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ADDRESS  TO  THE  PUBLIC, 


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WASHINGTON  CITY:  §| 

printed  by  rothwell  &,  cstick — Spectator  and  Chronicle  Ojjice.        §EJ 

1830.  8 


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REPORT 


OF  THE 


PROCEEDINGS  AT  THE  FORMATION 


OF  THE 


AFRICAN  EDUCATION  SOCIETY: 


Instituted  at  Washington,  December  28,  1829, 


WITH  AN 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  PUBLIC, 


BY  THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS, 


WASHINGTON  CITY: 

printed  by  rothwf.ll  &.  ustick — Spectator  Sf  Chronicle  Office. 

1830, 


I5o.,oso 


REPORT. 


At  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  the  District,  and  members  of  Congress, 
invited  to  confer  together  on  the  subject  of  establishing  a  Society  for 
the  Education  of  Persons  of  Color,  for  influence  and  usefulness  in 
Africa,  on  the  28th  of  December,  1829;  the  object  of  the  meeting 
having  been  stated  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gurley  ;  on  motion  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Laurie,  Gen.  Walter  Jones  was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  Mr. 
Gurley  appointed  Secretary. 

After  the  exchange  of  opinions  in  regard  to  the  subject  proposed 
for  consideration,  on  motion  by  Mr.  Gurlet,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  form,  and  that  we  do  hereby 
form,  a  Society,  to  prepare,  by  a  suitable  education,  young  persona 
of  color  for  usefulness  in  Africa. 

The  Society  then  went  into  committee  of  the  whole,  Rev.  Mr. 
Hawley  in  the  chair,  to  consider  and  decide  on  a  Constitution  ;  and, 
after  considerable  discussion,  and  many  amendments,  the  following 
was  proposed  to   the  Society,  and  finally  adopted : 

CONSTITUTION. 

I.  This  Society  shall  be  called  the  African  Education  Society  of 
the  United  States. 

II.  The  exclusive  object  of  this  Society  shall  be,  to  afford  to  per- 
sons of  color  destined  to  Africa,  such  an  education,  in  Letters,  Ag- 
riculture, and  the  Mechanic  Arts,  as  may  best  qualify  them  for  use- 
fulness and  influence  in  Africa. 

III.  Every  individual  who  shall  annually  contribute  one  dollar  to 
the  Society,  shall  be  a  member;  and  a  contribution,  at  any  one  time, 
of  twenty  dollars  shall  constitute  life  membership. 

IV.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  be,  a  President,  one  or  more 
Vice  Presidents,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  a  Recorder,  and  a  Board 
of  Managers,  composed  of  the  abovementioned  officers  and  twelve 
other  members  of  the  Society,  to  be  elected  at  the  annual  meeting : 
any  five  of  whom  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

V.  The  Annual  Meeting  of  this  Society  shall  be  on  the  last  Mon- 
day in  December. 


VI.  The  Board  of  Managers  shall  conduct  the  business  of  the 
Society,  and  take  such  measures  as  they  may  think  proper,  or  as  shall 
be  directed  by  the  Society,  to  effect  its  objects ;  shall  convene  at  such 
times  as  they  may  deem  expedient,  or  when  requested  by  the  Presi- 
dent or  any  three  members  ;  shall  report  annually  to  the  Society ;  and 
shall  have  power  to  iill  up,  from  time  to  time,  all  vacancies  that  may 
happen  in  their  own  body,  or  in  any  of  the  offices  of  the  Society. 

VII.  The  Vice  Presidents,  according  to  seniority,  or  otherwise  one 
of  the  Managers,  shall  perform  the  duties  of  the  President  iu  case  of 
his  absence. 

VIII.  The  Secretary  shall  take  minutes  of  the  proceedings,  pre- 
pare and  publish  notices,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  Board 
or  Society  shall  direct.  The  Recorder  shall  aid  the  Secretary  when 
occasion  requires. 

IX.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  take  charge  of  the  funds  of 
the  Society,  keep  the  accounts,  and  discharge  such  other  similar  duties 
as  may  be  required  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

X.  Every  Society  that  shall  be  formed  auxiliary  to  the  parent  in- 
stitution, shall  be  entitled  to  attend  and  vote  by  delegation  at  alt 
meetings  of  the  Society. 

XI.  This  Constitution  shall  be  unalterable,  except  at  the  annual 
meetings  of  the  Society,  and  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers present. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  nominate  a  list  o£ 
Officers  for  this  Society.     The  following  list  was  finally  adopted  : 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 
President. 
Rt.  Rev.  William  Meade,  of  Virginia. 

J~icc  Presidents. 
Gen.  Walter  Jones,  of  Washington, 
Hon.  Theodore  Frelingiiuysen,  of  New  Jersey, 
Francis  S.  Key,  Esq.  of  Georgetown,  D.  C. 
Hon.  Judge  McLean,  of  Ohio, 
Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott,  D.  D.,  of  Now  York, 
Gerrit  Smith,  Esq.  of  New  York, 
Gen.  C.  F.  Mercer,  of  Virginia, 
Rev.  John  H.  Rice,  D.  D.,  of  Virginia, 
Kt.  Rev.  Bishop  Griswold,  of  R.  I. 
William  Maxwell,  Esq.  of  Virginia; 
Rev.  Nathan  Lord,  D.  D.  of  N.  H. 
William  II.  Fitzhugh,  Esq.  of  Virginia, 
Rev.  James  Mxjlnor,  D.  1).  of  Now  Yoik, 


5 

Rev.  Dr.  Lindsley,  of  Tennessee, 
Ewott  Cresson,  Esq.  of  Philadelphia, 
Rev.  William  Winans,  of  Missi. 
Rev.  Hemar  Humphrey,  D.  Dm  of  Mass. 
Arthur  Tappan,  Esq.  of  New  York. 

Secrct&ry — Isaac  Orr,  of  Washington. 

Treasurer — Richard  Smith,  Esq.  of  Washington. 

Recorder — John  Kennedy,  Esq.  of  Washington. 

Managers. 
Rev.  William  Hawley,  of  Washington, 
William  Williamson,  Esq.  of  Georgetown,  D.  C> 
Rev.  John  N.  Campbell,  of  Washington, 
Rev.  James  McVean,  of  Georgetown,  D.  C. 
B.  L.  Lear,  Esq.  of  Washington, 
Rev.  Walter  Colton,  of  Washington, 
Rev.  R.  R.  Gurley,  of  Washington, 
Michael  Nourse,  Esq.  of  Washington, 
William  G.  Ridgley,  Esq.  of  Georgetown,  D.  C- 
John  Coyle,  Jr.  Esq.  of  Washington, 
Rev.  J.  N.  Danforth,  of  Washington, 
Rev.  Thomas  Brooke,  of  Georgetown,  D,  C» 


G 


ADDRESS. 

At  a  time  when  objects  of  benevolence,  so  many  and  so  great, 
press  upon  public  attention,  and  call  loudly  for  public  patronage;  and 
when  the  eye  of  jealousy  is  to  a  considerable  extent  threatening  hos- 
tility to  general  associations  for  the  accomplishment  of  some  of  these 
great  and  godlike  purposes;  it  would  ill  become  the  Members  and 
Managers  of  the  African  Education  Society,  to  commence  their  ardu- 
ous enterprise,  and  to  solicit  the  public  favor  and  public  support, 
without  being  able  to  offer  an  unequivocal  and  ample  apology. 

AVc  feel  gnat  reluctance  to  give  offence  or  alarm,  by  associating 
together,  to  any  of  the  sincere  friends  of  our  common  country.  But 
really,  if  the  object  we  have  in  view  is  one,  as  we  believe,  and  as  we 
trust  it  will  appear,  which  it  would  be  hard-hearted  to  neglect,  and 
cruel  to  hinder,  we  cannot  conceive  how  it  is  possible  that  it  should 
be  attained  by  insulated  individual  effort.  All  history  does  not  fur- 
nish the  shadow  of  a  warrant  for  the  slightest  hope  of  such  an 
achievement. 

Since  the  commencement  of  the  enterprise,  in  1817,  which  was  to 
open  an  outlet  for  the  unfortunate  population,  who  had  been  torn  from 
their  homes  by  the  hand  of  violence,  and  forced  upon  us  by  the  cu- 
pidity and  tyranny  of  the  mother  country ;  and  which  was  not  only 
to  restore  to  Africa  her  lost  children,  but  to  quench  the  flames  of  war, 
and  dry  up  the  streams  of  devastation,  and  fountains  of  blood,  in 
that  persecuted  and  ill-fated  country;  and  to  confer  upon  it  the  bles- 
sings of  peace,  and  refinement,  and  religion,  and  liberty,  the  friends  of 
that  great  design  have  been  continually  and  deeply  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  preparing  the  destined  emigrants,  by  a  suitable 
training,  for  prosperity  and  usefulness  in  Africa.  They  reasoned,  and 
reasoned  rightly,  that  if  without  such  preparation  they  were  wholly 
unfit,  as  is  universally  admitted,  for  freedom,  and  for  the  lowest  em- 
ployments, in  this  country,  much  more  were  they  unfit  to  stem  the 
tide  of  barbarism,  to  exercise  the  difficult  and  hardly  tenable  func- 
tions of  self-government,  to  become  the  leaders,  teachers,  and  rulers 
of  barbarous  people,  the  enlightened  citizens,  the  wise  founders  and 
supporters,  of  the  rising  nations  of  Africa.  Hence  various  attempts 
have  been  made,  from  time  to  time,  to  devise  and  execute  plans  for  the 
attainment  of  this  highly  important  and  desirable  object :  and  the  as- 
sociation, who  by  ibeir  constitution  were  uot  empowered  to  turn  their 
efforts  in  that  direction,  and  to  whom  the  entire  interests  of  Africa, 
here,  have  hitherto  been  entrusted,  have  hailed  those  attempts  with 
their  warmest  approbation,   and   their  best  wishes  that  they  might 


prove  successful.  It  is  well  known,  that  the  great  and  active  and 
powerful  mind  of  General  Harper,  was  much  exercised  on  this  sub- 
ject  during  his  life,  aud  that  he  made  some  partial  attempts  to  carry 
his  views  into  execution.  There  is  reason  to  helieve,  from  the  reso- 
lution and  energy  of  his  character,  that  death  alone  prevented  him 
from  pursuing,  to  ultimate  success,  an  object  to  which  he  was  so 
warmly  and  sincerely  devoted. 

An  Institution  was  commenced  some  years  ago,  for  the  purpose  of 
African  education,  at  Newark,  in  New  Jersey.  Owing,  however,  to 
the  want  of  sufficient  support,  or  perhaps  still  more  to  the  lack  of 
suitable  subjects  of  education,  its  success  has  not  heretofore  been  so 
great  as  its  friends  had  reason  to  expect  and  desire,  and  as  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  cause  most  imperiously  demanded.  A  Society  has 
also  been  formed  at  Hartford,  in  Connecticut,  devoted  exclusively  to 
the  higher  stages  of  African  education.  Its  operations,  up  to  the 
present  time,  have  been  exceedingly  limited  ;  not  for  the  want  of  in- 
terest, or  the  want  of  funds ;  but  for  the  almost  total  destitution  of 
suitable  subjects.  Colored  persons  on  the  advanced  stage  of  educa- 
tion, which  they  require  for  admission,  can  rarely  be  found. 

With  these  institutions  it  is  not  our  design  or  desire  to  interfere  at 
all :  but  to  co-operate  with  them,  and  to  render  them  every  assist- 
ance within  our  power.  The  Hartford  Institution,  especially,  we 
hope  ere  long  to  supply  with  youth  prepared  to  enter  it;  and  thus  to 
remove  the  only  apparent  obstacle  to  its  complete  prosperity :  and 
should  that  at  Newark  assume  the  same  character,  we  hope  to  afford 
it  also  the  same  facilities. 

It  is  our  belief  that  efforts  have  heretofore  been  too  partial  and  lo- 
cal in  their  character  ;  aud  to  this  circumstance  alone  can  we  attribute 
the  want  of  success.  A  common  interest  has  not  been  felt:  general 
concert  in  action  has  not  been  attained  :  the  one  soul  of  the  benevo- 
lent community  has  not  been  awakened.  It  is  our  hope  and  desiro 
to  excite  all  the  interest  and  energies  of  the  country,  which  can  pos- 
sibly be  directed  towards  the  attainment  of  the  great  and  interesting 
object  which  we  have  in  view  :  to  gather  information  and  influence 
from  every  possible  source  :  to  combine  aud  concentrate  their  power  : 
to  present  them  to  the  public  eye,  and  to  bring  them  to  act  upon  the 
public  feeling  :  and  especially,  by  a  steady  advancement,  as  fast  as 
the  means  will  allow,  towards  the  object  proposed,  to  evince  the  in- 
valuable benefits  of  the  undertaking,  and  thus  afford  the  best  possible 
reward  for  its  support,  and  the  highest  encouragement  for  more  ex- 
tensive and  more  ardent  effort. 

It  is  the  design  of  the  Society,  not,  in  the  manner  of  a  day  school, 
to  take  charge  of  the  youth  entrusted  to  them,  for  a  few  hours  daily, 
and  then  dismiss  them  to  dissipate,  among  idle  and  vicious  compan- 
ions, the  slight  impressions  made  upon  them,  and  thus  to  blast,  every 


8 

night  and  morning,  the  germs  of  sober  and  industrious  habits  ;  but  to 
train  them  up  entirely,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  early  childhood;  to 
make  constant  and  untiring  inroads  on  their  wrong  habits  and  pro- 
pensities ;  to  subject  them  to  a  steady,  mild  and  salutary  discipline; 
to  exercise  towards  them  a  kind  and  parental  care,  guarding  against 
the  approach  of  every  insidious  and  hurtful  influence;  to  give  them 
no  intimate  practical  acquaintance  with  agriculture,  or  some  one  of 
the  mechanic  arts,  most  likely  to  be  useful  in  Africa ;  to  instruct 
them  thoroughly  in  all  the  branches  of  a  common  school  education  ; 
to  endow  them  with  industrious,  active  and  manly  habits  ;  and  to  in- 
spire them  with  virtuous,  generous  and  honorable  sentiments  :  in  fine, 
to  form  their  whole  character,  and  render  it,  as  far  as  possible,  such 
as  will  qualify  them  to  become  pioneers  in  the  renovation  of  Africa. 
Manual  labor  will  of  course  ultimately  aid  in  the  support,  and  dimin- 
ish the  expense,  of  the  establishment.  But  in  its  commencement,  on 
account  of  the  necessary  preparation  of  implements  and  materials, 
it  is  essential  to  its  success  that  a  good  deal  should  be  expended.  An 
enlightened,  humane  and  liberal  community  must  decide,  whether  it 
shall  surmount  the  obstacles  which  stand  in  its  way,  and  obtain  an 
existence  real  and  greatly  efficient,  among  things  that  are,  as  well  as 
in  the  designs  and  hopes  of  its  projectors. 

Every  precaution  will  be  taken  to  avoid  the  hindrance  or  discour- 
agement of  day  schools  for  Africans  in  the  States  where  all  are  free. 
It  is  perceived  that  they  also  are  tending  to  the  same  great  object, 
though  in  a  less  ready,  and  less  effectual  manner.  What  if  the  co- 
lored people  in  these  states  are  now  prejudiced  against  emigration  to 
Africa?  Enlightening  and  enlarging  their  mind9,  and  correcting 
and  quickening  their  moral  faculties,  will  remove  those  prejudices; 
will  help  them  to  discern,  and  lead  them  to  promote  their  own  best 
interests,  and  to  bear  across  the  Atlantic  the  means  of  freedom, 
prosperity  and  happiness,  to  "  their  kindred  according  to  the  flesh." 

Special  reference  will  also  be  had  to  the  condition  and  wishes  of 
the  slave  States.  In  most  of  them  it  is  a  prevailing  sentiment,  that 
it  is  not  safe  to  furnish  slaves  with  the  means  of  instruction.  Much 
as  we  lament  the  reasons  for  this  sentiment,  and  the  apparent  neces- 
sity of  keeping  a  single  fellow  creature  in  ignorance,  we  willingly 
leave  to  others  the  consideration  and  the  remedy  of  this  evil,  in  view 
of  the  overwhelming  magnitude  of  the  remaining  objects  before  us. 
But  it  is  well  known  that  very  many  masters  are  desirous  to  liberate 
their  slaves  in  such  a  way  as  to  improve  their  condition:  and  we  are 
confident  that  such  masters  will  rejoice  to  find  the  means  by  which 
those  slaves  may  be  educated  in  a  situation  by  themselves,  without  the 
danger  of  exerting  an  unfavorable  influence  around  them:  and  in- 
stead of  creating  disquiet  in  this  country,  may  convey  peace  aud  joy 
to  Africa.     In  proof  of  this  opinion,  we  are  gratified  to  state,  that  a 


9 

gentleman,  who  is  a  slave  bolder,  and  an  officer  of  this  Society,  La* 
already  offered  the  gratuitous  use  of  a  farm,  for  the  accommodation  of 
such  an  establishment. 

A  desire  to  give  "liberty  to  the  captive,"  has  prevailed,  and  doc, 
still  prevail,  to  a  very  great  extent,  throughout  the  country.  Ij  owe* 
its  existence  both  to  a  sense  of  justice  and  to  feelings  of  humanity.  It 
has  been  more  efficient  too,  strange  as  it  may  appear,  iu  the  southern 
than  the  northern  Slates;  for  the  reproached  South  has  given  liberty  to 
more,  in  proportion  to  her  white  population,  by  the  mere  influence  of 
this  desire,  than  the  North  has  done  in  consequence  of  this  desire,  the 
most  obvious  self-interest,  and  the  force  of  law  put  together.  Proof 
of  this  point  requires  only  a  glance  at  the  ceasus,  where  is  shown  the 
comparative  number  of  free  colored  people,  all  of  whom  are  either 
Ireedmen,  or  the  descendants  of  freedmen.  Iu  the  South,  however,  its 
progress  has  been  arrested  before  the  consummation  of  that  groat 
event  to  which  it  was  most  obviously  and  rapidly  tending.  There 
was  no  need  of  an  inquiry,  which  the  North  has  never  instituted, 
whether  freedom  in  itself  alone,  without  some  redeemiugconcomitant, 
was  a  practical  blessing  to  those  for  whom  it  was  as  such  expressly 
designed.  The  fact  was  most  glaring,  without  an  inquiry,  that  the 
same  shackles  which  bound  them,  fastened  them  also  to  the  resource* 
of  the  soil,  and  the  interests  of  the  community,  and  when  these 
were  broken,  and  the  incentives  of  authority  removed,  the  weight  of 
ignorance,  the  want  of  better  incentives,  and  the  fatal  and  untried 
power  of  grateful  but  ruinous  idleness,  sunk  them  to  a  state,  which, 
however  elevated  in  theory,  was  in  fact  more  degraded  and  more  mi- 
serable than  that  of  bondage.  In  addition  to  all  this,  pauperism,  with 
the  numerous  evils  of  corrupt  and  corrupting  indolence,  threatened  to 
impose  its  sluggish  weight  upon  a  groaning  community.  The  com- 
mon sense  of  mankind,  and  the  genius  of  Christianity,  equally  de- 
manded, that  practical  results  should  be  made  the  tests  of  justice  and 
humanity.  It  appeared  that  nothing  could  in  reality  be  loss  like  equi- 
table restoration,  than  throwing  away.  Hence,  the  progress  of  eman- 
cipation was,  for  the  time,  most  righteously  arrested.  Still,  without 
doubt,  the  same  desire,  once  so  manifest,  yet  exists,  and  even  with 
augmented  power:  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that  when 
present  impediments  shall  be  removed,  and  the  manumission  of  the 
slave  will  improve  his  condition,  it  will  arise  to  far  more  than  its  for- 
mer activity.  The  call  then  is  most  emphatic  to  release  this  heaven- 
born  desire  from  its  prison  house,  and  let  it  again  proceed  with  its 
work  of  beneficence — a  work  which  by  every  other  instrument  man 
be  attempted  in  vain.  It  is  certain  that  to  improve  the  condition  of 
liberated  slaves,  it  is  necessary  to  elevate  their  moral  and  intellectual 
character.  The  last  hope,  then,  of  the  colored  race,  is  embraced  iu 
the  design  of  this  Society. 


10 

Improvement,  in  tho   pn  from  bail    rism  6  gradual  from 

year  t<>  year  and  from  age  to  age,  that  its  advance  at  any  one  mo- 
ment, like  the  motion  of  the  sun,  is  imperceptible.  Yet  by  compa- 
rison in  its  different  stages,  we  discern  the  immense  disparity  between 
the  glimmering  dawn  and  tlio  bright  and  glorious  meridian.  The 
yeomanry  of  this  country  stand  up  in  all  the  consciousness  of  superi- 
ority, and  feel  as  if  the  high  distinction  with  which  they  are  favored, 
were  an  attribute  of  their  nature,  or  the  direct  gift  of  the  Deity:  for- 
getful that  their  own  ancestors,  but  a  few  ages  ago,  were  in  a  state  of 
barbarism  that  Would  have  hardly  honored  an  African  origin;  and 
that  the  race  has  emerged  from  sue!)  a  condition  only  by  tho  slow 
process  of  moral  and  intellectual  improvement.  Hence  the  immense 
power  of  education  is  underrated  entirely:  and  the  colored  race,  just 
brought  from  a  savage  country,  and  placed  in  sight  of  advantages 
which  they  cannot  enjoy,  are  regarded,  to  a  groat  extent,  as  incapa- 
ble of  a  similar  advancement.  This  prejudice,  founded  in  the  first 
instance  on  grounds  almost  wholly  gratuitous,  and  contrary  to  general 
principles,  must  soon  give  way  entirely  to  facts,  which  are  already  ap- 
parent, and  which  arc  now  iu  a  rapid  course  of  further  develope- 
ment. 

Tho  immense  advantages  of  moral  and  intellectual  cultivation,  be- 
fomo  most  glaringly  obvious  by  a  recurrence  to  history  and  biography. 
Iu  almost  every  instance  where  communities  or  individuals  have  stood 
pre-eminent,  they  owed  their  pre-cminenco  chieily  to  moral  or  intel- 
lectual improvement.  The  Chaldeans,  tho  Egyptians,  the  Greeks, 
the  Romans,  were  no  less  remarkable  for  learning  than  for  power. 
This  may  be  said  with  equal  truth  of  nearly  all  the  great  men  of  an- 
tiquity, and  much  more  of  those  who  in  modern  times  have  caused 
tho  world  tp  fed  their  influence.  Intellectual  and  moral  cultivation 
mado  Ashmun  what  he  was;  and  to  cause  the  influence  of  such  men 
as  Ashmun  to  be  felt  throughout  the  African  continent,  is  tho  aim  and 
the  hope  of  ibis  Society. 

There  are  several  reasons,  which  appear  not  only  weighty,  but  al- 
together decisive,  why  such  a  Society  should  be  located  in  the  capi- 
tal of  the  country.  In  addition  to  the  general  convenience  of  its  cen- 
tral position,  it  is  in  a  district  belonging  in  common  to  all  the  States, 
where  none  can  complain  of  interference,  or  attach  to  it  the  idea  of 
merely  local  importance  :  it  affords  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  through 
Members  of  Congress,  the  means  of  an  intimate  acquaintance  with 
its  character,  measures  and  success  ;  by  the  same  means,  many  im- 
portant helps  may  he  brought  to  promote  its  progress  :  and  what  is 
perhaps  more  than  all,  it  can  avail  itself  directly  of  the  best  channel 
of  information  between  this  country  and  Africa.  If  it  were  farther 
north,  it  would  not  he  so  easily  accessible  by  slaves  that  are  to  be 
liberated  and  sent  to  Africa;  and  the  constitutions  of  those  under  its 


11 

care,  would  not  be  so  well  prepared  for  the  attacks  of  African  dis- 
ease and  the  dangers  of  an  African  climate.  If  it  were  farther 
south,  it  might  fail  to  excite  a  northern  interest ;  and  by  exerting  an 
unfavorable  influence  on   slaves,   and   waking  the  apprehensions  of 

their  masters,  it  might  even  blast  its  prospects  in  the  southern  section 
of  the  country. 

We  appeal,  then,  with  respectful  confidence,  to  the  humane  and 
merciful  throughout  our  country.  We  most  earnestly  solicit  their 
encouragement,  co-operation  and  support.  Wc  entreat  the  Editors 
of  public  Journals  to  bestow  on  the  subject  their  calm  and  candid  at- 
tention ;  to  yield  it  their  personal  favor  and  influence  ;  and  to  send 
forth  upon  the  winds  of  heaven  all  useful  information  respecting  it. 
Wc  entreat  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  to  bring  their  consecrated  talents 
to  bear  in  the  promotion  of  its  interests,  and  in  the  attainment  of  an 
object,  which  cannot  but  be  dear  to  them  and  their  Master.  We  en- 
treat all  classes  of  the  community  to  contribute  their  aid  and  exert 
their  influence  in  such  ways  as  to  them  may  appear  best  and  most 
effectual.  Considerations  the  most  powerful  urge  the  appeal.  By 
all  the  horrors  of  the  slave  trade  ;  by  the  wrongs  and  sufferings  of 
Africa,  inflicted  by  the  hands  of  Americans;  by  her  cruel  and  inces- 
sant wars  which  they  have  excited,  and  which  have  desolated  her 
towns  and  cities;  by  the  blood  of  murdered  millions;  by  the  relics 
of  hundreds  of  thousands  thrown  from  American  ships,  and  strewed 
upon  the  bed  of  the  Atlantic — we  call  upon  our  country,  in  its  indi- 
vidual and  collective  capacity,  to  make  a  voluntary,  though  wholly 
inadequate  retribution  to  those  whom  they  have  injured,  and  to  per- 
form an  act  of  justice,  of  duty,  and  of  mercy,  to  the  people  of  Africa. 


Resolutions  of  the  Board. 

Resolved,  That  the  funds  of  this  Society  shail  bo  chiefly  appro- 
priated to  the  education  of  slaves,  placed  at  their  disposal  by  their 
masters,  on  the  condition,  after  their  education  and  liberation,  of 
their  emigrating  to  Africa. 

Resolved,  That  pledges,  with  suitable  indemnities,  shall  be  given, 
as  far  as  practicable,  by  the  pupils,  their  masters,  parents  or  guard- 
ians, that  they  will  go  to  Africa  when  their  education  shall  be  com- 
pleted. 


Extract  of  a  Letter  to  a  Gentleman  in  Virginia. 

The  Managers  of  the  African  Education    Society  tender  to  you 
then  grateful  acknowledj  for   the  substantial  proof  of  your  fa- 

vor, which  has  been  received,   and  for  the  impli    I     rafidence  which 


1? 

jnu  have  kindly  expressed  in  the  justness  of  their  views  ami  the  in- 
tegrity of  their  motives.  They  regard  this  confidence  as  one  of  the 
highest  proofs  of  friendship.  .Still  they  are  desirous  that  even  the 
enemies  of  the  cause,  and  much  more  those  friends  who  are  qualifi- 
ed to  act  as  its  wisest  advocates  and  ablest  defenders,  should  see 
clearly  and  fully  the  ground  upon  which  it  rests;  the  nature  and  ex- 
tent of  the  objections  which  bear  against  it,  and  of  the  inducements 
which  urge  to  its  advancement.  To  such  friends,  too,  they  look  for 
nt  least  a  portion  of  that  light  which  the  difficulty  of  the  subject  re- 
quires, as  well  as  for  the  influence  necessary  to  give  it  favor  in  the 
view  of  the  community. 

The  subjects  mentioned  in  your  letter  had  been  already  discussed, 
nnd  settled,  as  it  was  supposed,  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  Your  no- 
tice of  them  again  called  them  up;  but  the  Board  cannot  yet  discover 
sufficient  reasons  for  changing  their  views.  They  are  all  ardent 
friends  of  the  Colonization  Society;  but  further  than  this  the  two  So- 
cieties are  not  connected  at  all.  It  seems  difficult,  then,  to  perceive, 
how  the  fate  of  one  can  be  mainly  dependent  on  the  fate  of  the 
other.  It  may  seem  as  if  a  new  object  proposed  with  regard  to  Af- 
rica, and  a  consequent  division  of  interest,  might  diminish  the  already 
meager  support  of  the  Colonization  Society:  but  facts  of  con- 
stant occurrence  in  this  country,  go  to  prove  the  reverse.  Nor  can 
this  be  deemed  a  subject  of  wonder,  when  it  is  considered  that  all 
the  great  objects  of  charity  receive,  as  yet,  but  about  the  average 
amount  of  five  cents  a  year  from  each  inhabitant  of  the  country.  In 
view,  then,  of  the  acknowledged  liberality  of  the  American  people, 
there  can  be  no  sufficient  objection  to  presenting  a  greater  number  of 
deserving  objects  before  them. 

It  is  true,  that  prejudices  against  the  new  Society,  may,  and  pro- 
bably will,  to  some  extent,  be  directed  against  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety. But  for  this  there  can  he  no  sufficient  reason,  for  the  Socie- 
ties are  wholly  distinct.  Besides,  the  Colonization  Society  has,  in 
its  infancy,  outlived  far  greater  opposition  than  it  will  ever  hereafter 
We  likely  to  meet  with.  It  is  doubtless  highly  desirable  that  the 
3'ducation  Society  should  encounter  its  own  difficulties,  and  rest  ou 
its  own  merits:  and  so  far  as  it  can  possibly  be  kept  from  implication 
with  others,  it  will  be  done.  There  is  even  then  hardly  a  doubt  that 
it  will  surmount,  by  prudent  management,  the  probable  opposition 
which  it  is  destined  to  meet  with. 

In  one  respect,  at  least,  if  it  should  be  successful,  it  must  be  emi- 
nently serviceable  to  the  Colonization  Society.  It  is  already  obvi- 
ous, that  the  prosperity  of  this  society  must  depend,  to  a  very  great 
•stent,  on  the  character  and  progress  of  the  colony.  It  is  equally 
obvious  that  the  success  of  the  colony  depends  entirely  on  the  influ- 
ence and  efforts  of  well  educated  men.     It  i*  the  trholt  butinets  of  th» 


13 

Education  Society  to  furnish  them:  so  that  in  return  for  any  indirect 
and  partial  injury  which  it  may  occasion  to  the  Colonization  Socie- 
ty, the  entire  result  of  its  efforts,  and  weight  of  its  influence,  will  ope- 
rate directly  to  advance  the  interests  of  that  society. 

There  are  indeed  many  powerful  reasons  why  the  means  of  edu- 
cating colouists  should  be  expended  within  the  limits  of  the  colony. 
But  it  is  at  least  questionable,  whether  colonial  institutions  could  ob- 
tain, to  so  great  an  extent,  the  patronage  of  the  American  public.  It 
is  still  more  questionable  whether  masters  would  send  their  young 
slaves  there  to  be  educated.  But  the  consideration  which  seems 
above  all  others  decisive,  is,  that  colored  instructers  suitably  qualifi- 
ed, cannot  yet  be  found  in  sufficient  numbers  for  the  immediate  want3 
of  the  colony  itself:  and  to  send  out  white  instructers,  would  doubt- 
less incur  a  greater  sacrifice  of  life  than  would  be  warranted,  at  pre- 
sent, by  the  greater  comparative  advantages.  It  must  be  remember- 
ed that  no  white  person  has  yet  continued  alive  in  the  colony  more 
than  six  or  eight  years.  The  object,  if  it  could  not  be  attained  in 
any  other  way,  would  doubtless  justify  a  far  greater  sacrifice.  But  it 
is  believed  that  it  can  be  essentially  attained  by  institutions  in  this 
country.  The  society,  however,  will  render  their  views  on  this  sub- 
ject as  full  and  accurate  as  possible,  and  whenever  there  are  no  suffi- 
cient objections,  their  means  will  at  once  be  transferred  to  Africa.  It 
is  believed,  however,  that  this  cannot  be  the  case,  till  there  shall  be  a 
sufficient  number  of  competent  colored  instructers. 

The  subject  of  African  education,  though  beyond  all  dispute  im- 
mensely important,  must  for  some  time  to  come  be  to  a  great  extent 
experimental.  The  free  expression  of  your  views  respecting  it,  will  at 
all  times  be  highly  acceptable,  and  may  be  of  very  great  utility. 
The  great  object  of  the  society,  second  only  to  the  best  interests  of 
Africa,  will  be  to  satisfy,  by  every  reasonable  method,  all  the  friends 
of  the  cause,  and  all  its  enemies.     I  remain, 

With  great  esteem  and  respect, 
Your  humble  servant, 

ISAAC  ORR,  Sect'ry.  Af.  E.  S. 


Demand  for  Educated  Africans. 

In  addition  to  the  well  known  extent  and  urgency  of  this  demand, 
it  ought  to  be  mentioned,  that  the  London  Missionary  Society  sent  to 
this  country,  some  time  ago,  to  procure  educated  Africans  to  go  to 
Sierra  Leoue.     Of  course  their  application  proved  ineffectual. 


li 


Extracts  from  a  Communication  front  B.  I--  Lear,  Esq.  Executor  of 
the  Will  of  General  Ko  a  ■■  iko,  to  Rev.  Amzi  Armstrong,  of  New 
Jersey,  dated  Washington,  28th  January,  182  i. 

[Note.— In  1798  Gen-.  Kosciusko  made  ;i  bequ  Ibe  liberation  and 

education  of  Africans.     In  L821  it  amounted  t  i,000;  and  at  the  present, 

1830,  does  not  diffi  r  much  from  $25,000.  A  suit  is  now  pending  in  the  1  nited 
States  Supreme  Court,in  which  the  beqi  d  bj  Kosciusko's  legal 

heirs,  and  others.  The  resultft  is  said,  is  very  doubtful.  So  far,  this  noble 
bequest,  instead  of  an  example  to  <  ccitc  others  to  do  likewise, 

appears  Tathei   to  indered,  or  at  least  tliosi   efforts  for  t!ie 

African  people,  which  circumstances  have  so  urgently  demanded.  It  is  ex- 
ceedingly desiri  ble  that  the  reputation  of  Kosciusko  should  not  bear  the  impu- 
tation of  havus::  injured  the  cause  to  which  he  man,,  sincere  and  de- 
voted an  attachment.] 

One  of  the  principal  requisites  of  the  will  is,  that  the  slaves  shall 
be  purchased  and  set  free  :  but  I  consider  that  this  would  be  substan- 
tially complied  with,  if  1  can  procure  them  from  their  masters  upon 
condition  of  freeing  am!  educating  them  :  and  as  I  have  from  the 
first  determined  that  I  would  take  none  that  were  not  young  enough 
to  be  exempt  from  every  idea  of  their  degradation,  and  all  contami- 
nation from  their  kindred  and  associations,  1  su]  !;at  their  value 
as  slaves  would  not  be  so  great  as  to  operate  strongly  with  those 
masters  disposed  to  favor  the  experiment;  and  that,  with  many  of 
them  their  freedom,  support,  and  education  would  be  a  sufficiently 
valuable  consideration. 

The  intention  of  the  testator  undoubtedly  was.  to  make  the  objects 
of  his  bounty  not  only  free  and  happy,  but  useful  to  society.  In 
considering  the  kind  of  education  best  adapted  to  this  purpose,  one 
of  my  favorite  ideas  has  been,  to  instruct  the  children  in  agriculture 
and  the  mechanic  arts,  in  connexion  with  their  literary  education,  that 
the  mind  and  body  may  be,  one  or  the  other,  always  active  in  useful 
occupation;  variety  thus  answering  the  purpose  of  amusement:  and 
to  apply  each  mainly  to  such  an  education  as  shall  be  found  on  ex- 
periment to  be  best  adapted  to  his  capacity. 

I  should  think  it  best  to  commence  the  school  on  a  very  limited 
and  economical  plan.  Almost  every  enterprise  in  this  country,  which 
fails  of  success,  owes  its  failure  to  embarking  too  incautiously  in  ex- 
penses, before  the  experiment  is  properly  tested.  I  should  think  a 
few  acres,  with  perhaps  a  single  building,  near  some  flourishing  vil- 
lage, sullicicut  for  the  experiment.  The^  village  would  supply  me- 
chanics, who  might  no  doubt  be  induced,  in  such  a  cause,  to  give  in- 
struction in  their  arts  for  a  very  moderate  compensation.  This  plan 
cau  easily  be  enlarged  if  we  find  our  funds  sullicicut ;  and  in  any  event. 
it  is  always  more  gratifying  to  be  able  to  extend,  than  to  be  obliged  to 
contract,  our  enterprises. 

Those  children  whom    I  would  emancipate  and  educate  with   this 


15 

fund,  I  would  purchase  on. the  condition,  that  after  receiving  their. ed- 
ucation, they  should  !)c  scut  to  the  Colony  in  Africa,  where  they  can 
certainly  be  more  useful  than  any  where  else,  and  where,  perhaps  it 
is  not  too  great  a  stretch  of  enthusiasm  to  suppose,  they  may  be  in- 
struments of  establishing  the  fame  of  their  benefactor,  upon  a  founda- 
tion more  firm  and  extensive  than  that  on  which  he  has  already 
placed  it  by  his  valor,  his  patriotism,  and  his  devotion  to  liberty. 
Whether  the  Colonization  Soctety  is  ultimately  to  realize  its  hopes  or 
not,  the  Colony  at  least,  will  afford  a  field  for  eminent  usefulness  to 
these  youths,  who  could  scarcely  be  useful  at  all  elsewhere;  and  its 
best  welfare  will  lie  promoted  while  it  exists,  whether  its  cxistonco 
may  be  of  long  or  short  duration. 


Local  Agents  of  the  Society. 
The  following  gentlemen  are  authorized,  and  respectfully  request- 
ed, to  act  an  Agents  of  the  Society,  in  such  ways,  and  to  such  an  ex- 
tent, as  they  may  deem  proper  and  convenient. 

John  Tappan,  Esq.  Boston. 

Rev.  Nathan  Lord,  D.  D.  Hanover,  N.  II. 

Rev-  John  Todd,  Groton,  Mass. 
-     Rev.  Silas  Aiken,  Amherst,  N.  II. 

William  Atkinson,  Esq.  Petersburg,  Vn. 

Rev.  Mr.  Cheever,  Waterford,  N.  Y. 

Thomas  Hastings,  Esq.  Utica,  N.  Y. 

Rev.  William  Chester,  Hudson,  N.  Y: 

Rev.  Mr.  Kirk,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Caleb  Day,  Esq.  Catskill,  N.  Y. 

Rev.  Timothy  Alden,  D.  D.  Meadvillc,  Pa- 

rhineas  Randall,  Esq.  Bowman's  Creek,  N.  Y. 

Rev.  Mr.  Potts,-  Natchez. 

Rev.  Dr.  Tyler,  Portland,  Maine. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wayland,  Providence,  R.  I. 

Rev.  Dr.  Cox,  New  York  City. 

Rev.  Mr.  Patterson,  Philadelphia. 

Josiah  Bissel,  Esq.  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Shepard  R.  Kollock,  Esq.  Norfolk,  Va. 

William  Crane,  Esq.  Richmond,  Va. 

Rev.  Dr.  Ducachet,  Norfolk,  Va. 

Rev.  Mr.  Baker,  Savannah,  Geo. 

Rev.  Mr.  Brckenridge,  Baltimore,  Md. 

R.  T.  Ratter,  Esq.  Baltimore,  Md. 

Rev.  Mr.  Fullerton,  Hagerstown,  Md. 

B.  F.  Anderson,  Esq.  Hagerstown,  Md. 

Rev.  T.  II.  Gallaudet,  Hartford,  Conn. 


1G 

Thomas  C.Perl  [.Hartford,  Codq. 

Rev.  Leonard  B;  i  w  Haven,  Conn. 

Rev.  Mr.  Wright,  Moatpelier,  Vermont. 
.Toliii  Aiken,  Esq.  Manchester,  Vermont. 
Rev.  Mr.  Pine,  Middletown,  Conn. 
Rev.  William  Williams,  Salem,  Mass. 
Robert  Orr,  Esq.  Topsham,  Maine. 
Professor  Worcester,  Amherst,  Muss. 
Eliott  Cresson,  Esq.  Philadelphia. 
Caleb  White,  Woodville,  N.  C. 
Rev.  T.  P.  Hunt,  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
Rev.  R.  W.  .lames,  Bradleysville.  P.  C. 
Wm.  Maxwell,  Esq.  Norfolk,  Va. 


Correspondence. 

All  contributions  should  be  directed  to  Richard  Smith,  Esq.  Trea- 
■urer  of  the  African  Education  Society,  Washington;  to  an  Ageut 
of  the  Society  ;  or  to  the  Treasurer  of  an  Auxiliary  Society.  All 
other  communications,  to  Isaac  Orr,  Secretary  of  the  African  Edu- 
cation Society,  Washington. 


Form  of  a  Constitution  for  Auxiliary  Societies. 

1st.  This  Society  shall  he  called .   and   shall 

be  auxiliary  to  the  African  Education  Society  of  the  United  States. 

2d.  It  shall  be  the  exclusive  object  of  this  Society,  to  aid  the  Gen- 
eral Society  at  Washington,  in  the  education  of  colored  persons  for 
influence  and  usefulness  in  Africa. 

3d.  An  annual  subscription   of shall   constitute   an 

individual  a  member  of  this  Society;  and  the  payment,  at  any  one 
time,  of a  member  (or  life. 

4th.  The  Officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  a  President, Vice 

Presidents, Managers,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  to  be  elected 

annually  by  the  Society. 

5th.  The  President,  Vice  Presidents,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer, 
•hall  be  tx-ojficio  members  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

6th.  The  Board  of  Managers  shall  meet  to  transact  the  business  of 
the  Society 

7th.  The  Treasurer  shall  keep  the  accounts  of  the  Society,  as  well 
as  take  charge  of  its  funds,  and  hold  them  subject  to  an  order  of  the 
Board  of  Managers. 

8th.  The  Secretary  of  the  Society  shall  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence, under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  both  with  the 
parent  Institution  and  other  Societies. 

9th.  The  annual  meeting  of  this  Society  shall  be 

10th.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  at  any  annual  meeting  of 
the  Society,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present.