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

keeping, support, and removal beyond the limits of the United States, and to appoint a proper person or persons, residing upon the coast of Africa, as agent or agents for receiving those persons of color delivered from on board vessels seized in the prosecution of the slave trade by the commanders of the United States armed vessels.

The then President of the United States, Mr. Monroe, perceiving that the benevolent provision of this law for the benefit of the recaptured Africans might be most economically and effectually fulfilled by securing a home for these persons within the limits and under the protection of such colony as might be founded by the efforts and donations of the members and friends of this society, determined to act in cooperation with the society in regard to the station to be chosen for the temporary or permanent (as might be) residence of such Africans; and when the society had obtained possession, by purchase of a portion of the tract of country in Africa, since designated by the name of Liberia, such persons were placed upon its soil, under the care of an agent of the Government, and such means of subsistence and defence as might enable them ultimately to attain the advantages which it was the endeavor of the society to secure all free voluntary emigrants to their colony.

Thus, the colony of Liberia rose into existence both as the home of recaptured Africans, humanely restored by our Government to their country, and as a well-organized community of free colored men, prepared and disposed to extend their useful arts, laws, civilization, and christianity, far above the native population of Africa.

The society proceeded without delay to explore the western coast of Africa, and to obtain, by fair negotiation with the native tribes, and by actual purchase, eligible tracts of country, for colonial settlements. Enterprising free men of color were assisted to emigrate, organized into a government after their own republican model, and by some of our own citizens devoted to their interests, and eminently qualified to be their guides, instructed in their social and political duties. They constitute a free and christian commonwealth, comprising a population of several thousand persons, they have founded churches, schools, tribunals of justice, the press, and made successful experiments in agriculture and commerce. Laws are enacted by legislative council chosen by the people, while all engaged in their administration (the Governor alone excepted, who is appointed by the society) derive their authority from the same source. The missionaries of several communities have entered through the various avenues, and under the protection of this colony, upon their benevolent

enterprise among the native Africans, many of whom have sought refuge within its bounds and submitted to its government. By the law of Liberia, slave trade is denounced as piracy, and is utterly driven from every spot over which it has the power or right to extend control. As the numbers of the colony have increased, no means at its command have been neglected for the acquisition of territory; and while many points from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas (a distance of nearly 300 miles) have been secured by absolute cession, the right of pre-emption exists towards others, and it is of great importance to bring this whole line of coast under the government of Liberia. The correspondence heretofore placed in your hands, between Governor Roberts and certain English naval officers, and that which I have the honor herewith to transmit, shows the difficulties which have arisen from the interference of certain British traders to the rights of the colony and the still more serious difficulties to be apprehended. Under color of a prior claim granted by certain native African chiefs to individual Englishmen to establish factories for trade, or to occupy small portions of land purchased for the same purpose by Englishmen, the political jurisdiction of the colony over territory ceded to the colonial government is called in question, and the aid of British naval officers invoked to prevent the enforcement of the several revenue laws of the colony.

As neither the government of Great Britain, nor any Eropean government, claim, as far as we know, any political jurisdiction from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas; as such claim, if by possibility it may exist, has arisen long since the establishment of the colony and government of Liberia; as this colony is composed of enterprising free men of color from the United States, who have gone, aided by benevolent American citizens, to plant themselves as a free, independent, and christian community, on this remote and barbarous coast, in the hope of rising to honor and power as a civilized state, attracting to it the unfortunate and widely disbursed children of Africa, from this and other lands, while exerting renovating influence on home population, it is essential that they be not discouraged in the possession of rights already acquired, or precluded from extending their influence and laws over the entire line of coast (from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas) generally known as Liberia.

The executive committee venture to solicit your friendly interposition, in such a way as you may deem it expedient, with the governments of Great Britain, and France, to prevent any interference by these governments themselves, or their citizens, to the rights and interests of the