Occasionally there arose among the colored people of the South advocates of colonization, setting forth the advantages of emigration in all but convincing style.[11] Such was a free man of color of Savannah in the year 1832.  He had always viewed the principles on which the American Colonization Society was grounded as one of large policy, though he saw it was “aided by a great deal of benevolence.”  And when viewing his situation with those of his colored brethren of the United States he had often wondered what prevented them from rising with one accord to accept the offer made them, although they might sacrifice the comforts of their present situation.  He had often almost come to the conclusion that he would make the sacrifice, and had only been prevented by unfavorable accounts of the climate.  Hearing that Liberia needed help, he desired to go.  He and the Negroes for whom he spoke seemed to be of an enterprising kind.  He understood the branches of “wheel-wright, blacksmith, and carpentry,” and had made some progress in machinery.  He did not expect to go at the expense of the Society and therefore hoped to take with him something more than those who had emigrated on those terms.[12]

Another such freeman spoke from Charleston the same year.  He had observed with much regret that Northern States were passing laws to get rid of the free people of color driven from the South on account of hostile legislation.[13] He was also fearful as to the prospects of the free blacks even in favorable Southern cities like Charleston, where they were given a decided preference in most of the higher pursuits of labor.  He believed, therefore, that emigration to Africa was the solution of their problem.  He urged this for the reason that the country offered them and their posterity forever protection in life, liberty, “and property by honor of office with the gift of the people, privileges of sharing in the government, and finally the opportunity to become a perfectly free and independent people, and a distinguished nation."[14] The letters of Thomas S. Grimke written to the Colonization Society during these years show that other freedmen of Charleston driven to the same conclusions were planning to emigrate.[15]

Conditions in that State, however, forced some free Negroes to emigrate to foreign soil.  A number of free colored people left Charleston, and settled in certain free States.  After residing two or three years in the North they found out that their condition instead of improving had grown worse, as they were more despised, crowded out of every respectable employment, and even very much less respected.  They, therefore, returned to their former home.  On reaching Charleston, however, they were still dissatisfied with their condition.  Changes, which had taken place during their absence from the State, made it evident that in this country they could never possess those rights and privileges which all men desire.  Some of them resolved, therefore, to try their fortunes in Liberia.[16]