If he might be permitted a few moments longer to trespass on the patience of the Society, he wished to make a single statement with reference to the illustrious individual whose presence did so much honour to the meeting, and who he hoped would shortly give vent to the feelings of a heart filled with the love of liberty. The life of that individual might truly be said to have been spent in the service of human kind. It was almost half a century since he had formed a plan, the same in substance with that now acted upon by this Society-a plan to extend the blessings of freedom to the same degraded and injured race, and to spread them far and wide as the efforts of his own benevolent mind. When they should hear from his own venerable lips the details of that plan,* it could not but encourage their exertions. At the termination of our own national struggle for freedom, this Apostle of Liberty had made the great effort to which he alluded. His heart stopped not there-he felt for all mankind. No matter what might be their colour, or where their abode, they were his fellow creatures and they had his sympathy. Mr. C. trusted the events of this meeting would afford additional encouragement to all the friends of rational liberty to rally round its standard, when they saw under the same banner, the friend of human kind. Where was it that his genius penetrated not? Where was it that his beDevolence extended not? Wherever men were to be benefitted-wherever good was to be done-there was Lafayette. He rose not to flatter.-Who was he, that he should stand up in the Capitol of the United States-in that Capitol where assembled Senates rose to do ho An account of this plan will be given in our next, from a series of numbers entitled, *Conversations of Lafayette." nour to their illustrious Guest-and hope to add any thing to the glory which had been already conferred upon him? How could his purpose be to flatter? It was not an idol to which he bowed-it was to a Father. But it was time for him to stop-it was time that a poor twinkling star should set, that the true sun of glory might arise. The General then expressed concisely his high gratification at being invited to attend the annual meeting of this Society, for which he had ever felt great respect and affection. To be chosen a member of the Society would be most agree able to his feelings, and accordant to the principles of all his life. No objection being offered to Mr. Custis's resolution, it was ordered that General Lafayette's name should be recorded among the Vice-Presidents of the Institution. Mr. GURLEY rose to present a resolution, (which, at the request of one of the Managers, he afterwards withdrew,) and said, That he believed that the Society should trust for its success rather to moral principle, and to its influence on the moral opinions of the country, than to interest or expediency. He was convinced that the advancement of this cause would greatly contribute to the wealth and public good of the country; but while he expressed this belief without hesitation, he thought this Society would do best by appeals to the moral feelings of their countrymen. The principle of duty was the strongest of all the principles which influence mankind. It was sagacious to look into futurity. Interest was narrow, to a great national movement. When the Nation shall stand forth in its might, and do its duty, then, and not before, can the proposed object be effected-not that the Nation is bound to do this work immediately, but it is bound immediately to feel that a commencement should be made-bound to form an eternal, unchan complished. There must be a principle of duty which will set a man to work and keep him to work with unrelaxed resolution. Nothing else will effect our design. Interest limits its views to the present life. But the great motives which are to produce efficient and persevering action in this cause exist in a future life confined. Duty embraces all mankind, and can act for posterity. Most men limit their views to their own advantage. True, the great doctrine of expediency is sometimes explained to be, (and the explanation is correct,) in alliance with the most holy and benevolent purposes. But, as often received, it is at war with them. The efforts to suppress the Slave Trade,geable purpose, that it shall finally be acwhich had been sanctioned by the voice of almost the whole world, triumphed by an appeal to the principles of natural right, to conscience. This Trade was now denounced by all christian nations. But in a country like ours, blessed with so much light-where education was almost universal-knowledge every where diffused-where truth had access to eve-known only in anticipation. Institutions ry heart, such an appeal would be brought like ours, we know, are often subjects for home more closely, and have more effect. the great man's scorn while he looks on He trusted that no efforts would be spa- them coldly and at a distance; but there red to affect by our writings, the public is in them a moral greatness, such as Jesus exhibited: they act with softening inmind, and through this, to reach those higher Powers upon which depend the fluence on our characters, and richly bless success of our operations, which alone can society. The efforts of statesmen and carry on to a completion, this great work. conquerors, uncontrolled by a sense of Another idea he would suggest-most im-duty, often prove like the lightning, rend portant he thought, to those more imme-ing, demolishing, and putting to death; diately engaged in the affairs of this Institution; and that was the necessity of method, uniformity and system, in their operations. There must be a central spring here, which, if touched, will be felt, if not as quickly, as certainly as electricity, in the extremities of our land-a heart whose pulsations should send life and vigour into every part of the system. DISINTERESTEDNESS AND RESOLUTION. We Auxiliary State Societies, with sabor-must be patient. Difficulties will be nudinate Institutions, should be formedmerous-misfortunes frequent-our opethroughout the Union-all connected rations will be often retarded--the wisest with the parent Institution, and in close of them may prove inefficient, perhaps combination with each other-so that injurious. Disinterestedness is also deideas originating in one part, or informa-manded-and is not the cause worthy of tion received in one part, might immediately be communicated to all the rest. Such a system is indeed of little value, except as preparatory and introductory but the influence of Sucieties like this, is the sun-light and star-light of existence, kindling up smiles in the face of woe; elevating the depressed; and giving to breathe the air of freedom, multitudes who have never tasted the joys which we are permitted to taste. There is need of PATIENCE, CANDOUR, any sacrifice? We should count our time, talents and life, as nothing, if we are called to surrender them to advance our objects. Of us all, such a sacrifice may not be required, but many sacrifices to this cause all of us are bound to make. Some must visit that climate, which, to white men, is almost certain death, to cherish and instruct the infant colony. Should we die, we nobly fall. sincere and open. Our cause will stand upon its own merits-in its true charac ters it will recommend itself—but if not, let it sink. I would not lift a hand to sustain it, if it is not worthy to be sus tained. Much is to be done, and resolu. We must conceal nothing from publiction is necessary. The labours of Hercu view-tear away every veil, and expose les effected little. Many a monster of the dark as well as bright spots of our prejudice is yet to be slain. Our cause object. very candid and reflecting now resembles Hercules in his cradle; man will expect our progress to be mark- but it may yet stand forth like Hercules ed by unfortunate as well as favourable in his manhood and his strength. Let us events, and if we state none in our publi- | appeal to the moral sense of the commucations we shall awaken little sympathy,nity-be calm and uniform-but if eneand gain little credit. Let us always be mies oppose, valiantly encounter them. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SOOSOOS. About a year ago a native Afri- || rank to a voice in the publick can visited this country. He be- councils, though sincerely attachlonged to the nation of the Soo-ed to these pious men, felt comsoos, whose territory borders upon pelled, by his patriotism, to vote the Rio Pongas. In childhood he for their departure. Thus disenwas instructed by a christian mis-gaged from the restraints of chrissionary, who afterwards took him tian intercourse, he violated the to England, where he resided for rules of that religion which his consome time in the family of the Re-science approved, and by an habitverend Thomas Scott,and received ual warfare with himself, sought a tolerable education. This venerable clergyman taught him the doctrines of christianity, and by his bright example, convinced him of their value. He returned to his country, an infidel in practice, though in theory, a christian. The English missionaries were suspected of an interference with the measures of the government: they saw with regret the termination of their usefulness, and retired to Sierra Leone. The individual whom we have mentioned, entitled by his to extinguish the light, and still the pain of his convictions, Relief the world could not afford him, and under the pressure of severe afflictions, he learnt the lessons of true wisdom, and became a disciple of him who calls us to forsake temporal pleasures, that we may possess eternal felicity. About the same time, the king of that province of the Soosoo country, in which he resided, who had received an English education in Liverpool, renounced the vices of his life, assu med the profession, and began to make liberal provision for their practice the duties of christianity.support. And surely, when it is An earthquake, which alarmed the known, that there exists in Africa whole country, is said to have pro- a field for philanthropic and chrisduced a powerful effect on the tian efforts, as promising as any in mind of this heathen chieftain, and the world, this community will fee! to have forced from him an ac- a concern in her interests, thouknowledgment of the power and sands will plead her cause-and providence of the Almighty. He that benevolence which is at work, immediately sanctioned, by his ex- to save mankind,will send Instrucample, the observance of the Sab-ters to the Soosoos, and spread bath, and established a school in which he taught his people the doctrines of the true religion. among them, and the surrounding tribes, the sacred influences of our religion. The Soosoos are numerous, in- The Soosoos have three distinct genious, patriotic and brave, fixed governments, over each of which enemies to Mahometanism, and a king presides, deriving his powsubject to no superstition which er originally from the people. would not readily give way to the Every village elects its head man. light and power of christianity. By the votes of several head-men, Their religious notions are ex- a chief is appointed, who has a tremely vague; indeed they can general superintendance over the be hardly said to believe in any district represented by these headreligion. They have some obscure men, holds a seat in the great ideas of an Omnipotent Power, and council of the nation, and upon pay some respect and homage to the decease of the King, gives his departed souls. The opinion, that vote for the election of his succesthey worship satan, has been deri-sor. Each of these monarchs can, ved from the fact, that they ho- it is said, on urgent occasions, nour, with offerings and solemn bring into the field from twenty to rites, the manes of their ances- thirty thousand men. So efficient tors. They are accustomed to vi- is the government, and amiable sit a certain spot consecrated to the popular manners, that the inthe dead, and deposit there as a habitants have "sound sleep within sacrifice, some portion of their unbarred doors," a blessing enjoyfood, and call over the names of ed in but few civilized and christheir deceased friends and proge-tian countries. Hospitality is a nitors. They would, we are in-virtue, for which the Soosoos are formed, gladly receive Missiona-distinguished, and a stranger selries who would devote themselves dom, if ever, passes through one exclusively to their holy work, and of their villages, without being in 21 AND COLONIAL JOURNAL. eir vited to take rest or refreshment turban, and manifests his resolution to defend it by sending back, in its stead, a piece of scarlet cloth with powder and ball. This is the signal for civil war. is in their houses. Crimes are reca presented as unfrequent. Should 3- a king, in the opinion of a majoriinty of the chiefs, prove himself too el weak for his trust, or should age d A barbarous custom prevails render him unequal to the dis- among the Soosoos, of bringing nd charge of his high duties, by an home from the field of battle, the act of peculiar significance he is heads of their enemies, and decalled upon to retire. A messenpositing them in a building erectger presents to him a silver basin ed for the purpose, as evidences gcontaining a piece of white paper. of their courage and success. If he places in the basin his royal Captives taken in war with foturban, he may descend without reigners, are doomed to servitude; ct disturbance or danger to the though the Soosoos never enslave h walks of private life, and there each other. On the whole, these enjoy the affection of his country-people are among the most civilizmen. But should he refuse to ed of the Africans, and we trust comply with this peaceful request, will soon receive the attention and most charitable ministrations of the church. e t , and imagine his friends so numerous as to justify an effort for his kingly office, he retains his PRODUCTIONS OF AFRICA. the natives into beautiful rings, and sold by them in that state. RICE is the principal article of food to the natives, is easily cultivated, and may, by civilized men, be raised in abundance for exportation. GOLD. This article abounds in many parts of Africa, particularly in the Bambarra country. The trade in gold, is becoming very profitable in Sierra Leone. Either the last year, or the year before, the value of more than fourteen thousand pounds sterling of this metal, was sent from this colony to England. If credit may be given to the reports of the natives who come from a great dis- || At Sierra Leone it has been very tance in the interior, we may ex-successfully cultivated. It is pect this amount greatly to in- found in abundance in the neighGrease. The metal is wrought by bourhood of the American colony. IVORY, next to slaves, is the principal article of commerce. COFFEE of an excellent kind grows spontaneously on the coast. |
