From the State Colonization Society, Vermont. From the State Colonization Society, Ohio. From the Newark Colonization Society, New Jersey. From the Auxiliary Society, Alexandria, D. C. The Rev. Mr. HARRISON, and Rev. Mr. CORNelius. From the Auxiliary Society, Georgetown, D. C. JOEL CRUTTENDEN, Esq., ROBERT P. DUNLOP, Esq., and THOMAS TURNER, Esq. ELLIOTT CRESSON, Esq. of Philadelphia, then rose and said, MR. PRESIDENT: Before offering the resolution which I hold in my hand, let me beg the friends of this noble, this Godlike charity, to persevere in labours which have already been crowned with a success far beyond the most sanguine anticipations of its most devoted friends. Only nine years have elapsed since the little band of Colonists landed on the Cape, and a nation has already, at your bidding, sprang into existence-a nation destined to secure to Ethiopia, the fulfilment of the glorious prophecy made in her behalf: for already have two of her Kings thrown down their crowns at the feet of the infant republic, and formed with her a holy alliance-not such as the despots of the Old World have dignified with that proud name, while forging new chains for their miserable subjects-but for the holy purpose of exchanging the guilty traffic in human flesh and blood for legitimate commerce-equal laws-civilization and religion. Already "From many an ancient river, from many a palmy plain, They call us to deliver their land from error's chain." They now ask for schools-factories-churches. Nearly 2000 freemen have kindled a beacon fire at Monrovia, to cast a broad blaze of light into the dark recesses of that benighted land:-and although much pains has been taken to overrate the cost, and undervalue the results, yet the annals of colonization may be triumphantly challenged for a parallel. Five years of preliminary operations were requisite for surveying the coast-propitiating the natives—and selecting the most eligible site;-numerous agents were subsequently employed-ships chartered-the forest cleared;schools-factories-hospitals--churches--government buildings and dwellings erected, and the many expenses requisite here, defrayed--and yet, for every $50 expended by our Society from its commencement, we have not only a settler to show, but an ample and fertile territory in reserve, where our future emigrants may sit under their own vines and fig trees with none to make them afraid. During the last year, an amount nearly equal to the united expenditures, in effecting these objects, has been exported by the colonists; and from Philadelphia alone, 11 vessels have sailed, three of them chartered through the efforts of the Pennsylvania Society, and bearing to the land of their forefathers a large number of slaves manumitted by the benevolence of their late owners.-A single incident will tell the feeling of these happy people-One of them in taking leave of Capt. Sherman at the Cape, begged him to assure their friends and benefactors that if it pleased the Almighty to prolong their existence to old age, they could not be sufficiently grateful to him and to them for the happy asylum provided for them-and declared that he could never before comprehend why the blood and tears of poor Africa had been thus long permitted to be so lavishly poured out-but that the problem was now solved-Liberia had already paid the debt!-Go on, gentlemen, with this noble work— and the patriot-the philanthropist-the christian-even the selfish cal culator will support you. Even now do the wants of this young nation demand the establishment of a line of packets to sail every three or four months, and for this purpose, depend upon it, the funds will be liberally granted.-Connecticut in 1828 commenced with a contribution of $200-in 1830 she increased it to $1200; and if we become not weary in well doing, New England will arise in the majesty of her strength, and pour into our Treasury a generous portion of her wealth. He then offered the following resolution, which was adopted. Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to its Officers for the faithful manner iu which their duties have been performed during the year, and for the Report just read, and that this Report be printed. The Hon. Mr. WILSON, of Maryland, then addressed the Chair, MR. PRESIDENT: I hold in my hand a Resolution, which I beg leave to move. It grows out of a melancholy event of the year just passed by and gone. With that year, has passed from time into eternity, an intimate and much-valued friend of mine. That friend, Sir, was also a friend of this Institution. When it was first suggested that such an Institution as this should be called into existence-his mind, strong by nature, and highly cultivated by education, immediately saw in prospect, a way opening for the ame lioration of the condition of a distressed, degraded, portion of our popu lation. He also saw in distant view, the means in embryo, by which the political, moral, and religious character of afflicted, benighted Africa might possibly be improved. The moment his mind became convinced-such was the moral structure of his heart-he took a prompt and zealous agency in forwarding the great benevolent objects of this Society. You, Sir, cannot, nor can any one, who hears the sound of my voice, be at a loss, as to the individual to whom I allude. It is the late much-lamented WILLIAM H. FITZHUGH, one of the VicePresidents of this Society. He is gone-and by that dispensation of divine wisdom, to our limited view, great-great indeed-is our loss. I knew him well, and all who knew him, bore cheerful testimony to his worth. Intelligent-active-blessed with a large fortune-with a suavity of manners, equalled by few and surpassed by none-he was useful in his day; and you, Sir, who knew him well, will bear me out, when I say, that if his life had been spared, he bid fair to expand the sphere of his usefulness, and to become one of the ornaments of this favored land. But, Sir, the heart which once animated this excellent man, and which throbbed, at all times, so warmly in the cause of humanity, will now beat no more forever. It has gone!-Oh where has it gone? Gone, I trust, to join its kindred spirits the spirits of just men made perfect. He has left behind, many who bemoan his loss. Alas! Sir, the first upon my affectionate recollection, is the lovely tender partner of his bosom. The next, in order, impressed upon my memory, is the interesting circle of family friends-nor friends more amiable and estimable, man ever had. Let us mingle our sympathies with theirs, for the loss of such a man. As a testimonial thereof, permit me to ask, that the resolution which I now hand to the Secretary may be placed upon our records. I move the same, and can only add, that I anticipate its immediate, unanimous, unhesitating adoption. Resolved, That this Institution is deeply afflicted by the death of William H. Fitzhugh, Esq. one of its Vice-Presidents, and that it will cherish an affectionate remembrance of his eminent private and public virtues, and his distinguished exertions in aid of the African cause. When the Resolution was about to be put to the vote, Mr. CUSTIS, of Arlington, rose and addressed the Chair, as follows: SIR: Before the Resolution you hold in your hand is offered to the unanimous approval of this Meeting, I crave the privilege of uttering a few words in discharge of the solemn duty I owe to the memory of him, who is now the being of other worlds. Sir, our lot has fallen on calami. tous times-for scarcely had we doffed our mourning garments for our venerated President,* who so long and so worthily filled our Chair, and who bore his illustrious name, with many of the high dignities, and all the mild charities of life, pure and "time honored" to the grave-than we must again assume the insignia of sorrow; for lo! the "insatiate archer" hath sped another shaft, and another of our chiefs is hurried to an untimely tomb. Sir, I did not rise to pronounce the eulogium of our lamented friend. It will be found written in the hearts, and can be read in the eyes, of his countrymen; yet, as I knew him well, as I loved him well, Sir; as he was near to me, as he was dear to me, Sir; I thus humbly perform my last melancholy duty; and though no praise of ours can now benefit him, he continues to benefit us by the force of his bright example. He was one of the earliest, most zealous, and most faithful, among the many zealous and faithful laborers, in our common vineyard. He spared neither his time nor talents in the service of our cause, and by his last will and testament, has left an imperishable monument to his friendship and sympathy for the cause of the whole African race. Yes, Sir, and when in long distant day, powerful Liberia, in the pride and enjoyment of every freedom and happiness, shall erect in her capitol, tablets of gratitude, in memory of her early benefactors, the name of FITZHUGн will be graven thereon, in characters of pure and high relief. The Resolution was unanimously adopted. GERRIT SMITH, Esq. of New York, then addressed the Chair as follows: Mr. PRESIDENT: The object of the American Colonization Society is to remove from our country to Africa our present and future free coloured population. I hope I shall not be thought to have lost sight of this object, if I make Africa the principal theme of my remarks. This will not be thought out of place, to those who expect great blessings to flow from the successful prosecution of the object of the Society; and such as may agree with me, in the opinion, that these blessings must reflect a favourable influence on the direct operations of the Society, will consider Africa to be a subject not only excusable, but eminently suited to this occasion. The History of its better and brighter days sometimes exerts a redeeming influence on a nation. It is to the burning History of Ancient Greece, more than to all other causes, that modern Greece is indebted for the spirit of liberty and improvement with which she is inspired. And why may not Africa, roused at the thought of her ancient glory, endeavour to recover her ele. vation? Her past History should interest the nations in her welfare, and refute the wicked charge of the natural inferiority of her children. Africa was not always as she now is. If the light of science shone not ear *The Hon. BUSHROD WASHINGTON, first President of the Colonization Society. liest in Egypt, yet for centuries it shone only there. The reigns of the Ptolemies form a bright period in her annals. Alexandria, her Library and Scholars, were well known to the world. Carthage stood prominent among the empires of antiquity, and her importance is briefly attested in the "delenda est Carthago," so often pronounced in the Roman Senate. Nor should we omit to mention, that the mild beams of Christianity once shone upon Africa. Strange as it may seem, not a few of the Fathers of the church, Cyprian, Augustin, and Tertullian, were Africans, and her ecclesiastical councils, were attended by hundreds of bishops. We have glanced at Africa as she was, let us now look at her as she is. What contribution has she brought for the last thousand years to the arts or the sciences? Has a single valuable book, during that long period, been printed in Africa? Her moral and intellectual state is more cheerless than her deserts; for in these we see some ouses, some cool and verdant spots; but her mind is a total waste, presenting a desolation without one redeeming feature. The agency of steam in propelling boats would seem as supernatural in Africa, as did the ships of Columbus to the Aborigines of this new world. What part has she in commerce? Her barbarism has rendered her soil almost as useless as though the ocean had been permitted to roll over it. We may form some idea of the loss incurred by Africa, on account of her moral waste, by conjecturing what would be the loss were all Europe to be reduced to the state in which Africa is exhibited to our view. To have one-fourth of the soil uncultivated, and a great part of her population unemployed or uselessly employed, would be a mighty drawback on her revenue, a drawback to which her philanthropists and economists would never be reconciled. But we are not concerned to look at the process by which Africa has been reduced to her present degradation; but we are deeply concerned to know how she may be raised. What agency are we bound to employ to effect this object? I am well aware, that in the eyes of many, all efforts for the heathen are considered as the results of fanaticism, and knight errantry, which overlook plain duties to sally forth to labour at impracticable objects of good. If there be any within the sound of my voice, who look with contempt upon all efforts to enlighten and civilize heathen nations, we admit that they have no sympathies which we can hope to reach. Their charity begins and ends at home. But some, I trust, (and all Christians should be such) have a sympathy as wide as the world. There is not a child of Adam so remote, as to fall without its range. But to return from this digression; let us inquire how Africa is to be raised from her degradation-to be awakened from her moral death; and what part in effecting this work, Providence has assigned to us, Whatever means may be employed; we maintain, must be such as to accomplish the abolition of the slave trade, or they will fail; and both |