The Colonization herald and general register

              attott
AND GENERAL REGISTER.
CONDUCTED  BY   THE   PENNSYLVANIA   COLONIZATION   SOCIETY
whatsoever ye would that men should do to vou, do ye even so to them.
Vol. I.—NEW SERIES.
PIIII-ADELPIIIA,  WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST   29,   1 8« 8
IVO.  34.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Of the Managers of the Young Men's Colonization
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, aux¬
iliary to the Pennsylvania Colonization Society.
In presenting this, our first annual report, it is be¬
coming in us to say, that of the high sources of satis¬
faction afforded on a retrospect of tlie year, it is by no
means the least to have found that our cause has re¬
commended itself almost universally to the counte¬
nance ofthe church by whose name our society is dis¬
tinguished; in proof of which, il is sufficient to state,
that each ofthe preachers of the Melhodist Episcopal
Church stationed in the city and liberties, have cor¬
dially, on invitation, given us his name as ex-officio
patron; and in no instance have we made an unsuc¬
cessful application for a church in which to hold our
public meetings, or for advocates to present our cause
before the people. And yet our returns for the year
are not as favorable as might have been anticipated;
doubtless to be attributed in some degree to the gene¬
ral embarrassment of business. At the same time,
however, it cannot be said that we who vvere commis¬
sioned to give direction to the society's movement-,
have done what we could, or as much as we ourselves
felt the importance ofthe cause to demand. And it is
to be feared, that amidst the conflict of opinion upon
this all exciting subject, too many are content to occu¬
py neutral ground, from an indisposition to bestow the
piins ofa candid investigation. Convinced as we are,
th it our cause, like virtue, is but to be seen to be ad¬
mired and embraced, every instance of neutrality is to
be regretted, and regarded as a loss to ourselves that
remains to be retrieved.
We number in all, three patrons who have paid one
hundred dollars each, sixteen ex-officio patrons, two
life-subscribers, one annual subscriber at five dollars,
and about one hundred annual subscribers at one dol¬
lar. By reference to the Treasurer's Report it will be
seen that the whole amount raised by subscription and
donation, is $521 28_,.
In January last, our first auxiliary society was
formed. A committee vvas appointed from your board
to wait upon the ladies and solicit their co-operation ;
and the ladies, willing to help us, and concluding that
they could render us the most assistance by forming
an auxiliary society, accordingly associated themselves
together, under the title of the "Female Colonization
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Phila¬
delphia, auxiliary to the Young Men's Colonization
Society," &c. We have had no official returns from
them, but are informed that they have about fifty sub¬
scribers, and are novv in successful operation. We
trust their example will be imitated. Of course we
transferred over lo them all our female subscribers; by
which our own list vvas somewhat curtailed.
There have been several public meetings of the so¬
ciety held during the year, all of which were attended
by large congregations. That especially held at Union
Church in December, and which was adjourned to the
second evening, will long be remembered for the in¬
terest awakened by the very able address of the Rev.
Dr. Fisk, of Middletown University—by whose high
and well merited reputation our cause is honored. At
the meeting held at St. George's, a proposition was
made, which, as it has failed of fulfilment, it is due to
you and to ourselves to explain. It will be remem¬
bered that we there offered to furnish the Colonization
Herald one year, gratuitously, to any individual who
should become a subscriber to the society, and pay a
year's subscription in advance. The faith upon which
we made this offer, vvas an agreement entered into be¬
tween the Agent ofthe Pennsylvania Colonization So¬
ciety and ourselves, by which we were to have one
hundred copies of the Herald for one year, to be sent
where we sboirld direct, for sixty dollars—the sixty
dollars to be paid out of that half of our society's funds
reserved to us by our constitution, to be appropriated
as we should think proper. But about the time of our
proposal to yon, it was resolved by the Managers of the
State Society, under whose direction the paper was
published, to enlarge it, and to publish it weekly, in¬
stead of semi-monthly, as il had becn; and to raise the
price from one to two dollars. We immediately ap¬
pointed a committee to s'ate to their agent how we
stood committed. The committee could obtain nothing
more than an offer of one hundred copies of the Herald
for one hundred and fifty dollars; to which, as our sub¬
scription vvas but one dollar per annum, we did not feel
nt liberty to accede. As we had no intimation ofade-
sign to alter the paper, this explanation must remove
any imputation of having held out inducements lor ob¬
taining subscribers, without sufficient probability that
those inducements would be promptly met. The ar¬
rangement ofthe Parent Society with us, was a stand¬
ing one with them; and vvas undoubtedly fulfilled in
every instance, until the paper was altered.
Your Board, resolved upon making a more vigorous
effort during the coming year, and believing that much
might be accomplished through tbe instrumentality of
an Agent, have accordingly appointed the Rev. J. J.
Matthias, late Governor of Bassa Cove, as General
Agent ofthe Society, with full power to travel as our
representative; and to receive subscriptions and dona¬
tions in our name. We find great pleasure in making
this announcement, assured as we are that it will be
received wilh the like satisfaction. We recommend
hitn to the courtesy of our friends, and to that of the
friends of colonization in general. He has long been
known amongst us as an acceptable minister of the
gospel, and a zealous supporter ofthe cause of African
colonization; and as he has but recently arrived from
the colonies with information of what be has witnessed
for himself, he cannot but be eminently qualified for
ihe appointment.
A correspondence with the colonies, by which we
bope to obtain much direct information, has already
been commenced; and we promise to lay before you,
from time to time, any communications of importance
we may receive. The subjoined letter will be read
with interest. It is from Dr. Johnson, who went oul
as the physician to the colony at Bassa Cove, and who
is now, in the absence of the Governor, in charge of
•the colony there, as Lieutenant Governor. As it can¬
not very well be curtailed or extracted from, we shall
give it entire.
To the Rev. William H. Gilder, Corresponding Sec¬
retary of the Young Men's Colonization Society
ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bassa Cove, April 27th, 1838.
Dear Sir—It is now nine months since I landed in
Africa, and it will afford me pleasure to give you my
views ofthe character ofthe country, and the circum¬
stances and prospects of the colony. The period of
my residence here has been as pleasant as any part of
my life. The climate is exhilirating ; nature in every
department is profuse in supplying the means of human
happiness, and we are at the same time gratified by
the rapid and easy success of past efforts, and stimu¬
lated by the prospect of future attainments. I believe
that many very erroneous ideas are commonly enter¬
tained of a tropical country and climate. " Distance
gives" distortion " to the view," and every thing dire¬
ful and hideous is attributed to them ; such as oppressive
beat, causing feelings of languishing, faintness and
prostration; terrific storms, with shocking explosions
of electricity; desert, sandy plains, or terrific swamps,
where vile and horrible reptiles live ascl sely congre¬
gated as in a menagerie; or at best such a forest of
trees, bushes and rivers as is quite impenetrable, ex¬
cept by fire or steel, to all of which I am as great a
stranger as before I came to Africa.
The year, as usual within the tropics, is divided into
the dry and rainy reasons; the former of which occu¬
pies eight months. We have occasional showers in
the "drys," and although our settlements of Bassa Cove
and Edina are in the immediate vicinity of thc sea, and
the soil is very sandy, we do not suffer from drought
as much as you do in Pennsylvania. The indigenous
productions ofthe soil are of course perfectly adapted
to the climate, and they continue through the "drys,"
in the freshness and beauty of spring. The direct rays
ofthe sun are rather more powerful lhan in northern
latitudes, but there is far less complaint of heat here, {
even by those lately from the north, than in Philadel¬
phia. The evenings are as fine as can be imagined ;
the moon and stars are commonly seen in a clear, blue j
sky, and the air can be taken out of doors without a
hat, and with perfect impunity. We have had but two !
or three fogs, and they were slight and transient.
The fall of rain in the wet season does not appear to
produce more inconvenience in the operations of hus¬
bandry, than occurs in the United Slates.    The quan¬
tity of rain is greater, but probably more than two-i
thirds of it falls in the night.    A constant rain seldom :
continues more than twenty-four hours, and the times
of its commencement and cessation are more regular, I
and therefore more easily anticipated than in variable
climates.    The sea breeze in the "rains" commences!
at 6, and in the "drys" at 10 A. M. and blows in the
former till G, and in the latter till 9, P. M.
The extremes of temperature during the last nine
months have been 70 and 87 degrees; but its range is |
generally confined within the limits of 78 and 82 de¬
grees.    This temperature excites a constant and mode¬
rate perspiration, and remarkably fine spirits.
We have just witnessed the acclimation of seventy-
five emigrants, who arrived here on the 7th of last
February. Six of these have died, four of whom ar¬
rived here in a miserable state of disease, and the
others vvere infants. It should be noticed that the sea¬
son just past, or the change from lhe dry to the rainy
season is the most unhealthy in the year. No other
colored person has died of fever since my arrival. The
colonists expose themselves to fatigue and rain as se¬
verely as laborers in other countries. A considerable
number are employed as sawyers, and work entirely
exposed to the sun.
Liberia, like most other tropical countries, yields an
abundant supply of both the necessaries and luxuries of
life, with far less labor than is required in the tempe¬
rate zone. The agriculturist here enjoys facilities the
most enviable. Ten acres of well cultivated land will
supply a family with food of the best quality, and all
the other necessaries of life. Each colonist is allowed
40 acres of land gratis, and the price of clearing and
burning it, by native labor, is from four to five dollars
an acre, paid in tobacco, cloth, fi_c. Every native fa¬
mily clears a rice farm once a year, in order that the
land may be tilled, by burning brush. By this means
they become very efficient operators in this kind of
labor. A large part of the land is covered only with
bushes, having been lately cleared by the natives.
We have a good market for all staple productions
immediately at hand, as more or less of the American
and English trading vessels.are here almost weekly.
The zeal of the colonists in agriculture has been this
year redoubled, and several of our farmers exhibit a
degree of enterprise and energy which would distin¬
guish a white man in Pennsylvania. All the colonists
cultivate rice, castiada and sweet potatoes on their
farms, and bananas, plantains, pawpaws and beans in
their gardens. No country is better adapted to the
production of colton, sugar, or Coffee, and we have
high expectations of affluence from these sources. We
are rapidly introducing coffee, which is indigenous
here, and yields a very large product. Many vegeta¬
bles which are annual in the United -States, become
perennial when cultivated in this country. The Lima
bean lives four or five years, and has a woody trunk, j
two inches in diameter. One of the colonists who
emigrated to Bissa Cove a short time ago, had sixty j
bushels of rice burned by accident in his kitchen; but
not distressed or at all discouraged, he is prosecuting
his agricultural operations to a greater extent than j
before.
Let these facts be contrasted with the circumstances ,
of an agriculturist, without a capital, in the northern
or middle states.    Before he can possess a competence
BS the head ofa family, be must accumulate, probably j
by the incessant toil of many years, a fund sufficient
to purchase a farm.    If but a small share of misfortune
should befal him, all his drudgery for the attainment!
of this end will be fruitless.    Perhaps, in despair of
succeeding  in the older slates, he emigrates to the
went, to purchase land at a cheap rate.    If he is wil-
ting to seclude himself in the forest, far from the com-1
mercial world and human society, he can buy land of,
the government for a dollar and a quarter an acre. To
clear this by his own labor, will require severe and
constant toil for several years.    The price of labor is j
high, and he has not the means of paying for it.    If he
settles within a moderate distance of a market town,
the price of land will be twenty or thirty dollars an
acre.    These statements are applicable to multitudes;
of farmers in our own happy country.
The morals of the colony are as good as those of any
town with which I am acquainted. I have seen but,
one man intoxicated, heard scarcely any profane lan¬
guage, and religion is almost universally respected and
reverenced. The people are not only contented, but.
convinced that they are in the direct road to affluence,
honor, and the highest prosperity. It is not meant by
tbis. that the enemies ofthe colony, ever busy in other
men's matters, cannot find individuals who will join
thorn in croaking and complaining. But the above re¬
mark on this subject is universally true of that part of
the community which is at all distinguished for intel¬
ligence, usefulness, or Christian principle. Success is
just at hand. Two years more, if we advance only at
our present rate, will procure us general competence
and independence. But if not, what change can ren¬
der our condition better! Nothing can prevent our
growing rich here, but what in a less genial climate
vvouid leave us in abject poverty.
I believe the condition ofthe colored man here to be
as good as that ofthe white man in the United States.
He is respected and honored by his associates, and by
every white man possessing any claim to ingenuous¬
ness of character: his color is entirely forgotten as a
mark of distinction. He is advanced to a commanding
influence in society, and held in no other view than a
person ofthe same description in plain, but respectable
society in other countries. Hope inspires him. His
desire of improvement is at least partially satisfied, and
he is on the high way to distinction, to ease, if not
affluence, and to all the comforts and joys ofthe social
and domestic relations.
The influence ofthe colony upon the natives is de-;
cidedly moral, honorable, and good.    Some exceptions |
to this do occur, but for these neither the authorities of
the colony, nor those constituting the respectable body
ofthe community are at all accountable.    Individual,
aberrations are to be found every where; but the na-j
tives have sufficient discrimination to prevent them j
from Injuring the general character of the colony in
their estimation.    The native kings in our neighbor-:
hood, with the exception of Joe Harris, whoso agency
in the late massacre keeps him at a distance, are emu¬
lous with each other to ncquire some connection with
the " America man."    They are constantly in the habit
of referring their disputes to the governor of the colo¬
ny; and we have prevented many quarrels and wars
which vvere about to take place.
That such may ever continue to be the conduct of
the colony towards them, and that the cause of truth
and benevolence may be advanced, is devoutly wished
by Your friend and servant,
W. Johnson,    j
Dr. Johnson is a graduated physician, and a  man i
of science ; and certainly should be qualified to judge
of tlkS effects of the climate, and any local causes to j
affect the health of the colonis's.    What sinister mo-;
tive, we nsk, could induce him, whilst yet upen the
spot, to say that his residence in Africa had  been as
pleasant as any part of his life.    Although the senti¬
ment of this letter is but the common echo of all who
speak from Africa, yet by an unaccountable perversity
they seem not to he accredited.    But let the informa-1
tion it contains be circulated; and some poordegraded
colored man, now struggling in this coontry  under
evpry insurmountable difficulty, and wilh a perseve-
ranee meriting ■ better reward, may be induced to give .
up the hopeless strife, and embrace at once the certain
mean* of independence, respectability and happiness.
We cannot forego the present favorable opportunity ;
of addressing a word of advice to cur friends.
In the piosecution of our enterprise, let us be go-
veined by ■ spirit of peace, and of patience, towards
those who may differ from us as to the best method of;
benefitting the colored man. Heated discussion, and
invective, but engender bitterness of feeling, without!
convincing. And although in most instances it is we
who have been called upon to bear and forbear, yet as
we would promote the caus" of African colonization—
Is we are philanthropists, and would benefit our spe-
cies—as we are Christians, and would maintain the
dignity of a Christian character—by these, and by
every other consideration, let us forbear all strife, and j
opprobrious epithet; and convicted of our own integrity
of purpose, and convinced that our cause is owned of
heaven, and must therefore ultimately be successful,
rather, like our great exemplar, even when reviled, re¬
vile not again. Al the same time, however, let us not j
be understood as recommending, or even sanctioning a
spirit of tame submission to unjust aspersion ; and
when we may hope to convince by our superior light
and information, our duty in this instance is as appa¬
rent as in tbe other. "Be ye wise as serpents, and
harmless as doves," was the exhortation of Infinite
Wisdom, to such 06 would do good.
Would that we could induce an increased action in
the prosecution of our work.    Surely, if there is an en¬
terprise that should awaken and bring to bear all the
doimant energies of our souls, and that presses its
claims upon our notice by every motive of patriotism ;
and benevolence, it is this.    It has pleased God to cast i
our lots on "Columbia's happy land"—happy, because
her sons are free.    A freedom dearly purchased, but ,
which we have inherited for ourselves, and  which we
may enjoy for ourselves, but  which  nevertheless we
are bound to transmit to those who mry come after us. ;
But what assurance can we have that it will not perish I
in our hands, if we can look abroad and see, unmoved, I
the dark stain of slavery upon our national character.
Lethargy here, may be the  worst of cruelty to our-
selves—the young whelp, suffered lo go unchained,
becomes a roaring lion.    But colonization especially j
recommends itself to our love for our fellow  men.
Could ultraists obtain all that they nsk, and every ar¬
bitrary claim  of one  individual upon  the  volition  of
another, be at once entirely annihilated in America,
and the work here stop, the condition ofthe black man I
would be but partially improved.    He would yet be a
slave; he would still walk amongst us with his eyes
towards the earth, under the strong influence of caste
and national  prejudice.    But on his own native soil, j
where no invidious distinctions are known, elevated to j
a common level, and  participating in immunities en- I
joyed in common, there, and   there  only  would his
spirit be free, and the powers of his soul un'rammel-
led; there, and there only, would he assert his high
place in God's animated creation, and feel himself a
man.
To the colonies, the eye may turn from the tyranny
and despotism that prevail on the earth, as to a verdant
spot in the desert. And the heart fired with mission¬
ary zeal, with lhe eye of faith that looks through in¬
tervening obstacles, already beholds through their in¬
fluence the light of the glorious gospel of the blessed
Son of God, break forth in radiance upon all the dark¬
ness which for ages has enshrouded that benighted
continent. Say not that we are indulging in idle
speculation. The task, though herculean, is no more
than can be accomplished; and the hope of colonizing
the vast colored population of our country, is not alto¬
gether illusive and visionary. When God works, who
can stay his hand! and who dare say his hand is not
in this work? Since its commencement, it has pro¬
gressed steadily and surely; and we have already
cause of triumph at the result. With limited means
at hand—for the benevolent are seldom the most able—
with discouragements from enemies abroad, and worse
enemies at home, we have seen, as the effect of colo¬
nization, spring up on the western coast of Africa,
in the space of a few years, ten towns, comprising in
all about five thousand inhabitants, and embracing a
territory of about three hundred miles; forming a great
barrier upon that part of the sea coast, to intercept the
egress of slaves from the interior—thus illustrating
too, that colonization is practicable, as a means ci re¬
moving the curse of slavery entailed upon us by rur
predecessors; to do which, in the language of Mr.
Clay, must arrest the attention of government to the
subject, and the work will be taken in hand by those
states, anxious for a release from the burden of an over¬
grown colored population.
Finally. As American citizens, jealous for the per¬
petuity of that Union under whose happy auspices we
live, a sacred veneration for which was instilled with
the earliest lessons of our childhood—as a sect of pro¬
fessing Christians, satisfied that the church of our fel¬
lowship is identified with our cause—remembering
that we are to show our faith by our works—that men
will judge of our sympathy for tne afflicted sons of
Africa, rather by what we do for them, than by our
professions, let us resolve that the results of lhe com¬
ing year shall tell well for our society; and discard¬
ing all sloth and faint-heartedness, go vigorously on¬
ward in the discharge of our duty, assured that not¬
withstanding the spies may have brought unfavorable
reports, yet with the God of Caleb and Joshua for our
guide, we are fully able to go up and possess the land.
Officers and Managers of the Society for the present
year.
President—Wm. A. Budd.
Vice-Preside nt—T. K. Collins.
Treasurer—Wm. C. Poulson.
Corresponding Secretary—Wm. H. Gilder.
Rece>rding Secretary—R. W. Dodson.
Board of BUnmgers W. A. Budd, T. K. Collins,
VV. H. Gilder, T.^B. Welch, S. Y. Monroe, R. W.
Dodson. W. Yates, W. N. Searles, VV. C. Poulson, J.
Huffi VV. Rhoads, VV. Walker, W. VV. Baines, G. R.
Smith, J. Wethrrill, jr., J. Musselman, VV. Maurice,
J. L. Walter, J. G. Robinson, D. Mooney.
General Agent—Rev. J. J. Matthias.
Communications may be addressed to Wm. H. Gil¬
der, Corresponding Secret »ry, No. 1 Commerce street,
Philadelphia.
From the Herald and Sentinel.
-    ABOLITION.
" It will be seen by the above extract, that yesterday
was an important era in the history ofthe British West
India Islands, and that slavery no longer exists among
them.    That this is but the   precursor of 'universal
emancipation' no one who observ es the progress of lib- ;
eral opinions throughout tie  world, can for a moment
doubt.    But how long it may be  before slavery is t.o
longer known in the world, is not so easy to say.    For
ourselves, we  have every confidence that its end ap- j
proaches in this country, though so far from being has-
teeed by   the abolitionist^ that it is retarded by their
folly and madness, and will never be brought about till
they cease  intermeddling nnd leave the slaveholders
and judicious philanthropists to act io lhe matter.    If
left to themselves, the South would not be long in con-
vincing themselves that free labor is more profitable to
then than slave labor, and when once this opinion shall ,
prevail, slavery will soon be aboli.-hed, but never till j
then; and  never so long as the harsh and  insulting
epithets are applied to the slaveholders of the South j
that have been applied to them by the abolitionists.—
Men may bo persuaded to do what abuse and vitupera¬
tive language will never drive them to do."
The above is from the Herald and Sentinel of the 2d j
inst. following a brief extract in relation to West India i
Emancipation.    The editor is undoubtedly correct in
his supposition  that this event is but the precursor of j
" universal emancipation ;" but the idea that the efforts
of the abolitionists arp retarding a consummation so de-
VOUtly to be wished, is most manifest absurdity. What j
has driven  slavery   from  the   West India  Islands? j
What but the agitation of the "abolitionists?"    As to |
"leaving slave-holders and philanthropists to act in this
matter," abolitionists have always done so.    They have
simply expressed their opinions freely  and frankly;
and " left the slaveholder to acl" for himself.
What has made slavery so odious at the present time
throughout the civilized world? The efforts ofthe
abolitionists. They have created a public sentiment
against it, which it cannot endure—which gathers!
round it like an atmosphere of fire.— Penn. Freeman.
When we spoke of " the abolitionists," we meant
those of this country who are known as the abolition¬
ists, or tho^e in favor of immediate sedition, as contra-
distinguished from the members of the old Abolitionist
Society of this city and others who are opposed to sla- j
very and yet disapprove the course of the abolitionists. ,
As thus understood, however absurd the editor of the
Fmemsa may think our language, we consider it ,4the
words of truth and soberness."
The editor a*ks " what has driven slavery from tbe j
West India Islands?    What,   but the agitation of the
abolitionists 7
The nbolitionists  who brought about  emancipation I
in the West Indies, resorted to very different means of j
accomplishing iheir purpose from those used   by the •
abolitionists of this country at the present day.    Mr. j
Wilberlorce is entitled   to the credit of preparing the I
public mind for sustaining the measure which Parlia- j
ment finally adopted ; but how did he do this? by ap- j
plying abusive epithets to the West India planters—j
calling them " thieves," " man stealers," &c.—and re¬
presenting them by cuts,  as well as by calling them j
tyrants and oppressors !    No: such was not his mode. I
His course was marked as much by charity, mildness
snd respect towards others, as it was by an indomitable
perseverance in the great object he had in view—the i
abolition of the slave trade and of slavery within the
British dominions. His efforts were aided by the moral
power ofa lofty character ns a statesman and a patriot.
Neither the purity of his motives nor the stern integri-
tf ot his character were ever questioned even by these I
who opposed his views and voted against the measures'
he brought  forward.    He was also sustained by such
CO-laborers98 Brougham and Clarkson,
But there is another circumstance which must not be,
forgotten—namely:   that Mr. Wilberforce and  other
abolitionists in England, addressed their arguments  to |
those who had jurisdiction of the subject, and therefore ;
the power to act.    In this country the abolitionists ad-1
dress their arguments to those who have not the power :
to act in   the matter, and  apply the  most provoking I
epithets to those that have.    Can they hope ever to'
accomplish any good purpose in tbis way?    They may
keep tlie community agitated by this course, but so far I
from bringing about the abolition ofslavery by it, they !
only tighten the bonds of the slaves and make their
fetters the more galling.
The Editor of the Freeman says :—
" As the Editor of the Herald is opposed to slavery
and believes that the slaveholders may be 4 persuaded'!
to abandon their system, why does he not himself un-t
dertake the work of bland and benignant persuasion ?
lf a thing so desirable can be done, why not do it?—j
Let him go to work in good earnest, and abolitionists
will bid him God speed."
VVe can tell him why we do not meddle with the,
matter—for the same  reason that those who formerly i
advocated in the slave States  the gradual abolition of
slavery, or at least the adoption of some measure which
should eventually lead to the result; namely, because
their voices have been drowned by the cry ofthe Abo¬
litionists.    No one can now touch the subject at all
without being identified with  the Abolitionists, and
therefore the mouths of men who could and did once I
speak, and  who would be and were listened to, are
closed and   their exertions in favor of humanity par-;
alyzed.    The subject of slavery was a few years ago
discussed freely in  the Virginia Legislature by Mr.
M'Dowell and others, who used language which would j
not be listened to from us of the free States.    Would
such a discussion now be permitted in the Legislature
of any slave State ?    We venture to answer, no ; and
for no other reason than the course  pursued by the
Abolitionists for a few years past.
THE NEW SLAVE TRADE IN THE EAST.
Under Lord Glenelg's patronage, the eastern slave-
trade prospers exceedingly. The traffic in Hill Coolies
promises to become one of the most extensive under
the British flag. A cargo arrived in Berbice about the
beginning of May, in prime condition: and the Ber¬
bice Advertiser, one of the most respectable of the
West India journals, states, that out of two hundred
and eighty-nine, conveyed in the Whitby, only eight
died on the passage, and very few were ill. Only one
circumstance was wanting to make them the happiest
(?) beings—only eight women were sent as companions
for the two hundred and eighty men ; and the deficien¬
cy of females was the rmre to be regretted because it
was "probable they would be shunned by the ne¬
groes from jealousy and speaking, a different lan¬
guage."
The same newspaper con'ains a very curious docu¬
ment representing the Hill Cooly traffic. It is n circu¬
lar letter, dated the 8th of January, 1838, from Henley,
Dowsed, and Bestei, of Calcutta, the agents most ex¬
tensively engaged in the shipment of laborers from In¬
dia to the Mauritius and British Guiana. These gen¬
tlemen thus state their claims to preference over other
houses in the same business:
" VVe have, within the last two years, procured and
shipped upwards of five thousand free agricultural la¬
borers for our friends at Mauritius ; and from the cir¬
cumstance of nearly five hundred out of the number
being employed on estates in which we possess a direct
interest, we can assure you that a happier and more
contented laboring population is seldom to be met
with in any part of the world, than the Dhargas or
mountain tribes, sent from this vast country."
Five thousand within two years to the Mauritius
alone ! This is pretty well, considering lhat the trade
is in its infancy. As to the statement ofthe happiness
and contentment of the laborers, rather more impartial
evidence than the good word of the exporters of the
commodity advertised, would be desirable. If English¬
men could fancy themselves Hill Coolies for an instant
—landed in Berbice, in the proportion of 280 men In
8 ofthe gentler sex, " speaking a different language,"
and shunned by the very negroes—we are inclined to
think they would not, even in that imaginary view,
conceit themselves lo be among the happiest of man¬
kind.
We proceed with the Calcutta circular—
" The laborers hitherto procured by us, have cost
their employers, landed at the Mauritius, about one
hundred rupees (or £10,) per man; which sum com¬
prises six months' advance of wages, provisions and
water for the voyage, clothing, commission, passage,
insurance, and all incidental charges.
"The expenses attending the shipment of Indian la¬
borers to the West India Colonies vvouid be necessarily
augmented—firstly, by the higher rate of passage-mo¬
ney, and the increased quantity of provisions and wa¬
ter; and, secondly, from the necessity of making ar¬
rangements, indi-pensable to the health and comfort
ef native passengers on a voyage of so long a dura¬
tion, in the course of which they would be exposed to
great vicissitude of climate.
" On making ample allowance for these charges, we
do not apprehend that a laborer, sent direct from this
country to Lemerara, and engaged to work on your
estates for a period of five consecutive vears. i_muU
cost, landed ihere, above 210 rupees, or 21/. sterling."
This sum of 210 rupees includes six months' wages;
at what rate, does the reader suppose? Why, five ru¬
pees, or ten shillings sterling a monlh—half-a-crowna
week—in Demerarn ! The passage is 10/. and the in¬
surance 12s ; for they are insured at so much a head,
like pigs or sheep.
It is manifest that after their arrival in Dcmerara,
the Irdians will not, unless on compulsion, work for
five years at the rate uf 10s. a month, while tbe negroes
receive much higher wages. They are therefore placr d
under strict control, and are just as much slaves a** tbe
Redemptioners, whom the virtuous Quakers inveigled
into Pennsylvania a century or more ago.(*) The In¬
dians bind themselves to work in town or country,
wherever their consignee or master may choose to em¬
ploy them. One of the articles of iheir agreement is
this :—
" In order that the undersigned natives of India may
be fully aware of the engagemei t they undertake, it
is hereby notified, that they will be required to do all
such work as the object for which they are engaged
necessitates, and that, as laborers attached to an es¬
tate, they will be required to clear forest and extract
timber, carry manure, dig and prepare land for planting,
also to take charge of horses, mules, and cattle ofevery
description ; in short, to do all such work as an estate
for the cultivation of sugar cane, and the manufac¬
ture of sugar, demands, or any branch of agriculture
to which they may be destined."
In case of disobedience or misconduct—that is, at
the caprice of the master—that they be "degraded,"
and sent back at their own charge to Calcutta. They
are to receive no wages during illness ; and a rupee a
month is lo be deducted from their wages—thereby re¬
ducing them to 2s. a week—as an indemnity fund for
the cost of sending them back. What security there
is for the kind treatment ofthe laborers does not appear:
there is nothing in the contract but a promise to act
equitably.
Novv, in what respect do these men differ in condi¬
tion from negro slave.3, except very much for the worse?
They must be more helpless than the negroes if for
no other reason, because of their ignorance of the lan¬
guage their masters use. They will, not for a long-
period certainly, be formidable, from their numbers.
How easily may even the miserable terms of the conl
tract with their employers be evaded ! Suppose the
Indian works steadily for four years, it may suit his
master to describe him as refractory and idle durina the
fifth, and then he will be sent back at his own cost ■
and the whole of his earnings may be expended in pay'
ing for his passage to Calcutta—where, after all, he is
a long way from home.
It is impossible to contemplate without pain the in¬
evitable lot of these helpless beings: but the conduct
ofthe Government, which could sanction the infamous
commerce of which the Hill Coolies will be the vic¬
tims, while professing all the while such a holy horror
of dealing in Negroes, should rouse general indigna¬
tion. 6
TURKISH REFORM.
CURIOUS OOCUMKNT.
Constantinople, May 14.—I had the satisfaction to
announce in a former letter the important decision the
Ottoman Government had taken, in adopting sanatorv
measures against the plague Among the triumphs
obtained by the Sultan over the prejudices and errors
of his people, none is more creditable to his wisdom
than the establishment of this principle, while none i*
more likely to prove the source of beneficial results to
mankind at large, and lo his subjects in particular. In
order to refute the objections which might be made bv
bigotted persons to the introduction of so salutarv an
| innovation, and thereby to prepare the public mind the
more readier to comply with the regulations subset
quently to be enforced by government for the ourrx™
of arresting the progress of so terrible a scouW^!
address to the people has been published in thJ nal   i
•Marvellous hiitorian is thia London ed
nor.