Africans, and also received authority to act as temporary Agent of the Board. These re-captured Africans were from the State of Georgia, fifteen in number, rescued by the benevolence of our government from the claims of injustice, and now sent out under the protection and at the expense of the United States. The Strong arrived at Montserado, on the 8th of August. Mr. Ashmun, according to his instructions, immediately assumed the agency, adopted such regulations and proceeded to the execution of such works, as seemed likely to prove most conducive to the harmony and defence of the Colony. By the return of the Strong, the Society have been furnished with ample communications from the Agent; particularly with his daily journal from the 8th of August to the 12th of September, which, when it is considered that it was written during the intervals of a violent fever, bears high testimony to the zeal and industry of its author. It contains much important information, concerning the situation, harbour, soil and ad vantages of the Colony, its present condition and necessities, and is enriched with many valuable remarks. Copious extracts from these papers will be found in the Appendix *

All the intelligence from Africa, during the last year, has served to confirm the Board in their previous opinions; and confident they are, that it is only requisite to diffuse correct information concerning the condition and prospects of the Colony, to obtain for it, from all parts of the country, that immediate aid, which will render it the perpetual light of Africa, and an eternal monument to our nation's praise.

There are now in Africa, about one hundred and thirty settlers, occupying a station, which according to English, as well as American testimony, surpasses in advantages for a colonial establishment, any other situation on the coast.* A town has been commenced on a regular plan, comfortable, houses constructed, and works thrown up for defence against the Barbarian powers. The natives are generally amicable: and were it otherwise, little apprehension would be felt, since a concerted attack is altogether improbable, and each King can command but a small force, destitute alike of conduct and courage. The harbour may with very small expense be rendered excellent; the lands are easily cleared and cultivated; the soil is rich, and yields in abundance the most valuable productions of the tropical climates. Not an instance of sickness has occurred during the season, among those colonists who had passed one year in Africa; and the fever which attacked those who went out in the Strong, has in most cases been mild and easily subdued.

It is with pain that the Board record the death of Mrs. Ashmun, whose Christian zeal and charity, will long be remembered at the Colony and admired in her native land. She fell a sacrifice to her disinterested kindness: as the Board have been informed, that during every intermission of fever, while her strength permitted, she was found administering to the wants and alleviating the sufferings of others.

The Managers cannot but consider the fact, that there prevails extensively, among the African tribes, a strong desire for our language, and the arts of civilized life, as one most auspicious, and which should administer reproof to indifference, as well, as encouragement to effort.

The principal King of the region bordering upon our Territory, expressed almost rapturous joy, when told that his people should be instructed in the American method of manufacturing cloths, and earnestly requested Dr. Ayres, to bring his son to this country, and afford him here the means of education. A compliance with this request was prevented only, by the reluctance of the boy to leave his native shores.

The present Agent, has already entered into negotiations for trade, with several of the tribes, and also admitted several African youths to a residence in the Colony; and the Board indulge the hope, that the time is not remote, when their Settlement by its schools, and ministers, shall impart to many of these Barbarians, that knowledge which civilizes and elevates the character; which softens and subdues the soul.*

The disposition among the free people of colour to emigrate to Africa, is daily increasing, nor can the Board doubt, that when the permanency of the Colony is no longer uncertain, vessels will be fitted out by them, at their own expense, from most of the cities of our country. In Petersburg, (Virginia,) and its vicinity, they have already determined to make preparations for a voyage, and have requested the sanction of the Board to their proceedings. A similar disposition has been manifested in other places.

The past year has also afforded evidence, to corroborate the opinion, expressed by the Board in their former Reports, that many extensive proprietors of slaves will emancipate their servants, and aid in their transfer to Africa, as soon, as the Colony shall be prepared for their reception. The Managers cannot determine the extent of this liberal disposition; but when they reflect upon the frequency of manumissions, wherever the law has imposed no restriction, when they consider the power of example, in whatever concerns the honourable, * Appendix, No. 4.

and generous of human character, and especially, when they recollect the institutions of their country, and the light of the age, they are induced to expect, that should prosperity attend the Colony, thousands now in servitude amongst us, will one day be freemen in the land of their ancestors.*

It is well known, that nothing contributes so effectually to the safety and influence of an individual amongst uncivilized men, as a practical knowledge of the arts of more enlightened nations. The feelings of veneration and selfishness, peculiarly strong in uncultivated natures, are enlisted at once in favour of him, who evinces powers that astonish by their might or mysteriousness, and are coveted for their utility. It has been, indeed, by the visits and exertions of "intelligent strangers," that many rude tribes have been rescued from Barbarism, and elevated to importance and dignity among the nations of the world. " In the early traditions of Greece and Italy, some traces of such sources of civilization may be found, and the benefactors of nations who were said to have descended from the skies and were honoured as gods, are reasonably supposed to have been no other than intelligent foreigners, who first brought the useful arts of their own countries to a rude and ignorant people. A similar origin has been ascribed, to the civilization which was found in some kingdoms of South America on their first discovery by the Spaniards. If the nations of the old world had their Cadmus and Saturn, Peru had her Manco Capac, who instructed her once barbarous people in agriculture and the liberal arts, and whose accidental arrival from some unknown region probably gave rise to the fable of his descent from the Sun."

The Board consider it as a matter of the first importance, that all those who may at this early period become residents at the Colony, should not only be persons of moral worth and industrious habits, but also possessed of that Agricultural or Mechanical skill which will secure them access to all the neighbouring nations, and give them an almost magical influence over the conduct of the Barbarians.

The present condition of the natives in the vicinity of the Society's Settlement, is most favourable to the efforts of the Philanthropist, and that an attempt to instruct them in the arts and Christianity will be successful, seems almost certain. The Slave Trade, checked in this part of Africa by the noble exertions of the American and British Naval Officers on the coast, no longer supplies the wants of the inhabitants; so that they are compelled to look to a different commerce, for those foreign productions to which they are immoderately attached, and even their subsistence seems to depend upon a change in their mode of life. But should the expectation of the Board, that the Slave Trade will soon be stigmatized by the unanimous decision of all the powers of Christendom as an offence against the law of nations, be disappointed, much may be done towards its extermination, by the influence of a Colony, which may open with the natives a legitimate commerce, furnish them with Agricultural utensils, instruct them in the Arts and the true Religion, and exhibit before them the superiour happiness of an humane, industrious, and Christian people.

The Board are well convinced that an Institution, which might receive under its patronage coloured youths destined for the Colony, impart to them a knowledge of Agriculture and the useful arts, and educate