_From the Executive Committee of the American Colonization Society, to
the friends of Colonization throughout the U. States._
The foregoing Report, emanating from the Committee on Naval Affairs of
the House of Representatives, U. S., we commend to your earnest attention.
The subjects embraced therein are worthy the most zealous co-operation
of all who value the institutions of our country, and who are willing to
establish on the coast of Africa the only means which, under the blessing
of God, may bring light out of gloom, order out of disorder, mind out of
instinct, civilization out of barbarism, and heaven-born truth out of
Pagan superstition and cruelty.
This able and comprehensive Report has been read by us with much
pleasure, and we cannot doubt will be highly instrumental in calling out
the assistance of legislators, both National and State.
The cautious and wise manner in which our Society is to derive the most
unexpected and ample assistance, fills us with admiration, and inspires
us with hopes in its entire success.
Without arrogating to ourselves the pretension of adding to said Report,
we only avail ourselves of the occasion of its circulation, to give a few
extracts from the opinions and sentiments of some of our wisest statesmen
and purest patriots.
M. ST. CLAIR CLARKE,
_from Ex. Com. Col. Society_.
WASHINGTON CITY, _August, 1850_.
_Letter from Hon. ELISHA WHITTLESEY, one of the Vice Presidents of the
American Colonization Society._
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
_Comptroller’s Office, July 20th, 1850_.
MATTHEW ST. CLAIR CLARKE, Esq., _Member of the Ex. Com. Col. Society,
Washington_.
MY DEAR SIR: Judge Joseph Bryan and his associates have petitioned
Congress for some aid and assistance to establish and maintain a line of
steamers to the western coast of Africa, and you express “a desire to
have a few remarks from me on the probable benefit resulting therefrom to
our great and good Society, for which we have so long labored.”
You very properly restricted me to a few remarks, and those to the
subject of Colonization.
The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom the memorial was referred in
the House of Representatives, will, without doubt, establish in their
report the importance of the measure, as connected with the increase
of our steam navy, so essential to our defence in time of war, and to
our commerce with Africa. This commerce will be great, beyond the most
extravagant calculation that has been made.
My attention was first drawn to the subject of African colonization at
the annual meeting of the Society in 1823, when listening to the remarks
of the Hon. Robert Goodloe Harper, and others. From that time to the
present, my belief has been, and now is, that an “all-wise Providence”
will accomplish, through the institution of slavery in this country,
the civilization and Christianization of Africa, by the agency of this
Society and its kindred associations. The Republic of Liberia invites
those who wish to give freedom to the human beings they hold in bondage
to do so, without any excitement, commotion, or opposition. An acceptance
of the invitation violates no right, alarms no fear, wounds no feeling,
awakens no jealousy. One party is relieved from a heavy responsibility,
and the other enjoys, in the land of their fathers, civil and religious
freedom. Every intelligent emigrant from this country is a missionary to,
and an instructor of, his brethren. Africa will be Christianized when
parts of Asia will be in heathen darkness.
The plan ranks with the most important of those of the interesting age
in which we live; and, if patronized by Congress, will richly bless two
continents. There has been no colony so prosperous, or that has achieved
so much within the same space of time, as the colony of Liberia; and it
is a remarkable fact, that during a period of thirty years, since the
first expedition was fitted out to Africa, not a life has been lost by
shipwreck.
If this Congress shall co-operate in this great national interest, it
will stand immortalized on the page of history.
Most sincerely yours,