S^ I , > • ¦'^: .3iD_au YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT CONNECTICUT STATE COIOIIZATIOI SOCIETY,, ADOPTED AT THEIR MEETING NEW HAVEN, MAY 22, 1844, HARTFORD. PEESS OF CASE, TIFFANY AND BUENHAM, Pearl street, corner of Trumbull. 1844. Periodical — 1 sheet; postage, for 100 miles, 1^ cents; over 100 miles, 3^ ceijts. LIST OF OFFICERS. president. Hon. ROGER M. SHERMAN. VICE PRESIDENTS. Prof. BENJ. SILLIMAN, Rt. Rev. T, C. BROWNELL. Rev. L. bacon, D. D., Rev. T. H. GALLAUDET, SETH TERRY, Esq,, Hon, T, W. -WILLIAMS,, Hon. SETH P. BEERS, Hon. C. W. ROCKWELL. ' SECRETARY. Rev. WILLIAM W. TURNER. TREASURER. CHARLES SEYMOUR, Esq.,. MANAGERS. JAMES B. HOSMER, H.^rtford, -WILLIAM B. ELY, Hartford, HENRY WHITE, Ne-sv Haven, 'EBENEZER FLOWER, " Rev. GURDON ROBINS, Hartford.'SAMUEL RUSSELL, Middletoivw AUSTIN DUNHAM, " - - - WILLIAM T. LEE, ELIHU GEER, JOHN H. GOODWIN, JOHN L. BOSWELL, Rev. L. ATWATER, Fairfield. iRev. T. C. TEASDALE, N. Haven, ;Prof. DENISON OLMSTED, " CHARLES W. HINMAN. Rev. SAMUEL CORNELIUS, Agent, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Rev. GURDON^ ROBINS,, [AUSTIN DUNHAM JAMES B. HOSMER, u3IOa. REPORT OF THE BOARD. At a meeting of the friends of African Colonization, held in the City of Hartford, in May last, it was deemed expe dient to re-organize the State Society. Accordingly a Con stitution was prepared and adopted, and a Board of officers chosen, in the hope that a new impulse might be given to the operations of this once efficient Society. It is unnecessary to advert to the causes which had in duced its members to relax their efforts in behalf of an ob ject which had never, for a moment, lost its hold upon their affections, or ceased to be regarded by them as im portant ; it is sufficient for the preserit purpose to say, that ¦these causes seemed tio longer 'to afford a reason for inao- •tivity, or to present obstacles to successful action. Accord ingly the Board of Managers published an address to their ¦'fellow citizens, which was sent into different parts of the state, inviting the efficientcooperation of a!ll the benevo lent of every denomination, and designed as preparatory to the services of a duly authorized agent of the Society. At this junctura, the Rev. Samuel Cornelius, who had long proved himself worthy of confidence, by his indefatigable and successful labors in connection with the National So ciety, was providentially presented to the notice of the Managers, and by them employed to bring the subject be fore the people of this State, giving all desired information, making collections, and forming auxiliary societies, as op portunity might be offered. This agency he has prosecuted for a part of the year, with vigor, and his efforts have been attended with as great a degree of success, as, under all the 'circumstances, could have been expected. In his report to this Board, he says: "If my collections have been com paratively small, I have reason to believe that we have made many friends who promise to aid us efficiently in coming years. Certainly, the large majority ofthe minis ters in the State, are decided friends to the cause we plead ; and persevering, prudent action, only is necessary to insure complete success." He speaks also with expressions of grateful feeling of the kindness of all classes of Christians, particularly of his brethren in the ministry, and desires, in this public manner, to express his obligations and acknow ledgments. As one result of his agency, he has collected about $1,354 ; and there has been paid directly into the treasury of the American Colonization Society, within the year, $656 ; making the whole sum contributed to this object by this State, since May last, 2010 dollars and 47 cents. The grand object of the Colonization Society, as is well known, is to colonize the free people of color of this coun try, ¦with their own consent, in Western Africa ; to restore them to the land of their fathers, where they may enjoy the privileges of a free, independent nation; to plant them in a good soil, where they may obtain the means of sub sistence and the comforts of refined society ; to deliver them from the withering influence of prejudice, from the thral dom of civil and social institutions which will forever pre vent their rising here ; to perpetuate among them and their children, the rich blessings of civil and religious liberty ; and to extend through them the same pi;ecious gifts to the numerous tribes of native Africans in their neighborhood. That this object, with all its expected advantages to the colored race, will ultimately be attained by the Colonization Society, its friends have never doubted. Much, very much, has already been accomplished ; enough to prove the prac ticability of the scheme, and the benevolence of the de sign ; enough to silence the cavils of its enemies, and to convince the most sceptical. That far more has not been done, is owing, not to any inherent defect in the plan, or mistake in the execution ; but to the apathy of many who claim to be its friends, and the determined opposition of others who avow themselves its enemies. Had the same industry and zeal been put forth in furthering its interests, which have been expended iu traducing its founders and colonists, and in seeking to effecfits annihilation, all that the most sanguine have ever hoped for, would long since have been realized. Besides these more obvious aims of the Society, it con templates other incidental advantages ; among which are the removing from among us of a class of our population, unfitted alike by physical dissimilarity, and by civil and moral disqualifications, for becoming efficient and useful members ofthe community; and thus^putting an end to the numerous evils necessarily growing out of such a state of things; and'the emancipating of slaves in the only way in which it can-be done in this country,- with the consent and cooperation of their masters. But it may be asked, why send the free blacks from the country'? why not elevate them here,, and place them on an equality, in every respect, with white men 1 It may be said in reply, that there are practical difficulties in the way, growing outiof our civil institutions ;-the present acknowl edged degradation off the co'ored race, and the prejudices which generally prevail among all classes of the commu nity. It does not remove these difficulties to pronounce such prejudices unreasonable and wicked. It is far easier to point out an evil than4o correct it. -While we would re joice in ali successful efforts to improve the condition of the colored population of this country, we are free to confess,- that we have little hope of any change for the better while they remain among us. God, v/ho made of one blood all nations of men, and gave them one speech, did neverthe less confound their language, and impress upon them phys ical peculiarities, for the express purpose of breaking them up into distinct communities and tribes, and scattering them 1* 6 abroad upon the face of all the earth, assigning to all the place of their habitation. 'We thwart his purpose by blend ing and amalgamating what he has dissevered ; and fall in with his providential arrangements by restoring the children of Africa to their own counti-y, from which they were ori ginally snatched away by the hand of violence. If some of them cannot feel that it is for- their interest to return to the home of their fathers,, let them, remain here. There are others, and more than we have the means of removing, inxious to go. There are some now in bondage who may be free, if they can be taken thither. To all such we would gladly extend the aid, which they need; confidently believing that we cpuld in no other way, so eff'ectually pro mote their happiness. Again,, it may be asked, how the colonizing oi free peo ple of color, can effect the emancipation ofthe slave. Let it be distinctly understood,, that the most judicious friends of colonization have never maintained that no other or bet ter means could be devised for the accomplishment of so desirable an end. All they have said on this point is, that when they commenced their efforts, they knew of no other or better way. Nor has the practical working of any other scheme served to convince them that a better way has ever yet been discovered. Whenever wiser measures shall be adopted, and, a more feasible plan be put in operation for the emancipation of the slave, the members of this Society at the North, will be found among their advocates. Mean time we present to the slaveholder, desirous of emancipa ting his slaves, but who cannot lawfully set them free on the soil where they live,. the only mode in which his bene volent wishes can be gratified. We take them from his hands as free, and place them where they enjoy at once all the rights and privileges of free citizens. Hundreds have, in this way, been delivered from slavery ; and thousands more might be, if we had the means of transporting them to our colonies. We afford our. Southern brethren, also, demonstrative proof of, the capabilities of the colored man. We show them .that: he is capable of self-government and self-support ; of sustaining the same civil and religious in stitutions, and appreciating the same social and domestic enjoyments as ourselves. We prove that the slave can rise, and has risen, to be a man among meui In this way we make a strong appeal to the best feehngs of our fellow citi zens at the South ; an appeal, to which they cannot fail ul timately to respond; We hope also to secure the coopera tion of the state governments immediately concerned, and of the general government, in our enterprise. With these helps, and the change in public sentiment on thjs subject, which we are confident will eventually take place, we re gard the emancipating and colonizing of the slaves of our country, as an event not merely probable, but certain ; and one that will transpire atno very distant period. With these aims in. view, and with. such prospects before us, we feel encouraged to prosecute our labor with new zeal. We find much,, also, to encourage us in the present condition of the colonies abroad, and irtthe state of feeling at home. In closing our report,, we call upon all the friends of suffering humanity to come to our aid in provi ding for the outcast and oppressed African an asylum and a resting place. We ask their assistance in strengthening and extending the only effectual barrier that has ever yet been opposed to the slave trade ; in promoting the only scheme which has hitherto been successful in emancipating the slave. ' We invite our fellow-citizens of every name to unite with us in our endeavors to elevate and save our neg lected colored brethren of this country, and to improve the opportunity afforded by the colonies along the coast, of sending the gospel to the heathen tribes in the interior of Africa. We solicit the countenance and cooperation of all our fellow-citizens of this State in an enterprise which the wisest and best men of our country have regarded, and do still regard, as fraught with incalculable good to the whole African race. By order of the Board of Managers, WM. W. TURNER, Secretary. ANNUAL MEETING. The Connecticut State Colonization Society held its an nual meeting at New Haven, on Wednesday, the 22d of May. The pubhc exercises were in the First Baptist Church, and consisted of a prayer by Rev. Mr. Teasdale, followed by an address from the President, Hon. Roger M. Sherman. The Report of the Managers was then read by the Secretary, Rev. Wm. W. Turner. Rev. T. H. Gallau- det made an interesting statement of facts,, showing con clusively, that some of the slaveholders at' the South, at. least, in aiding the Colonization cause, are influenced by benevolent, feelings towards- their slaves, and are making its the medium through which to confer on them the blessings^ of civil liberty. He represented the Colonies at Liberia as- being in a flourishing state. He was followed by Rev. R.. R. Gurley,,30 long Secretary of the American Colonization'- Society, who, in a very appropriate andieloquent speech,. set forth the blessings already conferred on the African race by this Society ;; and portrayed in glowing colors the bene fits which may be expected'tO follow. At the close of( the public exeicises, the following per sons were chosen officers ofthe State Society. Hon. RboER Mi Sherman, President. Vice Presidents. — Prof. Benjamin Silliman, Rt. Rev. T. C. Brownell, Rev. L. Baoon, D. D.,^Rev. T. H. Gallaudet,. Seth Terry, Esq:,. Hon. T. W. Williams^ Hon. Seth P. Beers, Hon. C. W.' Rockwell. Rev.. Wm. W. Turner, Secretary. Charles Seymour, Esq., Treasurer. Managers. — James B. Hosmer, Hartford ; Henry White, New Haven; Rev. Gurdon Robins, Austin Dunham, Wm. T. Lee, Elihu Geer, John H. Goodwin, John L. Boswell, Wm. B. Ely, Ebenezer Flower, Hartford ; Samuel Russell, Middletown; Rev. Lyman Atwater, Fairfield; Rev. T. C. Teasdale, Prof. Denison Olmsted, Charles W. Hinman, New Haven. At a meeting of the Board of Managers, held in New Haven after the Annual Meeting of the Society, the Rev. Samuel Cornelius was duly appointed agent for one year, and the following gentlemen were appointed as the Execu tive Committee, viz.. Rev, Gurdon Robins, James B. Hos mer, Esq., and Austin Dunham, Esq. CONSTITUTION. Art. 1st. This Society shall be denominated the Coloni zation Society of the State of Connecticut. Art. 2d. This Society shall be auxiliary to the American Society for colonizing the people of color with their own consent, in Africa. Art. 3d. An annual subscription of one dollar shall constitute one individual a member of this' Society, and a donation at one time of not less than ten dollars, a member for life. Art. 4th. The officers of this Society shall be a Presi dent, two or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, who, with not more than fifteen others, shall constitute a Board of Managers, any three of whom shall make a quorum, and these officers shall be elected annu ally at the stated meetings of the Society ; and in case of :the death or resignation of any of these officers, their places may be supplied by the Board ; and the said Board may appoint an Executive Committee. Art. 5th. The Board of Managers shall hold their first meeting on the 20th day of May inst., at 2 o'clock, P. M., and at such other times as they may appoint ; and the Secretary shall request a meeting whenever any two 10 members shall concur with him in opinion that such meet ing is desirable. Art. 6th. The funds acquired by the Society shall, from time to time, be paid over to the parent Society, either without limitation, or to be appropriated for specific pur poses connected with the object of the Society, as the Board of Managers may direct. Art. 7th. The Society shall hold its annual meetings at such place as the Board shall direct, and at some time during the month of September, of which the Secretary shall give previous public notice, and at such meeting the Board of Managers shall present a report of their pro ceedings. Art. 8th. Any auxiliary Society shall have the right to send two or more delegates to each annual meeting of this Society. Art. 9th. Any person who is or has been, a member for life of any Society in this State, formed for this object, shall thereby be a member for Hfe of this Society. Art. 10th. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any annual meeting. 11 LETTER FROM THE AGENT. Hartford, May 27, 1844. To the Executive Committee ofthe Connecticut State Colonization Society : — Genti,emen : — I feel highly flattered by the vote of your Board of Managers, re-appointing me their Agent for the coming year. I enter upon the duties of this appointment with pleasure, because I am sure of the co-operation of a highly respectable and numerous class of the citizens of this State. Indeed, warmly as I am attached to the cause of the Ameri can Colonization Society, I should distrust my own judg ment, did I not find so many wise and good men among us, who after prayerful investigation of the whole subject are convinced that inis purely benevolent, patriotic and practi cal. These persons think there is everything to encourage Christian efforts for the benefit of Africa. The concurrence of many great events, tending to open that country to the influences of civilization and Christianity, and to render the Colonies of Liberia, if dul)' encouraged, most powerful means of suppressing the slave trade, and bringing the inhabitants of that afflicted quarter of the earth into the family of en lightened nations, urges the disciples of Christ, of every name, to co-operate with the movements of Providence, and strengthen her returning and regenerated children, in build ing up and extending on her shores, a republican and re ligious commonwealth. In the twenty-three years of its existence, with the very scanty means furnished by private charity, the Society have sent 4454 colonists to Liberia. Of the present population, there are 600 children born of the settlers, and 56 adopted native ohildren. There are also several thousands of the natives living under the laws of this young republic. 12 There are in the schools, 563 pupils born of American parents and 192 born of re-captured Africans. Nine ships sail out of their ports, one only of which is of foreign build. The value of the farming stock, at a low estimate, is 21,175 dollars. The imports for 2 years amount to 167,280 dol lars, and the exports to 123,304 dollars. There are two specific objects for which funds are greatly needed at this time, and for which I shall make, in your name, my earnest appeal to the good people of Connecticut : First ; to secure more territory. Gov. Roberts, aided by Capt. Perry, of the U. S. Navy, has lately obtained a small additional part ofthe coast, and could, if he had the means, readily obtain more. It is, as you are aware, of great im portance, on many accounts, that this should be accom plished speedily. Second ; to aid emigration. Surely, when it is known that many hundreds of this people are anxiously waiting to go — many of whom have obtained their freedom for the pur pose, and that hundreds more would be freed at once if we had the means of sending them to the Land of their Fa thers, to this Plymouth of Africa, we shall meet a kind re ception and liberal contributions from the patriots, the phi lanthropists and the Christians of this commonwealth. With these views and hopes, Gentlemen, ui humble reli ance on the blessing of God, I accept the appointment and go out to discharge its duties, rejoicing in this matter, to be a servant of servants to my brethren. SAMUEL CORNELIUS. N. B. S. Cornelius is authorized to obtain subscriptions for the African Repository, and to collect moneys due for it. Any communications on this subject or on business re lating to the Society, may be addressed to him at Hartford, Conn. 13 ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. The subject on which we are convened, is one ofthe most im portant that can command the attention of the human mind. The American Colonization Society, with which we cooperate, aims at objects ofthe deepest interest, and is justly ranked as one of the most valuable of those benevolent associations for which the present century is distinguished. No other plan has ever been devised, which gives hopeful promise of the mitigation of the unparalleled evils of slavery, by the emancipation of those in bondage, and their elevation, when set at liberty, above the de graded condition in which they must ever remain while mingled with a race of white men. No other contemplates their restora tion to the land of their ancestors, where, under a republican government, administered by themselves, and uniting the great objects of good order and civil liberty, a new field of boundless extent will be open for the development and exertions of those high attributes of the human mind, which distinguish the most Christian, polished, and elevated nations ofthe earth. No other plan proposes the diffusion of light and education, and the exten sion of good government among the barbarous tribes which sur round the colonies, by which the darkness of benighted Africa may be scattered, and the enlivening beams of civilization, litera ture, and Christianity, illuminate these vast regions of despotism, ignorance, idolatry and cruelty. No other plan encourages us to hope for the extinction of the slave trade, which, in defiance of the great physical force employed for its suppression, is con stantly increasing, and subjecting its hundreds of thousands an nually, of all sexes and ages, to the tortures of transportation, whicii terminate in death or perpetual slavery. The American Colonization Society is now making exertions for the accomplish ment of these great objects, as well as the promotion of agricul tural and commercial industry in that neglected country, where nature has furnished abundant capital for both. Now it will not be denied, that these evils all exist ; nor that they are among the most deplorable which afflict our fallen world. All will admit, that any system which affords a reasonable hope of their extinction, or even considerable mitigation, ought to command the united exertions of all the people of this country. No labors or pecuniary sacrifices, would seem too great for the object contemplated. But in forming and conducting enterprises of this sort, great consideration and reflection should be employ ed. When the ends aimed at are great, a good mind is too apt to be inspired with an enthusiasm which leads to error. We have before us many forcible demonstrations of this truth. Pure Christian benevolence is often made to defeat its own objects, and multiply the miseries which it honestly intends to remove. 2 14 Sliivery and the other topics involved in this association, are of so interesting a nature, as ought to put us ou our guard against the ultraism in feeling, sentiment and action, which they tend to excite But the past operations of this Society have shown such efficiency in regard to each of its great , purposes, as must tend strongly to satisfy every mind of cool reflection, unembarrassed with tlie ardent and 'unreasonable prepossessions which have been entertained againstiit, that it will accomplish more good than was anticipated by .its wise and benevolent authors. Consider its efecti in promoting emancipation. Its professed object was, to colonize those who were free; but its efflciency in-. muhiplying their number was not estimated as very great. But such has been the pirogress of the colony in acquiring strength and security, and in promoting the comfort and improvement of its inhabitants, and such has been the stimulus of those great motives which opernte on the mind when exempted not only from slavery, but from theparalyzing influence of subordination to a higher caste, cutting off all hope of political advancement or so cial equality — that thehearts of benevolent and Christian slave holders have been deeply affected. Such are the laws of the- states in which slavery is established, that in most cases emanci pation is forbidden and' made impossible- If a slave is set at hb erty, he is liable to he taken and sold'again into -slavery, unless - removed from the state. Remove him to a free state, and he is cut off from the hopes of any political standing, and condemned, hy the unalterable usages of society, to a state of degradation. He can enjoy no equality with whites. But send him to Liberia, and all these evils are avoided. He partakes equally with all others, of every social and political advantage. The compassion ate slaveholder now witnesses these happy results of colonization. He tenders his slaves to the Society for transportation. This is- not now a theory, but is abundantly shown by experience. Emancipations from these motives, are constantly muhiplying. More slaves are gratuitously offered for transportation, than the pecuniary means of the society will enable them to take, and the liberation of many is suspended for the want of funds. Those who are thus set free, are not the vicious and worthless, but gen erally ofthe most respectacle class. In many instances, they are previously trained for this purpose, by their masters, by giving them school instruction, and teaching them mechanical trades, and such other branches of industry as may make them useful colonists. The disposition of masters thus to advance the interests of slaves, has not been checked by upbraidings and abusive treatment. Had the Society been in the habit of thus approaching slave holders in their magazines and public addresses, this source of rich blessing to the poor negro would have been closed forever, Mr. McDonough would not have educated and generously given us 15 his slaves to the value of 40,000 dollars, had he been the subject of such severities. But they are now in Liberia, colonists of dis tinguished usefulness, and happy in the enjoyment of liberty and honor. This Society not only delivers the colored man from bondage, but, as has been remarked, has adopted the only means hitherto devised for his subsequent elevation. If he is persuaded to leave his master and take refuge in Canada, he is still but a negro among white men. He is destitute of the hope of equality. He has little regard for character, and consequently few of the pow erful motives which restrain men from the paths of vice. And here again experience has shown the great efficacy of coloniza tion in its operations on the habits, manners and character ofthe liberated slave under the government of Liberia. Although, as in other communities, crimes occur, yet they are few when com pared with their frequency inplacesjn England, and this country which are considered as orderly and virtuous. The laws are en acted with wisdom and correctly executed. Our own constitu tions are the pattern followed in the structure of theirs. The common law of these states is adopted in cases to which it is ap plicable; and the colored men, who are their judge?, are spoken of with respect by the best authorities from whom our informa tion is derived. Common schools, which have so much agency, wherever they exist, in forming the character of society, are there improving, and many native children are among their members. Missionaries of various denominations are impressing both im migrants and natives with the great principles of religion, and a larger proportion of the inhabitants of the colonial towns are professors of Christianity, than in almost any towns in New Eng land. The military power ofthe co]ony;,is by them deemed sufficient to repel any hostilities which can be reasonably apprehended from the neighboring tribes, and their security is strengthened by the presence of the American navy. From such strength, such a government, and such influences, we might reason.ibly expect such effects as experience exhibits. I ask with confidence, what other plan has been or can be adopted, not only for the emanci pation, but for the elevation of the social and moral character of our colored population, which will bear any comparison with this in the accomplishment of these great results? Another import ant influence of colonization is upon the natives of Africa. Al though they are among the most barbarous and degraded popula tion on the earth, yet they manifest more susceptibility of civili zation and moral improvement than the half-civilized of some other countries on which influence has been exerted. They send their children to the colonial schools. For hundreds of miles, inland, they have been visited by the missionaries, and listen, with encouraging attention, to their instructions. They learn the a39002 0031 17281b 'English language with Inuch more readiness than-CDtfld be ex pected, and manifest a strong propensity to imitate American dr?ss and manij.ers. Those of them who are settled in colonial towns are good citizens, and appear to, be deriving eqiial benefit with the immigrants from the influences of the estabhshment. There is just ground to belie.ve from what appears, that good governments, civiliz-ation and Christianity will be -extensively propagated in that .benighted country. It has been proved, con-' clusively, that the slave trade will cease in all the territories over yhich the jurisdiction of the colony may extend, or which may ' become subject to its influence. In their treaties with thena-; tive tribes, the suppression of this horrid traffic is made a sub-" ject of stipulation, and no factory can exist within the limits of the colony. Its extension to Cape Palmas, to unite with the Maryland Colony, which it is said may be eflfected by purchase at the expense of about 20,000 dollars, would break up the only' slave mart on the coast in a distance of several hundred miles. Nothing is wanting but the multiplication of immigrants and the . extension of these free governments, to terminate the sin and cruelty of the most barbarous practice which afflicts the earth. I forbear to dwell upon the agricultural and commercial advan tages of the country. Nothing is necessary for their develop ment but an industrious population. Immense territories, now covered by a wild, natural growth, are of great fertility, and adapted to the production of articles of commanding value in almost every market, domestic and foreign. A careful attention to the most authentic accounts which we are continually receiving from the western coasts of Africa, will satisfy any impartial mind of the reality of this outline of the state gf that country, and silence the calumnies which have been published by some prejudiced writers. Much has been said of the unhealthfulness ofthe climate; but the deaths have been less in proportion to the number of immigrants, than occurred among Europeans in any of the infant colonies of North America. All new countries are made more salubrious by culture; and aflW being acqlimated, the colored immigrants to Liberia are as healthy as the people of these states. The natives are not sick ly, and often attain a great age. I wish every one carefully to enquire into the justice of these statements. If they are found correct, what are our obligations? Shall we withhold our contributions, and leave the slave m bonds age for want ofthe means of transportation ? Shall we leave Africa in darl