wind blowed.  For himself, he hoped the entire platform would be adopted, and without further debate he moved that the fourth resolution be passed.

Stephen W. Hill, of Baltimore, contended that the resolutions did not look to an immediate emigration to Africa—­that they only recommended Liberia as a place where they could enjoy the blessings of liberty, and as the most suitable country for the colored man whenever they should be disposed to seek another home.

William Perkins, of Kent, in answer to the protest of Harris, said the only platform they recommended for adoption, left it to every man to go where he pleased, or to remain here if it suited him better.  Let Mr. Harris go to his constituents and tell them that the convention only recommended what it thought best; its action was binding on no man.

F. Harris, in reply, asked if the convention had examined Liberia.  They recommended that place for them to emigrate to, and yet they had not made any examination of Liberia to know whether it would suit.  Did they know anything of the climate or agriculture of Liberia to lay before the people.  Let them examine Canada, Jamaica, and other places, and then if they found Liberia the best place, why say so to the people.

Chas. Williamson said he had had it in his power to examine most countries.  He had been in Canada twice; in the West Indies three times, and, under the British government in Trinidad five years.  During that time he had examined the countries with a view to see which was the best for the colored people.  He was sixty-seven years of age and could expect little for himself.  In the West Indies capital ruled the people—­the government recognized you, but the planters, who had been accustomed to drive on slaves, knew you not.  If they went to Canada they would not better their condition—­he had lived there seventeen months at one time.  It would cost money to get to Canada—­money to get to the West Indies.  The Canadas are peopled with many persons from this country.  The leading men were principally Yankees.  In the West Indies he had to take his hat around to get the dead out of the way of the turkey-buzzards—­that showed their sympathy.  In Canada you cannot be recognized in office—­in the West Indies it is better, and some colored persons get into office.  In the Canadas he never heard of but one colored man being in office.  The Canadas are a fine country, but he asserted here that he felt there could be no permanent home for them except in Africa, where their children could enjoy all the blessings of liberty.  That was the best country for them.  In the United States they did not want the colored people any more, they had got the use of them, and now in this State the new constitution did not recognize them at all. (A voice—­“Yes, as chattels.”) The minister of Hayti to this country was not recognized by the President, and had to go home again.