on the true utilitarian principles of this wonder-working age, the mysterious problem:  By whom is Africa to be redeemed?  The answer comes rumbling back to us, over the towering billows of the Atlantic, from the Republic of Liberia, with a voice that starts our inmost souls, falling with ponderous weight upon the ears of the free colored people of this Union—­“thou art the man, thou art the woman.”

James A. Jackson, of Baltimore, eulogized Hayti as standing as high above the other West India islands as the United States does above the republic of Mexico, in the point of commercial importance.  This island had tried the experiment of republicanism and had changed it.  It was now a question with the colored people, in their present condition, whether they were more suited to a republican than monarchical government.  The productions of the soil of Hayti and of her forests were referred to, and the fact alleged that she would produce more than all the other West India islands put together.  The exports and imports of the United States to and from the island were cited as an illustration of her prosperity.  A comparison was made of the commerce of Liberia and that of Hayti, the latter country being held up in a very favorable light.

Nicholas Penn, of Frederick, spoke in favor of emigration to Liberia.  They did not want an island.  The colored population increased so fast that they needed no island but a continent for them.  His constituents wished him to examine Africa, and he hoped it would be done.  Liberia was the only place for them.  The white man fought for and claimed this country, and he was now going to give it up to them.  In the language of Patrick Henry, will we be ready tomorrow or next day to act more than now?  No!  Now was the time; and he hoped this enterprise would spread far and wide until the whole people should understand it and all unite in the glorious movement.  Let us appoint men to go and examine Liberia, and report to us just what it is.  We want a home, and we were sent here to examine and determine on what would be best to recommend.

B. Jenifer, of Dorchester, said, all these statements about Africa were theoretical—­gained through geography, and went on to state that he had spent nearly eleven months in Africa, had traveled it over and examined its productions and resources.  He had been sent for that purpose by a colored colonization society of his county; but did not wish to discuss Liberia at this time.  Mr. Handy had so ably discussed the subject, and in all of which he fully coincided with him.  The true question for this convention to decide was whether they should remain, here, or to seek a home in Liberia or elsewhere.

   John H. Walker, after some difficulty, got the floor and offered a
   substitute for the report of the committee on the platform, which was
   unanimously adopted.  The following is the substitute: