opinion. Of the success of such a plan, no person has any reason to doubt. For if the non-slave holders alone (who are variously estimated at from three-fourths to nine-tenths of the voters of this State, every man of whom has a direct personal interest in putting an end to slavery in this state) were to take up the subject, you may infer the result from this fact among many like it; that a majority of both branches of our General Assembly represent a section of country in which are found less than 38,000 slaves; while the minority in both branches, represent a seetion containing 128,000 slaves. In the former section there are more than 40,000 voters, of whom not more than 3,000 own any slaves. In the latter section there are about 38,000, of whom about 10,000 own slaves. Unless every thing, therefore, that has been said and written on this subject, on every side of it, be false, nothing but concert is any longer necessary for success.

"As I have already gone somewhat into detail, I beg leave to suggest the several plans by which, the necessary concert being obtained, it has been supposed we might effect our object.

"The first and most usually advocated is, to call a state convention, and by the embodied wisdom and power of the state, at once, and effectually settle the whole matter.

"The second is, to pass laws under the present constitution, for the gradual emancipation of all slaves born after a certain period: adding also a provision, that negroes thus emancipated, should be taken, after they were released from their former owners, and by the authority of the state hired out until the proceeds would carry them to Liberia, or some other proper place.

"The third is, to repeal all laws now existing which tend in any way to encourage slavery; to prevent the further importation of them; and by taxes or descents, transfers of title, &c. &c. so to discourage that kind of property as to drive it gradually from the commonwealth.

"The fourth is for the state to purchase them, and send them away.— Other plans have also been advocated by a few visionary persons; as that, for example, which recommends instant and general emancipation, that which proposes an amalgamation of the whites and blacks, and a few others perhaps, equally wild and intolerable. I think, however, all sober persons agree, that no plan which does not very closely resemble one of the four first stated, can or ought to be successful. I will not trouble you with a discussion of the merits of those several plans of operation: which indeed would be useless, as you already know my prefer ence for that placed as the second in order. It may not be improper to say a word in relation to the fourth plan, as that is frequently stated to be the only one that is equitable or practicable; especially by persons who oppose every thing that looks towards the ultimate liberation of the blacks. The total valuation of the property of this state for taxation,

in the year 1830, was $104,647,736: the whole number of slaves about 166,000. Their aggregate value for taxation $33,000,000. The aggregate of the other taxable property owned by those who own slaves, equal to at least double the value of their slaves; that is, omitting the fractions, to $66,000,000. Thus the value of the taxable property owned by slave holders, is about $99,000,000: leaving only a fraction less than $6,000,000, to be owned by non-slave holders. Hence it appears conclusively, that if the state were to pay for our slaves by a tax on property, no matter how levied, more than ninety per cent of the money required would be paid primarily by those who would finally receive it. This is simply equal, to my paying my neighbour for his slaves, and he paying me for mine. So that there would be no one benefitted by it, but the collecting officers; and the non-slave holders would be oppressed just to the extent demanded of them, as a compensation in money for injuries already done to them. If our taxes were increased to four times their present rate, the sum of about $200,000 a year might be appropriated to the purchase and removal of the slaves. That sum would remove less than 2,000 slaves per year; whereas the annual increase will not fall short of 5,000, any year hereafter, if effectual steps are not taken to check their growth. Upon the whole, therefore, this project of paying for slaves by taxation, or any other way, seems to be idle and visionary; and the fact that it is so, seems also to prove, that those who formed our present constitution had less sagacity than we all have given them credit for, or else they meant to give us a power over this subject much more extensive than some are willing to allow.

"I conclude by saying, that I will most heartily unite with such of my fellow-citizens as desire to put an end to this enormous evil, by any means which will be at once prudent and effectual, and likely to meet the approbation of the great body of the people agreeing with us, on the general question.

I am very respectfully,

R. J. BRECKINRIDGE."

Communication.

[We are greatly obliged to an able and learned Friend, for the following article, which merits and will doubtless receive general attention.] The late frequent arrivals from Liberia, cannot fail to have been gratifying to the friends of the Colonization Society, and to have arrested the attention of the people of this country. It is not among the facts, the least to be noted, that the latest arrivals, by two weeks, from trans-atlantic countries-Europe or

Africa, are from Liberia; letters having been received at the Colonization office, to the 22d of February.

The flourishing condition of the Colony, is exhibited in the reports of the Agent, and in the commercial developements, which extensive shipping lists, published in the Liberia Herald, satisfactorily shew. This journal discloses the very important fact that, Monrovia is becoming a port, of respectable and increasing trade. The shipping list for February, announces the arrival of sixteen vessels; some of which, we.e from St. Helena. It is not generally known that, so great is the intercourse between the United States and St. Helena, that a Commercial Agent for the United States, has lately been appointed to that island, at the representation of our merchants and captains.This island cannot of itself afford the supplies, refreshments, and facilities of repair, which induce our vessels to frequent it, on their outward and inward bound passages, to India and China. At Monrovia, supplies, fruits and provisions of all sorts, will with time, be furnished, in better quality and at cheaper rates, than they can be had at St. Helena. We foresee that, at no distant day, Monrovia will become the port of rélache, for vessels in the India trade. Its geographic position, is perhaps of all localities on the windward coast, the most propitious for such a direction of commerce.

The prosperity and permanency of Liberia, now repose under the care of Divine Providence, upon a sure basis. It has, in itself, all the elements of wealth and greatness, which are commerce, agriculture and a christian population. The first, is increasing beyond the fondest anticipations. In the Liberia Herald, among the numerous arrivals announced at Monrovia, is a vessel from France, consigned to Mr. F. Devany. This indicates an extension of the commercial relations, and capacities of the colony, as well as the high respectability of the consignee. The same notice might be made of other merchants at Monrovia. Some of the colonists have already accumulated sums of money, which even in this country, would be esteemed fortunes; and the field of commercial enterprise is wide, among the populous tribes of the interior, and which has not yet been explored. Trade with the nations of the interior, is of all others, the most profitable; and for the large returns which it yields, reference need only be made to the travels of Laing, Clapperton and Bowditch.

The agricultural resources of the colony, are not yet developed. Possessed of a fertile and extensive territory, in a tropi cal climate, the colonists might produce Rice, Cotton, Sugar, Indigo and Coffee for exportation? The population of Liberia, may not yet be sufficient, for large agricultural enterprise; but cannot the adjacent tribes, furnish labourers? The Kroo-men will leave their country, to seek employment along the coast, and will remain among strangers for years, with the hope of acquiring a small competency, upon which to retire to their. native land. The Kabyles, the Mozabies and the Biscaries of North Africa, leave their homes, and resort to the Mediterranean coast, at a distance of 2 or 300 miles, to obtain employment as labourers. These people, like the Kroomen of the Windward coast, will suffer every hardship, and a long absence from homes, which they tenderly love, with the hope of acquiring property enough, to buy a wife at their return, and procure a field and fire-side, for domestic enjoyment. The Liberians might adopt the system, of procuring the aborigines, to aid in cultivating their lands, with advantage and success. Such a connexion, between the colonists and them, would be one of mutual dependence; and it would promote the kindlier feelings, arising out of benevolent intercourse. The known dis position of the natives, lends itself to this view; for they express themselves happy to be under the protection of the colony. I the Liberians wish to become happy and respectable, in their own resources, agriculture is that branch of industry, to which their energies must be directed. Producing, as does their soil, all the tropical fruits, the colony must become rich and powerful, if the colonists continue to retain that love of religion and social virtue for which they may now be distinguished.

The climate of Liberia is, doubtless, in progress of amelioration. It has, hitherto, been somewhat fatal to the white man, and unpropitious to the coloured people, who have been removed from the interior of the United States. The coast of Africa, like the southern coast of our own country, may be insalubrious to an individual from other climates. But it may be safely predicted, that the elevated region of the interior, at the distance of 100 or 200 miles from Liberia, will be found to be a healthful and pleasant country. Is the fever of Monrovia more fatal to emigrants, than the vomito negro of Vera Cruz, or the

fevre jaune of New Orleans? It is believed not. But let the emigrant pass from Vera Cruz to the high land of Jalapa, or ascend the Mississippi from New Orleans, and he will escape the azotic atmosphere of the coast. It is believed that, if the upland emigrants to Liberia, were, on their arrival, to proceed up the St. Paul's river to the elevated country in which it rises, that the only sickness to which they would be subject, would be mild, such as a law of nature requires, on a change of cli

mate.

The experience which the Colonization Society has already had, must shew the necessity and expediency, of procuring a retreat into the upper country for the upland emigrants, on their arrival at Monrovia. Such a region may, doubtless, be found on the banks of the St. Paul's; and a question of such magnitude, and importance to the future success of its philanthropic scheme should immediately have the consideration of the society. The practicability of obtaining a cession of territory for this object, is communicated in a late letter from the Agent, representing that the chiefs had made propositions to sell their domain.The St. Paul's is yet unexplored; but it is hoped that the contemplated expedition of Messrs. Taylor and James, will accomplish this object, which the society should by all means, encourage.

The nature of the climate soil and productions, of the upper country of the St. Paul's, may reasonably be inferred, from a description of the country bordering on the Rokelle and Karamanka; rivers which flow into the Atlantic, about 150 miles, north of the St. Paul's. This account is derived from the travels of the late Major Laing, from Sierra Leone to the Timmanee, Kooranko and Soolima countries.

"The valleys (near Seemera) are picturesque and fertile, and are watered by numerous rivulets, which running from North to South, collect behind the lofty hill of Botato, and contribute in swelling the river Karamanka. I was frequently induced to stop, to contemplate the lovely scene around me, consisting of extensive meadows clothed in verdure; fields from which the springing rice and ground-nuts were sending forth their livid green shoots, not inferior in beauty and in health, to the cornfields of England in March; interspersed here and there with a patch of ground studded with palm trees: while the neighboring