African Colonization by the Free Colored People of the United States, an Indispensable Auxiliary to African Missions. / A Lecture

by David Christy

The English Apprenticeship System.

President Roberts has written the following letter, to a gentleman in England, in explanation of the influence exerted on the natives, by the practice of purchasing apprentices, from the African chiefs, to serve as laborers on the plantations of the British West Indies. Is not this system virtually a renewal of the slave-trade, and a violation of England’s treaty with the United States for its suppression?

Government House, Monrovia, September, 1853.

I assure you, sir, the Government of Liberia has no desire to, nor will it interfere improperly with the operations of Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., nor will it place any unnecessary obstacles in the way of their obtaining emigrants from the Liberian coast. The only object the Government had in issuing the proclamation referred to, was, and still is, to see that emigration from within its jurisdiction shall be free and unconstrained.

It is proper I should remark, that no facts have come to the knowledge of the Government to induce the belief that Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., or their agents, have actually sent off persons, or that they would, knowingly, send off any, without the voluntary consent of their natural guardians. But the Government had good grounds for believing that attempts were about to be made to force certain unfortunate persons to emigrate without the facts of their coercion coming to the knowledge of the emigration agents.

During last year, serious disturbances rose between certain Vey and Golah chiefs in the neighborhood of Grand Cape Mount. And, in the early part of the present year, Boombo and George Cane, Vey chiefs, residing respectively at Little and Grand Cape Mount, attacked and captured some three or four native towns in the Dey and Golah district, and carried away as captives several hundred of the inhabitants. Soon after these occurrences, a report was rife here that George Cane had contracted with the agents of Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., to supply a number of emigrants. Complaint was also made to the Government—by the chiefs who had suffered—that Cane’s intentions were to send off to the West Indies the captives he had taken from the towns.

Now, that the agents of Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., would countenance constrained emigration, or that they would have received those persons, knowing them to be captives, we had no reason to believe. But it is more than likely that nine out of ten that would have been offered as emigrants, at that time, would be of this unfortunate class. And the chances were a hundred to one that the emigration agents would be deceived in regard to the real condition of the people. Very possibly, no complaint then and there would have been uttered by them. They were suffering painful captivity; and whatever their feelings might be in regard to emigration, they would gladly, perhaps, have availed themselves of that or any other opportunity to escape the cruelties of their captors. And, further, sir, I am assured these poor fellows were given to understand that when they should be offered as emigrants, if they disclosed their real condition, or refused to emigrate, their lives would be sacrificed. Many of these captives have since been released, and returned to their homes and families; and all, I am told, corroborate this statement. Now, sir, under these circumstances, was it unreasonable to suppose that many might be sent off without their voluntary consent? And was it not the duty of the Government to provide as far as possible the means of checking such outrages? Of course, in all this there is no blame to be attached to Messrs. Hyde, Hodge & Co., or their agents.

But, my dear sir, with respect to this emigration business, the strictest watchfulness must be observed; otherwise, the enterprise may lead to abuses and evils of the most painful character. Not that respectable British agents would knowingly be the means of producing such results; but let the chiefs along the coast find that they can send off captives, as emigrants, to the British West Indies, and obtain an advance of only ten dollars each, and the old system—war—of procuring slaves will again be renewed.

J. J. Roberts.

[From the Liberia Herald.]

Trial and Sentence of Boombo.

Monrovia, April 6th, 1853.

We have seldom witnessed the trial of a case producing so much interest as that of Boombo’s. The readers of the “Herald,” need not be told, that Boombo is a chieftain of Little Cape Mount, that he had voluntarily entered into an arrangement with the Government of Liberia, and subscribed to demean himself according to the laws and constitution; also, that he and his people lived on lands purchased by the Government of Liberia from the native owners. Boombo, though bound by his solemn engagements to refrain from wars, and not to disturb the peace and quietness of the country, has repeatedly, since he placed himself under the laws of Liberia, broken his engagements by carrying on predatory wars, destroying towns and murdering and carrying into captivity hundreds of inoffensive men, women and children. To all the remonstrances of Government, Boombo gave no heed, and his bloody career did not end until he was brought to this city a prisoner. George Cain, of Grand Cape Mount, is also amenable to the laws of Liberia; and it is now well ascertained that he was the principal actor in all the disturbances created in the Little Cape Mount country. Boombo, it appears, acted under his direction.

At the last Court of “Quarter Sessions,” Boombo was indicted for “High Misdemeanor”—the indictment set forth a general allegation and three special counts. The first count charged the prisoner with violating his obligations and allegiance to the Government, and that he did procure and make war upon and against one Dwarloo Bey and certain other Golah chiefs, occupying a portion of the territories of Grand and Little Cape Mount—that he murdered the inhabitants—carried into captivity large numbers of the defenseless; sacked, burned and pillaged towns and villages, and laid waste the country. The second count charged, that Boombo violated, etc., as before, that he did procure and make war upon and against one Weaver, a Dey chieftain—crossing the Little Cape Mount river, and entering the Dey country for that purpose; that he murdered inhabitants, carried others into captivity, and sacked, burned, and pillaged towns and villages, and laid waste the country. The third count, charged that Boombo did violate, etc., as before, and that he committed felony, by seizing and carrying off merchandise from factories belonging to citizens of Monrovia. The Attorney-General, Wm. Draper, Esq., was assisted in this case by David A. Madison, Esq., of Buchanan, Grand Bassa. D. T. Harris, and J. B. Phillips, Esquires, appeared for the prisoner, and we are pleased to say that these gentlemen did all that honest and patriotic men could do for a man under such circumstances. They ably and eloquently defended the prisoner upon every point that formality and technicality would admit of, but as they could not argue the lock off the door, and as the evidence, especially that given by prisoner’s witnesses, was point blank against Boombo, the verdict was, guilty of each count.

The sentence was—restitution, restoration, and reparation of goods stolen, people captured, and damages committed; to pay a fine of $500, and be imprisoned for two years. When the sentence was pronounced the convict shed tears, regarding the ingredient of imprisonment, in his sentence, to be almost intolerable. It is hoped that this will prove a salutary example to all other chieftains under the jurisdiction of this Government, that they may, henceforward, be convinced of the determination and power of the Government to administer justice in the premises. It is the belief of many, that Boombo’s punishment, as per sentence, is too great, but we believe to the contrary. Until rigorous measures are used to deter chieftains from carrying on their predatory wars, there can not be any guarantee, but that some part of our coast will always be in a state of savage warfare.

ADDRESS
OF
THE OHIO COLONIZATION COMMITTEE,
TO
The Clergymen of Ohio.

Christian Brethren:

In our annual appeals to the churches, in behalf of the American Colonization Society, frequent reference has been made to the purchase of territory, in Africa, for an Ohio colony. The offer of funds for this object, by Charles McMicken, Esq., was made in 1848, and the purchase completed in 1850.

In anticipation of this result, memorials were forwarded to Columbus, in December, 1849, asking an appropriation, by the Legislature, to aid in the establishment of an “Ohio in Africa.” Among these petitions was one signed by the ministers of the Ohio Methodist Conference, the Ohio Baptist Annual Convention, the New School Presbyterian Synod of Cincinnati, the Old School Presbyterian Synod of Cincinnati, and the Old School Presbyterian Synod of Ohio.

In responding to these expressions of public sentiment, a resolution was passed, by both branches of the Legislature, asking the General Government to acknowledge the independence of Liberia; the Senate passed another resolution, asking Congress to withdraw its squadron from the coast of Africa, and to appropriate the $150,000 per annum, expended in its support, to the cause of African Colonization, as a more efficient means of suppressing the slave trade; and the House passed a bill, by a large majority, making a liberal appropriation to aid the proposed colony. The two last named measures were introduced so late in the session, that they were not acted upon, except by the branches named, and were postponed among the unfinished business.

These indications of a friendly disposition, on the part of the Legislature, to promote Colonization, together with some movements among the colored people favorable to the proposed enterprise, led to the appointment of a Committee of Correspondence, in 1850, to coöperate with the Agent in carrying out the enterprise so happily set on foot by Mr. McMicken. The committee was directed to give its counsel to the Agent, and adopt such measures as it might deem necessary to promote the cause of Colonization in the State; but, more especially, to aim at enlisting the churches in the work. This it has done in various ways, as may be seen by reference to the public prints. By its direction, the Agent renewed his efforts for an appropriation from the Legislature, but as a new Constitution was then in the course of preparation, that body declined all further action, until the future policy of the State should be settled. The Constitutional Convention was then approached, and it was proposed to introduce a special clause into the new Constitution, giving the Legislature power to appropriate money for African Colonization. This measure was resisted by those who were striving to secure the privileges of citizenship, in the State, for colored men; and by those who desired to prevent the surrounding States from driving their free colored people into Ohio. This last party being much the strongest in the Convention, the friends of Colonization had either to abandon their proposition, or couple it with a provision excluding any further immigration of colored people into the State. This policy being repugnant to their feelings, and the general powers conferred on the Legislature being considered amply sufficient to warrant it in fostering Colonization, the friends of the proposition declined to press its passage, and it was abandoned.

About this period, the project of encouraging Colonization, by establishing a line of “Steam-Ships,” to run between this country and Liberia, was agitated; and it so far received the advocacy of the public press, as to lead to the hope that the General Government would adopt the measure.

This important movement was succeeded by “Stanley’s Bill,” to devote the last instalment of the “Surplus Revenue,” to the several States, for Colonization purposes, in the proportions required by the law of 1836. As the success of this Bill, in Congress, would have given to the State of Ohio, annually, thereafter, the sum of $33,454, to build up our “Ohio in Africa,” it was considered of vital importance to secure its passage. Instead, therefore, of approaching our Legislature, to ask an appropriation, the Agent was directed to secure its influence with the General Government, in behalf of “Stanley’s Bill;” but before recommendatory resolutions could be carried through the Legislature, that important measure received its deathblow in Congress.

Public attention having been very fully directed, by these movements, to the State and National Legislatures, as the proper patrons of Colonization, the Agent found less disposition, among private individuals, longer to sustain the enterprise, and consequently the amount collected in the State has somewhat diminished.

For want of funds to make the necessary improvements for the protection of colonists, at the time the purchase of Mr. McMicken was effected, and because but few emigrants were then in our offer, to begin a settlement, no definite arrangement was made, with the authorities of Liberia, for the allotment of lands for our colored people. The region purchased embraces Grand Cape Mount and Gallinas, and includes a greater extent of country than was covered by the donation of Mr. M. The whole of this territory has been annexed to Liberia, and her laws extended over it. This arrangement will secure to our emigrants the protection of the Republic, and all the privileges enjoyed by any of its citizens. These advantages will be more than an equivalent to the extra fifty or one hundred acres of land, which Mr. McMicken originally proposed to give to each family; inasmuch as this bonus may still be secured to our emigrants, along with the protection of the Republic, by an arrangement with its government.

The recent disturbances at Grand Cape Mount, noticed in the accompanying Lecture of our Agent, will create a necessity for its speedy settlement; and, if we do not secure it for the colored people of Ohio, it must be given to others, to prevent the native population from being shipped off to the West Indies or Brazil.

The Committee feels assured, that, with a few thousand dollars, it can prevent this transfer to other parties, and secure the settlement of Grand Cape Mount as an Ohio Colony. This it considers very important, as a means of encouraging emigration. Believing that the funds would ultimately be secured for this object, such measures have been adopted, from time to time, as would promote that end. In March, 1850, sixteen emigrants, with the Rev. W. W. Findlay at their head, went to Liberia, to stand prepared to coöperate in founding our Colony. Mr. Findlay is still urgent for the commencement of the settlement; and, though comfortably situated on a farm, he offers to remove to Grand Cape Mount, at any time his services are needed. Himself and family are now fully acclimated, and are thus in a position to render efficient aid in superintending improvements for us.

About a year since, the colored people of Circleville, Ohio, appointed one of their own number, Mr. T. J. Merrett, a delegate to Liberia, to report on the condition and prospects of the Republic. Our Agent was present at the meeting; the subject of an Ohio Colony was fully explained, and the vote to commission the delegate was nearly unanimous. He sailed for Liberia in April, 1853, remained there about six months, and then returned to the United States. The vessel in which he embarked was stripped of its masts and rigging, in a hurricane, during the passage, its pumps rendered useless, and its hull only kept afloat by constant bailing, until it was landed at St. Thomas for repairs. The over-exertion and exposure incident to this disaster, induced ship-fever on the vessel, to which Mr. Merrett fell a victim two days after landing at Portland. While in Liberia, he had written an encouraging letter to his friends in Circleville, but made no formal report, as he did not live to reach home. Mr. Merrett was a man of good judgment, and highly esteemed by his neighbors. His death is a serious loss to us, and has somewhat interrupted our plans for commencing operations in Africa.

The advantages lost in the death of Mr. Merrett, may be regained by inviting Mr. Findlay to visit this country, to confer with the colored people of our State. The committee will adopt this course, if the funds to meet his expenses and make the necessary improvements at Grand Cape Mount, are placed at its disposal. The employment of such agencies, in other States, has tended to arouse a spirit of emigration, and should not be overlooked by our own.

The Rev. John McKay, a colored man, of Madison, Indiana, was employed in that State last year, and succeeded in raising a company of twenty-five emigrants, with whom he sailed to Liberia, in November. He touched at Sierra Leone and Grand Cape Mount, and remained eighty-three days in Liberia, to examine its condition. He returned to Indiana about the first of May, and speaks in the most favorable terms of the civil, social, and religious prosperity of the Republic. It is his intention to return to Liberia with his family, after laboring awhile for the Indiana State Board of Colonization.

Mr. McKay informs our Agent, that the adaptation of the soil and climate of Liberia, to the production of the best qualities of cotton, sugar, and coffee, has been fully tested; and that the willingness of the natives to engage in the cultivation of these products, under the direction of the Liberians, is no longer doubtful. To develop the unbounded agricultural resources of Africa, it only remains, therefore, that the capital to pay for the native labor, and the men to superintend it, should be supplied. The first of these elements of success is offered by British capitalists, and the last can be furnished by the American Colonization Society.

Mr. J. B. Jordan, a highly intelligent merchant of Liberia, is expected in Cincinnati, soon, to tarry a few weeks. He has been in correspondence with some of the intelligent colored men of this city, for more than a year past, and has expressed himself in the strongest terms, as to the superiority of that Republic, over the United States, as a home for the colored man. When on his way, at first, to Liberia, he visited our Agent at Oxford, Ohio, and agreed to coöperate in the erection of the proposed Ohio Colony.

Our Agent has several applications for information, as to the time when emigrants can remove to the proposed “Ohio in Africa;” and some have resolved to proceed to Liberia, to undergo the acclimating process, preparatory to entering into their inheritance.

In connection with this subject, we are gratified in being able to state, that companies of slaves, qualified to enter at once upon the cultivation of the lands in Africa, are occasionally offered, and may be of much value, as freemen, in our proposed settlement. In 1852, Mrs. Ludlow, of Cincinnati, presented twenty-one slaves, then in Texas, to our Agent, as emigrants to Liberia; and they were forwarded in March, 1853, to their future homes. At the present moment, another family of seventeen slaves, valued at about $15,000, is offered to him, and will be accepted as soon as the preliminary arrangements for their removal can be made. Their master is a resident of a State in which there is no Colonization Agent; and, being acquainted with our Agent, he has appealed to him to accept his slaves, and provide for them in a land of freedom. As these people have been trained to Cotton-growing, it is important they should be sent to our Colony, to promote the cultivation of that valuable staple. Should they succeed well in Liberia, it is expected that other emancipations in the same region will follow, and a large number of cotton-growers thus be secured to aid in developing the resources of the African Republic.

The Resolutions of the Oxford Council, appended to this address, emanate from colored men of more than ordinary intelligence. None of them are advocates of Colonization, but they are capable of taking a comprehensive view of the questions involved in the enslavement of their race. They are now convinced, that unless the free colored people assume a position enabling them to engage largely in tropical cultivation, slavery, by retaining the monopoly of the supply of tropical products, must continue to possess the power of extending itself at will. The only question, with them, is, Where can the free colored people become the most efficient agents in the deliverance and elevation of their race? They have resolved, therefore, to collect information from Africa, while others are investigating South America. The slavery question, in their opinion, is now assuming a position in which attention must be more fully directed to its economical aspects. Moral considerations, they perceive, are powerless in arresting its progress. The cumulative demands of commerce, for tropical productions, are stimulating slavery in an unprecedented degree; and unless free labor can be enlisted in tropical cultivation, it must continue to extend until the whole of tropical America submits to its sway.

As only a part of the towns and congregations in Ohio could be visited during a single year; as the opposition to Colonization had been more extended, and its agencies more perfectly systematized here than, perhaps, in any other State; as it was impossible to obtain audiences, generally, to hear lectures, except on the Sabbath, when the secular aspects of the subject could not be discussed; and, as the people of African descent, almost to a man, were bitterly opposed to Liberia, and willing to believe every ill report its enemies put into circulation; the Agent found it necessary, at an early period of his labors, to resort to his pen, as a means of correcting public sentiment, and disseminating truth among the colored people. The fifth and last document of this kind is forwarded herewith, and commended to your attention. Its object, mainly, is to demonstrate the necessity of Colonization as an auxiliary to missions in Africa; to show what colored men, themselves, have accomplished for the elevation of their race; and to afford the pastors of congregations a brief outline of facts to lay before their people.

Before the peace of the tribes around Cape Mount can be secured, and the interference of foreigners to procure laborers for the West Indies, as apprentices or slaves, can be prevented, we must settle a colony there; and before this can be accomplished, suitable houses and fortifications, for the comfort and security of emigrants, must be erected. The government of Liberia, were it able, can not be expected to make these improvements; and the Colonization Society, were it willing, is equally unsupplied with funds for such an object. Aid is not expected, at present, from either our State Legislature or from Congress. Consequently, we are thrown back upon the liberality of the churches, and of individuals, in our own State, for the means of rendering the lands, purchased by Mr. McMicken, available to those for whom they were designed. And shall we seize the opportunity now presented, by a favoring Providence, for barring, forever, the traffickers in human flesh, by whatever name they may be called, from all access to Grand Cape Mount? Or, after the site has been secured, shall we suffer it to be transferred to others, and the citizens of our State robbed, by their own negligence, of the honor of perfecting what has been so successfully commenced?

To remove any remaining prejudices against Colonization, and to secure more prompt and general action by the different Churches, appeals have been made to the several Ecclesiastical Courts, where opportunity offered, to recommend the cause of Colonization to their people. Three Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Ohio, at their last sessions, passed resolutions approving the Colonization Society; and two of them—the Cincinnati and the Ohio, visited by our Agent—recommended collections to be taken up in the Churches under their care. The General Assemblies of both divisions of the Presbyterian Church, have also recommended the Society to the patronage of their people. The Baptists and the Protestant Episcopal Church, both, have missions in Liberia, and their people need no other inducements, it is conceived, than the fact that their contributions are needed, to enlist them in aiding emigration to that Republic. The Associate Reformed Church, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church, have also expressed their confidence in African Colonization, and recommended their people to sustain the enterprise. The newer division of the Baptists—the Christian Church—have recently enlisted in the cause of African evangelization, and sent out a missionary. The people of that denomination, doubtless, will unite with us in promoting the great work of emigration to Africa.

And now, Christian Brethren, with these facts before you, and with these expressions of confidence in Colonization, by the Churches to which you belong, may we not urge upon you to lay this subject promptly before your people; so that, through your instrumentality and their pecuniary aid, we may have the means placed in our hands of delivering Grand Cape Mount from the long reign of rapine, cruelty, and war, to which it has been doomed; and of placing it under the protection of the Banner of the Cross, and subjecting it to the dominion of the Prince of Peace.

You will readily understand, Dear Brethren, that the Committee has progressed to a point, in its efforts to establish an Ohio Colony in Africa, where it is powerless without money. And, having accomplished so much—having territory enough, almost, for a kingdom—must all be lost for want of the ability to proceed? We can not but believe that the Christian people, under your care, will heartily respond to this appeal; and, that they will give us, at once, ample means of carrying out all the measures necessary to secure success.

C. P. McILVAINE,

SAMUEL W. FISHER,

SAMUEL R. WILSON,

ALEXANDER GUY,

J. P. KILBRETH,

RUFUS KING,

JAMES HOGE,

H. H. LEAVITT,

H. G. COMINGO,

Colonization Committee of Correspondence for Ohio.

DAVID CHRISTY, Secretary of the Committee.

☞ All communications, in reference to this subject, and all remittances of money, may be made to the Agent, David Christy, Oxford, Butler county, Ohio, or to Rev. Wm. McLain, Washington City.

☞ The following paragraph, from the New York Times, was handed to the Agent just as this Address was going to press. It affords a sad confirmation of the doctrine of this Lecture, that there can be little security for African Missions, except in connection with Colonization: “Schooner Cortes, Capt. Stanhope, arrived at this port yesterday morning, from Gaboon, West Coast of Africa, whence she sailed April 14. We learn from Captain S., that on the 4th of April, the Mission Houses, Church, and other houses, belonging to the Church, at Corisco, were set on fire by the natives and entirely destroyed. Two female servants belonging to the United States were burned to death.”

☞ The Committee publish the annexed proceedings of the Oxford Council, as a matter of news, and as an important step for the colored people, without designing to indorse all the sentiments they contain.

☞ Rev. G. G. Lyons, of Toledo, is an authorized Agent for northwestern Ohio; and J. C. Stockton, of Mt. Vernon, for the northeastern counties.

From the Hamilton Intelligencer.