“In addition to sending emigrants to Liberia, it is of the utmost importance that the Society should purchase the greatest possible amount of territory, at the present moment, and thus enlarge the sphere of influence which the republic exerts over the natives, and put it beyond the power of the nations, adverse to her interests, to circumscribe her in the noble efforts she is making for the redemption of Africa.

“In this connection, it may be proper to say, that the gift of one dime from each one of the 100,000 inhabitants of Cincinnati, or $10,000 would probably purchase fifty-six miles square of territory or more than two millions of acres of land as good as that of Ohio.  Now, suppose a gift of such value were offered to the colored people of the city, or of the State, on condition that they would take possession of it and organize a State Government for themselves, and be admitted as one of the members of the new republic, who will say that they should or would reject the offer?  Who will say that it would not be more safe and wise to emigrate to Africa than to Canada, Oregon, California or Mexico?  But the decision of this question of right belongs to the colored people themselves.  If the foreign emigration continues to roll in upon us, the subordinate stations in society, in the west also, as is the case already in the east, will ere long be chiefly occupied by foreigners, and the colored man left, it is to be feared, without profitable employment.  Dear as is the land of one’s birth, if men’s interests can be better promoted by a removal, the ties of country and kindred are bonds easily broken.  The spirit of enterprise which characterizes the present age, if we do our duty, will in due time animate the intelligent colored man, as it is now stimulating the white race, and if he cannot secure equality of condition here, will prompt him to go where he can obtain it.

“Total number of emigrants up to January, 1848.... 5,961
Number of communicants in churches in 1843,
were, of

Americans........... 1,015
Captured Africans..... 116
Converted heathen..... 353 in all............... 1,484

Present population estimated by President Roberts 80,000

Of these, are emigrants, captured Africans, etc.,
about.......................................   5,000

“The slave trade is suppressed on 400 miles of coast, excepting at
one point.

“Shipping owned in the colony, 14 vessels, of from 20 to 80 tons.

“The exports annually, from the colony, are about $100,000.

“David Christy, “Agent Am.  Col.  Society”

—­The African Repository, XXIV, 179-180.

OXFORD, O., April, 1848.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] For a more detailed account of these settlements see Woodson’s “The Education of the Negro, Prior to 1861,” 243-244; and Hickok, “The Negro in Ohio,” 85-88.