most adviseable for procuring a territory in Africa, or elsewhere, suitable for the colonization of the free people of Colour? It is said that this Society interferes with the rights, and is subverting the interests of proprietors of slaves. The Society transports only the free. It claims for itself no right, it claims for the Federal Government no right, to compel directly or indirectly a single individual in the United States to emancipate his slaves. The Society has no power; it desires none but its moral influence. Some, perhaps, may think that the expenditures which have been made in establishing the Colony of Liberia, have far exceeded the good which has been attained. And did not thousands who saw the immortal Fulton endeavouring to propel boats by steam, consider the money which his experiments cost, to be wasted? But by what arithmetic shall we calculate the value of the result of these experiments to his country and the world. It is only necessary to consult the statements of the expenditures on account of the Colony of Liberia, that have been regularly laid before the public, to demonstrate the utter fallacy of that reasoning, that, from narrow views and mistaken facts, would attempt to throw a cloud on the management of its concerns. Errors may have been committed, but what great object has ever been effected without their occurrence? It is enough to say, and it may be said with heartfelt satisfaction, that this object, in which glory and utility go hand in hand; this object, of which it is difficult to decide whether beneficence to a degraded race, or the exaltation of national character is its highest illustration, has so far been achieved, at a less expense of blood or money either to the Government or to individuals, than any Colony that has ever been established. Economy should be the concomitant equally of public and private pursuits, and the Managers invite the attention of the public to their disbursements, which, with this view, are regularly spread before them. But while these are honestly administered, let no one undertake, without knowledge, to throw into the scale dollars and cents on the one hand, and the numerical strength of the Colony on the other. It is in the commencement of great undertakings that difficulties most abound. They have, in this case, been overcome, at the cost of a few hundred thousands of dollars, consisting of spontaneous contributions, and the incidental aid of the Government, which, although of inestimable value, has not, in a period of fourteen years, exceeded the cost of a single frigate of the lowest class. And where is the man bold enough to say that the benefit does not infinitely transcend the price? Sordid must be that spirit and lost to the purest as well as noblest impulses of the human heart, that would part with the benefit, for the expense incurred in its acquisition. He, who two centuries hence, shall look abroad upon reclaimed and regenerated Africa, behold her cultivated fields and smiling harvests; her well-built cities, and rivers white with the sails of commerce; her schools and churches; and see elevated high above her civilized and joyful population, the ensign of freedom and the banner of the Cross, will more justly estimate and feel the importance of the efforts of this Society. American Colonization Society in account current with Richard Smith, Treasurer. DR. To cash for collecting emigrants........ $ 338 91 cash for transportation and provision of emigrants and supplies for the Colony 11,113 59 loans to Society paid off.... support of Cecil Ashmun and Washington loss on uncurrent and counterfeit money.. 2,516 ........ .......... 520 50 15 By balance as per contra, including $92 counterfeit money, $7,056 07 E. E. RICHARD SMITH, Treasurer American Colonization Society. WASHINGTON, January 19, 1831. (No. 1.-Page 13.) WE have mentioned the able and successful exertions of several Agents, who have been employed by the Society during the year. They have done honour to themselves, and greatly advanced the cause to which they have been devoted. It is believed, however, that the establishment of Permanent Agencies, each of which shall embrace within its limits several States, will conduce essentially towards carrying into effect a well-organized system of operations throughout the Union. Three Permanent Agents have already been appointed by the Managers, for the three several fields of New England and New York-Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan Territory-New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia. (No. 2.-Page 14.) The Fourth-of-July Collections during the last year amounted to $10,973 13. May we not hope that these Collections will hereafter take place in every Congregation of every Religious Denomination of our Country? (No. 3.) Original Principles of the Colonization Society. From an article which appeared in a late number of the African Repository, we publish the following extracts, developing the true principles and character of the Society. In allusion to the opposition to the Society, manifested in one or two States, the writer inquires: Can it be attributed to any departure of the Society from its avowed original design and principles? We maintain that it cannot; we maintain that the character |