back, has been in operation among the great state, and upon our national councils, but also, maritime powers of Europe. Vessels are em- and most powerfully within the borders of the ployed in merchant service, yet built by govern- free states themselves. If, again, this same class ment, frequently commanded by naval officers, were removed from the slave states the effect built in such manner that little alteration will be would be no less beneficial. But no society or required for warlike purposes, and subject, at any association could ever reasonably hope to accommoment to be taken by the government, to meet plish such removal. Not even could it be done existing emergencies. This mode of providing by the General or State Governments. "Coloin time of peace, and at comparatively small ex-nization, to use the language of one of its warmpense, for the emergencies of war, has commend- est friends,* is as utterly incompetent to transport ed itself to Congress, and already seventeen the whole colored population of United States to large vessels, nine of these to run between New York and European ports; five between New York and Chagres; and three between Panama and San Francisco; have been ordered, of this character. It is proposed in the memorial and accompanying report of the committee, that three more be ordered of the same character, to institute a line, making monthly trips to Liberia, touching at various points, in Spain, Portugal, France, England and the West India Islands, carrying mails to and from the U. States, and these various points of communication. In this way, it is hoped to cheapen and shorten the travel from the United States to Liberia; to present inducements to emigration; to obtain the assistance of the General Government, in a constitutional way, and at comparatively small sacrifice or expense, in removing such free blacks as desire it from this country to Africa. Most of this expense, if not the whole, will be covered by freights, passengers and mails; great increase in these being reasonably anticipated as the plan goes into ope

ration.

Africa as it would be to ladle out one of our southern lakes with a kitchen utensil." But such societies may, as in fact they have done, lead the way; may act upon the state or General Governments; may awaken the popular mind; and, as the effect of this, may contemplate the extension of such information and interest as will lead the masses most concerned to act from their own impulses and make emigration from this country to Africa like that from Europe to America, a sweeping, spontaneous and overflowing current:-a current upon which hundreds and thousands are anxiously waiting for means and opportunity to cast themselves; willingly borne to rights, and privileges and positions which, in the land of their nativity, are utterly unattainable. The establishment of this line of steamers would tend to hasten such a state of things. The immense waste of ocean between the two countries would be immeasurably shortened. The regularity of departure and return; the increased facilities of communication by message and by letter; the necessary publicity Such, in its essential features, is the design which would thus be given to Africa and Africau contemplated in the report upon the memorial. affairs; the knowledge of the various avenues The moving impulse to that design is the desire thus laid open to the pariah caste of one country of benefitting the free blacks of this country, of to stations of respectability, and trust, and honor presenting every inducement to this class of our in another, would have no little influence in the population, by which they may be led to emi- same direction. There is now, and we may say grate. To this single great end all these means not unjustly, a feeling of suspicion on the part of must be subservient. It may be desirable to in- many of the free blacks as to the motives leadcrease our available navy. It may be well to ing to this movement. They know that the carry out any of the incidental plans, or to secure whites, as a class, are not particularly fond of any of the inconsiderate benefits involved in the bestowing favors upon them in their present conproposed undertaking. But that undertaking has dition; that they were originally brought here by its point of unity and coherence in the work of oppression. They know that the whites would colonization. And only so far as it furthers this be benefitted by their removal. Many suspect work or promises so to do, does it become a mat-that the Liberia packet unloads at Cuba or Brater of sufficient interest to be seriously investi-zil. And all cannot but know and feel that whatgated. ever other motives may operate the country is Viewed, therefore, as connected with this exceedingly desirous to get rid of them. But let great work, how deeply interesting does it be- these suspicions, in the natural mode which has come, not merely to the statesman or philan-been suggested, be dissipated; let it be seen that thropist, but to every class of our citizens. If while the country is blessing itself it is, also, the colored population of the free states were removed, one element of discord from our country would take its departure with them-an element of mischief, not merely between state and

doubly blessing those whom it sends to build up a country and home for themselves, and we may anticipate a most important change among this Speech of J. H. B. Latrobe, Esq.

thing in his present prospects as contrasted with those which open before him in Africa, showing those benefits to be of a permanent character? In looking at these questions we feel that we are dealing with a great subject. We would desire

giving correct information in view of which any opinion may be formed, of placing before our readers the facts and reasons which, as we conceive, should induce every good man who loves his country and his kind to bid God-speed to this and all its cognate undertakings.

class, both of opinion and of action. Let it be real friends as a desirable one? Is there any clearly understood that Africa is the land for the black man; that there he may develope powers for the highest purposes which are here expended in pilfering and shoe-cleaning and wood-sawing; render the mode of egress easy; shorten the time of transit; let the emigrant-usually uned- to appreciate the responsibility of seeking and ucated-feel that he is not going to the very ends of the earth, from which there is little or no hope of return, but only a few weeks or days journey; let him feel that he is not going out of the great highway of the travelling world; that any time he may come back, or easily have communication with those left behind, One of the first points presenting itself is that and most of the obstructious and difficulties which has regard to the present condition of the in the path of that emigrant would be removed. free black in the United States, socially and poIf the popular mind could be made to realise litically, as contrasted with that of the Liberian that the journey to Africa is very little more citizen. This present condition, it is well known, than that from New York to Liverpool, that it is of a most painful and anomalous character. does not involve one fifth the risk and danger of In the free states they are socially and politically that up or down the Mississippi, or across to degraded, having legal rights which they are not Oregon or California; if this, which in reality is the correct impression, were made, what a difference would there be in the tide of emigration. Where there are now units, there would then be tens and hundreds gladly bidding farewell to this their land of nominal freedom but of real servitude and debasement, for one of liberty and respectability.

permitted to exercise; the increase in the number of white laborers and the tendency of public sentiment being to the increase of such debasement and degradation. In the slave states the large number are merely the corrupters of the slave population, deprived, as at the North, of of political and social equality, and in the few individual cases of industrious and thrifty habits, confined to certain occupations as near servitude

Now these results, as we have said, will be hastened by the proposed line of communication. as possible. Without yet saying any thing of The monthly departure of the packet, the regu- the country to which it is proposed they shall larity both of departures and returns will bring emigrate, we may not hesitate to assert that here the matter in a tangible form before the public they occupy a most undesirable position: incamind. Interest will be excited and information pable of rising and daily sinking to a lower state diffused. Not merely the intelligent public, of misery and debasement. but the masses, the free colored population, will be led to the formation of correct views; will be led to see and understand the real facts of the case; from this understanding will be led to action.

There is nothing to prevent an Irishman," it has been truly said,* "from becoming Lord High Chancellor of England. There is nothing which will enable the negro to be any thing more than what one of their own color described, as nothing better And this brings up one or two questions of no than a clever negro.' Ten years ago there was little interest as connected with this whole sub- not a stevedore upon Fell's Point that was not a ject. This proposition of which we have spoken, black man. There is now not a stevedore there to be seen in its full proportions, must be looked who is not a white man. Ten years ago there at in connection with what has gone before, as was not a laborer in the coal yards of Baltimore well as with what we hope in the good Provi- who was not a black man, now there is not a dence of God will come hereafter. It is one black man in those yards. In the rural district step forward to be understood by others that in which I reside, in summer, ten years ago, 1 have preceded it, and if now made unsuccess- could not get a white man to work for me, now fully must be renewed in the same or in some I cannot get a black man, What becomes of other way until the great end in view is fully ac- the black man? He is gradually being driven to complished. It suggests the enquiry supposing the wall,' even when disposed to labor. And the United States to be thus benefitted, by the what is the natural result? Crime, moral and proposed emigration of the free blacks, will this social debasement." "Look at the daily reports removal be of benefit to the emigrants them-of trials before our criminal courts, and who are selves? Is there any thing in the country, its climate, its resources, which would indicate such a movement to the intelligent emigrant or to his!

VOL. XVII-82

the subjects of them? Why a vast majority are free people of color, although the free people of *Speech of Mr. Latrobe, American Col. Soc. Meeting.

66

color in comparison to the total aggregate of the isting, and in all likelihood, permanently to exwhites of this city are only one fourth." Facts ist, in that distracted island. Whether Hayti clearly demonstrate that in the State of Penn- itself, will not prove an illustration, before the sylvania the proportion of criminals among the close of another century, as to the impossibility blacks is so great that although the white popu- of white and black communities living together, lation in 1830 was one million, three hundred or in the same immediate neighbourhood, may thousand, and the colored population only thirty- well be doubted. The fact now seems evident, eight thousand, yet the number of prisoners in that it must be " nigros toto orbe divisos;” that the three penitentiaries of the State was nearly if the free black is to have a fair chance of develequally divided between the blacks and whites." opement as a social, moral, or intellectual being, Facts like these certainly require nothing in the he must have this chance among his equals :— way of comment as sustaining our position. must be delivered from the depressing and overshadowing influence of a superior class: a class regarding itself in this light, which he has been educated to regard in the same light, also. We are not now speaking of the origin, the propriety, or justice of such feelings. They may be altogether, so far as our purpose is concerned, the effect of prejudice and education; may be highly improper. With this we have nothing here to

But it is not merely important, at the present time, that this state of things should be known, and the necessity of removal somewhere be felt, but it should, also, be seen and felt, why Africa, rather than any other spot, has been selected for this purpose. It should be understood that the prospect of success is not only greater there than elsewhere, but that if there be failure in Africa, there is little or no hope in other directions. In do. We only affirm, what cannot be denied, other words, that this is not one point, selected that such feelings exist; that upon one of these out of many, all equally desirable, or nearly so, classes they have a most depressing influence: but the only one at which success may be anti- an influence and feeling not to be argued away, cipated. There are some remarkable facts for- by showing that they are not founded in juscing us to this conclusion. Africa was not the tice or reason. Just as the shoot to be developed first spot selected for this experiment. For a into the full grown tree, must be removed from long time the unoccupied public lands were the shadow of the parent trunk, so must the Afthought of for this purpose. Again, it was pro- rican, for his developement, escape this overposed to purchase territory from some of the shadowing influence to which he is now subjecpowers of Europe, having control in South Ame- ted. And no spot on earth but the home of bis rica. Then, again, the West India Islands, Hayti ancestors presents itself as an asylum for this in particular, were thought of for the same pur-purpose. It is a climate unfavourable to the pose. But it has been demonstrated that none physical constitution of the white man, a land of these locations will answer the purpose in- in which African civilization may extend in any tended. The single fatal objection, which applies to the free blacks remaining in the United States, that is, a mixture of races, applies with almost equal force to every portion of the globe, saving that of their ancestors. Without troubling ourselves with the question as to the original equality of the races, we may not hesitate to affirm, that with existing sentiment on both sides, But while it may be true that, all other things where the white and black man come together, being equal, Africa is the point of location for the latter, to use an expression just quoted, this great experiment, that it is the only practi"must go the wall;" must become, as in our cable one presenting itself for this purpose, yet Southern States, the serving, or as in the Nor- there are other things, which require to be conthern States and elsewhere, the Pariah caste of sidered. The condition of the free black in Amerthe community. Such it was soon felt would ica, as we have seen, is by no means a desirable have been the final result in case of their settle- one. The flood of European emigration, which ment upon the unoccupied Western lands. Such is throwing into the market such an immense would have been the case wherever the two races were brought in contact: the anomalous instance of Hayti, where success seemed most probable, and where this objection did not apply, being neutralised by the state of things then ex

* Speech of Mr. Clay.

+ Dr. Alexander's History of Colonization.

and every direction without fear of contact or conflict with other races. Or if such conflict ever arise, it will be at such a remote period that the free civilized African will not then be at such a disadvantage; that disenthralled and enlightened, he will be able to meet the white man as an equal.

amount of white labour, is daily making this condition more precarious. But a removal to some points might make it worse even than any thing which is here threatened. We hold that in getting rid of this evil existing in our midst, we should not commit a greater; that in placing the African beyond the depressing circumstances of his present position, he should not be sub

jected to others that are worse. It is doubtless peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, the very desirable that the country should be reliev-cabbage, the cotton plant, pepper, the Palma ed of this class of population; that they should Christi, are some of these productions with which be placed beyond the overshadowing influence we are acquainted; and with the exception of of the other great class. But if we attained the cabbage, which does not succeed as well as these ends by landing them at Behring's Straits, in the United States, are all of good quality, or the Desert of Sahara, it would be thus attain- easily and abundantly raised, in Liberia. Beed, at too great sacrifice. The thing to be sought sides these there are other productions peculiar is not merely a spot to live upon, but one pre- to tropical climates, with some of which we are senting advantages. Such as would render the acquainted, and some of which are only known exchange of positions, in the highest sense of by reports of residents. The orange, the lemon, the word, for the better. the lime, the pine apple, the plantain, the banana, This leads naturally to an inquiry into the re- the tamarind, the pomegranate, the cocoanut, the sources of Liberia and its capability for sustaining coffee berry, the palm nut, the arrow root, are a population. Upon this point we need dwell only among the former of these. While among the for a brief space. In the language of Scripture latter we are told of the nutritious cassada, of it may be said the "earth brings forth by hand- the tarria resembling in taste the Irish potato, the fuls." A country ever verdant, with crops suc-mango plum resembling our peach, the guava ceeding each other through the different seasons, from which the jelly is made, the African cherry with an almost virgin soil, has but little to fear similar to the cranberry, the African peach used in the way of exhaustion, from an industrious for preserves, with several others, such as the population, however numerous, that may be pla- bread fruit, which have been introduced, and ced upon it. "I am decidedly of the opinion," found to succeed, but have not to any great exsays one who lived there for several years, "that tent been cultivated. So far as regards the proswith a cheerful, contented mind, and industrious pect for sustaining a population, by the products habits, colored persons may live more comforta- of the soil, probably no country upon the face of bly and independently in Africa than in the Uni- the earth would afford a better. If there be anyted States. In Liberia as in all new countries"- thing to fear upon this point, it will be the comand we may add in all old countries too-"in- mon temptation of tropical climates, to habits of dustry and perseverance are necessary; and indolence; a temptation arising from the producwhile it offers no encouragement to those who tiveness of the soil, and the great ease with which expect to live in luxurious ease and pampered life is sustained. Upon the score of destitution indolence, yet to the man of enterprise and fru- nothing is to be feared. The country under progality it affords a desirable home, and promises per cultivation will sustain almost any amount a rich reward to his labours."* of population that can be placed upon it.

A brief glance at some of the natural produc- Thus far, we have seen the capability of the tions will enable us to see the correctness of the country for sustaining a population. And thus above statement. Many of these are known far, we exhibit a strong class of motives to the among ourselves, and thus afford us an opportu- mere philanthropist, in favour of colonization. nity for a judgment, as to the point in question. But to the statesman, and especially to those One of the great staples, for instance, upon which who are called to take part in the establishment the African lives and thrives in our Southern of the proposed line of communication, there is States, succeeds well in many portions of Libe- an additional question which must be investigaria. Indian corn, we are told, though not doing ted: that which has reference to the commercial so well every where as in this country, succeeds prospect. Will this prospect warrant the proupon some of the African lands, and gives prom-posed undertaking? Does it warrant the antiise of improvement in quality by cultivation. cipation that Liberian commerce, in time, may Another of these staples, rice, is grown so readily become not only a source of profit to the Libeand with so little labour, that even the natives, rians themselves, but an object of interest to by a few months' labour, raise more than a suf- other countries? ficiency for home consumption. The sweet po- These questions, some well known facts would tato, almost the staff of life, to some portions of seem to indicate, may be safely answered in the population in lower Virginia and North Carolina, affirmative. Many of the productions which we may be raised in great abundance, with little have mentioned, are not merely valuable for labour, on almost every variety of soil, at any home consumption, but may easily be exchantime during the year, and in many places, may ged, and with great profit to the native or the be gathered during every month from the same colonists, for articles from abroad, either of luxpiece of land. The yaw, lima beans, black eyed ury or of necessity. "British commerce with * Lugenbeel's Sketches. Africa amounts to no less than £5.000.000, or

+