, it would easily be done.

I passed from thence to Charleston, arriving there rather too soon for a favourable attempt in that place. Some of the most influential citizens had not yet returned from their country residence, whose advise and presence it was deemed proper to have. Very few appeared to have given much attention to the subject, and the friends of the measure, of whom there were some very zealous, thought it best that I should not attempt a regular organization of a society at that time, but only circulate subscription papers among its friends, and leave it to them to form a society at a more convenient period. I deemed it proper to follow their advice, especially 0144145as I had only a few days to spend in the place. Although no regular society was formed, yet were my hopes of success to the general scheme much increased by several circumstances which occurred during the short time of my stay in that place. I was informed, that two or three pious negroes were much disposed to go as missionaries to Africa, and wished to see me; accordingly, a meeting was appointed at the house of one of the citizens. On going, I found seven; explained to them our designs and prospects, and, before I was half done, three declared their final determination to go over as colonists, saying that it was no sudden thing with them, that they had been thinking, praying, and conversing on this subject for some time, and were willing to go, as servants of God, to the land of their forefathers. I was happy to learn their characters were without reproach, and that they enjoyed the esteem and confidence of both classes of the community. Another meeting was proposed by them, when at least twenty of the most respectable and intelligent of the town assembled. Myself and the gentlemen with me were equally surprised and delighted at the good sense, piety, sagacity, and information, manifested in all their remarks, questions, hopes and fears, as expressed on that occasion. They regarded it as a glorious work for their posterity, and said, they had no doubt, if things were properly explained, a suitable preparation made in Africa, and right measures pursued, that members would go. On the next morning, I was called on by an old free man of colour and his son-in-law, whose information added no little confirmation to my hopes. The son-in-law, whose name is Holman, is the son of an Englishman who married an African woman, and settled in South Carolina on the Santee. He had two sons and three daughters: the sons were sent to England to be educated, and from thence went to Africa, lived at Rio Pangas, and were concerned in the slave-trade. The one of whom I am now speaking seems to have a just abhorence of that trade, having relinquished it many years since; he has frequently been in this country, where he married, and is now here awaiting the issue of a suit on which a considerable amount depends, and means, as soon as it is over, to remove to Sierra Leone, and there settle himself as a merchant. He has a correspondence between himself and governor M'Carthy as to the terms on which he and any American negroes might settle at Sierra Leone: he is well acquainted at that place,and also at Sherbro: his accounts agree perfectly with those of our agents relative to these two places. He was there when our agents visited that country, and has seen, within the last eight months, those 0145146whom Paul Cuffe carried there, and says they are all well and satisfied.

What is still more favourable to all our views, is, that since he has been in Charleston, many have applied to him to join in an expendition to Africa; I think he said at least forty; and he declares his willingness to afford them all he the aid in his power. He has promised, from time to time, to inform me of his movements, and the probable time of his departure.

I must here beg leave to mention, of the gratification of the pious an and humane, and in justice to the character of the place, that I never yet have seen any town to the south of this where as much attention was paid to the moral and religious culture of the black people: their attendance in the church where I was invited to officiate, (and it was the same, I was told, in all the others,) was truly grateful to the soul of the christian. The aisles, and other places in the church set apart from them, were filled with young and old, decently dressed, and many of them having their prayer books, and joining in all the responses of the church. Such a state of things as this must surely favour the success of the objects of our society. I must also beg leave to add a general remark concerning the whole southern country, in which I am justified by the repeated assurances of the most pious and benevolent, that the condition of the negroes is greatly ameliorated in every respect. As to food, raiment, houses, labour, and correction, there is yearly less and less over which religion and humanity must lament.

I shall now proceed in my statement by mentioning that, on my arrival at Georgetown, which was the next place I visited I found the citizens just breaking up for the summer, and retiring to more healthy abodes. I, however, saw eight or ten of the most wealthy and influential, and obtained assurances of their cordial co-operation. A few subscription papers were headed, and several gentlemen promised to make good use of them during the summer, and on their return in the fall to meet and organize a society.

I proceeded thence to Fayetteville, where all the citizens were prepared for co-operation; I had only to go to their houses, and take down down their names. Here also I conversed with a number of the free people, who took the same interest in the measure as in other places, and expressed their belief that, if the colony was established, there would be no difficulty in getting them to go. They proposed to me to let them publish the second annual report I carried with me, for the benefit of their brethren who were scattered through their state, and even afford to subscribe to the society. I 0146147answered them that we had better publish a small pamphlet for their use; and that, if any of their brethren, who were poor, wanted to go, then they, who were better off, might help them.

At Raleigh, I found the same unanimity of sentiment. The supreme court being in session, many of the judges and lawyers were collected from the different parts of the state, who cordially joined in the society, and testified to the general prevalence of good will to it throughout the state. At a meeting for forming a constitution, the highest talents, authorities, and wealth of the state were present, and unanimously sanctioned the measure.

I also paid a visit, while at Taleigh, to Chapel Hill, the seat of their university, about twenty-eight miles distant, where the annual commencement of the students assembled trustees and ministers of religion from different places, whose influence it was desirable to obtain. I was happy to find the same feeling here, and that a small society had already been formed. I obtained assurances from two or three gentlemen that they would endeavour to forward all our views in the neighbourhoods where they resided, by the establishment of auxiliary societies, in which they thought they could succeed.

It was my wish and intention to have visited the town of Wilmington and Newbern, but the want of a public conveyance prevented; and the friends of our scheme, who dwell there, will, I hope, do all that is needful to make up this unavoidable neglet.

In passing through the towns of Camden and Columbia, on my way to the south, I spent a day in each place, and was assured by some of the leading persons and the ministers of the gospel, that they would not neglect to afford their cooperation to this most useful work. From this journal it will appear that there are six organized societies in the Carolinas and Georgia, and ten or twelve other places where societies will be formed, or some measures pursued for aiding the American Society. The amount of subscriptions which were made to the agent himself, were from seven to eight thousand dollars; about one-third of which will be due the ensuing fall. It may be asked if the measure be so important; if it has so much of the public favour; if large sums be required to execute it, why were not greater subscriptions obtained? Sufficient reason can be give given for this. In the first place, the pecuniary distress is, by universal consent, greater than ever was known; a deep gloom hangs over every city; each man seemed in a state of awful suspense, 0147148not knowiing how soon himself might be affected. I was told an hundred times that no other cause but this would elicit any thing; and that to this, at any other times, there would have been a much more generous contribution.

Another reason operating against us is, that for the last year or two, more has been spent in the erection of churches, the promotion of religious and charitable objects, in all the places I visited, than at any previous period; so that the funds of charity were, in a measure, exhausted. Another cause is, that a very reasonable opinion was entertained that the general government would soon take up the measure, and that it was only required of individuals and societies to make a commencement--give an impulse to public feeling, and impress a suitable character upon the colony, and afterwards aid in the promotion of all its benevolent designs towards Africa; and lastly, that there would be societies formed throughout every state, and that individuals of piety and benevolence would, from all parts of the Union, contribute to its useful design, Such are the reasons for preventing those who are anxious and desirous of its success, from contributing more largely, as though the success depended upon the liberality of a few.

If I am asked by the board, to what extent the subscriptions now going on at the south will probably be carried, I am utterly unable to answer. I will depend upon the number and active zeal of those who manage it; upon the diligence with which personal applications are made to the citizens throughout the states. But we may be permitted to hope that, as this is a cause of the first magnitude, so it will excite an unusual diligence in those who undertake it.

The report which I have delivered to you, gentlemen, is an uncoloured statement of facts which occurred, and a candid narrative of conversations held with a number of our most intelligent citizens to the south. I have endeavoured to inform myself, as correctly as possible, of the general feeling and opinion in regard to our Society, and the result has been a conviction that, unless a great alteration takes place, or I have been misinformed, it will meet with a liberal support. Our efforts should, in my opinion, be principally directed to the south, and our first colonists should be chosen from thence; because their mode of life, their constitution, and other circumstances in regared to them, will better suit a first establishment on the coast of Africa.

With such hopes and opinions do I return from the mission you were pleased to entrust into my hands; and aim now ready to serve you in any other way which shall seem most conducive to the welfare of the Society.

Resolved, That the Board thankfully acknowledge the late services of their agent, the Rev. Mr. Meade--hereby declare their approbation of his proceedings, and order his report, made to the Board, to be published.

Letters from Africa to Persons of Colour in the U. States.The following letters were written by people of colour who went from this country to Africa. John Kizell is the same person spoken of in the journal of Mr. Mills, and has now resided there near thirty years. The other writers were among those taken out by Paul Cuffe, in 1815. They were born and brought up in the United States, and resided in different parts of the country, and are, therefore, well acquainted with the situation of their brethren here. They have resided in Africa a sufficent time to form a correct opinion of the fitness of Africa for a colony of the people of colour. The opinion of men, who have had such favourable opportunities of judging on this subject, of good character, of intelligence, and who appear to be actuated by a sincere and zealous desire to promote the happiness of their coloured brethren, is certainly entitled to great weight.

William H. Burwell, an enlightened and respectable person of colour, was authorized by Mr. Meade to collect the opinions of the coloured people on the subject of the proposed colony and to collect the names of those who were qualified and would be willing to go out with the first colonists. Burwell travelled from South Carolina to this place, and reports, that wherever the subject is understood by them, they generally approve of the plan; and he has brought the written declarations of a number of them, of good character and respectble standing, most of them men of piety, and many of them men of property, who are anxious to embark with the first colonists. Burwell expressed his earnest wish to go with them. Several letters have been received expressing the same wish, upon being satisfied with the objects and plans of the society. A few thousand dollars are only wanting to commence the colony this fall. These written declarations and letters are too numerous, and many of them came too late for this publication. It is not, however, deemed important to print them. The best evidence, it is hoped, will be the establishment of the colony.

Sierra Leone, 18th May, 1813.To the Brethren generally,

I write these few lines to all at large. I am surprized to hear from brother John Kizell, that he has seen a letter of your publication, in which you oppose the colonizing in Africa; you oppose the coming to a land which your fathers went from. You may be rich, and do you think you will be respected as the real Americans? Do you not know that the land where you are is not your own? Do you not know that you are strangers in that land? Your fathers were carried into that land to increase strangers' treasures, but God has turned it all to good, that you may bring the gospel into your country.

When will you become a nation, if you refuse to come? If you say you refuse to come, I will say to you in the words of Mordecai to Esther,--"Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews. from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed." Think not that you will dwell in fine houses, and feed on the best, and live easy. If you refuse to come and deliver Africa out of darkness, God will send deliverance from another quarter. Who knows, Mr. R--A--, but God has made you a minister to train up young men to be ministers in Africa? I do not speak this to you alone, but to all the brother preachers; for the Lord commands you, saying, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;" and you do refuse to go--only standing and preaching there in America, where there are thousands of ministers, and let the devil have power over your country, and your relations. "He that knows his master's will and does it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." Will you have the goodness to tell me your objections to settling a colony in Africa, to enlighten the Africans at large? The country is a good country. It only wants cultivation and the gospel in it. The people are a very kind speaking people.

Sir, when I set my foot on the African shore, I had only seven and sixpence sterling; now, notwithstanding all my sickness, I am master of a hundred pounds sterling. I think if I had had something to have begun with, I should have had about four or five thousand.SAMUEL WILSON.

Sierra Leone 19th May, 1816.Dearly Beloved Brethren,

I embrace this favourable opportunity to inform you that God has prepared a place for you all, that desire to come to your mother country. The land that is prepared for you is like the land of Canaan, abounding in honey and fruits, fish and oysters, wild fowls and wild hogs. The land is a good land, and then it has a good sea-port for vessels to come into.

Dear brethren, I hope it will be for the glory of God, and the salvation of Africa: you may also improve your talents to the glory of God, and to your own satisfaction. Dear brethren, I wish to remove the dark cloud from you minds concerning Africa. The people are good-tempered and kind. The only thing that Africa wants is the knowledge of God. But, sirs, if you had seen the glory of God displayed as I have, this dark cloud would give away from all your minds in a moment. The greatest experience that I ever heard in this world, was given by a captive man. It is impossible for any man to tell more about Jesus Christ than this man did. He is equal to Paul when he was caught up into the third heavens. This man has been from his native place about two years. I hope, dear friends, the Lord has blessed my labours to the conversion of some souls, within these two years, since I have been in Africa. Remember, dear sirs, that you, like Joseph, have been sold from your birthright; but though Joseph became lord over Egypt, yet he charged his brethren when they should leave Egypt to carry his bones with them. Which of you is lord over America, that you do not want to come to your birth-right? It is the will of God for you to come into the possession of your ancestors. The name of the place is called Sherbro, about one hundred and thirty miles from here. You cannot enjoy yourselves in America as free men. Though there are many good men in America, yet their laws are not in your favour. Perhaps one will say, Why not? I answer, because you are captives in a strange land. This I say, there is no man of colour that can say he is not ashamed in America. To tell the truth, I was once in a church where the first thing I saw was a writing in large letters, "Negroes' Seats." This made me ashamed.

Dear brethren, fear not to come, if the Lord will. When you come out, I hope to be with you, and more besides me, by the permission of God. Dear friends, let this be printed if you please. I remain your sincere friend,PERRY LOCKE.

IIISierra Leone, 21st May, 1813.Dear Friends and Brethren,

"A people scattered and peeled,"--"a nation meted out and trodden under foot."--We who now write unto you are your brethren, who have once laboured under the same trouble as a great many of you now do; but thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, he has delivered us from all that trouble. We must know, brethren, all that has befallen us is of God for our good, that we may bring the gospel into our country. We were not left in darkness as our countrymen were. Brethren, you know the land of Canaan was given to Abraham and to his seed; so Africa was given to our forefathers and to their children. Brethren, you know that Joseph was sold into a strange land wrongfully by his brethren; and, dear friends, you know many of you were sold wrongfully into a strange land:--and you have increased in the land where you are. Word was sent by God unto the children of Israel for them to return into the land of Canaan, and you have the same word sent unto you to return into your own land. The hand of God is in this business. The children of Israel brought the ark of God into their land, and you will bring the gospel into your land. The Levites were set apart among them and you will have young men set apart among you. Now let us follow the word of God. The prophet says, "ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money." Again, in another place, "I will give this people favour in the sight of them, and they will let you go." It is God who has put it into the hearts of these good men to assist you back to your country. Look back, and see if ever such a thing was done as you now see. Be ye thankful to them in America, and be not fearful to come to Africa, which is your country by right. If any of you think it proper not to come, and say it is well with you, you must remember your brethren who are yet in slavery. They must be set free as yourselves. How shall they be made free, if not by your good behaviour and by coming to get a place ready to receive them? Though you are free, that is not your country. Africa, not America, is your country and your home. Africa is a good country. You will have no trouble to raise your children when all things are plenty: you will have no want of warm clothing: you will have no need of fire-wood, for we have it in abundance; and here you will be looked upon like the blessed creatures of the Almighty God, and that bad opinion and contempt which our white brethren harbour, will be quite 0152153done away, and the whole of us will become a large and wonderful nation. We will forget all our former troubles when we return to the land from which our forefathers came. The whole of you will have your own lands and houses; when you cultivate the land, (in which a few horses would be an assistance,) you will be supplied with yams, cassada, plantains, fowls, wild-hogs, deer, ducks, goats, sheep, cattle, fish in abundance, and many other articles, good running water, large oysters. In truth, the whole country would be happy if they had only the gospel in it, to improve the minds of the people. We have travelled up into the country, and have found it to be a very good land, and the inhabitants of it to be a very kind sort of people to strangers. We hope, dear brethren, that you will bring the gospel into this land in its purity and spirit, that the Lord may bless our prosperity. Brethren, the men-stealers are all driven out of the country,* so we have nothing to fear from that quarter. Brethren, we recommend to your approbation, Samuel J. Mills, and Ebenezer Burgess, two worthy ministers whom the good people of America have sent out to seek a place for you. They are men worthy of the station they hold, full of christian love and purity. We are eye-witnesses of their labour for the people. You will therefore please to believe their assertions concerning this great work which the Lord has begun, and we hope, will finish with speed. Now, brethren, we recommend you to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father. Amen.

(Signed)JOHN KIZELL,PETER MITCHELL,WM. MARTIN,PERRY LOCKE,GEO. DAVIS,THO'S WILLIAMS,GEO. LEWISJOHN KIZELL, JR.R. ROBERTSON,POMPEY RUTLEDGE.SAMUEL WILSON,

TABLE OF CONTENTS.Report of the Board of Managers,----9 Extrats of the Rev. S. J. Mills' Journal,----19 Biographical Sketch of John Kizell,-----67 Extracts from the Correspondence of J. Kizell withGov. Columbine,-------69Extracts from works relating to Africa, ----84 Resolution of the General Assembly of Virginia,---94 Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland,---95 Resolution of the Legislature of Tennessee,----95 Report of the Committee of the House of Representatives ofthe United States, April 18, 1818-----96 Address of the Synod of Tennessee,-----100 Extract from the Journal of the Convention of the Prostestant Episcopal Church of Virginia,-----101 Resolution of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Maryland, --104 Resolution of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church,-69 Address from the Presbytery of North Carolina, ---105 Copy of a Letter from T. Jefferson, late Pres. U.S. ---106 Speech of the Hon. H. Clay, before the Society, Jan. 1st, 1818.-108 Extract of a Letter from the Hon. Robert G. Harper,110 Letters, affording proof of the willingness of the Free people of Colour to go to Africa,------114 Negro Settlement in Ohio, ------119 Extracts of Letters from Paul Cuffe,-----120 Sketch of Paul Cuffe's Life and Character,----122 Sketch of Sierra Leone,------123 Maryland Auxiliary Society,------132 Subscribers at Washington, D. C-----134 Annapolis Auxiliary Society------136 Officers of the Annapolis Society,-----138Officers of the New-York Society,-----138 Subscribers of the Auxiliary Society at Frederick county,Virginia--------139 Subscribers to the Milledgeville Society,----140 Augusta,--------141 Savannah,--------141 Charleston, --------141 Additional, at the City of Washington,----142 Address of the Rev. Mr. Meade before the Society142 Letters from Settlers in Sierra Leone, to the U.S.149