pagan people on the face of the earth who would more readily embrace the gospel than the native Africans. So far as our experience has gone, we have found them attentive to religious instruction; and when the great truths of the Bible were made known to them, they seemed to be filled with wonder, and were frequently seen communicating what they had heard to others who could not understand our language. With such views we would respectfully and earnestly urge the Committee to use every exertion for the dissemination of Christian knowledge in this part of the world. VIII. How far Educated Natives may be expected to aid in spreading the Gospel over Africa; and is it expedient to send Africans from the United States for this purpose? There is no hope of disseminating Christianity extensively in Africa, except through the medium of educated natives. Our hopes, however, from this quarter, ought not to be too sanguine at the outset. Unless the hearts of natives who shall be instructed are thoroughly imbued with the spirit of religion, and their minds illuminated by its doctrines, there is too much reason to fear that, when they leave the place of their education and return to their homes, they will relapse into the habits and customs of their countrymen. We have seen painful instances of natives who have been educated in Europe and America, who had renounced the habits of civilized life, and were living in the habitual practice of the most odious vices of their uninstructed countrymen. One native who had spent eight years in England prosecuting his studies, soon after he returned to his native home, commenced the slave trade, and continued it many years. He has now renounced it, he says, from moral principle; but we were inclined to think from motives of interest. A native woman who was educated in New England, writes, reads, and speaks the English with ease, we saw like the rest of her sex in Africa, almost naked. Other examples of a similar kind came under our observation. And not only are natives who have been educated prone to conform to the habits of the country, but we have observed with peculiar anxiety, that the sons of American colonists, when they have been sent from their parental roofs to manage the affairs of a factory in the country, have contracted many of the most odious and degrading vices of the people around them. To the questions how far it would be expedient to take colored children from the United States to be educated in Africa, and colored teachers from this country for the purpose of instructing the natives, we reply, that it seems to us highly desirable that a small number of children of suitable character should be sent out for the purpose mentioned.— They would be serviceable to the mission in various ways. They would readily acquire the languages of the country, and would aid the native children, not only in their studies, but in acquiring many of the simpler arts of civilized life. Much pains, however, ought to be taken in the selection of suitable children for this purpose. If they should prove vicious they would do much more harm than good. It is also, in our view, highly desirable to take colored teachers from this country. The greatest care, however, should be exercised in their selection. They ought always to be under the inspection and direction of the missionaries, and never allowed, while connected with the mission, to engage in any secular business whatever, except what the circumstances of the mission may demand. We suggest this, because we know that several colored persons who have been sent from Europe and the United States as missionaries to Africa have turned out badly, and others have become so entirely absorbed in secular business, as to lose sight entirely of the object of their mission. Having now touched upon all the special points of inquiry in our written instructions, we will remark briefly on some other topics. Opening for Missions in Liberia. There is certainly land enough, within the bounds of what is called Liberia, to be possessed. Some one justly remarks that there are natives enough within ten miles of Monrovia to employ ten missionaries. The chief objection to placing a missionary in that immediate vicinity, is the insalubrity of the climate. The Vey people at Grand Cape Mount, embracing a population of about eight thousand, are certainly the most interesting on this part of the coast. But there is already a Baptist missionary among them, and the missionaries of the Western Foreign Missionary Society have determined to settle there also. Grand Bassa, sixty miles to the south of Monrovia, is an inviting spot, but the Methodist missionaries have chosen this as their ground. If the pre-occupancy of these two places shall be regarded by the Committee as a sufficient reason for locating a mission of the Board elsewhere, within the limits of Liberia, we would recommend the Junk river, as the next most suitable place, about mid-way between Monrovia and Grand Bassa. A territory has recently been purchased around this river, and an Am rican settlement will be commenced there in a short time. Causes why little is known respecting the Interior Tribes. Another inquiry we made was. Why so little is known of the tribes in the interior from Liberia. There are three causes for this. 1. The want of roads to get into the country, the paths used by the natives being exceedingly narrow, and so meandering as to make the distance four times as great as a straight line. 2. The jealousies of the different kings, leading them to prohibit Americans from entering the country. King Boatswain, who lives about sixty miles in the rear of Monrovia, has opened the way for Americans to his town, but none have been allowed to go a mile further. 3. There have been no Christian travellers to attempt an exploration of the country. Access to the Ashantees Our last topic relates to the question from what point the Ashantee country is most accessible. We could not ascertain that the Ashantees themselves visit any other point on the coast, than Cape-Coast Castle. We derived some information concerning them from certain vessels that had been in the habit of trading with them. They are represented as a peculiar people, both in their appearance and in their habits-by no means so savage as the narratives that have been published concerning them have represented. The collision between them and the English some years since, and which proved so fatal to the latter, is said to have been provoked by the English. From what we could learn about them we are induced to suppose, that a missionary might have access to them at the present time. Proposed Plan for a Mission at Cape Palmas. In concluding this report, we would take the liberty of making a few suggestions to the Committee about the particular plan of conducting the mission at Cape Palmas.— There are five large towns on the sea coast, within the space of thirty miles north and east of Cape Palmas, where the missionary-house is erecting; in each of which it is desirable that one school should be commenced as soon as possible. At Cape Town it would be well to establish, besides a school for the children of that town, another school to be composed of boys from diferent and distant towns, on both the leeward and windward coasts. There would be no difficulty in procuring any number of boys, from any part of the coast, for such a school. The assemblage of boys from different tribes, speaking different languages, and entertaining diverse views on all ordinary subjects, would be decidedly advantageous to the missionaries. And the children would not be so apt to run away from the school, when they were distant from their homes; and being separated from their native amusements, they would become more attached to their teachers and their books. Besides, being the children of kings and head-men, they would open the way at home for the introduction of teachers and missionaries. What the expense of conducting missionary operations on this part of the coast will be, we cannot certainly say. If the country should prove sickly, it would be necessary to furnish comfortable houses for the missionaries, and these, for the time being, must be transported from America. Many of the principal articles of food must be taken from this country, or be purchased fron trading vessels at a very exorbitant price. The expense of a single native boy at the school would probably amount to about twelve or fifteen dollars a year. If schools should be established on the manual-labor system, which would perhaps be the best, the expense would be less. Palm oil and rice are the principal articles of food with the natives, and these, at ordinary times, could be purchased at a cheap rate. We have one more topic to present in this report. It is to suggest that the Committee would have the coast explored from Cape Palmas to some distance beyond the equator, for the purpose of extending their missions in that quarter. There are a number of English, Dutch, and other European forts, settlements, and trading marts, near to which schools might be established forthwith, and where there are no obstacles to the immediate introduction of Christianity. We believe that Christian teachers would be gladly welcomed to any part of the leeward coast, and the sooner this country is occupied the better. In a short time barriers will be raised there by unprincipled traders, that may not easily be surmounted. We hope no time nor effort will be spared to spread abroad the influence of Christianity over this benighted land. Since the return of Messrs. Wilson and Wynkoop, the Prudential Committee have resolved to commence a mission at Cape Palmas, with the leave of Providence, in the course of the present year-to consist of at least two ordained missionaries, Mr. Wilson being one. Mr. Wynkoop remains in this country to complete his theological education. There are to be two or three male and as many female teachers, provided suitable persons, and especially colored persons, can be obtained. These will be employed in the large native towns, of which there are three within the limits of the territory purchased by the Maryland State Colonization Society. The Committee have also adopted the following resolution; viz. "Resolved, That the Committee enter upon this mission with the hope and expectation of extending it into the interior; and that, with a view to such an extension, the missionaries of the Board be authorized to commence a central school, as soon as the mission shall have become fully established, and the most eligible place for such a school been satisfactorily determined; and that this school be mainly intended to educate colored youth for helpers to the mission, in the work of publishing the gospel to the native population." It is hoped that from Cape Palmas, access may be had, without great delay, to the tribes occupying the interior; where, it is believed, the climate will be found more salubrious, and the obstacles in the way of introducing Christianity will be fewer and less powerful. [From the New York Spectator, July 15.] ADDRESS OF REV. PETER WILLIAMS. It is with unfeigned pleasure that we lay before the public the annexed address of the Rev. Peter Williams, justly characterized by the American as "a colored clergyman of exemplary character and conduct." This address has been called forth by a letter from the Right Rev. Bishop Onderdonk, written to Mr. Williams in consequence of the recent outrage upon St. Philip's Church, of which he is the intelligent and devoted Pastor, and advising him to withdraw his connexion with the Anti-Slavery Society.With this request Mr. Williams has readily complied, and in a manner which we are sure will commend him to the public respect, although, as friends of the Colonization Society, we cannot accede to every proposition contained in the address. For instance, he says, in reference to his opposition to the Society, that this opposition "has extended no farther than that Society has held out the idea that a colored man, however he may strive to make himself intelligent, virtuous, and useful, can never enjoy the privileges of a citizen of the United States, but must ever remain a degraded and oppressed being." We are quite sure that Mr. Williams has been misled on this subject. He has mistaken the opinions of that Society for its wishes. So far from being adverse to the improvement of the colored race in "virtue, intelligence, and usefulness," we hesitate not to assert that no portion of the people of the United States, of equal numbers, has contributed so much for those objects as they have. It is their earnest desire that the colored population should become "intelligent, virtuous, and useful." They will thus advance the great object of the Society, should the colored people choose to emigrate, by diffusing civilization and Christianity in Africa. That the colored man will be immeasurably more likely to 'remain a degraded and oppressed being' in this country than in Africa, a majority of the members, probably, (and ourselves certainly,) do religiously believe; yet this opinion, which is formed, not from any impulse of the heart, but from a survey of the constitution of the human mind, forms no well grounded objection to the Society. Even were that opinion erroneous, it can have no influence to retard the improvement of the colored people in the important qualifications to which Mr. Williams alludes. Correspondence between Rev. Bishop Onderdonk and Rev. Peter Williams. Rev. and Dear Sir: COLLEGE PLACE, JULY 12, 1834. I am sure I need not assure you of the sincere sympathy which I feel for you and your people. The inclosed* was prepared by me to be read to them to-morrow, if they had been assembled. Perhaps, however, you have pursued the most prudent course in closing your church. Let me advise you to resign, at once, your connexion, in every department, with the Anti-Slavery Society, and to make public your resignation. I cannot now give you all iny reasons. Let me see you as soon as you can. I can better say than write all I think. Make the within known in any way, and as extensively as you can. "The raging of the sea, and the madness of the people," you know are connected in Holy Writ, and the one might as well be attempted to be stopped as the other. My advice, therefore is, give up at once. Let it be seen that on whichsoever side right may be, St. Philip's Church will be found on the Christian side of meekness, order, and self-sacrifice to common good, and the peace of the community. You will be no losers by it, for the God of peace will be to you also a God of all consolation. Let me hear from you or see you soon. And believe me to be, with faithful prayer for you and yours, your affectionate brother in Christ. BENJ. T. ONDERDONK. REV. MR. WILLIAMS. To the Citizens of New York: It has always been painful to me to appear before the public. It is especially painful to me to appear before them in the columns of a newspaper, at a time of great public excitement like the present; but when I received Holy orders, I promised "reverently to obey my Bishop, to follow with a glad mind his godly admonitions, and to submit myself to his godly judgment." My Bishop, without giving his opinions on the subject of Abolition, has now advised me, in order that the Church under my care "may be found on the Christian side of meekness, order, and self-sacrifice to the community," to resign connexion with the Anti-Slavery Society, and to make public my resignation. There has been no instance hitherto, in which I have not sought his advice in matters of importance to the Church, and endeavored to follow it when given; and I have no wish that the present should be an exception. But in doing this, I hope I shall not be considered as thrusting myself too much upon public attention, by adverting to some facts in relation to myself and the subject of the present excitement, in the hope that when they are calmly considered, a generous pubfic will not censure me for the course I have pursued. My father was born in Beekman street in this city, and was never, in all his life, further from it than Albany; nor have I ever been absent from it longer than three months, when I went to Hayti for the benefit of my brethren who had migrated there from this country. In the revolutionary war, my father was a decided advocate for American Independence, and his life was repeatedly jeopardized in its cause. Permit me to relate one instance, which shows that neither the British sword, nor British gold, could make him a traitor to his country. He was living in the state of Jersey, and Parson Chapman, a champion of American liberty, of great influence throughout that part of the country, was sought after by the British troops. My father immediately mounted a horse and rode round among his parishioners, to notify them of his danger, and to call them to help in removing him and his goods to a place of safety. He then carried him to a private place, and as he was returning a British officer rode up to him, and demanded in the most peremptory manner, "where is Parson Chapman?" "I cannot tell," was the reply. On that he drew his sword, and raising it over his head, said, "Tell me where he is, or I will instantly cut you down." Again he replied, "I cannot tell." Finding threats useless, the officer put up his sword and drew out a purse of gold, saying, "If you will tell me where ho is, I will give you this." The reply still was, "I cannot tell." The officer cursed him and rode off. This attachment to the country of his birth was strengthened and confirmed by the circumstance that the very day on which the British evacuated this city, was the day on which he obtained his freedom by purchase tlugh the help of some republican friends of the Methodist Church, who loaned him money for that purpose, and to the last year of is life he always spoke of that day as one which gave double joy to his heart, by freeing him from domestic bondage and his native city from foreign enemies. The hearing him talk of these and similar matters, when I was a child, filled my soul with an ardent love for the American government, and made me feel, as I said in my first public discourse, that it was my greatest glory to be an American. A lively and growing interest for the prosperity of my country pervaded my whole sole and led to the belief, notwithstanding the peculiarly unhappy condition of my brethren in the United States, that by striving to become intelligent, useful and virtuous members of the community, the time would come when they would all have abundant reason to rejoice in the glorious Declaration of American Independence. * A Pastoral Letter from the Bishop to the parish of St. Philip's Church, which owing to the congregation not assembling on Sunday, has not yet been communicated to them. Reared with these feelings, though fond of retirement I felt a burning desire to be usc ful to my brethren and to my country; and when the last war between this country and Great Britain broke out, I felt happy to render the humble services of iny pen, my tongue, and my hands, towards rearing fortifications to defend our shores against invasion. I entreated my brethren to help in the defeuce of the country, and went with them to the work; and no sacrifice has been considered too great by me, for the benefit of it or them. These were among the feelings that led me into the ministry, and induced me to sacrifice all my worldly prospects, and live upon the scanty pittance which a colored minister must expect to receive for his labors, and to endure the numerous severe trials peculiar to his situation. My friends who assisted me in entering into the ministry, know that if the Church with which I am connected as Pastor, could have been established without my becoming its minister, I should have been this day enjoying the sweets of private life, and there has not been a day since I have entered upon the duties of my office, that I would not have cheerfully retired to earn my living in some humbler occupation, could I have done so consistently with my sense of duty. By the transaction of last Friday evening, my church is now closed, and I have been compelled to leave my people. Whether I shall be permitted to return to them again, I cannot say, but whether or not, I have the satisfaction of feeling that I have laboured earnestly and sincerely for their temporal and spiritual benefit, and the promotion of the public good. In regard to my opposition to the Colonization Society it has extended no farther than that Society has held out the idea, that a colored man, however he may strive to make himself intelligent, virtuous and useful, can never enjoy the privileges of a citizen of the United States, but must ever remain a degraded and oppressed being. I could not, and do not believe that the principles of the Declaration of Independence, and of the Gospel of Christ, have not power sufficient to raise him, at some future day, to that rank. I believe that such doctrines tend very much to discourage the efforts which are making for his improvement at home. But whenever any man of color, after having carefully considered the subject, has thought it best to emigrate to Africa, I have not opposed him, but have felt it my duty to aid him, in all my power, on his way, and I have the satisfaction of being able to prove that the most prominent and most useful men in the Colony have been helped there by me. I helped John B. Russwurm to go to Liberia, and as a token of gratitude for my aid in the case, he sent me his thermometer, which I have now hanging up in my house. I helped James M. Thompson, whom all speak of as a most excellent man, and good scholar, to go there. He was a member of my church; and when he went there, I gave him letters of recommendation, and procured a number of books, to enable him to introduce the Episcopal service; and I offered lately to contribute my mite towards establishing the Episcopal Church there. I was the first person who advised James R. Daily (Russwurm's partner) to go and establish himself in Liberia as a merchant. When Washington Davis was sent to this city, by Governor Ashmun, to study medicine, as a physician for the colony, I received him in my house, and boarded him a week, without charging the Society for it, though they offered to bear the expense. When I found that strong prejudices were forming against me, because of my disapprobation of some of the Society's measures, and that my usefulness was thereby affected, I ceased to speak on the subject, except in the private circle of my friends, or when my opinions were asked privately by others; and in my short address to the Phenix Society, last spring, I carefully avoided the subject; and the only sentiment I uttered, referring to it, was this: "Who that witnesses an assembly like this, composed of persons of all colors, can doubt that people of all colors can live in the same country, without doing each other harin?" It was my anxiety to promote the object of the Phenix Society, which is the improvement of the people of color in this city, in morals, literature, and the mechanic arts, that brought me to an acquaintance with the members of the Anti-Slavery Society. For several years, I had given considerable attention to the education of our people, and was much interested about our Public Schools. I was anxious that some of our youth should have the opportunity of acquiring a liberal education, and felt that it was my duty to strive to rear up some well qualified colored ministers. I selected two lads of great promise, and made every possible efort to get them a collegiate education. But the Colleges were all closed against them. Anti-Slavery men generously offered to aid us in establishing a Manual Labor College, or High School, for ourselves, and to aid us in all the objects of the Phenix Society. I joined with them in this work heartily, and wished them all success, as I still do in their endeavors, by all means sanctioned by law, humanity and religion, to obtain freedom for my brethren, and to elevate them to the enjoyment of equal rights with the other citizens of the community; but I insisted that while they were laboring to restore us to our rights, it was exclusively our duty to labor to qualify our people for the enjoyment of those rights. Hence when the Anti-Slavery Convention was held in Philadelphia, though strongly solicited, I refused to attend, and though I was then appointed a member of the Board of |
