condition of the colonies now planted, they see grounds for hope, that at a moderate expense, and with that aid and countenance which can be readily granted, without fully assuming all the hazards and responsibilities of a system of colonization, their permanency, growth, and prosperity, may be secured.

It is vitally important that the territory of the colonies should be enlarged, and that their jurisdiction should become clear and incontestable over the whole line of coast between Cape Mount and Cape Palmas, a distance of about three hundred miles; and that, in case of hostilities between this and any European country, their rights as neutrals should be recognised and respected. The increase of legitimate commerce on the western coast of Africa is already strongly tempting the enterprise of English merchants; and serious difficulties have arisen between British traders, claiming rights, independent of the Government of Liberia and Maryland, within their territorial limits. Naval officers of Great Britain have been called on by British subjects to interpose and defend them against the revenue laws of the colonies; and the French, the committee are informed, have sought to obtain a cession of lands within the limits of Liberia, just referred to, and to which the people of that colony have a pre-emptive right.

As neither Great Britain nor any European Government has, to the knowledge of the committee, claimed political jurisdiction from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas; as such claim, if by possibility it exists, has arisen long since the colonies were founded, as those who occupy those settlements have gone thither to establish for themselves, their posterity, and multitudes who may follow them, a republican commonwealth, capable of indefinite enlargement, it is essential that they be not disturbed in the exercise of rights already acquired, or precluded from extending their authority over the entire line of coast (from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas) generally known as Liberia. An appropriation of a few thousand dollars, to enable the colonists to effect negotiations with the native chiefs, by which their title to this region of Africa should be extinguished, and the jurisdiction of their Government over it rendered unquestionable, would, in the judgment of your committee, whether regarded as a measure auxiliary to the suppression of the slave trade, or to the interests of American commerce be highly expedient. In all treaties for the purchase of lands, it might be stipulated, that, on the part of the African chiefs, the slave trade should be forever abandoned, and their attention be directed to the more gainful pursuits of agricul

tural industry, and to the exchange of the rich products of their country for those of the manufacturing skill of this and other civilized nations. The people of the colonies, thus encouraged, would co-operate most effectively with our naval squadron in carrying out the humane and philanthropic purpose of the recent treaty for the overthrow of the slave trade, and become factors and agents to increase and extend American commerce in that quarter of the world. It is believed that $20,000 thus expended would effect more for the furtherance of both these objects than $100,000 expended in any other way.

The committee have abundant evidence, to which they refer in the documents accompanying this report, to show the increase of lawful commerce on the African coast, and that, for want of adequate protection, and the due attention of our Government to the subject, it has been prosecuted by our own citizens under great disadvantages. To the testimony of Dr. James Hall, a gentleman entitled to full confidence, and who has resided long in Africa, the committee invite the special attention of the House. This testimony is confirmed by the information recently given to the world in the report and accompanying documents of a committee of the English House of Commons, appointed to inquire into the condition of the British settlements and their relations to the native tribes of western Africa.

The annual imports from western Africa into this country probably exceed a million dollars, and into Great Britain are about four millions. The palm oil trade, now becoming of great value, had hardly an existence twelve years ago, is rapidly increasing, and may be increased to an almost indefinite extent. Hitherto, the slave trade has been at war with all improvement and every kind of innocent commerce. Its cessation will be succeeded by the cultivation of the soil, and the growth of trade in all the varied and valuable productions of the African climate. It is of infinite importance that the natives of Africa should be convinced that. agricultural labor and the substitution of lawful trade for the infamous commerce in human beings will be for their advantage; and that, in their intercourse with them, our own merchants should possess every privilege granted to those of England, or any other nation.

The establishment of a commercial agency, (as recommended by Dr. Hall,) to reside in Liberia, and occasionally to visit, in a Government vessel, various points on the coast, to ascertain the best sites for mercantile establishments, to form conventions and treaties of commerce and for the suppression of the slave trade with the principal chiefs, to take

charge of the stores and other property sent out for our ships of war, to guard the rights and interests of our seamen, and secure for American vessels a free and unrestrained right of trade at all important stations, the committee would recommend as an object urgently demanded by interest and humanity.

The time has arrived, in the opinion of the committee, when this subject of African colonization has become sufficiently important to attract the attention of the people, in its connexion with the question of the political relations which these colonies are to hold with our Government. Founded partly by the private enterprise of American citizens and partly by the aid of the Federal and State authorities, recognised as political communities by our laws, and even owing their regulation in some degree to the legislation of a State of this Union, (as in the case of Maryland) they have attained a position in which, obviously, they must very soon become objects of consideration to the world, both for the commerce which may be under their control, and for the agency they are likely to exercise in the final disenthralment of the continent to which they belong. It may speedily become apparent to the observation of Christendom, that the slave trade may more certainly, effectually, and cheaply be destroyed. by the colonial power on shore than by all the squadrons of Europe and America afloat. The growth of such a conviction will inevitably draw an anxious and friendly eye towards the American colonies, from every Power which sincerely pursues the charitable work of relieving Africa from her horrible traffic, and mankind from the reproach of permitting. it. The influence of such a sentiment, we may conceive, will greatly advance the interests and magnify the value of the colonies. It would appear to be our duty, before an occasion of conflicting interest may arise, to take such steps towards the recognition of our appropriate relations to these communities as may hereafter secure to them the protection of this Government, and to our citizens the advantages of commercial intercourse with them.

The idea of an American colony is a new one. It is manifestly worthy of the highest consideration. The committee see nothing in our Constitution to forbid it. We have establishments of this nature, though somewhat anomalous in the character of their dependence upon our Government, in the Indian tribes which have been placed beyond the limits of the States, on the purchased territory of the Union. The African settlements would require much less exercise of political jurisdiction, much less territorial supervision, than is presented in the case of

these tribes. They would require aid towards the enlargement of territory, occasional visitation and protection by our naval armaments, a guarantee, perhaps, to be secured to them by the influence of our Government, of the right of neutrality in the wars that may arise between European or American States. They would stand in need of the highest commercial privileges in their intercourse with this the mother country; and the reciprocation of such privileges, on the part of the colonies, to our citizens, would doubtless be an object to be secured on our side. Questions of commercial regulation would frequently arise, demanding the care and supervision of this Government. The profitable trade of our citizens may be deeply involved in the adjustment of such questions. The interest which we may have hereafter in this subject is one which it would be impolitic for us to neglect or abandon.

The Committee, without further exposition of a subject which presents topics for a large discussion, and which abounds in considerations of the highest magnitude and concern, have thrown out these general views, in the hope that the attention of the country may, at an early moment, be attracted to their examination, through which a plan may be devised for the permanent and prosperous guidance of the colonies. For the purpose of aiding in this examination, and in illustration of the views contained in this report, the committee have appended sundry documents hereto, to which they beg leave to refer.

They submit with this report the following resolutions:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the increasing importance of the colonies on the western coast of Africa, both in regard to the commerce of that coast and their influence in suppressing the slave trade, renders it expedient that an agent should be appointed by the Government, to protect and advance the interests of American trade in that region; that said agent should reside at some convenient point in the said colonies; and that he should be empowered to form treaties or conventions with the native tribes on the coast of Africa, for the advancement of American trade, and for the suppression of the traffic in slaves.

And be it further resolved, That the subject of settling the political relations proper to be adopted and maintained between this Government and the colonies now established, or which may hereafter be established, on the coast of Africa, by the citizens or public authorities of the United States, or of any of the States, be referred to the Secretary of State, with a direction that he report thereon to the next Congress.

Colonization Society to Mr. Webster, Secretary of State, requesting intervention in behalf of liberia.

December 22, 1842.

Sir: I have the honor to communicate the following resolution adopted on the 2d instant, by the executive committee of the American Colonization Society:

"Resolved, That the secretary confer with the Secretary of State on the subject of the difficulties existing between the colony of Liberia and British traders; also, prepare a communication on the subject, either to him or to our minister in England, Mr. Everett, as shall be judged; also, communicate the correspondence between the Governor of Liberia and certain British Naval officers on the coast of Africa, the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Navy."

You sir, are well acquainted with the origin, design, and general proceedings of the American Colonization Society. It was organized by benevolent individuals, from different sections, and various States of the Union, in December, 1816, and was created a body corporate by an act of the legislature of Maryland, in December, 1831, which act, somewhat amended and enlarged, was renewed in March, 1837. The object of this Society, as defined in the second article of its constitution, "is to promote and execute a plan for colonizing, with their consent, the free people of color residing in our country, in Africa, or such other place, as Congress shall deem expedient; and the Society shall act, to effect this object, in co-operation with the General Government, and such of the States as may adopt regulations on the subject."

The founders of this society regarded their scheme as one of enlarged humanity towards the whole African race; and believe that, if perseveringly prosecuted, with adequate means, it must confer rich blessings upon our free people of color, encourage emancipation, aid to suppress the slave trade, and establish a civilized and free government and the christian religion upon the coast of Africa. They early addressed memorials for countenance and support to the State Legislatures and to the General Government. Congress, at their suggestion, adopted more effectual measures for the suppression of the slave trade, and, revoking forever the authority of any State Legislature to dispose of such unfortunate Africans as, in violation of law, were brought under there jurisdiction: authorized the President of the United States to make such regulations and arrangements as he might deem expedient for the safe