Burlington Free Press

For the Free Press.
GREAT COLONIZATION MEETING
On Thursday evening, the 20th inst., was held at Montpelier, the 23d anniversary of the Vermont Colonization Society; Mr. Pinney, formerly Governor of the colony at Liberia and the Rev. R. R. Gurley, many years Secretary of the National Society, were present.
At 6 o'clock the Hon. Israel P. Dana, the oldest Vice President took the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Merrill of Middlebury and with appropriate and well performed music from the choir and organ.
The first item of business was the following resolution introduced by the Hon. Judge White, of Putney.
Resolved, That the Vermont Colonization Society most deeply feel, and lament, the great deprivation they have sustained in the decease of their late venerable and highly esteemed President, the Hon. Judge Paine.—A great and good man has fallen! His many distinguishing virtues, his untiring zeal and great liberality in promoting the benevolent cause of colonization, will endear his memory to every christian, patriot and philanthropist, in all after time.
This resolution was accompanied by a few very appropriate remarks by Judge White and was then unanimously adopted by the society.
The following abstract of the annual Report of the Directors was presented by the Rev. J. K. Converse: After which, the meeting was addressed, for more than two hours, by Messrs. Gurley and Pinney in a strain of eloquence and truth as delightful as it was convincing. We hope to be able to give you an abstract of the speeches of these gentlemen. Men of all shades of opinion respecting the best means of benefiting the colored race, listened to them with profound interest and delight. An outline of these speeches we will endeavor to furnish for your next paper. The following is an abstract from the Secretary's
ANNUAL REPORT
Once more we are permitted to meet, to mingle our congratulations and express our thanks for the good blessing of God, which has been upon us and upon the work of our hands during another year. "The Vermont Colonization Society holds this evening its twenty-third anniversary. The Report of your Directors, embracing the principal events of the year, will be, in some respects, like the pillar of cloud and of fire that went before the children of Israel while they were attempting to plant a colony in their father land; that pillar being one side dark, while the other side was all bright and luminous. So with us, in the events of the last year, some have been sad and others joyous.
The year has quickly passed; and in its swift and silent course, it has borne away some who have long stood by our side, and borne a principal part in these labors of philanthropy.— Our venerable and honoured President appears no more in his place. Having filled his days with usefulness, honor and deeds of light, he has been gathered to his fathers in peace. God has thus taken a chief pillar in our Society.— He saw us inclined to lean on this pillar. He has therefore taken it away that we may henceforth lean on His Almighty arm.
Judge Paine was the President 20 years, and one of the most liberal patrons of this society from its organization in 1819 until his death. The enterprise of Colonization lay near his heart. Purely benevolent in its invention and benign in its results, he cherished this society as one of the noblest institutions of the age— The veneration we cherish for his memory and our respect for his talents, experience, integrity and goodness forbid our proceeding in the duties of the evening, without a passing tribute to his good name. Would we place before our aspiring youth the model of a great and good public man, we shall scarcely find among ourselves a better one than that furnished by our late venerable President. In the just language of his successor, "with a strong natural understanding, improved by an early classical education, Judge Paine united in himself the high virtues of absolute integrity and unwavering firmness of purpose. He was exemplary in every relation of life. He had a full and just sense of moral obligation and he seemed at all times to act under its controlling influence. He performed all his duties well, with assiduous diligence, with strict punctuality, and with uncompromising fidelity," In short, he combined in his character all the attributes of a good and great public man. But he has gone. Having finished his work, he has doubtless received the plaudit, Servant of God, well done,
May his mantle fall upon his successor, and upon us all.
We are also called upon to record another melancholy bereavement by death of the excellent and worthy Governor of our Liberian Colonies, Thomas Buchanan, Esq. The sad tidings of his death reached us but a few days after our last anniversary. He died at the agency house, at Bassa Cove, Sept. 3d, 1841, with calmness and peace of soul and in the triumphs of that faith which he had long professed. His views of the grand enterprise of Colonization, as to its benevolence, its entire practicality, and its important and necessary results, remained unaltered to the very last.— While on his first voyage to the Colony in 1835 he made in his private journal the following interesting record of his convictions and hopes, on entering the work with which he last devoted his life. "The God who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, will moderate the rays of a tropical sun to the unprotected African. He shall go with me. In His strength I go, and is worthy of all
Having visited the village of New Georgia. o p ol tio ten saltlognls in our colony. duus that voyage, after describing the Liberia o the county—the richness o: the sa, thg lusuri. ane ots trute an!thecotoguop' amdthnt of's mbnbtoite-le sou "a theeoor. tio Society accomplished good hna mgrs, tlinn has berdye in thio resovo fom shvory ad swaehabtsoftes Sodnomyiepie. L houly be well sitidol." Such were the vows a ths intelligent and noble-hearted philanthropist when he entered on his work. Through all his administration, he has received those with sthereas pg earnes'negs to rok malle our zeal in ths good work, and as he went down 'o the grave by lingering disease. forgetful ot himself. he spent the last remains of his strength in attempting to disnhuse the people oi ths Ind and ongieo thewa to briug to thus cherished caus the ad it deseryed. As we meet to night. there comes one voice trom the heights of Williamstown and another from that fresh grave be. neath the palm-trees shade at Bassa, calling us to awake and increase our efforts a hundred fold. And yet another voice breaks upon the stuliness of this sanctuary. It comes from thousands in the south and west, who for their p- tient servitude, have been offered their freedom, or who have bought it with the price of their extra toil, saying ".his is not our rest- We would depart hence. Help us, or we and our wives and our little ones, must sink again into hopeless bondage."
While God has afflicted us, for our profit in these dispensations of his Providence. He has not left us without witnesses of His goodness and of His liberal approbation of our cause. The enterprise of Colonization has made progress during the past year.
The Report then goes on to show what has been done during the year, in collecting funds, circulating intelligence; then, after alluding to difficulties arising out of the divided state of the public mind, it proceeds—
The income of the parent society during the year, is $51,317; a sum by no means adequate to its resources. We need not say that the society has suffered, exceedingly with other benevolent objects. from the unexampled scarcity of money and the low prices of agricultural products, Its plans and its results of course have been measured and must be estimated by its means. The objects to which its attention has been chiefly directed, are the sending out of emigrants, the purchase of territory, the encouragement of agriculture, and the adoption of measures for securing governmental protection.
The British Government and nation are peculiarly alive to the importance of Africa as a mart for trade. It is the policy of that nation to enter that continent at every accessible point. The possession and entire control of that section of the African coast, lying between Bassa and Cape Palmas, is deemed by the parent society so important to the permanent security and prosperity of our colonies, that peculiar effort has been made for purchasing this country. On this account, the only expeditions which the means of the society have permitted, have been gotten up with special reference to those who must have been sold into perpetual bondage unless taken to the colony.
Only two or three expeditions have been fitted out since our last annual meeting. One ship sailed from Norfolk on the 18th of last Oct. Some fifty emancipated slaves from Flemingsburgh, Ky., and Richmond, Va., had applied for a passage. But great delay was occasioned by want of funds. In consequence of this delay—e. because the real friends of the colored race did not furnish the requisite means, just before the expedition was in readiness, the heirs at law, contested the wills, of the former masters of these intended emigrants, and they were enjoined by the court to remain and abide the issue. Thus the cup of blessing was dashed from the lips of these poor people in a most unexpected and cruel manner. Upwards of forty, entangled in these suits, were detained in the two places above named, so that the vessel which was to convey them to their father land, was obliged to sail with a cargo of goods and only a few emigrants. These were intelligent and energetic persons, acting for "the improvement of their own condition and the good of their kindred in Africa."
On the 7th of July last, the Marinosa sailed from Norfolk, with a large number of emigrants, 231 in all. A more interesting or promising body of emigrants never left our shores. Most of those were emancipated by their masters, and instructed with special reference to a home in Africa. The large portion of these were able to read. Some of them were skillful mechanics, others well acquainted with the culture of the sugar cane and the whole process of sugar making. All of them trained to habits of industry and economy, many of them members of the christian church and one a preacher of the gospel.
The following interesting particulars are gathered, in an abridged form, from the last report of the parent society.
Gen. J. J. Roberts, the Lieut. Governor, immediately on hearing of the demise of Gov. Buchanan, assumed by virtue of his office, the administration of the Government. At our latest dates all things were quiet and promising.— There was no jar, and disorder or commotion on account of the reins of government passing into different hands. On the contrary, there seemed to be a general disposition to uphold the laws, and abide by the provisions of the Constitution.
Gen. Roberts is a colonist of more than ordinary intelligence and energy of character. He stands high among the citizens of Liberia, and we have great confidence in his capacity to manage the duties of Chief Executive of the Commonwealth.
The regular official reports which we have received in regard to the health of the inhabitants the past year, have been of a highly encouraging nature. The several companies of emigrants sent out, have passed through their acclimation with an unusually small amount of sickness, and comparatively few deaths.
The incipient steps have been taken, for the establishment, in the colony, of a medical school, in which shall be educated from youths of the colony and natives of the country a regular body of physicians. This measure will essentially contribute to the health, welfare and respectability of the commonwealth.
RESULTS.
The American Colonization Society has been in operation a little over twenty years. It has purchased and obtained by honorable and satisfactory negotiation, a tract of country on the western coast of Africa, as large as the State of Vermont. It has sent out and settled (including some re-captured Africans) more than 6000 colonists. It has four colonies and ten settlements,—with a free population of from 5000 to 6000 inhabitants. The slave-trade has been broken up for 300 miles along the coast in the vicinity of the settlements. Many thousands of the surrounding native tribes, have been brought into friendly alliance with these colonies, submit themselves to their laws and enjoy the benefits of their schools and churches.
Schools have been established at all the settlements and the facilities of education are open to all. Twelve or fourteen churches have been united, and few places in Christendom are better supplied with the gospel or show more of its restraining influence
A post office has been opened—with a mail to and from the United States, at a yearly expense of about $6000:
Wood and ivory, in considerable quantities, and cam-wood, have been exported to the United States.
The press of the colonies is conducted with great ability, and has shown It l al of the colonies agoinst at Two newspapers are published, whose columns are filled with notices and advertisements exhibiting all the marks of a prosperous and thriving state.
A Bassa and Monrovia are Public Libraries, one of which contains from 1200 to 1500 volumes
The government of Liberia is essentially republican. The executive power is vested in the Governor and a council of five, chosen by the Society. The Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Registrar, Treasurer, Legislature, Councillors, Sheriff, Courts, are chosen by the colonists, under the constitution and laws. The prime minister, judges, &c. are appointed by the Society, for life or during good behavior.
The Legislature meets annually and is conducted with great order and decorum.
Trade is increasing, and the colony is rapidly extending its influence and power.
In all the departments of labor, the mechanics and farmers are doing well.
The Aucher p Colo. ",tmi) i, :'
the booelg of God, in Wo tor 1: to yene aid a' an txpense of onls6d000: Wod i's mot I k lark upw the origin and progrs of th outee wuth aotoush. men that so mah his begn doe; ad torward tothe.riaiure deatiny. with mteny interest and hope?
CONCLUSION.
We have now presented a rapid detail of the condition :tha society, of tho operations of the Parent I ard, and of the present state of things inohr coay. Irom the yew before us, you will see that our enterprise is one ol great moral grandeur. Two races of men and two quarters of the globe are interested in its result. The slave-trade is to be abolished, that accursed traffic, which even now annually robs Africa of half a million of her children. This cry is yet and appalling enough to "ring all the churches and clothe all the clergy of Christendom in mourning, and occupy, as in object of chief concern, all the governments of the world until it be suppressed." The intellectual and moral renovation of Africa is to be effected and her hundred millions be brought under the influence of Christianity and civilization. The capacity of the colored race for improvement and self-government is to be demonstrated, (if it has not been,) so as to refute from slaveholders their most plausible objection to emancipation and leave their consciences unshielded and free to be acted on by truth. The general opinion of the civilized world, of governments, states and missionary boards is fast settling down upon the conclusion, that these truly grand and far reaching results, can be gained only by planting civilized and christian colonies on that continent. Even Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton and the British African Colonization Society, now plead strenuously that this is the most effectual way of blessing Africa.
Shall we then desist from this work? We are told that our enterprise costs great sacrifices and must encounter eminent difficulties.— Be it so, These are the price of all real good attained here. When was ever a continent enlightened and an empire founded, by colonizing, without great difficulties!—Truly benevolent, intelligent and noble souls are not daunted by obstacles. The faint-hearted and selfish who are, should read the unchanging lessons of history both civil and sacred,
Three thousand years ago, a great nation were enslaved in Africa. In that nation were folded up the instrumentalities destined to enlighten and save, not a continent merely, but the world. At length God broke the yoke of the oppressor and called His people to go and plant a colony in the land of their fathers. Obedient to the heavenly mandate, they arose and departed. Immense sacrifices must be made and difficulties encountered. Seas and deserts burning sands and pestilence lay between them and their appointed home. But they arose with their wives and their little ones and their cattle and committed themselves to their perilous way. At length, murmuring and rebellion broke out. A part of the people changed their minds. and concluded that this expedition from the land of their birth was all wrong and wicked.— They persisted in going back. They gave up all faith in the scheme of Colonization though God had directed it. They decried the country for which they had started, that it was an un- wholesome land, whose inhabitants were giants. as many as possible to go back to Egypt. Finding that they could avail nothing, they at length allied themselves with the Canaanites: and some of them put themselves under the command of Og king of Bashan to do his violent work of destruction. When they had done all they could to defeat the great and noble enterprise of His providence, God denounced His
May his mantle fall upon his successor, and upon us all.
wrath against Thom; declared that their carcasses should fall in the wilderness and none of them should go to the promised land. Thus they miserably and ignominiously perished. But the enterprise in humble glory overcame them and all the obstacles which their ignorance and prejudice threw in its way.

Those who confided in God and followed the leadings of His providence, boldly went forward in the face of difficulties to do His will. He blessed them. He opened for them a passage through the sea. He went before them in the cloudy pillar. He gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and water for their thirst.

He stopped the sun in the firmament to aid their victories. He safely established them as a colony in the land of their father—made them as sands of the sea for multitude, and in the rolling on of His great purposes, has made them the means of enlightening and blessing not a continent but the world.

We are reversing the order of this ancient plan, for the same high ends and by the same principle of colonization. We are doing it under circumstances of painful similarity. We have passed through the sea. Guided by the pillar of cloud and of fire, we have as we judge nearly reached the farther side of the wilderness; for we find Og king of Bashan, the Amorites, the Moabites and the Hittites attempting to hedge up our way. They attack our rear, and cause the feeble ones to fall. But God is with us and when our Moses and our Aarons have fallen, the Lord has raised us up a Joshua in their stead, He may suffer the Canaanites to trouble us for a time. He will ere long bring them to repentance, or divide their counsels break up their ranks and cause them, as He did the nations of old, to turn their weapons upon each other, Thus He will glorify himself, and His purposes shall stand. He who delivered His ancient people and after 40 years of trial planted them a happy colony in their father land, is the God in whom we trust. He will succeed our labors if undertaken and carried forward with a prayerful dependence on His almighty arm. Embarrassments have often risen. but the Lord has helped us thus far, and He will help in time to come, if we do our duty.

A crisis has come to try us. The national society is suffering for the means of purchasing the territory referred to; of liquidating some small existing debts and for sending out waiting thousands of emigrants. Will the friends of the cause look at the facts of the case? Hear Mr Ellsworth, one of the executive committee, in his address to the convention assembled in Washington last May. He says: 'many are the entreaties found on our files, which the committee can not meet. We twice that ten thousand emigrants would some offered, if we could provide for them. Is it sad that the people of color are not willing to emigrate? What! will not Africans return to their own land? Will not those who now find so little sympathy, and who can never rise to an equality, embrace the offer when they know they must continue a degraded race if they remain here? Many be- quests have been made to the society. The dying charges of several persons are on its records, In most of the cases freedom is given on condition of emigrating to Africa. The fears of some that emigrants could not be found have been wholly removed. A new era has arrived. Our mails are crowded with applications to go. Ambition bursts forth. They come at your door begging, and wait your direction They come with a joyful heat hoping soon to see their to home.— They come with a longing desire to claim more kind treatment. Yes onan they come as messengers of God to dig glad tidings to a benighted region of the world. Will you stay them in their homeward passage?— Night after night your committee meet to hear their supplications. Your committee feel for their woes while they beg— that we can not help them unless you send us the means; we can not work miracles.

Do any present doubt the willingness of the colored people to emigrate? Permit us (say the committee) to read an extract from a single letter, selected from many of a similar character. It is from free colored persons—as follows:-

GALLATIN CO. CYPRESSVILLE, ILL. )
Sept. 10, 1841. }

S. WILKERSON, Esq.

Sir,—Yours of the 21st Aug. has come to hand. We calculated to pay our passage by the assistance of Mr. Figg, one of the agents for the society, but he has failed to assist us. There are 18 of us that will go and we are utterly unable to pay our passage. The 18 consist of three families— myself and wife and four children.. (Then follow the names of the other families. the letter continues) one is an old man. a native of Africa. We all wish to go to Liberia and are not able to pay our passage. If the society can send us, we are willing to refund the amount in labor or produce when we are able. We are ready to start at any moment and wish the time to come as soon as possible, for though we are free in name, we are not free in fact. We are in as bad or worse condition than the slaves of which you speak, being compelled to leave the state or give security; and those of the whites who would befriend us are debarred by fear of public opinion."

Now what could we reply to this letter? Must we dash to the earth their present hopes? We are compelled to do so. Emigrants are crowding upon us and in the name of their divine master, entreat us to send them out, but we are compelled to say, no. Hundreds of others are in the condition of these 18. We are compelled to feel their woes, but we cannot grant their wishes. When! O when, will christian charity awake to the full importance of this subject?

"If there is an object of sympathy in this wide world, it is the African, torn from his native land, separated from all that he loved, transferred amid the horrors of a gloomy passage in a slave ship to a foreign shore, and there held to bondage; and who at last for his honest servitude is offered his freedom or who by untiring labor has bought himself, and now makes his single, humble, suppliant request to be permitted and aided to return home to die. If he is poor, it is not because he is indolent; his task was done. his duty performed; his hard earnings have been for his master; and he is penniless because he spent his all to become free. Read his joy, that the happy time has arrived when he no longer wears the yoke of bondage. O happy thought! what bright anticipations now fill his heart. He tells us that he is ready to embark, and inquires, how soon will a ship sail for Africa? What is our reply? We direct the Secretary to inform him that we deeply sympathise in his disappointment, but we cannot send him— we have no funds. Such, my friends, is our daily reply to pressing applications; and what do we get in return? Expressions of regret, disappointment and despair. The freedom purchased or bestowed is held only on condition of removal within a definite time. Sad thought! upon this contingency rests the question of his return to bondage for the remainder of life! Poor and friendless they come to us—what can we do?— Can we go on and incur obligations which we have no present means of discharging? Yes, my friends, we have done so; we could not resist such appeals. Humanity cries he has served long enough. We encourage him to hope for relief, and we try to raise some means for his aid."