[12] See Butler’s History of the United States,
vol. 1, page 24. See also, page 25.
[13] See the Acts of the Apostles, chap. x. v.—25—26.
[14] See Revelation, chap. xxii. v. 11.
[15] Slavery and oppression.
[16] See St. Matthew’s Gospel, chap, xxviii.
v. 18—19—20. After Jesus
was risen from the dead.
OUR WRETCHEDNESS IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE COLONIZING
PLAN.
My dearly beloved brethren:—This is a scheme
on which so many able writers, together with that
very judicious colored Baltimorean, have commented,
that I feel my delicacy about touching it. But
as I am compelled to do the will of my master, I declare,
I will give you my sentiments upon it. Previous,
however, to giving my sentiments, either for or against
it, I shall give that of Mr. Henry Clay together with
that of Mr. Elias B. Caldwell, Esq. of the District
of Columbia, as extracted from the National Intelligencer,
by Dr. Torrey, author of a series of “Essays
on Morals, and the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.”
At a meeting which was convened in the District of
Columbia, for the express purpose of agitating the
subject of colonizing us in some part of the world,
Mr. Clay was called to the chair, and having been seated
a little while, he rose and spake in substance, as
follows: Says he—[17]
“That class of the mixt population
of our country [coloured people] was peculiarly
situated; they neither enjoyed the immunities
of freemen, nor were they subjected to the incapacities
of slaves, but partook, in some degree, of the qualities
of both. From their condition, and the unconquerable
prejudices resulting from their colour, they never
could amalgamate with the free whites of this country.
It was desirable, therefore, as it respected them,
and the residue of the population of the country,
to drain them off. Various schemes of colonization
had been thought of, and a part of our continent,
it was supposed by some, might furnish a suitable
establishment for them. But, for his part,
Mr. C. said, he had a decided preference for some part
of the coast of Africa. There ample provision
might be made for the colony itself, and it might
be rendered instrumental in the introduction
into that extensive quarter of the globe, of
the arts, civilization, and Christianity.”
[Here I ask Mr. Clay, what kind of Christianity?
Did he mean such as they have among the Americans—distinction,
whip, blood and oppression? I pray the Lord Jesus
Christ to forbid it.]
