Constitutional Whig

We perceive no impropriety in according to the writer of the following, the wish he expresses of having it published. He is evidently prejudiced against Colonization in Africa, and a stranger to the intelligence lately received, which gives assurance of the flourishing condition and expanding prospects of the Colony at Liberia. Mischievous and injudicious, if not unprincipled, have been those efforts made at the North, to alarm and prejudice the minds of the free negroes against emigration to Africa. Do they not see the fate of the Indian—driven and scattered before the Westward advance of the white man, and shall they hope to escape the same fate? Suppose them settled in Texas—how long would it be before their possessions would be coveted by the whites, and they driven farther and farther into the West, until like the Britons, the Ocean would present itself as the sole refuge from the pursuer? That scheme will not answer. The free negroes must seek the refuge which they require in the tropics—no where else will they be impregnable to the intrusion of the white man, who possesses the wealth, the power, and science of the Earth. Not the Indian only will find no ultimate refuge on this Continent—but the Spaniard of Mexico too, will undoubtedly have finally to relinquish the conquest of Cortes, to the superior energy of the descendants of the Northern European. The free negroes cannot remain in North America. Africa is the land originally assigned to their race in the distribution of the Earth, and thither let them return. The informed among them ought to perceive the inevitable necessity of this event, and prepare the minds of the less instructed, for that destiny which cannot be avoided, and which is desirable in itself.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE WHIG.

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Jan. 30th, 1832.

Messrs. Pleasants & Abbott:—There often occurs, in the course of human events, certain great matters, that justifies our laying aside common prejudices and customs, and leave us free to act, independent of all precedent.

Such, gentlemen, are the circumstances that induce me to obtrude myself thus upon your notice. The Legislature of Virginia has now under consideration its coloured population—and it would seem, from present omens, that the free part of that population, would, if any, become the subjects of legislative enactments, during the present session. It seems too, to be the present intention, to banish from the State, all that species of her population.

From hence a question naturally arises, to what place will Virginia send her free coloured population? And if they are expelled from the State, how are they to subsist and govern themselves in their present untutored state? If there was an eligible situation provided, there is not the least doubt but that all the colored population of the free States would join their Southern brethren in emigration. But, gentlemen, that place is not yet provided. Africa is too far off, and too unhealthy; better sacrifice us all at once, and let our ashes remain with those of our fathers, than send us far off to sicken, linger, starve, and die, in the midst of heathen savages. Tell us of the gibbet, of the cross, of the sword, of the flames, but tell us not of Africa. Canada is certainly a fine country: possessing every facility for agriculture, commerce, and manufactures—but it is too cold for the inhabitants of the South, and I fear its habitable territory is not sufficiently extensive to contain all the coloured inhabitants of this land—moreover, it is governed by white men. And is there no other country except those mentioned, to which we may turn our eyes, and hope to find a place of refuge? I think there is. That part of Mexico, commonly called Texas, offers every inducement for colored men to migrate thither. The climate is healthy, the land good, and easy of cultivation—but what is more than all to us, it is principally inhabited and governed by coloured men. Some may be ready to start objections to this proposition, and say that this asylum is too contiguous to the U. S. And that in time it may be the means of obstructing the settlement of those lands by white men, and that the whites might prove more agreeable neighbours than the coloured. Such views are altogether contracted and selfish, and never can be entertained by men of exalted minds. Jealousy and fear are only the consequences of guilt. The sign of integrity never anticipates evil as the attendant of his good actions. No one can reasonably apprehend that the free coloured population, be they settled in what part of the American continent they may, will ever tender back evil, for the good that the U. States may have done them—The Deity has commanded us to do right, and can any suppose, that we shall be made to suffer, by obeying his mandates? Texas possesses ample territory for all the colored population of the South; and the climate must undoubtedly, be congenial to their constitution. But gentlemen, when men's minds are enshrouded in ignorance, what avails the most luxuriant soil, or most salubrious climate? They may possess all the facilities of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures; but if destitute of a knowledge of the arts and sciences; how shall they turn them to their advantage? Coloured men are as capable of government, and as susceptible of refinement, as whites. It was Egypt that taught Greece philosophy, and refinement: and recollect that it was a Hannibal, an African, that taught a Buonaparte, to lead an army across the Alps. Give the coloured man access to the arcana of knowledge, and he will show you that his soul is equally exalted with that of any other. I am a native of Virginia, and have friends there, who are yet in bondage: this is the reason of the concern elicited in my bosom, when I saw the commencement of the present course of its legislative deliberations.

I am a colored man, and write with my own hand, and hold myself responsible, for the correctness of my statements respecting the country of Texas, and desire you to make the subject known, through your widely extended, and very worthy and liberal paper. I am, gentlemen, most respectfully,

LEWIS WOODSON.