Mr. Garley moved to amend the Constitution of the Society, according to a draught which he submitted to the consideration of the meeting. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Frelinghuysen, it was Resolved, That the draught of the amended Constitution, as proposed by Mr. Gurley, be referred to a Committee of three, to consider and report on the same, at an adjourned meeting of the Society, to be held in this place on Monday, the 28th inst. at 7 o'clock, P. M. Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Gurley and Mr. Post were appointed by the Chair, a Committee, according to the above resolution. Mr. Gurley also presented a printed paper, containing subjects for the consideration of the Society, which, on motion, was referred to the same Committee. Mr. Polk moved That the Board of Managers be instructed to inquire into the expediency of appointing an Assistant Secretary, and a General Agent of the Society, and if they deem it expedient, to make said appointments. This motion was also referred to the same Committee. On motion, the Society then adjourned to meet in this place on Monday next, the 28th inst. at 7 o'clock, P. M. January 28. The American Colonization Society met, according to adjourn ment, in the 1st Presbyterian church, at 7 o'clock, P. M. On motion of the Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, of N. J. the Hon. Mr. Washington, of Md. was appointed Chairman, and Rev. R. Post Secretary of the meeting. The minutes of the last adjourned meeting were read. The Hon. Mr. Jenifer, of Md. offered the following Resolu tions, which were read, and, on motion of Mr. Gurley, laid on the table. Resolved, That the resolution of the Society, adopting the report of the Committee on the election of officers, be reconsidered; and that the report be recommitted, with instructions to the Committee to examine the proceedings of the Board of Managers of the last year. And be it further Resolved, That, in order to give time for such examination, the Society, when they adjourn to-night, will adjourn to meet at this place, at 7 o'clock, P. M. on Saturday evening next, the 2d day of February. The Hon. Mr. Williams, of N. C. offered the following Resolution, which was read and laid on the table. Resolved, That the Committee appointed on Tuesday, the 22d inst. for considering the plan for reorganizing the Constitution of the Colonization Society, be discharged from the further consideration of the same, and that the subject be referred to the Committee appointed to examine the proceedings of the Board of Managers of the last year. The Hon. Mr. Frelinghuysen, from the Committee to whom the subject had been referred, reported the draught of an amended Constitution of the Society, which was read. The Hon. Mr. Jenifer moved to lay the Report on the table, for the purpose of taking up the resolutions previously offered by himself. After considerable discussion, during which, a letter from Matthew St. Clair Clarke, Esq. resigning his seat as a membør of the Board of Managers, was received and read-Gen. Jones moved to amend the motion to lay the report on the table, by adding to it the following words:-"And print it, together with the present Constitution of the Society, and put it into the hands of the members." The question was then taken on laying the report on the table and printing it, together with the present Constitution, and putting it into the hands of the members, and decided in the affirmative. On motion of Rev. Mr. McVean, of Georgetown, the Society then adjourned to meet again in this place, on Tuesday, the 5th day of February next, at 7 o'clock, P. M. The following is the new Constitution submitted for the consideration of the Society. ART. I. This Society shall be called "The American Society for colonizing the Free People of Colour of the United States." ART. II. The object to which its attention is to be exclusively directed, is to promote and execute a plan for colonizing (with their consent) the Free People of Colour residing in our country, in Africa, or such other place as Congress shall deem most 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 upon the subject. ART. III. Every citizen of the United States who shall subscribe these articles, and be an annual contributor of one dollar to the funds of the Society, shall be a member. On paying a sum not less than thirty dollars, at one subscription, he shall be a member for life. ART. IV. The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and an associate Secretary or Secretaries, a Treasurer, a Recorder, a Board of Directors, and a Board of Managers. ART. V. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Recorder, and Board of Managers; of the Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Secretaries of the several Auxiliary State Socictics; of such members as may pay at one time (or by annual sums of $100 each) five hundred dollars to the Society; of the Managers of any State Fund for colonization; and of such other individuals, as either, for their eminent services, or weight of influ. ence, it may be deemed proper to appoint. Seven Directors shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum ART. VI. The President of each Auxiliary Society shall, ex-officio, be entitled to sit and vote with the Board of Directors; and any such Auxiliary may send two Delegates, who shall enjoy the same privilege. All life members shall be allowed to attend and take part in the deliberations, but not to vote, at the meetings of the Board of Directors. ART. VII. The Board of Directors shall meet annually on the third Monday in January, to receive the Report of the Board of Managers, and to consider and adopt measures to promote the great interests of the Institution. They shall have power to fill all vacancies that may have occurred in their number, and increase this number as they may judge best. They shall elect annually the other officers of the Society. ART. VIII. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Society and Board of Directors, and to call meetings of the Board of Directors whenever he thinks necessary, or when required by any three members of the Board. ART. IX. The Vice-Presidents, according to seniority, shall discharge these duties in the absence of the President. ART. X. The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Society, take minutes of the proceedings, and discharge all such duties as the Board of Direc tors or Board of Managers may require. And the Recorder shall record the proceedings of the Board of Directors and Board of Managers, and perform such other duties as may be required of him. ART. XI. The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of the funds of the Society, under such security as may be prescribed by the Board of Managers; keep the accounts, and exhibit a statement of receipts and expenditures at every anan al meeting, and discharge such other duties as may be required of him. AaT. XII. The Board of Managers, consisting of the Secretary and the asŝooiate Secretary or Secretaries, Treasurer, Recorder, and seven other individuals chosen by the Board of Directors, shall meet on the second and fourth Monday's of each month, and at such other times as they may deem expedient. They shall conduct the business of the Society, and take such measures as they may think proper for effecting its object, with the counsel and approbation of the Board of Directors; and make annual report of their proceedings to the Directors and to the Society. They shall also fill up all vacancies occurring in their number during the year, and shall make such by-laws for their government as they shall deem necessary, provided the same are not repugnant to this Constitution. ART. XIII. This Constitution shall be unalterable, except at a regular annual meeting, and by a vote of two thirds of the Directors present, or by a general meeting of Delegates of Auxiliary Societies (to be equally represented) which, at the request of any three State Societies, the Board of Directors shall be required to call. February 5th. The American Colonization Society met, according to adjournment, in the 1st Presbyterian Church at 7 o'clock, P. M. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Washington, John C. Herbert, Esq. Vice-President of the Society, took the Chair, and Rev. R. Post was appointed Secretary of the meeting. The meeting was then opened with prayer, by the Rt. Rev. William Meade, D. D. Bishop of Virginia. The minutes of the last adjourned meeting were read. The Hon. Mr. Jenifer, of Md. offered the following resolution. Resolved, That a Committee of six be appointed by the Chair, to take into consideration the resolutions and report submitted at the last meeting, and report upon the same to the next adjourned meeting. Mr. Clarke, of Washington, moved to amend said resolution, by striking out the words, "adjourned meeting," and inserting the words, "annual meeting on the 3rd Monday of January next." After considerable discussion, Mr. Clarke withdrew his mo tion to amend. R. S. Finley, Esq. of Ohio, then moved to amend said resolu tion, by adding the following words, "whether there was any thing unfair, illegal, or dishonourable in the election of the offieers of the Society at the last Annual Meeting;"-which motion was decided in the negative. The question was then put on the resolution offered by Mr. Jenifer, and decided in the affirmative. It was then moved and carried, that the Chair appoint said Committee after the adjournment of the Society this evening. The Society then adjourned, to meet in the same place on Friday, the 8th inst. at 7 o'clock, P. M. The following gentlemen were appointed by the Chair, the Committee on Mr. Jenifer's resolution, viz: Hon. Theo. Frelinghuysen, of N. J.; Hon. E. F. Chambers, of Md.: Hon. Edward Everett, of Mass.; Hon. Daniel Jenifer, of Md.; Hon. Wm. S. Archer, of Va.; Hon. E. Whittlesey, of Ohio. February 8th. The American Colonization Society met according to adjournment, in the 1st Presbyterian church, at 7 o'clock, P. M. The Hon. John C. Herbert, of Md. Vice-President, took the Chair, and Rev. R. Post was appointed Secretary of the meeting. The Throne of Grace was then addressed by the Rev. Mr. Ryland, of the Methodist Church. The minutes of the last meeting were read. The Hon. Mr. Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, from the Committee appointed by the Chair, on Mr. Jenifer's resolution, adopted at the last meeting, reported and moved the following resolutions, viz:— 1. Resolved, That it be recommended to the members of the Board of Managers elected at the last Annual Meeting, and not of the former Board, to resign their seats. 2. Resolved, That the vacancies which may thereby be created, be filled with the members of the Board of last year; and that the vacancy produced by the decease of B. L. Lear, Esq. be filled by the election of a new member, to be nominated by the nominating Committee appointed at the last Annual meeting of the Society. 3. Resolved, That it is inexpedient at this time to make any change in the Constitution of the Society; and that the further consideration of the plan of a new Constitution, referred to this Committee, be postponed to the next Annual Meeting. 4. Resolved, That the true and single object of the Society is that which is expressed in its original Constitution, viz:-"To promote and execute a plan for colonizing, with their consent, the free people of colour residing in our country, in Africa, or such other place as Congress shall deem most expedient;” and that this object will be hereafter, as it has been heretofore, steadily adhered to. Mr. Polk, of Washington, moved to postpone the preceding resolutions, with a view to take up one which he would then propose as a substitute, which he read. After considerable discussion, the question on Mr. Polk's motion was taken, and decided in the negative. The question was then taken on the 1st and 2d resolutions reported by the Committee, and decided in the affirmative, Ayes 63, Noes 57. The question was then taken on the 3d resolution reported as above, and decided in the affirmative, without a division. The question was then taken on the 4th resolution reported by the Committee, and decided in the affirmative unanimously, Richard S. Coxe, Esq. was then elected a member of the Board of Managers, according to the 2d of the preceding resolutions. On motion of Gen. Mason, it was ordered that a copy of the 1st and 2d resolutions reported and adopted as above, be forwarded to each member of the present Board, who was not a member of the Board of last year, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of this meeting. On motion of Gen. Mercer, the Society then adjourned sine Attest, R. POST, Secretary of the Meeting. die. Hon. JAMES MADISON, of Virginia, President. Hon. Joux MARSHALL, of Virginia. Hon. WM. H. CRAWFORD, of Georgia. PHILIP E. THOMAS, Esq. of Maryland. Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, of Connecticut. Hon. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, of New Jersey. J. H. M'CLURE, Esq. of Kentucky. General ALEXANDER MACOMB, of Washington City, General WALTER JONES, of Washington City. SAMUEL H. SMITH, Esq. of Washington City. Rev. J. LAURIE, D. D. Managers. do do Dr. H. HUNTT, Rev. R. R. GURLEY, Secretary. |