been my object to show, that, admitting the slaves to be treated as a prudent farmer treats his cattle-that they have enough to eat—are sheltered from the inclemency of the weather—and are not subjected to a greater degree of severity than is necessary, to extort from them a due amount of labour-American slavery is nevertheless, a heinous sin, and, like every other sin, ought to be immediately abandoned.

February, 1835.

Origin, Constitution, and Character of the American Colonization Society

CHAPTER II.

5

Influence of the Society on the condition of Free Persons of Colour. 11

CHAPTER III.

Influence of the Society on Africa-Suppression of the Slave Trade.. 49

CHAPTER IV.

Influence of the Society on Africa-Diffusion of Civilization and

Principles of the Society-Character of American Slavery.......

CHAPTER II.

Proposed Objects and Measures of the Society-Censure of Aboli

tionists....

CHAPTER III.

Fanaticism of Abolitionists..

65

117

.131

.136

Emancipation in St. Domingo and Guadaloupe, and present state of

St. Domingo.

CHAPTER IX.

Emancipation in the British West Indies....

.....162

.180

5

CHAPTER I.

(stitution, and Character of the American Colonization

Society.

23d December, 1816, the Legislature of Virginia : a resolution requesting the Governor to correspond e President of the United States, "for the pur

A powerful institution is now in operation, which professes to be, not merely a remedy for slavery, but the ONLY remedy that can be devised. It appeals to religion and patriotism for those pecuniary aids which, it contends, are alone wanting, to enable it to transport our whole coloured population to Africa, there to enjoy the freedom denied to them here; and there to become the dispensers of religion, and the arts and sciences, to that benighted continent.

If the claims of the American Colonization Society are founded in truth, they cannot be resisted without guilt. Very many, however, who are alike distinguished for piety and talents, instead of allowing these claims, strenuously maintain, that the practical tendency of the Society is to perpetuate the evils it professes to remove, and to extend to Africa, the vices, but not the blessings of civilization. These conflicting opinions, on a subject so momentous, demand a calm and patient investigation; since he who either supports or opposes the Colonization Society, without first ascertaining its true character, the results it has produced, and the influence it exerts, incurs the hazard, as far as his example and efforts extend, of increasing the wretchedness he would relieve; and of fastening upon his country the burden under which she is struggling.

If, in a question involving the temporal and eternal happiness of unborn millions, we could satisfy our consciences, by bowing to the authority of great names, we would still be painfully embarrassed in selecting those to whose decision we would surrender our own judgments. The excellent of the earth are to be found among the

causes," says a very eminent writer," have an influence on human institutions, that it is impossible to judge a priori of their effects. Nothing but a long series of experiments can unfold these effects, and point out the means of counteracting those that are hurtful."

The following inquiry has been commenced and pursued, under a deep sense of the importance of the subject, and with a solemn recollection, that no deviation from truth can escape the notice and displeasure of HIM unto whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid.