REPORT.

GREAT designs are in their execution, seldom attended with immediate success. This remark is most strikingly true, of those designs which tend to improve the civil and moral condition of mankind.

Those causes which change the characters of nations, though they may be simple in their nature, and certain in their result, are usually slow in their operation; and it is not until long after the first influence is felt on the public mind, that they are known in their full and extended power.

The Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society, commenced their efforts, with no hope of exemption from those discouragements, which are occasionally felt by all who labour in the cause of humanity and virtue. They knew, too well, the ordinary fate of benevolent enterprizes, to imagine that their progress would be unimpeded; and they saw, too clearly, the difficulties peculiar to their own object, to expect its accomplishment, without the experience of both opposition and calamity.

Who that is accustomed to reflection, does not perceive that the design of our Society, while it appeals for aid to the interest of the South, to the humanity of the North, and to the religion of the whole country, is necessarily of such a character, as to array against it the prejudices of numerous individuals throughout the land. Hence the Managers have been represented by some, as the enemies of subordination; by others, as the advocates of slavery, and by others, as deranged with enthusiasm. Conscious, however, of the rectitude of their principles, and convinced of the feasibility of their plans, they have persevered, confident that their motives will one day be duly appreciated, and trusting their cause to the Ruler of the world.

It is with no ordinary pleasure, that the Board express their opinion, that at no time since the institution of their Society, were their friends so numerous as at the present moment, nor public sentiment so favourable to their object.

Recent public events did indeed excite feelings, especially at the North, hostile to their design; but as these feelings had their origin, either in misapprehension, or in that spirit of animosity which forms its judgments without the distinctions of reason, they have already begun to subside: and the Board consider the remaining motions of enmity or dissatisfaction, as only "the workings of a sea, before a calm, which rocks itself to rest." This very opposition will, they doubt not, be rendered subservient to the interests of Africa: because the public mind, when settled into tranquillity, must discern the unreasonableness of its own prejudices; and instructed by experience, must be prepared to aid the cause of Colonization, entirely convinced of its importance, and guarded forever against inconstancy and suspicion.

Had the Board, in their last Report, predicted that before another anniversary, their proceedings would result in some great achievement, demonstrating to all the world, the wisdom of their plans, they had evinced understandings as weak as their expectations were vain. That man is but ill prepared to act for the benefit of a world, whose benevolence is confined to present generations, and who refuses to promote a scheme, because

1

posterity only can witness its completion, and enjoy the fulness of its salutary influence.

Though in reviewing the past year, the Board find no extraordinary effects of their exertions, which they might relate for the sake of those who will act only in concert with miraculous agency, yet they would be insensible to religious duty, were they to fail in offering thanks to Heaven, for a measure of success equal to their expectations; sufficient to confirm hope and invigorate resolution.

It will be recollected, that immediately after the purchase of a territory, Dr. Ayres, proceeded to Sierra Leone, for the purpose of removing the colonists to the spot selected for their establishment. During their residence at Fourah-Bay, several of the people showed a spirit of insubordination which required vigorous measures for its suppression. When, therefore, it was announced that on the first of January a vessel would sail for Cape Montserado, and that all must at that time be prepared for their departure, though the intelligence excited general joy, three or four individuals neglected the injunction, and remained as residents in the British Colony; an event by no means to be regretted.

The colonists arrived at Cape Montserado on the 7th of January. It was soon ascertained, that King Peter had been condemned by the other chiefs of the country, for the sale of the land, and threatened with the loss of his head; and that it had been decreed that our people should leave the coast. This information was disregarded. The vessel was unloaded, and preparations were made for building. Another interview however, with the Kings was found indispensable. Here the previous intelligence was confirmed; but the firmness and energy of the Society's Agent, checked the rising opposition and restored peace.

During the month of February, disease prevailed among the colonists, and prevented any vigorous exertions. Several of the coloured people had, of necessity, remained at Fourah-Bay. These persons arrived at Montserado in the Calypso, on the sixteenth of that month. Dr. Ayres, knowing that his presence was demanded at Sierra Leone, immediately embarked in this vessel for Freetown: from which place, after having concluded the settlement of accounts, he received on board the remaining colonists, sailed for Montserado, and anchored at the Cape on the 7th of April. He found the Colony in confusion and alarm. A British prize slave vessel had during his absence, solicited permission to take water from the Cape, and had received an affirmative answer to her request. This vessel parted her cable and was thrown on shore. The spirit of hostility, excited by a dispute between the Captain and one of the Kings, added to the powerful motive presented by the presence of a French vessel, waiting for her complement of slaves, induced the natives to attack her, with purposes of plunder. Several of our people engaged in her defence. In the contest which ensued, and which they in vain endeavoured to prevent, two of the natives were unfortunately killed; and on the succeeding day, a British soldier and one of our colonists. Through the criminal inadvertency of an English sailor, who discharged a cannon in the immediate vicinity of the store-house, this building took fire: and with it most of the clothing, provisions, and utensils of the Colony were destroyed.

Dr. Ayres perceived the necessity for an immediate convention of the Kings. In this convention, he gave a concise history of his proceedings since his arrival in Africa; and maintained with spirit and boldness his right to the purchased territory. After some opposition and de

1

lay, the whole assembly, amounting to seventeen Kings and thirty-four half Kings, assented to the settlement of the colonists: and on the 25th of April, the American flag was hoisted on Cape Montserado.

The commencement of the rains, the unexpected difficulty of building, and the impossibility of obtaining native labour on account of the recent disturbances, conspired to render the condition of the colonists at this time both critical and distressing. Dr. Ayres resolved on visiting the United States, to acquaint the Society with the necessities of the Colony, and to obtain supplies for its relief. Notwithstanding their discouraging circumstances, most of the colonists, with a zeal and resolution highly honourable to their character, determined to retain possession of a territory acquired with so much difficulty and so much suffering; and therefore proceeded at once, with ardour and diligence, to prepare for a continuance at the Cape. Accompanied, however, by a few individuals, the Agent again visited Sierra Leone, obtained provisions for the Colony, returned to Montserado, appointed one of the most respectable colonists to act as superintendent during his absence; and after witnessing with high satisfaction the peace and comparative prosperity of the Settlement, took passage for this country on the 4th of June. And here the Board would mention from among the colonists, as particularly worthy of commendation, for their good conduct, fortitude, and active cooperation with the Agent, amid his numerous perplexities and discouragements, Elijah Johnston, Joseph Blake, Lot Carey, and Richmond Sampson.

The Brig Strong, Captain Otis, sailed from Baltimore, on the 19th of June, having on board Mr. and Mrs. Ashmun, and thirty-five colonists. Mr. Ashmun was charged with the management of certain re-captured