Effects of the Colonization Scheme on the Slave Trade, with a slight Sketch of that nefarious Traffic. Among the striking advantages attending the Colony at Liberia, is the check it has given to the slave trade already, and the probable suppression, ultimately, of that nefarious traffic on a large portion of the western coast of Africa by the gradual extension of the settlements. Before the establishment of the settlements at Liberia, there were several slave factories within a few miles of the place, all of which have been completely broken up. Four or five years back, there was not a single factory from Sierra Leone to Cape Mount, a distance of 100 miles; and 120 miles, from Cape Mount to Trade Town, the whole of the coast of Liberia.— More recently, a factory has been established at Cape Mount, forty-five miles from Monrovia, where the trade is carried on briskly. But it is probable, as soon as the Colony gains more strength, this nest of kidnappers and traders in human flesh and human suffering, will be extirpated. The African chiefs, in the neighbourhood of Liberia, have gencrally voluntarily abandoned the traffic, finding they can supply themselves with what articles they want, of European and West India goods, by the sale of their own domestic productions. Some of them have put themselves under the protection of the Colony. To du'y appreciate the advantages of this result, it is only necessary to reflect for a moment on the horrors of this nefarious traffic; and although it has been presented times without number, to the execration of mankind, I may be permitted to take a bird's eye view of it. The number of slaves kidnapped in 1824, was 120,000. And the number imported into the single port of Rio for nine years, 1820-8, has been 264,964. In 1820, 15,020 1821, 24,134 1822, 27,363 126,369 In 1825, 26,254 1826, 33,999 1827, 29,787 1828, 48,555 264,964 [Walsh's notices of Brazil, vol. 1. p. 178. It has been ascertained, beyond the possibility of doubt, notwithstanding the efforts of the chief maritime powers of Europe, and those of the United States, to suppress this traffic, that from the two towns, Muney and Pangas, there have been 352 cargoes of slaves taken, in little more than a year. It has been estimated that one-third, but say one-fifth, perish in the voyage; and that an equal number die after their landing, of diseases contracted on the voyage, or of grief for their forlorn situation. This would make an aggregate of above 300,000, doomed to destruction, or interminable slavery, for one single port! To heighten the enormity of this "sin crying to heaven for vengeance," it is ascertained that in cases of shortness of provision, the slaves are often remorselessly thrown overboard. On board a vessel, some time since, thirty nine negroes became blind, and twelve had lost an eye. They were thrown into the fathomless A single vessel, the Protector, took on board at Mozambique, 807 slaves, of whom 339 died on the voyage ocean. The Maria Primiera, a Portuguese ship, took on board upwards of 500 slaves. This number was reduced to 403, in consequence of extreme crowding, before she was captured, and brought into Sierra Leone. Nearly one hundred more died soon after, from diseases contracted on board.-Transactions of London Af. Ass'n. The following heart-rending picture of the slave trade has been drawn by Sir George O'Meara, who was employed on the coast of Africa, to suppress it. "Such is the merciless treatment of the slaves, that no fancy can picture the horrors of the voyage. Crowded together so as not to have the power to movee-linked one to the other by the leg-never unfettered while life remains, or till the iron shall have fretted the flesh almost to the bone-forced under a deck, as I have seen them, not thirty inches in height-breathing an atmosphere the most putrid and pestilential possible-with little food and less water-subject to the most severe punishment, at the caprice or fancy of the brute who may command the vessel—it is to me a matter of surprise that any of these miserable wretches live the voyage through. Many of them, indeed, perish on the passage, and those of them who remain to reach the shore, present a picture of wretchedness language cannot express." ( D.) MOVEMENTS IN VIRGINIA. The people of Virginia are awaking to the solemn consideration of the whole subject of the evil of their coloured population, and have expressed their purpose, through the General Assembly, to aid in the colonization of such as are now free, and of such as may become so, either by the will of individuals, or the laws of the State. The late debate in the Virginia Legislature, embracing the entire subject of slavery, has been one of the highest interest and importance. The Editor of one of the Richmond papers observes: "We have never heard any debate so eloquent, so sustained, and in which so great a number of speakers had appeared, and commanded the attention of so numerous and intelligent an audience. The debate is in the process of publication, and the world can partly, though not fully judge of its merits. It has been suggested to us, that it would be expedient to incorporate this debate, so important in its subject, so full in its information, so comprehensive in its views, and so momentous in its consequences, in a less perishable form than a newspaper, and we accede to the propriety of the suggestion." In another place the Editor of the Wig remarks: "The debate on abolition continues with increased and increasing interest. Virginia has never had greater reason to boast of her gifted sons. The debate has indeed been one of transcendant and the most sustained power and interest. Day after day, multitudes throng to the Capitol, and have been compensated by eloquence which would have illustrated Rome or Athens. Since the close of this debate, Mr. Broadnax, from the Select Committee on slaves and free negroes, reported a Bill "devising the ways and means for deporting free negroes and such as may become free, to Liberia. The Bill as modified and amended, proposes an appropriation of $35,000 for the present year, and $90,000 for the next, to be expended in colonizing the free people of colour, and it has passed the House of Delegates. The Governor, Executive Council and the Treasurer, are constituted a Central Board to superintend the execution of this act, with power to appoint other Boards. Jan. 30th.-The following Resolution, reported from the Select Committee on coloured population in the House of Delegates of Virginia, was read and concurred in. Resolved, That it is expedient to apply to the General Government to procure a territory or territories, beyond the limits of the United States, to which the several States may remove their free coloured population. On the 30th of February, Mr. Moore submitted the following joint Resolution, which was, on his motion, laid on the table. Resolved, by the Senate and House of Delegates, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be, and he is hereby requested to apply to the General Government on behalf of this General Assembly, to procure a territory or territories, beyond the limits of the United States, to which the several States may remove the whole or any part of their coloured population; and, that the Senators of this State in Congress, be requested to use their best efforts to promote that object. We are informed that the subject of colonizing the free people of colour is under consideration in the Legislature of MARYLAND, and that a liberal appropriation will probably be made during its present session for this object. In CONGRESS, we are happy to state that the following Resolution, offered by Mr. Jenifer, of Maryland, with the amendments proposed by Mr. Thompson, of Ohio, and Mr. Archer, of Virginia, and a Memorial from an Auxiliary Colonization Society, presented by Mr. Condict, of New Jersey, have been referred to a Select Committee. Resolved, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation for the purpose of removing from the United States and her Territories, the free people of colour, and colonizing them on the coast of Africa, or elsewhere. (E.) The noble plan of Mr. Gerrit Smith, of New York, to raise $100,000 for this Society, in the course of ten years, by subscriptions of $1000, (each subscriber to pay $100 annually for ten years) has made some progress during the year. We would by no means despair of its accomplishment, though we regret extremely, that our wealthy friends come forward so slowly to give it their patronage. We entreat them to consider the magnitude of the object, and to lend their aid to its full accomplish ment. Gerrit Smith, Peterboro, New York. Jasper Corning, Charleston, South Carolina. Theodore Frelinghuysen, Newark, New Jersey. E. F. Backus, New Haven, Connecticut. A Gentleman in Mississippi. Matthew Carey, Philadelphia. William Crane, Richmond, Virginia. Fleming James, A Friend in Virginia. ditto. Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, Dedham, Mass. $100 annually by Mrs. M. H. Carrington, Mrs. Ann Fontaine, equal contributions. Wm. A. Carrington, P. S. Carrington, Gen. Edward Carrington, and Walter C. Carrington A few Gentlemen near Oak Hill, Fauquier County, Va. Robert Ralston, Philadelphia. Elliot Cresson, ditto. Robert Gilmor, Baltimore. George Burwell, Frederick county, Va. Association of 20 persons in Rev. Dr. Mead's parish, Frederick co. Va. Hon. Edward M'Gehee, Mississippi. Rev. Dr. James P. Thomas, Louisiana. Four young Gentlemen in Alexandria, D. C. The Auxiliary Colonization Society of Georgetown, D. C. A Friend in Fredericktown, Md. Another Subscription on the plan of Gerrit Smith, in Bishop Mead's Congregation, Frederick county, Va. John Gray, Fredericksburg, Va. Solomon Allen, Philadelphia, Pa. Cortland Van Rensselaer, Albany N. Y. Female Colonization Society of Georgetown, D. C. General John Hartwell Cocke, of Virginia Thomas Buffington, Guyandott, Va. Judge Burnett, of Ohio. Nicholas Brown, Providence, R. I. An association of Gentlemen in Kenhawa co. Va Jacob Towson, of Williamsport, Md. E. C. Delavan, Albany, New York. Judge Porter, of New Orleans. Judge Workman, John McDonoghy, ditto ditto (E.) FOURTH OF JULY. We earnestly invite the attention of the Clergy, of every denomination in the country, to the plan of taking up collections for the Society, on, or about the Fourth of July. Immense, incalculable good would result from this measure, could it become universal. All the people of the United States, would be made acquainted with the principles, and proceedings of the Society. Every where throughout the land would interest be excited, and aid secured to effect the design of African Colonization. If we could speak with a tone which every minister of Christ might hear, we would entreat him, as he values his country, or his race; the cause of humanity, or the cause of God, to preach on the subject of the Colonization Society, on, or about the Fourth of July next, and invite public charity to its object. (F.) LIBERALITY OF ENGLISH FRIENDS. Allusion has been made in the Report to the efforts of Elliott Cresson, the indefatigable Agent of the Society in England. We are gratified to learn that many English Journals are now giving efficient support to the cause of the Society, and that several li beral donations have been made to its funds. Mr. Cresson is entitled to the thanks of all the friends of Africa, for his zealous and gratuitous services; and the generosity of those in England, who contribute to aid the cause of this Institution, admirably illustrates the nobleness of the spirit of genuine philanthropy. Richard Dykes Alexander, a name ever prominent in deeds of practical philanthropy, "convinced that a more rapid progress was never known in any colony towards comfort and respectability than that of Liberia," published an appeal in its behalf; in consequence of which, the following sums were sent to Barnetts, Hoare, and Co. 62, Lombard-street, who continue to act as Bank ers to the fund-viz: Robert Barclay (Bury Hill) £. s. d. 100 0 0 A Female Friend (per S. T. of York), who is only rich by the fewness of her own wants, and the cheerfulness with which she ministers to those of others..... 100 00 |