The idea of colonization seems to have originated with Mr. Jefferson,
who, in 1777, submitted a plan to a committee of the General Assembly
of Virginia.
In 1787, Dr. William Thornton published an address to the free negroes
of the whole country offering to lead them in person back to Africa.
In December, 1800, the General Assembly passed a resolution requesting
the Governor to communicate with the President of the United States
with the view of purchasing lands beyond the limits of Virginia for
colonization purposes. A considerable correspondence ensued between
Mr. Monroe, the Governor, and Mr. Jefferson, the President.
Nothing practical, however, resulted from these negotiations, though
on the 27th of December, 1804, Mr. Jefferson wrote Governor Page: "I
beg you to be assured that, having the object of the House of
Delegates sincerely at heart, I will keep it under my constant
attention, and omit no occasion which may occur of giving it
effect."[80]