The Past and Future.

We are now brought to the conclusion of our second volume. A recurrence to past events, particularly to those of the last year, awakens devout gratitude, nor can the future be contemplated, without invigorated resolution, loftier aims, and hopes of brighter promise.

The practicableness and utility of the scheme in which this Society embarked, ten years ago, with few friends, scanty means, and in view of obstacles both numerous and appalling, is no longer problematical. The experiment proposed by the Society, has been fairly tried and with entire and unexampled success. The Colony of Liberia appears to be established on sure foundations, and to exhibit both in its internal affairs and external relations, a degree of prosperity far exceeding the expectations of its earliest friends. It is a christian community on a pagan shore, exerting a benign and extensive influence upon numerous heathen tribes, and offering to countless barbarians instruction in the pure principles of the religion of Christ. Nor is the knowledge thus imparted merely theoretical. The poor natives see christianity embodied in the lives of its professors, and feel that it is an active practical principle, essentially conducing to the happiness of the individual, and to all the interests of society. In all their intercourse with the Colony, they find this religion a principle of veracity, integrity, and kindness, constituting a sure ground for reliance, and creating within their bosoms gratitude, confidence and affection.

The settlement at Liberia has remarkably enjoyed the protection and favour of the Almighty. In times of danger, of trial, and of want, its members have found refuge and resources in God. Their afflictions have served to deepen their pious sentiments, and to direct their thoughts more constantly to the realities and glories of an immortal state. Awakened in such seasons to a conviction of their entire dependence upon the invisible, and eternal Being, they have, under the chastisements of his hand, learnt righteousness.

It must be manifest to the friends of this Institution, that to sustain its enlarged operations the present year, funds will be required far exceeding the amount of annual donations in preceding years. By nothing are the Managers more encouraged in the pro

1

The cause

secution of their great enterprise, than by the evidently increasing interest felt throughout the country in its success. itself makes an appeal, not easily to be resisted, to the humane, the patriotic and the religious. Thousands the year past have felt this appeal, and shown, by well directed and productive efforts, that their natures must be changed, before they can regard with indifference the claims of such a cause.

The Managers are convinced, that the work in which they are engaged, is not only sanctioned by humanity and benevolence, but of great national interest and importance, and they trust the time is not remote, when it will receive the approbation and aid of the whole American people; when the State Legislatures and Congress will harmoniously unite their energies for its accomplishment, and thus rear an imperishable monument to the magnanimity and charity of our glorious Republic. To secure an object so imperiously demanded by every consideration of duty and interest, they invoke the aid of the press, the ministry, Auxiliary Associations, and in fine, of all who are sensible to the misery of others, or concerned for the welfare and the honour of their country. For the present year, they must rely upon the charity of their friends. But while they trust that the contributions of the liberal and religious will be such as to enable them to conduct forward the arduous work to which their efforts are devoted, they confidently hope, that every thing possible will be done to secure to it the assistance of those powers of the government which alone are adequate to its consummation. Particularly would the Managers invite the attention of the Rev. Clergy to this cause. Could every minister of every denomination be induced to bring the design of this Society before his congregation on the Sabbath immediately preceding or succeeding the fourth of July, and solicit a contribution in its behalf, the benefit would prove incalculable. Africa would rejoice, and Heaven smile upon a nation making such a united and noble offering of its charities.

END OF THE SECOND VOLUMÉ.

NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

American Society

FOR

COLONIZING THE FREE PEOPLE OF COLOUR

OF THE

UNITED STATES.

WITH AN APPENDIX.

Washington City.

PRINTED BY WAY & GIDEON.

.......

1826.

1

AMERICAN COLONIZATION

SOCIETY.

The Ninth Annual Meeting of the AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, was held in the Supreme Court room, at the Capitol, on Monday, January 9th, 1826.

The Hon. HENRY CLAY, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, took the chair.

Mr. CLAY rose, and said, it was with great regret he had to communicate, that the worthy and venerable President would be unable to attend on this interesting occasion of the annual meeting of the Society; and in consequence of his absence, he had yielded, to what he believed to be the wishes of some of his friends, and to a sense of the duty enjoined by the Constitution of the Society, to take the chair. Every one was so well apprised of the object of the present meeting, that it would not be necessary to occupy their time by dwelling on it; it was well known to every one, that it was to disclose the transactions of the Society during the past year to open prospects for the future, and to derive from the past, and the contemplation of the future, new animation in stimulating them to the great objects of the enterprise which had engaged their attention.