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When the African colonisation scheme was first set on foot in this part of the United States, it immediately occurred to all who engaged in it, that nothing more could be effected by individual, exertion, than to open and pave the way; to -shew, what might be accomplished, and in what course success was to be sought. The rest, they were sensible, must be done by the general or state governments, or by both united, under the influence and with the sanction of an enlightened public opinion.

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To this object all their efforts have been directed. It embraces two operations. The first is to prove by actual experiment, that a colony of civilised blacks may be established, on the southern coast of Africa; that a suitable and healthy situation may be found, and procured by purchase from the natives; that the good will and good neighborhood of the latter may be secured, and the colony thus placed in safety; that by proper precautions all danger to the colonists from the climate may be avoided; that colonists in abundance, -and of a proper character and description, may be found; f. that they may be transported to the colony at a moderate expense, which will be greatly diminished, when a regular and extensive commerce between this country and that shall be established; that the materials of such a commerce already exist, to a very considerable extent, as well as a favorable disposition for it in the minds of the natives; that both must increase with the increase of the colony, and the consequent discouragement and decrease of the slave trade in that quarter; and that the colony may very soon be placed in a con-dition to govern and protect itself, and not only to provide abundantly for its own wants by the products of its agricultural industry, but to have a large surplus for commerce with this country and Europe, which will furnish the means of a ...very gainful trade with the natives.

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All this we consider as satisfactorily proved, by the experiment thus far made. The colony indeed is small but it is healthy, composed of good materials and firmly established. The attacks made on it by the natives, in greater force and ..with more extensive combinations than are ever again to be apprehended, were repelled when it was much weaker and less provided for defence than at present. The conduct of the natives has ever since been friendly and kind. They

manifest great readiness to trade, a great desire to procure instruction for their children, and the utmost willingness to exchange their labor for those objects of consumption and enjoyment, which they were heretofore accustomed to obtain by the sale of each other. The colonists, when the last accounts were transmitted, had not yet raised a crop, and consequently did not actually support themselves; but many of them had one in the ground, and almost all had received their allotments of land, which they were preparing for cultivation. Their subsistence, by their own means, may therefore be considered as secured.

'On the essential article of government the last accounts are highly satisfactory. The government was in the hands of men of color, elected by the colonists, and went on well. The number of applicants who wish to be sent to the colony is much greater, than can be received. They consist almost wholly of persons brought up and accustomed to live in the country, by agricultural employments, or those handicraft arts which are indispensable to an agricultural people. The population of the cities is not considered as suitable for such a settlement as ours. Hence the emigration to Hayti does not interfere with our plan; but rather works together with us, for the attainment of the same great end.

'We therefore regard the first part of our object, which relates to the practicability of colonising the blacks on the southwest coast of Africa, as having been attained. The second is to shew how it may be carried to such an extent, as to relieve the United States gradually and imperceptibly, but effectually, from the great and growing evil of the black population, and thus to leave room and time for the white population to fill up the void, by its natural increase.

'We are very sensible that colonies of blacks planted on the coast of Africa, in however limited an extent, cannot fail to be very useful. They place the colonists themselves in a far better situation, where they may be really and effectively free, and may enjoy all the advantages which naturally result from freedom and civilisation united. They rid this country, as far as they go, of a useless population, to say the least of it; which is generally vicious and corrupt, or exposed to the almost inevitable danger of being rendered so, by their own degradation, and their contaminating communications with a

degraded race. So far as these colonies succeed, they tend to lay a foundation for African civilisation, and for the diffusion of knowledge and true religion, in that benighted region. Consequently they are highly useful and deserving of encouragement, however limited may be their extent. But the great utility of this enterprise, to this country, to the African race here, and to Africa itself, depends upon its receiving such an extension, as gradually to embrace the whole black population of the United States. This we know requires indispensably the consent of those, who have an interest in the services and labor of this description of persons. This interest is a right of property, as well secured by the laws and as sacred in the eye of the law, as any other right whatever. It cannot and must not be touched. But we believe that by a proper course of measures, the consent of those who hold this property may be obtained; and to this object all our measures are mainly directed.

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To accomplish that object, and to effect the entire removal of the black and colored population, we believe that we must turn our attention to the rising generation. must embrace them in a great scheme of education, which may gradually be made to absorb them all, with the consent of their parents where free and their owners when slaves, and may fit them all for transplantation, at a proper age. To set an example of this scheme of education, to shew how it may be effectually conducted, is the next great object we have in view. It is in this most important object, that we wish and hope to obtain your assistance, and that of the enlightened and philanthropic body with which you are connected.

For this purpose our plan is to establish what we call a seminary farm, which may serve as a pattern for similar institutions throughout the Union, and especially in those states where slavery exists; which may show by experience and example what can be done, and how it ought to be done. We intend to purchase or rent a good farm, in a healthy and convenient situation, with proper buildings for the accommodation of about one hundred children of color, of both sexes. This farm we prefer having in Maryland; because the children as they grow up can be better governed, in a state where slavery exists. Dr Ayres, whom you know, and who from his energy, intelligence, and experience, is highly qual

ified for the task, is intended to have the superintendence of the establishment. When it is ready, young persons of color, between ten and fourteen years of age, will be received and educated.

'It is believed and expected that as soon as the seminary can be opened, a considerable number of free colored children will be placed there by their parents; and that some, perhaps many, who are slaves will be sent by their owners. The conditions on which both descriptions will be received are, that they shall be so employed as to maintain themselves while acquiring the necessary improvements, till they arrive at a suitable age; and shall be then sent to the colony at Liberia, and settled there with the usual allotment of land.

'The chief employment of the males while at the seminary will be agriculture. They will cultivate the farm or assist in its cultivation, and the produce will be appropriated to the support of the establishment. There will also be workshops established, for all the common handicraft trades, such as smiths, shoemakers, carpenters, and others of the first necessity, where all such boys as are found to possess a particular aptitude for any of these trades, will be employed in them under suitable instructers, and the proceeds of their labor will be applied in the same manner. The girls will be kept in separate apartments, and employed under suitable female instructers, in all sorts of domestic industry, household occupations, household manufactures, and the various employments suitable for females of the laboring class. Such parts of the product of their industry, as may not be wanted for the use of the establishment will be sold, and the proceeds applied in defraying its expenses.

There will be a school, in which at proper hours all the young persons will be taught reading, writing, and the rudiments of arithmetic. Means will be devised for carrying farther those boys who may display extraordinary capacity. All will be required to attend religious worship, and receive religious instruction, at proper times; for which purpose a clergyman and a place of worship will be provided.

The most efficient means will be adopted and enforced, for preventing all improper communications among these young people themselves, or with others beyond the pale of the seminary. To render these means effectual is one great

object of establishing the seminary in a state where slavery, exists, and where alone the proper authority for this and other indispensable purposes could be exercised. The children, when slaves, will be given to the institution as slaves, to be liberated when at a proper age for colonisation. When the children of free parents they will be bound till they arrive, at a proper age. On these conditions alone will any of either

'As an encouragement to good conduct and industry, an account will be opened with each child when placed in the seminary; in which it will be charged with its necessary expenses, including its board, clothing, and proportion of general expenses, such as rent, fuel, taxes, and superintendence, and credited with all its labor at fixed rates. The surplus will be invested in a savings bank, to accumulate for the benefit of the child, and to form a fund for its outfit on removing at a proper age to the colony. This is regarded by us as a very important object. Its details will be troublesome and laborious, but it will be attended to with the utmost strictness.

But

'Such is the outline of the plan. The funds for purchasing a suitable farm, and commencing the operation were at one time believed to have been provided. A farm every way suited to the object had been selected, and a treaty commenced for its purchase with fair prospects of success. a disappointment in relation to the funds has taken place, which compels us to suspend all our proceedings till new resources can be found. I apprehend no other difficulty.. Young persons of color may, I am very fully persuaded, be very soon found, in any desirable numbers, to fill up the seminary, and furnish a constant supply. Many slave owners in this and other states will, I am assured, make contributions in young slaves, as soon as the establishment is ready for their reception. A still greater number of free blacks will be eager to send their children. It is intended at first to receive those of an unexceptionable character, without attention to age, in order to get the establishment into operation. When that object is accomplished, the regulation on the subject of age will be adhered to strictly.

'No doubt is entertained, that in a short time this esta blishment may be made not only to sustain itself, but to leave a surplus for its enlargement and for other objects. It is