the exercise of patient industry, social harmony, and all the best attributes of man, they have made the land which was once an inhospitable desert, to flourish and "blossom as the rose"-and, Sir, from the seed of these Pil grim fathers, hath descended a race of people, who, whether you shall esti mate them by their progress in the arts of peace, their renown in war, or their active and successful enterprise on the soil, or the wave, have not their fellows on the habitable globe.

The bark which steered for the South, bore the Genius of Chivalry, under the gallant pennons of Raleigh, and Smith, with all the noble and manly virtues in their train. From the followers of those adventurous leadings, have sprung a people, who, born and nurtured under the fervid beams of a southern sun, so genial to the growth of the strong plants of Talent and Tobacco, have quick, yet kindly feelings, warm-hearted friendships, and genuine, open-handed hospitality. God saw these enterprises with approval, wafted them in safety over the trackless main, and bid them fix their abodes on the soil of America. Had these have been the only description of freights, which the Old World ever sent to the New, there would have been every thing to rejoice at, and nothing to mourn; but alas, Sir, soon did another bark speed her course o'er the Atlantic wave. Rapine and outrage furnished her lading, Avarice and Ambition trimmed her sails, and all the dark and deadly passions urged her on her baneful way: and would, Sir, that Providence, in mercy to the destinies of this fair country, had whelmed the slave ship in the fathomless deep, ere she disgorged her accursed cargo on our once smiling shores. This seed of evil, planted by the avarice of our ancient rulers, we derive from those who have gone before us: it is our misfortune, not our fault; but it is too late to complain, and it now behoves us to apply the remedy, while remedy we have, and pave the way for distant, though certain removal of the evil, ere it may be too late even to hope for success.

Sir, the prosperity and aggrandizement of a State, is to be seen in its increase of inhabitants, and consequent progress in industry and wealth. Of the vast tide of emigration, which now rushes like a cataract to the West, not even a trickling rill wends its feeble course to the Ancient Dominion.Of the multitude of foreigners who daily seek an asylum, and a home, in the Empire of Liberty, how many turn their steps toward the regions of the slave? None. No not one. There is a malaria in the atmosphere of those regions, which the new comer shuns, as being deleterious to his views and habits. See the wide-spreading ruin which the avarice of our ancestral government, has produced in the South, as witnessed in a sparse population of freemen, deserted habitations, fields without culture, and, strange to tell, even the wolf, which, driven back long since by the approach of man, now returns, after the lapse of an hundred years, to howl o'er the desolations of slavery.

Where, I ask, is the good Ship Virginia, in the array of the National

Fleet? Drifting down the line, Sir,-third, soon to be fourth,-where next?—following in the wake of those she formerly led in the van: her flag still flying at the main, the flag of her ancient glory; but her timbers are decaying, her rigging wants setting up anew, and her Helmsman is old and weatherbeaten. But let her undergo an overhaul, let the parts decayed by slavery be removed, and good sound materials put in their stead, then manned by a gallant crew, my life on it, the Old Thing will once more brace upon a wind, aye, and show her stern to those who have almost run her hull under.

Sir, said Mr. C., a dawning of light has at length arisen upon the darkness of our long night It now begins to break, and gives glorious promise of its future splendour. At first it was but a faint and feeble streak along the verge of the horizon. Now it brightens in its progress, and grows onward towards the meridian day. It rises from that land where darkness has hitherto reigned alone: where it has been said that genius sickens and fancy dies. The slave returns to the land of his fathers, the land for which nature has fitted him. While we should sicken and die victims of that ardent cl me, the native African, invigorated under the influence of a vertical sun, glories in its blaze and grapples with the lion of the desert. But expose the African to the keen rigours of our northern winter, and he shivers and dies; while the white man can bare his bosom to the blast. Nature, then, has pointed out the way; and let us follow to obey her mandates.—She hath drawn a line of demarcation between the countries of the white man and the black.

Let me say, Sir, in this Legislative Hall, where words of eloquence have so often "charmed the listening ear," that the glorious time is coming when the wretched children of Africa shall establish on her shores a nation of Christians and freemen. It has been said that this Society was an invasion of the rights of the slave-holders. Sir, if it is an invasion, it comes not from without. It is an irruption of liberality, and threatens only that freemen will overrun our Southern country—that the soil will be fertilized by the sweat of freemen alone, and that what are now deserts, will flourish and blossom under the influence of enterprise and industry. Such will be the happy results of this Society.

Let the philanthropist look at the facts. Nearly two millions of this unhappy people tread our soil. In the Southern climate their increase is more rapid than that of the whites. What is the natural result, if some means are not applied to prevent it? What is now, compared to our own population, but as a molehill, will become a mountain, threatening with its volcanic dangers all within its reach. What is the next consequence? Why, as in the slave colonies of other countries, you must have an army of troops to keep in awe this dangerous population. What a sight would this be, in a land of liberty! The same breeze that fanned our harvests, that played among the leaves of the cane and the corn, would also rustle banners of war! By the side of im

plements of agriculture, employed in the works of peace, will appear the gleam of arms. Shall it be said that we are not liable to the same vicissi tudes that have overtaken other nations? No, Sir; we are operated upon by the same circumstances to which other nations have been subjected.— The same causes will produce the same effects, as long as the nature of man is unchanged, in every clime.

I trust, Sir, that the march of mind is now upon its glorious way. I trust that the minds of all have been sufficiently opened to the true interest and glory of the country, to agree with me, that this is no fitting place for the slave. That this country must, at some future time, be consecrated to freemen alone. There are many individuals in the Southern country, of which I am a native, who predict that the plan must fail. They say we shall go on and partially succeed; that a portion of the black population will go out to the Colony, and after residing there a short time, become discontented, when the plan must be given up-and that the evil which we have endeavoured to remove will be only the worse for our exertion to obviate it. But this, Sir, will not hold true. It was, as it were, but a few days since, a small number of individuals were thrown upon the shores of Africa. And what is the result? Here let it be said-in the palace of legislation-that this people, but just now a handful, are rising to consequence, and to a capability of the enjoyment of political and civil rights;—and let us say to those who doubt—this is the evidence in favour of our plan! Ought not this to join all hearts, and call forth renewed exertions from those whose labours have thus far been crowned with unexpected success?

May not this be looked upon as a glorious work, the success of which has been demonstrated! And when the time shall come,—and I trust in God it will come when this free and enlightened nation, dwelling in peace and happiness under the mild influences of its government and laws, shall have fixed deep the foundations of civilization in that distant land, hitherto only known for its wide-spread deserts and its savage race;-Oh Sir, what will be the gratitude of that people, who, transferred from the abode of their bondage, shall enjoy the rights of freemen in their native clime!— And, Oh Sir, when we look to ourselves-when we see the fertilization of those barren wastes which always mark the land of slaves when we see a dense population of freemen-when lovely cottages and improved farms arise upon the now deserted and sterile soil-and where now deep silence reigns, we hear the chimes of Religion from the village spire;-will you not-will not every friend of his country, thank this Society for its patriotic labours? Yes! Kings might be proud of the effects which this Society will have produced. Far more glorious than all their conquests would ours be: for it would be the triumph of freedom over slavery-of liberality over prejudice—and of humanity over the vice and wretchedness, which ever wait on ignorance and servitude!

The spirit which pointed out and has attended the course of this Society,

is rapidly gaining ground in the civilized world. I trust its progress will not be impeded. I trust, Sir, that the Eagle, who now makes his eyry in the rocks and fastnesses of this land of freemen, will spread his broad pinions over other climes; and that the freedom for which our fathers contend. ed, and which their sons know well how to prize and enjoy, may be diffused wherever the human footstep is imprinted on the earth! Yes, Sir, it must be so! The liberty of the New World, will find its way to the old. It will grow; it will flourish-for it is an imperishable principle.

⚫ I ought, perhaps, to ask pardon for the detention I have occasioned the Society, at this late hour. I ought, perhaps, to offer an apology for the strain in which I have indulged. I may have overstepped the bounds of moderation, and have appeared an enthusiast. But surely I have reason to feel the truth of my prophecies of success to this Society. I was myself at first a sceptic; but being sceptical, I did not refuse to inquire, and to be convinced. I did inquire, and I was convinced. I saw the beneficent views of this association; and that its efforts must end in good. I recanted the errors I had at first adopted, and have ever since been a liege subject to this great design.

Born, Sir, at the close of the revolution, I have lived to see great things, and great men too, in this republic—to witness events which have lifted high on the lists of national renown, our beloved country: and, now that the hoar frost of time shows that my autumn is arrived, and my fruits of ex perience should be gathered in, let me say that I have never seen any design, which for lasting glory and national benefit, equals that of the Society I have now the honour to address.

Let us, then, renew those efforts which have thus far worked wonders with slender means. Let the Society keep onward in its glorious course of humanity-that after times may record with blessings, the constancy of its efforts, the benevolence of its designs, and the success of its exertions.

Mr. C. then offered the following resolution, which was adopted.

Resolved, That this Society is confirmed in the opinion heretofore expressed, that the formation of Auxiliary State Societies throughout the Union, with subordinate Associations in the several Counties, or Towns of each State, is an object of vast importance, and deserves the consideration of all the friends of the Institution.

On motion of Mr. LAWRENCE, of Pennsylvania, it was

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Treasurer, for his able, faithful, and gratuitous services, during the year.

On motion of the Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL, it was

Resolved, That the thanks of this Institution be presented to Mr. ASHмUN, the Colonial Agent in Liberia, for his very able and successful exertions during the year.

On motion of Wм. H. FITZHUGH, Esq. it was

Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be presented to the Rev: R. R. GURLEY, for his long continued, disinterested, and efficient exertions, in behalf of the American Colonization Society.

On motion of the Rev. Dr. LAURIE, it was

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Society of Friends of North Carolina, for their very liberal and persevering efforts to promote the great objects for which it was established.

On motion of Mr. W. W. SEATON, it was

Resolved, That the Society entertain a grateful sense of the aid afforded to it by the Clergy of all denominations, and that they be respectfully and earnestly requested to continue to exert their influence to advance its objects.

On motion of Mr. FITZHUGH, the Society then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year; and the Chair having appointed Messrs. FITZHUGH, KEY, and JONES, as a committee to report a list of names, the list submitted by them was adopted.

On motion of the Rev. Dr. LAURIE, the meeting tendered their thanks to the Hon. HENRY CLAY, for the able and dignified manner in which he had presided during the evening.

On motion of Mr. FITZHUGн, the meeting then adjourned.

Letter from the Rev. Dr. Blumhardt.

In our number for January 1826, we published a letter from the Rev. Theophilus Blumhardt of Basle, Switzerland, enclosing one to Mr. Ashmun,

the Colonial Agent, containing sundry inquiries in relation to the practicability and expediency, of founding a missionary establishment in Liberia or