Religion has done its work, and now requires temporal and secular aid to

give it another impulse. The improved arts of civilized life must now be

brought to bear, and go hand in hand in aid of the missionary efforts

which are purely religious in character and teaching. I would not have

the standard of religion lowered a single stratum of the common breeze

of heaven. No, let it rather be raised, if, indeed, higher it can be.

Christianity certainly is the most advanced civilization that man ever

attained to, and wherever propagated in its purity, to be effective, law

and government must be brought in harmony with it--otherwise it becomes

corrupted, and a corresponding degeneracy ensues, placing its votaries

even in a worse condition than the primitive. This was exemplified by

the Author of our faith, who, so soon as he began to teach, commenced by

admonishing the people to a modification of their laws--or rather

himself to condemn them. But it is very evident that the social must

keep pace with the religious, and the political with the social

relations of society, to carry out the great measures of the higher

civilization.

Like Seeks Like

Of what avail, then, is advanced intelligence to the African without

improved social relations--acquirements and refinement without an

opportunity of a practical application of them--society in which they

are appreciated? It requires not the most astute reformer and political

philosopher to see.

Natives Desire Higher Social Relations

The native sees at once that all the higher social relations are the

legitimate result and requirements of a higher intelligence, and

naturally enough expects, that when he has attained it, to enjoy the

same privileges and blessings. But how sadly mistaken--what dire

disappointment!

Native Doubts Respecting the Eventual Good Effects of Missionary Labor

The habits, manners, and customs of his people, and the social relations

all around him are the same; improvements of towns, cities, roads, and

methods of travel are the same; implements of husbandry and industry are

the same; the methods of conveyance and price of produce (with

comparative trifling variation) are the same. All seem dark and gloomy

for the future, and he has his doubts and fears as to whether or not he

has committed a fatal error in leaving his native social relations for

those of foreigners whom he cannot hope to emulate, and who, he thinks,

will not assimilate themselves to him.

The Proper Element as Progressive Missionary Agencies

It is clear, then, that essential to the success of civilization, is the

establishment of all those social relations and organizations, without

which enlightened communities cannot exist. To be successful, these must

be carried out by proper agencies, and these agencies must be a _new

element_ introduced into their midst, possessing all the attainments,

socially and politically, morally and religiously, adequate to so

important an end. This element must be _homogenous_ in all the _natural_

characteristics, claims, sentiments, and sympathies the _descendants of

Africa_ being the only element that can effect it. To this end, then, a

part of the most enlightened of that race in America design to carry out

these most desirable measures by the establishment of social and

industrial settlements among them, in order at once to introduce, in an

effective manner, all the well-regulated pursuits of civilized life.

Precaution against Error in the First Steps

That no mis-step be taken and fatal error committed at the commencement,

we have determined that the persons to compose this new element to be

introduced into Africa, shall be well and most carefully selected in

regard to moral integrity, intelligence, acquired attainments, fitness,

adaptation, and as far as practicable, religious sentiments and

professions. We are serious in this; and so far as we are concerned as

an individual, it shall be restricted to the letter, and we will most

strenuously oppose and set our face against any attempt from any quarter

to infringe upon this arrangement and design. Africa is our fatherland

and we its legitimate descendants, and we will never agree nor consent

to see this the first voluntary step that has ever been taken for her

regeneration by her own descendants--blasted by a disinterested or

renegade set, whose only object might be in the one case to get rid of a

portion of the colored population, and in the other, make money, though

it be done upon the destruction of every hope entertained and measure

introduced for the accomplishment of this great and prospectively

glorious undertaking. We cannot and will not permit or agree that the

result of years of labor and anxiety shall be blasted at one reckless

blow, by those who have never spent a day in the cause of our race, or

know nothing about our wants and requirements. The descendants of Africa

in North America will doubtless, by the census of 1860, reach five

millions; those of Africa may number two hundred millions. I have

outgrown, long since, the boundaries of North America, and with them

have also outgrown the boundaries of their claims. I, therefore, cannot

consent to sacrifice the prospects of two hundred millions, that a

fraction of five millions may be benefitted, especially since the

measures adopted for the many must necessarily benefit the few.

National Character Essential to the Successful Regeneration of Africa

Africa, to become regenerated, must have a national character, and her

position among the existing nations of the earth will depend mainly upon

the high standard she may gain compared with them in all her relations,

morally, religiously, socially, politically, and commercially.

I have determined to leave to my children the inheritance of a country,

the possession of territorial domain, the blessings of a national

education, and the indisputable right of self-government; that they may

not succeed to the servility and degradation bequeathed to us by our

fathers. If we have not been born to fortunes, we should impart the

seeds which shall germinate and give birth to fortunes for them.

XII

TO DIRECT LEGITIMATE COMMERCE

First Steps in Political Economy

As the first great national step in political economy, the selection and

security of a location to direct and command commerce legitimately

carried on, as an export and import metropolis, is essentially

necessary. The facilities for a metropolis should be adequate--a rich,

fertile, and productive country surrounding it, with some great staple

(which the world requires as a commodity) of exportation. A convenient

harbor as an outlet and inlet, and natural facilities for improvement,

are among the necessary requirements for such a location.

The Basis of a Great Nation--National Wealth

The basis of great nationality depends upon three elementary principles:

first, territory; second, population; third, a great staple production

either natural or artificial, or both, as a permanent source of wealth;

and Africa comprises these to an almost unlimited extent. The continent

is five thousand miles from Cape Bon (north) to the Cape of Good Hope

(south), and four thousand at its greatest breadth, from Cape Guardifui

(east) to Cape de Verde (west), with an average breadth of two thousand

five hundred miles, any three thousand of which within the tropics north

and south, including the entire longitude, will produce the staple

cotton, also sugar cane, coffee, rice, and all the tropical staples,

with two hundred millions of _natives_ as an industrial element to work

this immense domain. The world is challenged to produce the semblance of

a parallel to this. It has no rival in fact.

Advantageous Location

Lagos, at the mouth of the Ogun river in the Bight of Benin, Gulf of

Guinea, 6 deg. 31 min. west coast of Africa, 120 miles north-west of the

Nun (one of the mouths of the great river Niger) is the place of our

location. This was once the greatest slave-trading post on the west

coast of Africa, and in possession of the Portuguese--the slavers

entering Ako Bay, at the mouth of the Ogun river, lying quite inland,

covered behind the island till a favorable opportunity ensued to escape

with their cargoes of human beings for America. Wydah, the great

slave-port of Dahomi, is but 70 or 80 miles west of Lagos. This city is

most favorably located at the mouth of a river which during eight months

in the year is a great thoroughfare for native produce, which is now

brought down and carried up by native canoes and boats, and quite

navigable up to Aro the port of Abbeokuta, a distance of eighty or a

hundred miles, for light-draught steamers, such as at no distant day we

shall have there. Ako Bay is an arm of the gulf, extending quite inland

for three and a half miles, where it spreads out into a great sea,

extending north ten to fifteen miles, taking a curve east and south,

passing on in a narrow strip for two or three hundred miles, till it

joins the Niger at the mouth of the Nun. It is the real harbor of Lagos,

and navigable for light-draught vessels, as the Baltimore clippers and

all other such slavers, formerly put into it; and Her Majesty's

war-steamer Medusa has been in, and H. M.'s cruiser Brun lies

continually in the bay opposite the Consulate.

Metropolis

This is the great outlet of the rich valley of the Niger by land, and

the only point of the ocean upon which the intelligent and advanced

Yorubas are settled. The commerce of this part is very great, being now

estimated at ten million pounds sterling. Besides all the rich products,

as enumerated in another section, palm oil[7] and ivory are among the

great staple products of this rich country. But as every nation, to be

potent must have some great source of wealth--which if not natural must

be artificial--so Africa has that without which the workshops of Great

Britain would become deserted, and the general commerce of the world

materially reduced; and Lagos must not only become the outlet and point

at which all this commodity must centre, but the great metropolis of

this quarter of the world.

Trade of Lagos

The trade of this port now amounts to more than two millions of pounds

sterling, or ten millions of dollars, there having been at times as many

as sixty vessels in the roadstead.

The merchants and business men of Lagos are principally native black

gentlemen, there being but ten white houses in the place--English,

German, French, Portuguese, and Sardinian--and all of the clerks are

native blacks.

Harbor Improvements

Buoys in the roadstead, lighthouses (two) and wharf improvements at the

city in the bay, with steam-tugs or tenders to tow vessels over the Ogun

bar-mouth or inlet, are all that we require to make Lagos a desirable

seaport, with one of the safest harbors in the world for light-draught

vessels.

The fish in these waters are very fine, and Ako is one of the finest

natural oyster bays in the world. The shell-fish are generally of good

size, frequently large, and finely flavored.

Religious and Philanthropic means

As a religious means, such a position must most largely contribute, by

not only giving security to the Missionary cause, but by the actual

infusion of a religious social element permanently among the natives of

the country; and as a philanthropic, by a permanent check to the

slave-trade, and also by its reflex influence on American slavery--not

only thus far cutting off the supply, but, also by superseding slavery

in the growth and supply of those articles which comprise its great

staple and source of wealth--thereby tendering slave labor _unprofitable

and worthless_, as the succeeding section will show.

Stopping the Slave Trade

As to the possibility of putting a stop to the slave-trade, I have only

to say, that we do not leave America and go to Africa to be passive

spectators of such a policy as traffic in the flesh and blood of our

kindred, nor any other species of the human race--more we might

say--that we will not live there and permit it. "_Self-preservation_ is

the first law of nature," and we go to Africa to be _self-sustaining_;

otherwise we have no business there, or anywhere else, in my opinion. We

will bide our time; _but the Slave-trade shall not continue!_

Means of Doing It

Another important point of attention: that is, the slave-trade ceases in

Africa, wherever enlightened Christian civilization gains an influence.

And as to the strength and power necessary, we have only to add, that

Liberia, with a coast frontier of seven hundred miles, and a sparse

population, which at the present only numbers fifteen thousand settlers,

has been effective in putting a stop to that infamous traffic along her

entire coast. And I here record with pleasure, and state what I know to

be the fact, and but simple justice to as noble-hearted antagonists to

slavery as live, that the Liberians are uncompromising in their

opposition to oppression and the enslavement of their race, or any other

part of the human family. I speak of them as a nation or people and

ignore entirely their Iscariots, if any there be. What they have

accomplished with less means, we, by the help of Providence, may

reasonably expect to effect with more--what they did with little, we may

do with much. And I speak with confidence when I assert, that if we in

this new position but do and act as we are fondly looked to and

expected--as I most fondly hope and pray God that, by a prudent,

discretionate and well-directed course, dependant upon Him, we may, nay,

I am certain we will do--I am sure that there is nothing that may be

required to aid in the prosecution and accomplishment of this important

and long-desired end, that may not be obtained from the greatest and

most potent Christian people and nation that ever graced the world.

There is no aid that might be wanted, which may not be obtained through

a responsible, just, and equitable negotiation.

Subsidizing the King of Dahomi

There is some talk by Christians and philanthropists in Great Britain of

subsidizing the King of Dahomi. I hope for the sake of humanity, our

race, and the cause of progressive civilization, this most injurious

measure of compensation for wrong, never will be resorted to nor

attempted.

To make such an offering just at a time when we are about to establish a

policy of self-regeneration in Africa, which may, by example and

precept, effectually check forever the nefarious system, and reform the

character of these people, would be to offer inducements to that monster

to continue, and a license to other petty chiefs to commence the traffic

in human beings, to get a reward of subsidy.

FOOTNOTES:

[7] Nine-tenths of all the Palm Oil of commerce goes from this point.

XIII

COTTON STAPLE

Natural Elements to Produce Cotton

Cotton grows profusely in all this part of Africa, and is not only

produced naturally, but extensively cultivated throughout the Yoruba

country. The soil, climate, and the people are the three natural

elements combined to produce this indispensible commodity, and with

these three natural agencies, no other part of the world can compete.

Africans the Only Reliable Producers

In India there is a difficulty and great expense and outlay of capital

required to obtain it. In Australia it is an experiment; and though it

may eventually be obtained, it must also involve an immense outlay of

capital, and a long time before an adequate supply can be had, as it

must be admitted, however reluctantly by those desirous it should be

otherwise, that the African, as has been justly said by a Manchester

merchant, has in all ages, in all parts of the world, been sought to

raise cotton wherever it has been produced.

Serious Contingencies and Uncertainty in American Cotton Supply

In America there are several serious contingencies which must always

render a supply of cotton from that quarter problematical and doubtful,

and always expensive and subject to sudden, unexpected and unjust

advances in prices. In the first place, the land is purchased at large

prices; secondly, the people to work it; thirdly, the expense of

supporting the people, with the contingencies of sickness and death;

fourthly, the uncertainty of climate and contingencies of frost, and a

backward season and consequent late or unmatured crop; fifthly,

insubordination on the part of the slaves, which is not improbable at

any time; sixthly, suspension of friendly relations between the United

States and Great Britain; and lastly, a rupture between the American

States themselves, which I think no one will be disposed now to consider

impossible. All, or any of these circumstances combined, render it

impossible for America to compete with Africa in the growth and sale of

cotton, for the following reasons:

Superior Advantages of Africa over All Other Countries in the Production

of Cotton

Firstly, landed tenure in Africa is free, the occupant selecting as much

as he can cultivate, holding it so long as he uses it, but cannot convey

it to another; secondly, the people all being free, can be hired at a

price less than the _interest_ of the capital invested in land and

people to work it--they finding their own food, which is the custom of

the country; thirdly, there are no contingencies of frost or irregular

weather to mar or blight the crop; and fourthly, we have two regular

crops a year, or rather one continuous crop, as while the trees are full

of pods of ripe cotton, they are at the same time blooming with fresh

flowers. And African cotton is planted only every seven years, whilst

the American is replanted every season. Lastly, the average product per

acre on the best Mississippi and Louisiana cotton plantations in

America, is three hundred and fifty pounds; the average per acre in

Africa, a hundred per cent more, or seven hundred pounds. As the African

soil produces two crops a year to one in America, then we in Africa

produce fourteen hundred pounds to three hundred and fifty in America;

the cost of labor a hand being one dollar or four shillings a day to

produce it; whilst in Africa at present it is nine hundred per cent

less, being only ten cents or five pence a day for adult labor. At this

price the native lives better on the abundance of produce in the

country, and has more money left at the end of a week than the European

or free American laborer at one dollar a day.

Cotton, as before stated, is the great commodity of the world, entering

intimately into, being incorporated with almost every kind of fabric of

wearing apparel. All kinds of woollen goods--cloths, flannels, alpacas,

merinoes, and even silks, linen, nankin, ginghams, calicoes, muslins,

cordages, ship-sails, carpeting, hats, hose, gloves, threads, waddings,

paddings, tickings, every description of book and newspaper, writing

paper, candle wicks, and what not, all depend upon the article cotton.

Importance of the African Race in the Social and Political Relations of

the World

By this it will be seen and admitted that the African occupies a much

more important place in the social and political element of the world

than that which has heretofore been assigned him--holding the balance of

commercial power, the source of the wealth of nations in his hands. This

is indisputably true--undeniable, that cotton cannot be produced without

negro labor and skill in raising it.

The African Race Sustains Great Britain

Great Britain alone has directly engaged in the manufacture of pure

fabrics from the raw material, five millions of persons; two-thirds more

of the population depend upon this commodity indirectly for a

livelihood. The population (I include in this calculation Ireland) being

estimated at 30,000,000, we have then 25,000,000 of people, or

five-sixths of the population of this great nation, depending upon the

article cotton alone for subsistence, and the black man is the producer

of the raw material, and the source from whence it comes. What an

important fact to impart to the heretofore despised and under-rated

negro race, to say nothing of all the other great nations of Europe, as

France, for instance, with her extensive manufactures of muslin

delaines--which simply mean _cotton and wool_--more or less engaged in

the manufacture and consumption of cotton.

The Negro Race Sustains the Whites--Able to Sustain Themselves

If the negro race--as slaves--can produce cotton as an _exotic_ in

foreign climes to enrich white men who oppress them, they can, they

must, they will, they shall, produce it as an _indigene_ in their

own-loved native Africa to enrich themselves, and regenerate their race;

if a faithful reliance upon the beneficence and promise of God, and an

humble submission to his will, as the feeble instruments in his hands

through which the work is commenced, shall be available to this end.

Home Trade

The Liberians must as a policy as much as possible patronise home

manufactured, and home produced articles. Instead of using foreign, they

should prefer their own sugar, molasses, and coffee, which is equal to

that produced in any other country, and if not, it is the only way to

encourage the farmers and manufacturers to improve them. The coffee of

Liberia, is equal to any in the world, and I have drunk some of the

native article, superior in strength and flavor to Java or Mocca, and I

rather solicit competition in judgment of the article of coffee. And

singular as it may appear, they are even supplied from abroad with

spices and condiments, although their own country as also all Africa, is

prolific in the production of all other articles, as allspice, ginger,

pepper black and red, mustard and everything else.

Coast Trade

They must also turn their attention to supplying the Coast settlements

with sugar and molasses, and everything else of their own production

which may be in demand. Lagos and the Missionary stations in the

interior, now consume much of these articles, the greater part of

which--sugar and molasses--are imported from England and America. This

trade they might secure in a short time without successful competition,

because many of the Liberia merchants now own vessels, and the firm of

Johnson, Turpin and Dunbar, own a fine little coasting steamer, and soon

they will be able to undersell the foreigners; whilst at present their

trade of these articles in America is a mere _favor_ through the

benevolence of some good hearted gentlemen, personal _friends_ of

theirs, who receive and dispose of them--sugar and molasses--at a price

much above the market value, to encourage them. This can only last while

these friends continue, when it must then cease. To succeed as a state

or nation, we must become self-reliant, and thereby able to create our

own ways and means; and a trade created _in_ Africa _by_ civilized

Africans, would be a national rock of "everlasting ages."

Domestic Trade, Corn Meal, Guinea Corn and Yam Flour

The domestic trade among the natives in the interior of our part of

Africa--Yoruba--is very great. Corn meal, Guinea corn flour very fine,

and a fine flour made of yams is plentiful in every market, and cooked

food can always be had in great abundance from the women at refreshment

stands kept in every town and along the highway every few miles when

traveling.

Candy

Molasses candy or "taffy," is carried about and sold by young girls,

made from the syrup of sugar cane, which does not differ in appearance

and flavor from that of civilized countries.

Soap

Hard and soft soap are for sale in every market for domestic uses, made

from lye by percolation or dripping of water through ashes in large

earthen vessels or "hoppers."

Coloring and Dying. Making Indigo

Coloring and dying is carried on very generally, every woman seeming to

understand it as almost a domestic necessity; also the manufacturing of

indigo, the favorite and most common color of the country. Red comes

next to this which is mostly obtained of camwood, another domestic

employment of the women. Yellow is the next favorite color. Hence, blue,

red, and yellow may be designated as the colors of Yoruba or Central

Africa.

Weaving and Cloth Manufacturing; Leather

The manufactory of cotton cloth is carried on quite extensively among

them; and in a ride of an hour through the city of Illorin we counted

one hundred and fifty-seven looms in operation in several different

establishments. Beautiful and excellent leather is also manufactured,

from which is made sandals, shoes, boots, bridles, saddles,

harness-caparisons for horses, and other ornaments and uses. They all

wear clothes of their own manufacture. The inhabitants of Abbeokuta are

called Egbas, and those of all the other parts of Yoruba are called

Yorubas--all speaking the Egba language.

A Fixed Policy for the Blacks, as a Fundamental Necessity

Our policy must be--and I hazard nothing in promulging it; nay, without

this design and feeling, there would be a great deficiency of

self-respect, pride of race, and love of country, and we might never

expect to challenge the respect of nations--_Africa for the African race

and black men to rule them_. By black men I mean, men of African descent

who claim an identity with the race.

Internal Medium of Communication. Navigable Rivers

So contrary to old geographical notions, Africa abounds with handsome

navigable rivers, which during six or eight months in the year, would

carry steamers suitably built. Of such are the Gallinos, St. Paul, Junk,

and Kavalla of Liberia; the Ogun, Ossa, the great Niger and others of

and contiguous to Yoruba; the Gambia, Senegambia, Orange, Zambisi and

others of other parts. The Kavalla is a beautiful stream which for one

hundred miles is scarcely inferior to the Hudson of New York, in any

particular; and all of them equal the rivers of the Southern States of

America generally which pour out by steamers the rich wealth of the

planting States into the Mississippi. With such prospects as these; with

such a people as the Yorubas and other of the best type, as a

constituent industrial, social, and political element upon which to

establish a national edifice, what is there to prevent success? Nothing

in the world.

Native Government

The Governments in this part are generally Patriarchial, the Kings being

elective from ancient Royal families by the Council of Elders, which

consists of men chosen for life by the people, for their age, wisdom,

experience, and service among them. They are a deliberative body, and

all cases of great importance; of state, life and death, must be brought

before them. The King as well as either of themselves, is subject to

trial and punishment for misdemeanor in office, before the Council of

Elders.

Lagos is the place of the family residence of that excellent gentleman,

Aji, or the Rev. Samuel Crowther, the native Missionary; and also his

son-in-law Rev. T. B. Macaulay, who has an excellent school, assisted by

his wife an educated native lady.

"Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her

hands unto God."--Ps. lxviii. 31. With the fullest reliance upon this

blessed promise, I humbly go forward in--I may repeat--the grandest

prospect for the regeneration of a people that ever was presented in the

history of the world. The disease has long since been known; we have

found and shall apply the remedy. I am indebted to Rev. H. H. Garnet, an

eminent black clergyman and scholar, for the construction, that "soon,"

in the Scriptural passage quoted, "has reference to the period ensuing

_from the time of beginning_." With faith in the promise, and hope from

this version, surely there is nothing to doubt or fear.

XIV

SUCCESS IN GREAT BRITAIN

Departure from Africa and Arrival in England

Mr. Campbell and myself left Lagos on the 10th of April, per the British

Royal Mail steam-ship Athenian, commander Lowrie, arriving in Liverpool

May 12th, and in London on the 16th, having spent four days in the

former place.

First Meeting

On Thursday, the 17th, by a note of invitation, we met a number of

noblemen and gentlemen, interested in the progress of African

Regeneration, in the parlour of Dr. Hodgkin, F.R.G.S., among whom were

the Lord Alfred S. Churchill, Chairman; Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe; Hon.

Mr. Ashley, brother of the Earl of Shaftesbury; Colonel Walker; Charles

Buxton, Esq., M.P.; Rev. J. Baldwin Brown, A.B.; Rev. Samuel Minton,

M.A.; Dr. Hodgkin, and others. By request of the noble chairman, I made

a statement of our Mission to Africa, imparting to the first of their

knowledge, our true position as independent of all other societies and

organizations then in existence. Mr. Campbell also made some remarks.

Origin of the African Aid Society

Many subsequent meetings were held in various places, private and

public, several of which were presided over by the Lord Alfred S.

Churchill and Rt. Hon. Lord Calthorpe, at which I and Mr. Campbell both

spoke; when in June an invitation was received by each of us from the

"Committee of the National Club," to attend a "Company," on "Wednesday

evening, June 27th, 1860, when information will be given on the

Condition and Prospects of the African Race." The invitation (being the

same as sent to all other persons) went on to state that, "Among others,

Dr. Delany, of Canada West, and R. Campbell Esq., of Philadelphia,

gentlemen of color, lately returned from an exploring tour in Central

Africa, will take part in the proceedings."

This was the first great effective move in aid of our cause, though all

other previous meetings were preliminary to it. At this, as at previous

meetings, a full and thorough statement was made of our mission, several

gentlemen taking part in the discussion.

Subsequently the following note was received--Mr. Campbell receiving a

similar one--with the accompanying circular, referred to as the

"enclosed paper":--

African Aid Society, 7, Adams Street, Strand, W.C.,

July 14th, 1860

DEAR SIR--The Provisional Committee of the above-named Society will

feel obliged if you will kindly attend a meeting to be held at the

Caledonian Hotel, Robert Street, Adelphi Terrace, on Thursday next,

July 19th, to consider the enclosed paper, and to decide on a

further course of action. Lord Alfred Churchill, M.P., will take

the chair at half-past two o'clock.

I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

Dr. Delany. WILLIAM CARDWELL, Hon. Sec.

At a meeting held at 7, Adams Street, on July 6th, 1860 (arising out of

the proceedings of a _soiree_, which took place at the National Club, on

the 27th of the previous month, when the subject of the "Condition and

Prospects of the African Race" was discussed) present, Lord Alfred

Churchill, M.P. in the chair; Lord Calthorpe; Sir C. E. Eardley, Bart;

Joseph Ferguson, Esq., late M.P. for Carlisle; Rev. Mesac Thomas,

Secretary of the Colonial Church and School Society; Rev. J. Davis; Rev.

Samuel Minton, Minister of Percy Chapel; J. Lyons Macleod, Esq., late H.

B. M.'s Consul at Mozambique; Rev. J. Baldwin Brown, Claylands Chapel;

and Rev. W Cardall, the following resolutions were unanimously passed:--

I. That it is desirable to form a Society, to be designated the

'African Aid Society.' II. That the noblemen now present be a

Provisional Committee of such Society, with power to add to their

number; and that Lord Alfred Churchill, M.P., be requested to be

Chairman. III. That Sir C. E. Eardley, Bart., J. Lyons Macleod,

Esq., the Rev. S. Minton, and the Rev. J. Baldwin Brown, be a

Sub-Committee to prepare a draft statement of the proposed objects

of the Society, and rules for its government.

At a subsequent meeting of the Committee, on a report of the

Sub-Committee, the statement of objects and rules was adopted, which is

given above.

What Black Men Want

The contents of this paper had been fully and fairly discussed at a

previous meeting to which myself and colleague were honored with an

invitation, when I then and there, fully, openly, and candidly stated to

the noblemen and gentlemen present what was desired and what we did not;

that we desired to be dealt with as men, and not children. That we did

not desire gratuities as such in the apportioning of their

benevolence--nothing eleemosynary but means _loaned_ to our people upon

their _personal obligations, to be paid in produce or otherwise_. That

we did not approve of _restriction_ as to _where_ such persons went (so

that it was to some country where the population was mainly colored, as

that was our policy) letting each choose and decide _for himself_, that

which was _best for him_.

Primary Objects of the African Aid Society

To these sentiments the noblemen and gentlemen all cordially and

heartily agreed, establishing their society, as we understand it,

expressly to aid the _voluntary_ emigration of colored people from

America in general, and our movement as originated by colored people in

particular. Indeed I here now say, as I did then and there, that I would

give nothing for it, were it not a self-reliant project originating with

ourselves. The following completes the doings of the gentlemen in

London. I should have remarked, that at many of these meetings,

especially that at White Hall on the 27th day of June, and that of the

19th July, and the preliminary ones above referred to, the respected

president of our Council, Wm. Howard Day, Esq., M.A., was present. For

some of the important preliminary meetings, he and Rev. D'Arcy Irvine

kindly made arrangements.

AFRICAN AID SOCIETY

7,[8] ADAMS STREET, STRAND, W. C., LONDON

PRESIDENT

VICE-PRESIDENTS

*The Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe.

The Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Sierra Leone.

COUNCIL

*The Lord Alfred Churchill, M.P., F.R.G.S., Chairman of the Executive

Committee

Ashley, Hon. Wm., St. James's Palace.

Bagnall, Thomas, Esq., J.P., Great Barr, near Birmingham

Brown, Rev. J. Baldwin, B.A., 150, Albany Street.

Dunlop, Hy., Esq., Craigton, Glasgow.

*Eardley, Sir C. E., Bart., F.R.G.S., Bedwell Park.

Ferguson, Joseph, Esq., late P.M. for Carlisle.

*Seymour, H. Danby, Esq., M.P., F.R.G.S.

Bullock, Edward, Esq., Handsworth, near Birmingham

*Cardall, Rev. Wm., M.A., Sec., of the Evangelical Alliance.

Clegg, Thomas, Esq., Manchester.

*Davis, Rev. James, Sec. of the Evangelical Alliance.

Shaw, Dr. Norton, Sec. of the Royal Geographical Society.

Snopp, Rev. C. B., Perry Bar, near Birmingham.

Fowler, R. N., Esq., F.R.G.S., 50, Cornhill.

La Trobe, C. J., Esq., F.R.G.S., late Governor of Victoria.

La Trobe, Rev. P., Sec. of the Moravian Missions.

Lecke, Rear Admiral Sir H. J., K.C.B., M.P.

*M'Arthur, Wm., Esq., Brixton-rise

Macleod, J. Lyons, Esq., F.R.G.S. late H.B.M.'s Consul at Mozambique

Society.

*Minton, Rev. Samuel, M.A., Minister of Percy Chapel

Richardson, Jonathan, Esq., M.P.

Sykes. Col. W.H. r.i'., Vice President of the Royal Geographical

Society.

*Thomas, Rev. Mesac, M.A., Sec. of the Colonial Church and School

Society.

Thompson, Geo., Esq., Drixton.

Tidman, Rev. Dr., Sec. Of the London Missionary Society.

Trestrail, Rev. Fred., Sec. of the Baptist Missionary Society.

Wingfield, R. W., Esq., J.P., Birmingham.

William Cardall and J. Lyons Macleod, _Hon. Secretaries_

Those marked thus (*) constitute the Executive Committee.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND RULES

I. That the name of the Society be the "African Aid Society."

II. That its chief objects shall be to develop the material resources of

Africa, Madagascar, and the adjacent Islands; and to promote the

Christian civilization of the African races; as by these means the

Society believes that the annihilation of the Slave Trade will

ultimately be accomplished.

III. That for the attainment of these objects it will strive to employ

the following and other suitable means:--

1. Encourage the production of cotton, silk, indigo, sugar, palm

oil, &c., by the introduction of skilled labor, African or

European, into those parts of the earth which are inhabited by the

African race.

2. Assist, by loans or otherwise, Africans willing to emigrate from

Canada and other parts to our West Indian Colonies, Liberia, Natal,

and Africa generally, or to any countries that may offer a suitable

field of labor.

3. Form Industrial Missions in harmony, where practicable, with the

agency already established for the extension of Christianity in

Africa.

4. Supply (as occasion may require) suitable Mechanical and

Agricultural Implements for the use of the same.

5. Procure samples of every kind of native produce, for the purpose

of submitting the same to the mercantile and manufacturing

communities of this country, with a view to the promotion of

legitimate commerce.

6. Encourage and assist exploring expeditions into the interior of

Africa and Madagascar.

IV. That Subscribers of not less than Half a Guinea annually be Members

of this Society, during the continuance of their subscriptions; that the

subscriptions be payable in advance, and be considered due at the

commencement of each year; that Donors of Ten Guineas and Collectors of

Twenty Guineas be Life Members.

V. That the management of the Society be vested in a Patron,

Vice-Patrons, President, Vice-Presidents, and a Council consisting of

not less than Twenty Members.

VI. That a general Meeting of the Members of the Society be held in

London in the spring of each year, when the financial statement shall be

presented, and the Council elected for the year ensuing, who shall

appoint an Executive Committee to conduct the business of the Society.

VII. That the Honorary and Corresponding Members may be nominated by the

Council.

VIII. That any funded property of the Society be invested in the names

of three Trustees, to be chosen by the Council, and that all orders for

payments on account of the Society be signed by two Members of the

Executive Committee and the Secretary.

IX. That the accounts of the Society be audited annually by a

professional auditor, to be chosen by the General Meeting.

X. That the Council shall have power to appoint such officers and

assistants as they shall deem necessary for the efficient conduct of the

affairs of the Society, subject to the approval of the next Annual

Meeting.

XI. That the Council shall have power to convene Special General

Meetings of the Members of the Society when necessary.

XII. That no alteration shall be effected in the constitution of the

Society, except at the Annual Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting

convened for the purpose on the requisition of Twenty Members.

* * * * *

In furtherance of the objects of this Society, the Executive Committee,

with the generous aid of friends to this movement, have already assisted

Dr. Delany and Professor Campbell (two colored gentlemen from America)

with funds to enable them to continue their labors and to lay before the

colored people of America the reports of the Pioneer Exploration

Expedition into Abbeokuta, in West Africa, from which they have lately

returned.

A correspondence has already been opened with Jamaica, Lagos in West

Africa, Natal, the United States of America, and "The Fugitive-Aid

Society"--which for the last _ten years_ has been receiving and

instructing fugitive Africans in agricultural and other pursuits on the

Elgin settlement--at Buxton, Canada West.

The assistance of all friends to Christianity, Freedom, and lawful

Commerce, as opposed to the Slave Trade and Slavery, is earnestly

solicited.

* * * * *

"COTTON IS KING! IN AMERICA"

"COTTON IS BREAD! IN ENGLAND"

The free colored people of America are said to be looking forward to

their ultimate removal from the United States, and are anxiously seeking

for locations suitable for their final settlement in Africa or other

intertropical regions; where they may obtain that freedom which is the

inherent right of man, and by their industry acquire adequate

independence.

The African Aid Society has been formed to assist this movement, and to

annihilate the slave trade, by encouraging the development of the

resources of those countries inhabited by the African races generally,

as well as to cause African free labor to supersede African slavery and

degradation.

In Canada West no less than 45,000 colored persons, flying from slavery,

have now taken refuge; willing to meet the rigors of the climate, so

that they are assured of personal freedom under the aegis of the British

flag. From the enactments lately made in some States of the Union, for

the purpose of compelling all the free people of color either to leave

the country or to be again reduced to a state of slavery, a considerable

addition will, no doubt, shortly be made to the number of those who have

already found their way to Canada; while, from physical causes, Canada

can be looked upon by the colored only as a "CITY OF REFUGE."

Great Britain has for half a century been employing physical force for

the suppression of the slave trade, which after the expenditure of

upwards of forty millions sterling, and the noble sacrifice of the lives

of some of the best and bravest of her sons, still exists. It is but

just to state that the exportation of slaves from Africa has been

reduced from 150,000 to 50,000 per annum, by the persevering effort of

those who are opposed to a traffic disgraceful to Christianity.

Is the ultimate object of those who are opposed to this traffic its

suppression or its annihilation? The annihilation of the slave trade and

slavery in Africa was unquestionably the aim of the philanthropists who

originated this great movement.

The experience of half a century has proved that physical force cannot

destroy the traffic while there is a demand for slave labor. Diplomacy

must be baffled in its well-intentioned efforts to oppose this traffic

while the profits for carrying each slave from the continent of Africa

to the island of Cuba amount to the enormous return of fourteen hundred

percent.

It is a well-attested fact, that the same quality of cotton may be

obtained from Africa for twenty millions of money for which Great

Britain pays the slaveholders in America thirty millions per annum. If

cotton can be sold in the Liverpool market at anything less than 4-3/4d.

per lb., the slaveholders in America will cease to grow what, under

altered circumstances, would be unprofitable. Cotton of middling quality

(which is in the greatest demand) may be obtained in West and Eastern

Africa at 4d. per lb.; and, already, cotton from Western Africa

(Liberia) has been sent to Liverpool, there re-shipped, and sold at

Boston, in the United States, at a less cost than cotton of a similar

quality could be supplied from the Southern States of the Union.

The Executive Committee feel assured that the peaceful means adopted by

this society for the Christian civilization of the African races require

only the advocacy of _Christian Ministers_ and the _Press_ generally to

be responded to by the people of Great Britain.

The horrors of the slave trade, as perpetrated on the continent of

Africa and during the middle passage, can only be put an end to by the

establishment of a lawful and a lucrative, a powerful and a permanent,

trade between this country and Africa; which will have the effect of

destroying the slave trade, spreading the Gospel of Christ, and

civilizing the African races. For this purpose the support of the

mercantile class is earnestly solicited for a movement which--commenced

by the colored people of America flying from oppression--bids fair to

open new cotton fields for the supply of British industry, and new

markets for our commerce, realizing the sublime promise of Scripture,

"Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days it shall return

unto thee."

Alarmists point to the sparks in the cotton fields of America, while

thoughtful men reflect that the commercial prosperity of this great

country hangs upon a thread of cotton, which a blight of the plant, an

insurrection among the slaves, an untimely frost, or an increased demand

in the Northern States of the Union, might destroy; bringing to

Lancashire first, and then to the whole kingdom, a return of the Irish

famine of 1847, which reduced the population of that portion of the

kingdom from eight to six millions.

* * * * *

The Southern States of the American Union are following the example of

the infatuated Louis the Fourteenth of France. As he drove into exile

thousands of his subjects engaged in manufactures and trade, who sought

refuge in England and laid the foundation of our manufacturing

supremacy, so are the Slave States now driving from their confines

thousands of freed colored men. Where are the exiles to go? The Free

States are too crowded, and Canada too cold for them. Can we not offer

them an asylum in Jamaica and other colonies? They are the cream, the

best of their race; for it is by long-continued industry and economy

that they have been enabled to purchase their freedom, and joyfully will

they seize the hand of deliverance which Great Britain holds out to

them. We only want additional labor; give us that, and we shall very

soon cultivate our own cotton.--_Slavery Doomed._

* * * * *

FUGITIVE-AID SOCIETY IN CANADA

At a meeting held in the Town Hall, Manchester, on the 8th of August

inst., the following remarks were made by Thomas Clegg, Esq., who

presided on the occasion.

The Chairman said that they held but one opinion as to the horrors and

evils of slavery; and he thought that most of them believed that one of

the great benefits which would result from Africans trained in Canada

being sent to Africa, would be that they could there, for the advantage

of themselves and their country, grow cotton, sugar, and fifty other

articles, which we much needed. During his first year's operations in

getting cotton from Africa, all his efforts only purchased 235 lbs.; but

in 1858, he got 219,615 lbs.; and he saw from one of the London papers

of the previous day, that not less than 3,447 bales, or 417,087 lbs.,

were received from the West Coast during 1860. This rapid increase, in

the early history of the movement, showed that Africa was the place that

could grow cotton, and that Africans were the men who ought to grow it.

(Hear, hear.) There was no part of Africa, of which he had heard, where

cotton did not grow wild; there was no part of the world, except India,

perhaps, in which cotton was cultivated, where it was not sought to

obtain Africans as cultivators. Wild African cotton was worth from 1-1/2

d. to 2-1/4 d. a pound more than the wild produce of India; cultivated

cotton from the West Coast was worth, on an average, as much as New

Orleans possibly could be. (Hear, hear.) He would undertake that good

African cotton could be laid down free in Liverpool at 4-1/4 d. per

pound; that it should be equal to New Orleans; and at this moment such

cotton was worth probably 6-1/4 d. per pound. (Hear, hear.) He looked

upon this question as affecting not only the success of missions, but as

affecting also the eternal welfare of the Africans and the temporal

welfare of our people.

* * * * *

HEATHEN AND SLAVE-TRADE HORRORS

At Lagos, communication between the town and the shipping had been

suspended for ten days, in consequence of the high surf at the entrance

of the river and along the beach, and great difficulty was experienced

in getting off the mails. The war in the interior, between the chiefs of

Ibadan and Ijaye, continued with unabated fury; the former district is

said to contain 100,000 inhabitants, and the latter 50,000. Abbeokuta

had taken side with Ijaye, but at the last battle, which took place on

the 5th of June, his people are reported to have suffered severely. The

King of Dahomey was about to make an immense sacrifice of human life to

the memory of the late King, his father. The _West African Herald_, of

the 13th ult., referring to this intention, says: His Majesty Badahung,

King of Dahomey, is about to make the 'Grand Custom' in honor of the

late King Gezo. Determined to surpass all former monarchs in the

magnitude of the ceremonies to be performed on this occasion, Badahung

has made the most extensive preparations for the celebration of the

Grand Custom. A great pit has been dug which is to contain human blood

enough to float a canoe. Two thousand persons will be sacrificed on this

occasion. The expedition to Abbeokuta is postponed, but the King has

sent his army to make some excursions at the expense of some weaker

tribes, and has succeeded in capturing many unfortunate creatures. The

young people among these prisoners will be sold into slavery, and the

old persons will be killed at the Grand Custom. Would to God this might

meet the eyes of some of those philanthropic Englishmen who have some

feeling for Africa! Oh! for some man of eloquence and influence to point

out to the people of England the comparative uselessness of their

expensive squadron out here, and the enormous benefits that must result

to this country, and ultimately to England herself, morally and

materially, if she would extend her establishments on this coast! Take

away two-thirds of your squadron, and spend one-half its cost in

creating more stations on shore, and greatly strengthening your old

stations.--_The Times_, August 13, 1860.

The following extract from the _Times_, August 11, 1860, shows that

noble hearts across the Atlantic are ready to respond to our call:--

A NOBLE LADY--Miss Cornelia Barbour, a daughter of the Hon. James

Barbour, of Virginia, formerly Governor of that State, and a Member

of President J. Q. Adams' Cabinet, has resolved to emancipate her

numerous slaves, and locate them in a Free State, where they can

enjoy liberty and (if they will) acquire property.--_New York

Tribune._

_Contributions to the Funds of this Society may be paid to the

Chairman, the Hon. Secretary, or to the Society's account at the

London and Westminster Bank, I, St. James's square. P.O. Orders to

be made payable to the Honorary Secretaries at

Charing-cross._--AUGUST, 1860.

The subjoined paper has been issued by the African Aid Society, London,

England, which I give for the benefit of those desirous of going out

under its auspices, as it will be seen that the Society is determined on

guarding well against aiding such persons as are objectionable to us,

and likely to be detrimental to our scheme:

AFRICAN AID SOCIETY

PAPER FOR INTENDING SETTLERS IN AFRICA

1. Are you desirous to leave ---- and go to the Land of your

Forefathers. 2. Name. 3. Age. 4. Married or Single. 5. What

Children (state ages:) Boys ----, aged years; ---- Girls ----, aged

years. 6. How many of these will you take with you? 7. Of what

church are you a member? 8. How long have you been so? 9. Can you

read and write? 10. Will you strive to spread the truths of the

Gospel among the natives? 11. What work are you now doing? 12. What

other work can you do well? 13. Have you worked on a plantation?

14. What did you do there? 15. Will you, in the event of the

African Aid Society sending you and your family to Africa, repay to

it the sum of ---- Dollars, as part of the cost of your passage and

settlement there, ---- as soon as possible, that the same money may

assist others to go there also?

N.B.--It is expected that persons desiring to settle in Africa,

under the auspices of this society, should obtain Certificates from

their Minister, and if possible from their Employer, or other

competent person, as to their respectability, habits, and

character. These certificates should be attached to this paper.

I have every confidence in the sincerity of the Christian gentlemen who

compose the African Aid Society, and for the information of those who

are unacquainted with the names of those noblemen and gentlemen, would

state that the Lord Alfred Churchill is the learned Oriental traveler

and Christian philanthropist, brother to His Grace the Duke of

Marlborough and son-in-law of Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe; Right Hon. Lord

Calthorpe is the great Christian nobleman who does so much for Churches

in Great Britain, and member of Her Majesty's Privy Council; Sir Culling

Eardley Eardley is the great promoter of the Evangelical Alliance;

George Thompson, Esq., is the distinguished traveler and faithful friend

of the slave, known in America as a Garrisonian Abolitionist; and J.

Lyons Macleod, Esq., the indefatigable British Consul who so

praiseworthily exerted himself, and brought the whole of his official

power to bear against the slave-trade on the Mozambique Channel. There

are other gentlemen of great distinction, whose positions are not

explained in the council list, and a want of knowledge prevents my

explaining.

Before leaving England for Scotland, I received while at Brighton, the

following letter, which indicates somewhat the importance of our

project, and shows, in a measure, the superiority of the people in our

part of Africa, and what may be expected of them compared with some in

other parts; and how the Portuguese influence has ruined them. I may

add, that the writer, Mr. Clarence, is a gentleman of respectability,

brother-in-law to Edmund Fry, Esq., the distinguished Secretary of the

London Peace Society. Mr. Clarence has resided in that part of Africa

for twenty-five years, and was then on a visit to his relatives:

DR. DELANEY: Brighton, August 28, 1860

MY DEAR SIR--I am sorry that I am obliged to leave Brighton before

you deliver your lectures, and as we may not meet again, I thought

I would write you a few lines just to revive the subject that was

passing our minds yesterday. I cannot but think, if it were

practicable for a few thousands, or even hundreds, of your West

Coast men to come round to the East Coast, that is, to Port Natal,

an immense amount of good would be derived therefrom; not only in

assisting to abolish the barbarous customs of our natives in

showing them that labor is honorable for man, but that the English

population would appreciate their services and that they would be

able to get good wages. What we want is constant and reliable

laborers; not those who come by fits and starts, just to work for a

month and then be off. They must select their masters, and then

make an engagement for twelve months; or it might be after a month

on approval. Good laborers could get fifteen shillings per month,

and as their services increased in value they would get twenty

shillings, and their allowance of food, which is always abundant.

I have thought that some might work their passage down to the Cape

of Good Hope in some of Her Majesty's Men-of-War, and from there

they might work their passage in some of the coasting vessels that

are continually plying backwards and forwards. My farm is only five

miles from the Port. Should any ever come from your

representations, direct them to me, and should I not require them

myself I will give them such information as may lead them to find

good masters. I have always said that Natal is the key to the

civilization of South Africa; but, however, there are sometimes two

keys to a door, and yours on the West, though a little north of the

Line, may be the other; and, by God's blessing, I trust that the

nations of the East and West may, before long, meet in Central

Africa, not in hostile array, as African nations always have done,

but in the bonds of Christian fellowship. Wishing you every success

in your enterprize.

Believe me, dear Sir, yours most sincerely,

RALPH CLARENCE

NOTE--Mr. Clarence is requesting to be sent some of our industrious

natives from Western Africa, as he informed me that those in the

East think it disreputable to work. The term "master" is simply

English; it means employer. The "fifteen" and "twenty" referred to,

means shillings sterling.

FOOTNOTES:

[8] Now 8 Adolphi Terrace, Strand.

XV

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS IN SCOTLAND

Commercial Relations

I have only to add, as a finality of my doings and mission in Great

Britain, that in Scotland I fully succeeded in establishing commercial

relations for traffic in all kinds of native African produce, especially

cotton, which businesses are to be done directly and immediately between

us and them, without the intervention or agencies of any society or

association whatever. The only agencies in the case are to be the

producers, sellers, and buyers--the Scottish house dealing with us as

men, and not children. These arrangements are made to facilitate, and

give us the assurance of the best encouragement to prosecute vigorously

commercial enterprises--especially, as before stated, the cotton

culture--the great source of wealth to any people and all civilized

nations.

Business Integrity

The British people have the fullest confidence in our integrity to carry

out these enterprises successfully, and now only await our advent there,

and commencement to do anything necessary we may desire, or that the

circumstances justify. Each individual is regarded as a man in these new

relations, and, as such, expected to make his own contracts according

to business custom, discharging in like manner his individual

obligations. It must here be expressly understood that there are to be

nothing but _business relations_ between us, their entire confidence and

dependence being in the self-reliant, independent transactions of black

men themselves. We are expected, and will be looked for, to create our

own ways and means among ourselves as other men do.

Public Endorsement

As an earnest of the estimate set upon our adventure, I subjoin the

names of a number of the leading commercial British journals--the two

first being English, and all the others Scottish, in the midst of

manufacturing districts, and all speaking favorably of the project:

The Leeds Mercury, the Newcastle Daily Chronicle, the Glasgow Herald,

the Glasgow Examiner, the Scottish Guardian, the North British Daily

Mail, the Glasgow Morning Journal, the Mercantile Advertiser, and

others. (For absence of these notices, see author's prefatory note.)

FROM THE DAILY CHRONICLE

_Newcastle-on-Tyne, Monday, September 17th, 1860_

DANGER AND SAFETY.-- ... The cotton of the United States affords

employment to upwards of three millions of people in England, and a

famine of cotton would be far worse than a famine of bread; the

deficiency of the latter could be supplied; but the destruction of

the cotton crop in America would be an evil of unparalleled

magnitude, and against which we have no present protection....

From the district of Lagos on the Gold coast, near the kingdom of

Dahomey, there comes amongst us Dr. Delany with promises of a

deeply interesting exposition of the prospects of Africa, and the

probabilities of the civilization and elevation of the black races.

He is a _bona fide_ descendant of one of the elite families of

Central Africa, a highly educated gentleman, whose presence at the

International Statistical Congress was noticed by Lord Brougham,

and whose remarks in the sanitary section of the Congress upon

epidemics were characterized by a great knowledge of the topic

combined with genuine modesty. He is a physician of African blood,

educated in America, who has revisited the lands of his ancestry,

and proposes a most reasonable and feasible plan to destroy the

slave trade, by creating a _cordon_, or fringe of native

civilization, through which the kidnappers could not penetrate from

without, and through which no slaves could be transported from

within. Dr. Delany is one of the Commissioners sent out by the

convention of the colored people of Canada and the United States.

He has recently returned from the Yoruba country, adjoining the

territory of the King of Dahomey, and desires to elicit a favorable

consideration for the African Aid Society. His explorations have

been productive of the most promising results, his fellow blacks

having everywhere received him with distinguished honors. His

anecdotes are interesting, and his lectures are illustrated by

specimens of native produce and manufactures highly curious. Of his

lectures at Brighton and other places we have read lengthy reports,

which represent the influence these addresses have produced, and

which speak in eulogistic terms of Dr. Delany's matter and manner.

The subject is one of vast importance to England, and we trust that

we may witness ere long a proper appreciation of it.

FROM THE GLASGOW HERALD

All this betokens a considerable degree of intelligence. The towns

had their market-places; in one of these, that of Ijaye Dr. Delany

saw many thousands of persons assembled, and carrying on a busy

traffic. What a field might thus, in the course of time, be opened

for European commerce.

FROM THE LEEDS MERCURY (ENGLAND)

_Published by E. Baines, Esq., M.P., and Sons, December 8th, 1860_

ELEVATION OF THE COLORED RACE, AND OPENING OUT OF THE RESOURCES OF

AFRICA.--An important movement for opening out the resources of a

vast portion of the continent of Africa has been made by some of

the most intelligent colored people of the United States and

Canada. Having formed a society with this object in view, among

others, Dr. Delany and Professor Campbell were commissioned to go

out and explore a considerable portion of Western Africa, near to

the mouths of the Niger, and not far from the equator. A report of

this expedition is in progress by Dr. Delany, who is himself so

fully convinced of the advantages which the rich resources of that

part of Africa offer, that he has concluded to remove his family

there immediately. A meeting of the Leeds Anti-Slavery Committee

was held on Wednesday night, Wm. Scholefield, Esq., in the chair,

when valuable information was communicated by Dr. Delany and

William Howard Day, Esq., M.A., from Canada, who is connected with

this movement. The following summary of their remarks will be

found of deep interest:--

Wm. Howard Day, M.A., having been called upon, pointed out the

necessity for an active anti-slavery organization in this country,

as was so well expressed by the Chairman, to keep the heart of the

English people warm upon the subject of human bondage.... By the

production of cotton slavery began to be a power. So that as the

cotton interest increased the testimony of the Church decreased.

Cotton now is three-fifths of the production of the South. So that

the Hon. Amasa Walker, formerly Republican Secretary of State for

the State of Massachusetts, at the meeting held in London, August

1, 1859, and presided over by Lord Brougham, really expressed the

whole truth when he said--"While cotton is fourteen cents per pound

slavery will never end." Now we propose to break the back of this

monopoly in America by raising in Africa--in the African's own

home--as well as in the West Indies, cotton of the same quality as

the American, and at a cheaper rate. It had been demonstrated by

Mr. Clegg, of Manchester, that cotton of superior quality could be

laid down at Liverpool cheaper from Africa than America. We have

sent my friend, Dr. Delany, to see what Africa is, and he will tell

you the results--so very favorable--of his exploration. Then we

feel that we have in Canada the colored men to pioneer the way--men

reared among the cotton of the United States, and who have found an

asylum among us. The bone and sinew is in Africa--we wish to give

it direction. We wish thereby to save to England millions of pounds

by the difference in price between the two cottons; we wish to ward

off the blow to England which must be felt by four millions of

people interested in the article to be produced if an untimely

frost or an insurrection should take place--and, above all, to lift

up Africa by means of her own children. After speaking of the

organization among the colored people, which sent out Dr. Delany

and of which Mr. Day is president, he said one of the means to

secure these ends was the establishment of a press upon a proper

footing in Canada among the fugitive slaves; and to collect for

that is now his especial work. It would aid powerfully, it was

hoped, in another way. Already American prejudice has rolled in

upon the borders of Canada--so that schoolhouse doors are closed in

the faces of colored children, and colored men denied a place upon

juries merely because of their color. It was with difficulty that

last year even in Canada they were able to secure the freedom of a

kidnapped little boy who was being dragged through the province to

be sold in the slave-mart of St. Louis. In view of all these

points, hastily presented, he asked the good will and active aid of

all the friends of liberty.

Dr. M. R. Delany, whose name has become so celebrated in connection

with the Statistical Congress, was invited to state what he had

contemplated in going to Africa, and if he would kindly do so, what

he had discovered there. Dr. Delany first dwelt upon the

expectation which had been raised in his mind when a young man, and

in the minds of the colored people of the United States, by the

beginning of the anti-slavery work there by William Lloyd Garrison

and his coadjutors. They had found, however, that all the

anti-slavery people were not of the stamp of Mr. Garrison, who, he

was proud to say, believed in giving to colored men just the same

rights and privileges as to others, and that Mr. Garrison's idea

had not, by the professed friends of the black man, been reduced to

practice. And finding that self-reliance was the best dependence,

he and others had struck out a path for themselves. After speaking

of the convention of colored people, which he and others called in

1854, to consider this subject of self-help, and of the general

organization which began then, and in which Mr. Day succeeded him

as president, he said he went to Africa to find a locality suitable

for a select emigration of colored people; if possible, a large

cotton-growing region, and with a situation accessible by

civilization. All this he had found, with, in addition, a

well-disposed and industrious people. The facts which Dr. Delany

grouped together as to the climate and soil; as to productions and

trade; as to the readiness of the people to take hold of these

higher ideas; and as to the anxiety of the people to have him and

his party return, were new and thrilling. An interesting

conversation ensued on the points brought forward, and the

following minute, moved by Mr. Wilson Armistead, and seconded by

the Rev. Dr. Brewer, was unanimously passed:--

That the thanks of this meeting be tendered to Dr. Delany and Wm.

Howard Day, Esq., for the valuable information received from them,

with an ardent desire that their plans for the elevation of their

race may be crowned with success, and it is the opinion of this

meeting that they be made materially to hasten the extinction of

the slave-trade and slavery.

Character of Commercial Relations

The commercial relations entered into in Scotland are with the first

business men in the United Kingdom, among whom are Henry Dunlop, Esq.,

Ex-Lord Provost of Glasgow, one of the largest proprietors in Scotland;

Andrew Stevenson, Esq., one of the greatest cotton dealers; and Messrs.

Crum, Graham & Co., 111 Virginia Place, Glasgow, one of the heaviest

firms in that part of the old world, which is the house with which I

have negotiated for an immediate, active and practical prosecution of

our enterprise, and whose agency in Europe for any or all of our

produce, may be fully relied on. I speak from personal acquaintance

with these extensively-known, high-standing gentlemen.

Reliable Arrangements

One of the most important parts of such an adventure as this, is to have

reliable Foreign Agencies, and these have been fully secured; as whilst

these gentlemen, as should all business men, deal with us only on

business terms, yet they have entered into the matter as much as

Christians and philanthropists, to see truth and right prevail whereby

humanity may be elevated, as for anything else; because they are already

wealthy, and had they been seeking after wealth, they certainly could

and would have sought some more certainly immediate means.

I left Scotland December 3rd, and sailed from Liverpool the 13th via

Londonderry, arriving at Portland the 25th, the epoch of the Christian

Era, and in Chatham the 29th.

XVI

THE TIME TO GO TO AFRICA

Caution against Danger

The best time for going to Africa is during "the rainy season," which

commences about the middle or last of April, ending near or about the

first of November. By going during this period, it will be observed that

you have no sudden transition from cold to heat, as would be the case

did you leave in cold weather for that country. But the most favorable

time to avoid the _heavy surf_ at Lagos, is from the first of October to

the first of April, when the surges in the roadstead are comparatively

small and not imminently dangerous. And I here advise and caution all

persons intending to land there, not to venture over the heavy-rolling

surf of the bar in one of those native canoes.

Safety in Landing

Yet persons can land with safety at any season of the year; but for this

there must be a proper boat. Any person going there at present ought not

to land if the surf is high, without _Captain Davies' large sail-boat_,

which is as safe as a tug, and rides the sea like a swan. Send him word

to send his _largest boat at the best hour for landing_. The Captain is

a native merchant, and most obliging gentleman.

A Tender

So soon as we get a Tender (called in America, steam-tug and tow-boat),

which will be one of the first things done so soon as we get to Lagos,

landing will be as safe at any and all times there as in the harbor at

New York or Liverpool. For the information of many intelligent persons

who are not aware of it, I would state that a pilot or tender has to

take vessels into both of these great seaports on account of shoal

water.[9]

Rainy Season

The rainy season usually thought by foreigners to be "wet, muddy, and

disagreeable weather," so far from this, is the most agreeable season of

the year. Instead of steady rains for several days incessantly, as is

common during "rainy weather" in the temperate zones, there is seldom or

never rain during a whole day. But every day to a certainty during this

season it rains, sometimes by showers at intervals, and sometimes a

heavy rain for one, two, or three hours at a time--but seldom so long as

three hours--when it clears up beautifully, leaving an almost cloudless

sky. The rains usually come up very suddenly, and as quickly cease when

done.

Drizzling Rain, Sudden Showers

There is seldom or never such a thing in this part of Africa as a

"drizzling" or mizzling rain, all suddenly coming on and as suddenly

passing off; and should one be out and see indications of an approaching

rain, they must hurry to a near shelter, so suddenly does the shower

come on.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are sudden gusts or violent storms of wind and rain, which are

more or less feared, but which may always be known from other storms on

their approach, by the blackness of the clouds above, with the _segment

of a circle of lighter cloud_ just beneath the dark, and above the

horizon.

Summer

The entire _wet_ season may be justly termed the _summer_ instead of

"winter," as the old writers have it; and it is observable that at the

commencement of Spring in the temperate zones (March) vegetation starts

forth in Africa with renewed vigor.

Winter

_Winter_ is during the _dry_ season, and not the "wet," for the above

reason; and it is also worthy of remark, that during autumn in the

temperate zone (from October to the last of November) the foliage in

Africa begins to fade and fall from the trees in large quantities.

Harmattans

It is during this season that the _harmattans_ prevail, (from two to

three weeks in December) which consist of a _dry cold_ and _not_ a "dry

hot" wind as we have been taught; when furniture and wooden-ware _dries_

and _cracks_ for want of moisture, and the thermometer frequently rates

as low as 54 deg. Fahr. in the evening and early in the morning; when

blankets on the bed will not be out of place, and an evening and morning

fire may add to your comfort.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] I have received information from London, that an iron steam Tender

has already been sent out to Lagos by an English house.

XVII

CONCLUDING SUGGESTIONS

Native Mariners

It may not be generally known as a fact, which is of no little

importance in the industrial economy of Africa, that vessels of every

class, of all foreign nations, are manned and managed by native

Africans, so soon as they enter African waters.

The Krumen are the watermen or marines generally of Africa, going in

companies of greater or less numbers, with one in the lead called

"headman," who, hiring all the others, makes contracts with a vessel,

which is met outside of the roadsteads or harbors, to supply a certain

number of men to manage it during her coasting voyage. They usually

bring with them the recommendations of all the commanders whose vessels

they have managed on the coast. These are generally carried in the hat

to prevent getting wet, and sometimes in calabashes, stopped up like a

bottle, or in a tin can or case, (when such can be obtained,) suspended

by a string like a great square medal around the neck.

So expert have these people become in marine affairs, that, with the

exception of navigation, a vessel at sea might be managed entirely by

many of those companies of Krumen. Everything that is to be done as the

common work of seamen, is done by them during their engagement on the

coasting vessels. The agility with which they scale the shrouds and

rigging, mounting frequently to the very pinnacle of the main-mast head,

or going out to the extreme end of the yard arms, is truly surprising.

In these feats, they are far more dextrous than the white civilians.

The Fever--Stages Of

In cases of real intermittent fever--fever and ague or chills and

fever--there are usually three distinct stages when the attack comes

on--on what is usually termed _fever day_: the _cold_ or shivering

stage, the _hot_ or burning stage, succeeded by the _sweating_.

_Cold Stage_

So soon as there are symptoms of a chill, a cup of quite hot ginger or

cinnamon tea--not too strong--may be taken, the person keeping out of

the sun, and, if inclined, going to bed and covering warmly. He should

always undress, putting on a night-shirt or gown, for the convenience of

changing when required. A hot cup of tea, of any kind, is better than

nothing, when neither cinnamon nor ginger is convenient.

_Kneading or Friction-Bath. Hot Stage_

During the hot stage, the person must be kept as cool as possible, and

when the fever is at its height--and, indeed, it is well to commence

long before this--the entire person, from head to foot, should be

continually bathed by a free application of cold water, used

_plentifully_ and _frequently changed_ during the application, with a

large sponge, napkin, or cloth of some kind.

_Lime-Bath_

An excellent addition to the water is the juice of limes or lemons, and

_less_ of the first (lime) than the last is required, because of the

superior strength of the one to the other.

_Soda_

Soda may also be used in the bath as an adjuvant to the water--not with

the lime juice, of course, because they would effervesce or disagree.

When lime or lemon juice is used, care should be taken, in the use of

it, that it be not too strong: say, use two lemons, or one and a half

limes if large, to a pail of water--as it will produce irritation on all

of the tender parts of the person, and even over the general surface. A

lime bath once or twice a week, in the absence of all fever, is said to

be an excellent hygeian or prophylactic treatment. But, by all means,

don't neglect the cold water application during the hot stage.

_Sweating Stage_

So soon as the sweating commences, the patient must have sufficient

covering to prevent taking cold, which is then very readily done, in

consequence of the general relaxation of the system and open state of

the pores. When the sweating ceases, the shirt or gown must be

immediately taken off, the entire person sponged off in clear lukewarm

or air-cold water, fresh clean clothes put on, the sheets and wet

bed-clothes removed by clean ones supplying their places; and in no case

must a person ever be permitted to keep on the same clothes after the

sweating stage, as the _virus_ or fever-poison is expelled through the

medium of the sweat and pores, and consequently absorbed by the

clothing. The clothes should be changed _every day_, whether there be

perspiration or not.

_All the stages_

Either of these symptoms is to be treated as advised, independently of

the other in the order of arrangement.

Fatigue-Clothes--Caution

Persons should be careful not to sleep in sweaty clothes, especially

those in which they have traveled; and they should be cautious not to

sleep in the same clothes worn on any day, as before but slightly

alluded to. Clean, unsoiled night-clothes should be put on every

evening, and those which may be worn again should be well aired and

sunned during the day.

Colonization--an Error in Philanthropy

The Colonization Society has committed a great error in its

philanthropic arrangements of providing for _six months' passiveness_

after going to Africa. The _provisions, for those who require them_, I

do not object to, but the _passiveness_ is fatally injurious.

Activity Conducive to Health

Instead of going to Africa and quietly sitting down in utter idleness,

in anticipation _waiting in anxious expectation for the fever to

come_--in which cases the person becomes much more susceptible--did they

go directly about some active employment, to keep both mind and body

properly exercised, I am certain that there would not be one-fourth of

the mortality that there is even now, which is comparatively little.

Evidences of the Fact

This will account for the reason that, among the numerous travelers and

explorers who visit such countries, there is so much less, nay, so

seldom any mortality from disease, compared with the missionaries, whose

lives are rather easy and inactive, except the really energetic ones,

who generally are they who survive. And I have the testimony of my

friends Professor Crummell of Liberia College, late of Mount Vaughn High

School, a most industrious, persevering gentleman, and W. Spencer

Anderson, Esq., the largest sugar and coffee grower in Liberia, also a

most energetic industrious gentleman--who corroborate my opinion on this

important subject. Indeed, the people generally seem to have been long

conscious of this fact, since among them they have an adage: "The _more_

work, the _less_ fever." But no one should infer that it meant that they

should exercise without regard to care and judgment, with all the

precautions and observations on health laid down in the preceding pages.

I return of course, to Africa, with my family.

* * * * *

CLASSICS IN BLACK STUDIES EDITORIAL BOARD

Norm R. Allen Jr.

Molefi Kete Asante

Toyin Falola

CLASSICS IN BLACK STUDIES

THE CONDITION, ELEVATION,

EMIGRATION, AND DESTINY

OF THE COLORED PEOPLE

OF THE UNITED STATES

_and_ OFFICIAL REPORT

OF THE NIGER VALLEY

EXPLORING PARTY

* * * * *

Martin R. Delany

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY

Toyin Falola

Humanity

Books

an imprint of Prometheus Books

59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, New York 14228-2197