very important; but if I am not mistaken, it might be augmented still farther. The qualities of this gum are not confined solely to their utility in manufactures, for it is also a very substantial and wholesome nutriment. When the Moors quit their oases, and encamp themselves round the gum forests of Zaara, the middling and lower classes of these savages, subsist almost en About the beginning of December, the three Moorish tribes quit those habitations which they have formed, in the vast solitudes of Zaara, and where they have col-tirely on this gum, during the lected their families, their flocks, whole of the harvest, their march their camels, and their wealth, and to the banks of the Senegal, while each tribe begins his march to- the traffick is carrying on, and unwards their respective forests of til their return to their principal gum trees. residences; and experience has proved, that six ounces of this substance is sufficient to support one man for four-and-twenty hours. The most temperate and indi The harvest continues about six weeks, and when the gum, thus collected, is properly formed, and every thing in readiness, they prepare to strike their tents and pro-gent among them, nourish themceed to the banks of the Senegal. They load the gum on camels and oxen; the ordinary burthen of a camel is from four to five hundred pounds, while that of an ox, is generally about a hundred and fifty; the gum is put into immense leathern sacks made of tanned ox hides. selves by letting it simply melt in their mouth, while others dissolve it in milk. They also make with this substance combined with the juice or gravy of the flesh of camels, oxen, and even of horses, a large kind of lozenge, which will keep without being spoiled for upwards of a year. The gum of the Senegal possess The three forests of Sahel, AlFatack, and El-Hiebar, furnishes also pectoral qualities. I knew, yearly a constant produce of at in the river of Gambia, a young least twelve hundred thousand Englishman about five-and-twenpounds of gum, and if no part of ty years of age, who cured himthis be directed into any other self of a violent and frequent channel, this branch of commerce spitting of blood, by taking daily, would alone render our factories no other nourishment than four ounces of this gum dissolved in milk; after having observed this regimen for three months, he was perfectly cured. The Moorish women and ne. gresses of this part of Africa, use also this substance, with great effect, for certain disorders peculiar to the sex; and the Moors make preparations of gum mixed with mill-dust, or Indian corn, and use it in certain circumstances, to nourish their horses and camels. I have no doubt, but that on some occasions, this gum might be prepared, with the juice of meat, and other substances, so as to make those kind of lozenges, which are called in England portable soup, and which forms an excellent article of subsistence, for any isolated place or fort, exposed to a long siege. (From the New-York Observer.) OUR COLOURED POPULATION. While in company with a friend ced. Among the causes which a few days since, the conversa-operate most powerfully on the tion turned upon the degraded character, is early encouragestate of our coloured population. ment. The child who is taught "But I do not wonder at it," said to expect and attempt great things, my friend; "I should, in the same is likely to imbibe a generous spicircumstances, do as these people rit of enterprise. The rod, and do. They have no opportunity censure of every kind, have their or encouragement to rise in soci- use in correcting positive faults; ety." And is it so, I thought to but neither is, in general, successmyself, on retiring from the place, fully employed to elicit and kinthat a citizen of so much enter- dle the sparks of genius. No prise and respectability, would youth, it is presumed, was ever not, in his own estimation, be flogged into a poet or an elegant proof against the demoralizing and scholar, or the love of any useful debasing influence of the circum-art or business. The terror of the stances which press upon our co-rod may have directed his attenloured population! A few moments' reflection told me it might be so. The characters of men for active industry, enterprise, and external morality, to say the least, depend very much upon the circumstances in which they are pla tion from the rogueries and indulgences which stood in the way of his improvement; but it is the encouragement of guardians and patrons, the hope of attaining to some degree of excellence or measure of prosperity, which develope rising, with equal industry and merit, to a level with these? Alas! he is obliged to consign them over to the fate of his unhappy race. They must be hew genius and make the man. Now I ask, what are the prospects and the hopes which the coloured parent can place before his rising offspring, as motives, to aim at an elevated standing in society?ers of wood and drawers of water. Can he promise them any kind of honorable enployment, to which their genius may happen to be suited? Can he introduce them early to a circle of friends, whose congenial minds and pursuits, shall operate as a stimulus upon their industry? Can he point to the successful merchant, or schoJar, or physician, or statesman, and say, you have a prospect of Do what they will, there is but this one prospect before them.. Should the reader ask, "What then can be done?" I am not prepared to give a definite answer in the present communication. Something ought indeed to be done, to meliorate the condition of these depressed children of Africa:-and I trust it will be done. INTERESTING FACTS. fathoms. The banks, for many miles, are elevated above its level from twenty to thirty feet, the country champaign, free from stones, formerly covered with villages, but now desolated by the slave trade. A spot has been laid The Colonial Agent, Mr. Ash- about half a mile, and the depth mun, has lately concluded nego-at the mouth quite across (varytiations with several African ing but little) from three to four chiefs, for the purchase of additional territory. And a large and fertile region between the Montserado and St. Paul's rivers, unlimited in its extent towards the interior, and well adapted to all purposes of agriculture, is now under the jurisdiction of the So-off on the St. Pauls for a settleciety. The river St. Pauls is north nine miles from the Montserado, but so connected with it by Stockton creek as to be visitedgress and result of the negotiaby boats from Monrovia at all been ceded to the Society, we intions by which this fine tract has seasons, in the course of two tend in future to give a more dehours. The width of this river is tailed account. ment, and is, before this, believed to be occupied by enterprising settlers from Virginia. Of the pro The Rev. John D. Paxton, a Presbyterian Clergyman of Prince Edward county, has, within a few days, generously emancipated a cipate all his slaves, amounting to one hundred, when the Society can transfer them to the colony. The Roman Catholic Christians in Ma ning to feel a deep interest in the objects of our Institution; and some individuals of high respectability among them, have already resolved to send their servants to the colony. One of these has twenty slaves, which it is his intention to send to Liberia. whole family of slaves, eleven inryland are, we understand, beginnumber, and accompanied them to Norfolk, that he might secure to them a passage on board the Society's vessel, to Liberia. This family consists of a mother and ten children. The latter were unwilling to leave their aged and venerable mother, who in her advanced life preferred to remain in the family of her master, to which she was sincerely attached. She however consented to accompany her children, saying that it would promote their prosperity, and for this she could make the sacrifice, A friend of Mr. Paxton's observes, "these slaves constituted the greatest part of his fortune.“ Another expresses a sentiment to which every benevolent heart will respond, "This is an act that needs no comment, but may most properly be left to proclaim its own praise." The Colonization Society has received a very gratifying letter from the respectable society of Friends, in North Carolina. This denomination, for their early and persevering exertions in behalf of the people of colour, have acquired a distinguished and bright renown. Their honours will never fade while mankind respect the most humane and noble actions. The following letter merits publi cation: JAN. 2, 1826. To the next annual meeting of the American Colonization Society, to be held in the city of Washington. At a meeting appointed by the Yearly Meeting of the society of Friends in North Carolina, to attend to its business in its recess : Manumissions are now frequent, and the spirit which prompts to them is certainly becoming widely diffused. Mr. Dickinson of Baltimore has liberated a most valuable slave, upon Having the subject of colonicondition that he shall emigrate zing the free people of colour unto Africa. Another gentleman, der consideration; it was agreed now residing in Baltimore, but in and directed to be forwarded: possession of a large estate near That we approve the object of the Norfolk, Virginia, offers to eman-Colonization Society in establish coast of Africa, so far as we can consistently with our pacific principles, and have continued so to do ever since we petitioned to Congress for colonization. We, the Committee appointed by said meeting to transmit the foregoing to you, hereby forward the same, to show our hearty approbation of your benevolent object, and prayers for your success. RICHARD MENDENHALL, ing and supporting a colony on the led to obtain additional type; and a font of great primer, a font of pica, and a font of brevier, were immediately purchased; also, paper to the value of $120, ink, 858 42, a variety of office furniture, and indeed, every thing necessary to form an establishment for any of the most important purposes of the art. A printer, Mr. Charles L. Force, was engaged, to whom was advanced a salary for one year, of £ 416. He is a thorough workman, and engages to instruct one or two Africans to The Brig Vine sailed from Bos- conduct the press. A good bell ton for the colony on the fourth (worth $50) for the Lancasterian instant, with nearly forty emi-school, was put on board the vesgrants. Eighteen of these emi-sel, also two sets of patent scales, grants were, at their own request, 92, two sets of blacksmith's a few days previous to their de- tools, $ 125, a pair of globes, & 20, parture, organized into a church; agricultural implements, nails, on which occasion the exercises and such a quantity of clothing, were appropriate and highly inte- provisions, and books, as to absoresting to a crowded audience.lutely fill the vessel. On the The citizens of Boston evinced fourth inst. the brig took her detowards this expedition remarka-parture, conveying, in addition to ble liberality. At the monthly the colonists and the printer just concert of prayer on the 2d inst mentioned, the Rev. Calvin Holthe condition of the African colo-ton, a missionary, Dr. Hunt, a reny was stated to the meeting; the importance of a printing establishment for the settlement was mentioned; a subscription was coinmenced on the spot, which shortly amounted to $ 471, besides a font of valuable type worth 110 96. $ 10 were added on the following morning, making a total of $ 591 96. A press had been previously given. A committee was appoint-loured persons in that place, to Af spectable physician, and the Society's agent, Mr. Session, the last of whom, is expected to return after remaining a few days at the colony. A benevolent Society at New Market, Frederick county, Maryland, has resolved to appropri ate a certain portion of its funds, to aid the emigration of free co |