nable persecution. Many will feel disposed to deny the truth of these assertions; but not, we trust, after seeing the proof of them, which we will now proceed to offer.

We have already adverted to the cruel laws by which these people are oppressed, and kept, purposely kept, in ignorance and degradation. Now let it be recollected, that with but few exceptions, these laws have been either enacted, or are kept in force by legislatures, which have formally and in their legislative capacity, passed resolutions in favor of the Society. Fourteen States have thus avowed their attachment to Colonization. Now had these States, including Connecticut, Ohio, and several of the slave States, repealed their laws against the free blacks, and forborne to enact new ones; their sincerity in approving a plan for the removal of these people with their consent would have been less questionable, than it is now, when they persist in the course of policy well calculated to coerce that consent. The Society appears to be a particular favorite with the slave States, with the exception of South Carolina, where its true character seems to have been misunderstood.

Now hear the acknowledgment of a Southern writer. We have before us the fourth edition, 1834, of "A Treatise on the Patriarchal System of Society:" by a Florida slave holder. It is a treatise, in sober earnestness, on the means of perpetuating slavery, and increasing its profits. The author says, p. 12-"Colonization in Africa has been proposed to the free colored people: to forward which, a general system of persecution against them, upheld from the pulpit, has been legalized throughout the Southern States." The writer does not explain his allusion to the Southern pulpit; but we may judge of its influence on the condition of the free blacks, from the avowal already quoted from the Southern Religious Telegraph, of its repugnance to these people being taught to read, because such an acquirement would be an inducement with them to remain in this country; or, in other words, that the better they were treated here, the less likely would they be to consent to go to Africa.

The Legislatures of Maryland and Virginia, it is well known, have made large appropriations for Colonization, and yet these Legislatures are among the most malignant

persecutors of the free blacks. The original bill, making the Virginia appropriation, contained a clause for the compulsory transportation of free blacks. Let it be recollected, that the Colonization Society has ever been the peculiar favorite of Virginia, and that her most distinguished citizens have been enrolled among its officers; and let us now see how Colonization has been promoted in that State. On a motion to strike out the compulsory clause, Mr. Brodnax thus expressed himself against the motion:

"IT IS IDLE TO TALK ABOUT NOT RESORTING TO FORCE. Every body must look to the introduction of force of some kind or other. If the free negroes are willing to go, they will go; if not willing, THEY MUST BE COMPELLED TO GO. Some gentlemen think it politic not now to insert this feature in the bill, though they proclaim their readiness to resort to it when it becomes necessary; they think, that for a year or two, a sufficient number will consent to go, and THEN THE REST CAN BE COMPELLED. For my part, I deem it better to approach the question and settle it at once, and avow it openly. The intelligent portion of the free negroes know very well what is going on. Will they not see your debates? Will they not see that COERCION IS ULTIMATELY TO BE RESORTED TO. I have already expressed it as my opinion, that few, very few, will voluntarily consent to emigrate, if no compulsory measures be adopted. Without it, you will still, no doubt, have applicants for removal equal to your means. Yes, sir, people who will not only consent, but beg you to deport them. But what sort of consent-a consent extorted by a species of oppression, calculated to render their situation among us insupportable! Many of those who have been already sent off, went with their avowed consent, but under the influence of a more decided compulsion, than any which this bill holds out. I will not express in its fullest extent, the idea I entertain of what has been done, or what enormities will be perpetrated to induce this class of persons to leave the State. Who does not know that when a free negro, by crime or otherwise, has rendered himself obnoxious to a - neighborhood, how easy it is for a party to visit him one night, take him from his bed and family, and apply to him the gentle admonition of a severe flagellation, to induce

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him to go away. In a few nights the dose can be repeated, perhaps increased, until, in the language of the physicians, quantum suff. has been administered, to produce the desired operation, and the fellow becomes perfectly willing to move away. I have certainly heard, (if incorrectly, the gentleman from Southampton will put me right) that all the large cargo of emigrants, lately transported from that country to Liberia, all of whom professed to be willing to go, were rendered so by some such ministration as I have described. Indeed, sir, all of us look to FORCE of some kind or other, direct or indirect, moral or physical, legal or illegal."

Another member, Mr. Fisher, in opposing the motion, said, "If we wait till the free negroes consent to leave the State, we shall wait until time is no more. They never will give their consent. He believed if the compulsory principle were stricken out, this class would be forced to leave by the harsh treatment of the whites."

The compulsory clause was stricken out, but we have the assurance of Mr. Brodnax, that they who objected to it at present, were ready to resort to force, whenever it should become necessary; and he tells us, that all look to force of some kind or other; and he might have added, "all of us look to the Colonization Society as the instrument by which the forcible expulsion of the free negroes is to be effected." Nor do they look in vain. At the very time that the negroes of Southampton were suffering the barbarities he describes, the managers of the Society addressed their auxiliaries, urging them to increased efforts in raising funds, and alluding to the excitement occasioned by the insurrection at Southampton, remarked, "the free people of color have awakened from their slumber, to a keen sense of their situation, and are ready in large numbers, to emigrate to the Colony of Liberia." Address, 17th Nov. 1831.

A large number of these miserable people did indeed consent to go to Africa, and the managers well knew how their consent was obtained. "I warned the managers against this Virginia business," said Mr. Breckenridge in his speech before the Society, "and yet they sent out two shiploads of vagabonds, not fit to go to such a place, and that were coerced away as truly as if it had been done with - a cartwhip."

Hear the confession of Mr. Gurley, the Secretary of the Society, on this subject" Our friends at Norfolk appealed to us, and said the people were persecuted, and that it was a matter of humanity to take them. Our agent said they were driven from the county, and had appealed to him, and begged to go to Liberia." Speech before the Society.

Hear the testimony of Thomas C. Brown from Liberia, given in May, 1834. “I am acquainted with several from Southampton County, Virginia, who informed me that they received several hundred lashes from the patroles to make them willing to go. In one instance, a man was several times compelled to witness the lashes inflicted on his wife, and then to be severely flogged himself. In another instance, a family received information from their white neighbors, that unless they went to Liberia, they should be whipped. Having no means of redress, they were obliged to go."

Hear the New York Colonization Society, when addressing the public "We say to them (the free blacks) we think you may improve your condition by going thither, but if you prefer remaining here, you will be protected and treated with kindness." Proceedings of New-York Col. Soc. 1831.

Hear the same Society, when addressing the Legislature-"We do not ask that the provisions of our constitution and statute book should be so modified as to relieve and exalt the condition of the colored people while they remain with us. Let these provisions stand in ALL THEIR RIGOR, to work out the ultimate and unbounded good of this people." In plain English, to coerce their consent to go to Africa. Memorial to New York Legislature, 1832.

We have seen what are the Connecticut and Virginia plans for promoting Colonization-now for the Pennsylvania plan. At a public meeting held in the borough of Columbia, (Penn.) at the Town Hall, 23d August, 1834, the following, among other resolutions, were unanimously passed.

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"Resolved, that we will not purchase any articles that can be procured elsewhere, or give our vote for any office. whatever, to any one who employs negroes to do that species of labor white men have been accustomed to perform. "Resolved, that the Colonization Society ought to be supported by all the citizens favorable to the removal of the blacks from this country."

Here we find the support of the Society avowedly coupled with a most detestable plan of persecution. And now for the practical operation of this meeting of the friends of the "benevolent Colonization system." It appears from a Columbia paper, that one or two nights after the meeting, a mob collected, and partly tore down the dwelling of a black man; they then proceeded to the office of another black man, who had had the presumption to deal in lumber, “a species of labor white men had been accustomed to perform," broke open the windows and door, rifled the desk, scattered the papers in the street, and attempted to overturn the building. Surely the Society may reasonably anticipate the consent of the blacks to emigrate, when in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, such cogent arguments are used to obtain it. Were the Society governed, as it ought to be, by Christian principles, it would shrink from encouraging persecution by accomplishing its object, the exportation of its victims. It would say explicitly to the authors of these atrocities, " you shall gain nothing by your cruelty, through our instrumentality. We will not encourage your farther persecutions, by removing those whose consent you have obtained by such unjustifiable means; we will not, to please you,

"Keep the word of promise to the ear,
And break it to the hope."

But alas, it has virtually given official notice that it will transport all whose consent can be obtained, no matter by what barbarity. Hear the declaration of Mr. Gurley, the Secretary of the Society.

"Should they (free blacks) BE URGED BY ANY STRESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES to seek an asylum beyond the limits of the United States, humanity and religion will alike dictate that they should be assisted to remove and establish them selves in freedom and prosperity in the land of their CHOICE."-Letter to gentlemen in New York.