tion of an ignorant and much injured race of men from a degradation worse than servitude and chains, and placing them in that country, on that luxuriant soil, and in that genial climate, pointed to by the finger of Heaven as their natural inheritance:

"And it further appears to this Legislature, that the object of this society is two-fold: for, while it immediately and ostensibly directs its energies to the amelioration of the condition of the free people of color, it relieves our country from an unprofitable burthen, and which, if much longer submitted to, may record upon our history the dreadful cries of vengeance that, but a few years since, were registered in characters of blood at St. Domingo: Therefore,

"Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware, in General Assembly met, That it is requisite for our prosperity, and, what is of more important concern, essential to our safety, that measures should be taken for the removal, from this country, of the free negroes and free mulattoes.

Resolved, That this General Assembly approve the objects of the American Colonization Society, and consider that these objects deserve public support, and that they ought to be fostered and encouraged by the National Government, and with the national funds.

"Resolved, That the Senators of this State in Congress, with the Representative from this State, be requested to approve and promote, in the councils of the nation, measures for removing from this country to Africa, the free colored people who may be willing to emigrate.

"Resolved, That the Speakers of the two Houses be requested officially to sign these resolutions, and forward a copy to each of our Senators, and a copy to our Representative in Congress.'

"Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives be requested, to use their efforts to induce the Government of the United States to aid the American Colonization Society in effecting the object of their institution, which is so eminently calculated to advance the honor and interest of our common country.

"Resolved, That the Governor be, and he is hereby, requested to forward to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, a copy of the foregoing resolution.

EDWARD KING,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SAMUEL WHEELER,

January 24, 1828.

Speaker of the Senate.

SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE,

Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 26, 1828.

I certify the above to be a correct copy of the original roll remaining in

this office.

JEREMIAH M'LENE, Secretary of State,"

By Vermont-Nov. 12, 1827.

Vermont Legislature.—On the petition of the Vermont Colonization Society, the committee reported a resolution instructing our Senators and Members in Congress to use their exertions in procuring the passage of a law in aid of the objects of the society; which was read, and adopted.

A Joint Resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, relative to the American Colonization Society.

WHEREAS the members of the present General Assembly of the State of Indiana view, with unqualified approbation, the continued exertions of the American Colonization Society to ameliorate the condition of the colored population of our country; and believing that the cause of humanity, and the true interest of the United States, require the removal of this people from amongst us, more speedily than the ability of the Colonization Society will permit:

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be, and they are hereby, requested, in the name of the State of Indiana, to solicit the assistance of the General Government to aid the laudable designs of that society, in such manner as Congress, in its wisdom, may deem expedient.

Resolved, That the Governor be, and he is hereby, requested to forward a copy of the foregoing resolution to our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

ISAAC HOWK, Spr H. of Reps.
MILTON STAPP, Prest. of the Senate.

Approved: January 22d, A. D. 1829.

A true copy.

J. BROWN RAY.

JAMES MORRISON, Secretary of State.

By Pennsylvania-1829.

The following preamble and resolution have passed the Senate and House of Representatives of Pennsylvania:

Whereas resolutions approving of the object of the American Colonization Society have been adopted by the Legislatures of several States of this Union: And whereas Pennsylvania is honorably distinguished in having led the way in benevolent efforts to improve the condition of the African race in this country, and in having seized the first moments of her independence from foreign dominion to abolish slavery, as inconsistent with her benevolent institutions, and, in the eloquent language of the Legislature of that day, "in grateful commemoration of our happy deliverance from that state of unconditional submission to which we were doomed by the tyranny of Britain:" It seems, therefore, proper, that an association of enlightened and philanthropic men, who have united to form, for free persons of color, an asylum in the land of their fathers, should receive the countenance and support of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania: and, from the success which has already attended the colony at Liberia, there is reason to hope that it may be extended and enlarged, so as to offer a home and a country

to all of these people who may choose to emigrate thither; and their removal from among us would not only be beneficial to them, but highly auspicious to the best interests of our country. It also holds out to the Christian and philanthropist, the hope that, by the means of this colony, the lights of Christianity and civilization may be made to shine in a land shrouded in the darkness of barbarism, and thus atonement, in some measure, be made, for the wrongs which slavery has inflicted on Africa. As the evil which this society seeks to remove pervades the whole country, it would seem to deserve the attention of those whose duty it is, and who are provided with the means, "to provide for the general welfare." Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, That, in the opinion of this General Assembly, the American Colonization Society eminently deserves the support of the National Government; and that our Senators be directed, and the Representatives in Congress be requested, to aid the same by all proper and constitutional means.

By Indiana-1830.

Whereas the evils attending the alarming increase of colored persons in this State, are severely felt in many counties, and threaten soon to become insupportable, unless promptly checked: And whereas many are of opinion that a law to prohibit their emigration to this State would be unconstitutional, or difficult to enforce; yet all must admit, on this subject, the necessity of self-defence: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That our Representatives in Congress be requested, and our Senators instructed, to use their exertions to procure the passage of a law making provision for gradually removing the free persons of color who are willing to go, and such as may be liberated for that purpose, to the colony at Liberia, in Africa, or to such other place as Congress may direct. And that his Excellency the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Mr. Monroe's opinion.

The American Colonization Society has, at all times, solemnly disavowed any purpose of interference with the institutions or rights of our Southern communities. By the soundest and most judicious minds in our country, it has, however, been regarded as developing and demonstrating the practicableness and utility of a plan which cominends itself as worthy of adoption to those individuals and States who desire not only to benefit the free people of color, while they relieve themselves by their removal, but also to diminish, and finally eradicate, what all sober and unprejudiced minds regard as the greatest of our national evils, the system of slavery. If this system is ever to be removed, it must be, we are convinced, with the consent and through the agency of those most interested in its existence. To such, the scheme of African Colonization presents itself, and solicits their candid, their most profound attention. That they will discern its feasibility, we have not a doubt; and the triumphs of truth on this subject in many of the slave-holding States, encourage the hope that, at no remote period, the opinions of the venerable Ex-President Monroe, in regard to it, will pervade

and animate the NATION.

The following is copied from a report of the proceedings in the Convention of Virginia:

Mr. Leigh asked, what would be the effect of this arrangement upon the question of slavery? Might the West not interfere with it? In England, Mr. Wilberforce wished to interfere with the emancipation of the slaves in the West Indies. The gentleman from Hampshire, who stated that slavery was among the most serious evils in this Commonwealth, might he not justify an interference with our slaves on his principles? and would he not seek to remove this serious evil? [Mr. Naylor replied, that he certainly would not; that humanity and religion did not require and justify such an interference.]

Mr. L. replied, that he had no doubt such was the honest conviction of the gentleman from Hampshire; but, as Mr. Wilberforce had, from being an opponent of the slave trade, become an advocate of emancipation of the slaves in the West Indies, so also the transition of opinion in this State would become inevitable; that the West would march on to it, as surely as we march directly to the grave.

Mr. Leigh commented upon a remark of the venerable gentleman from Loudoun, on the system of the United States contributing to the emancipation of slaves. Are, then, the States to interfere? [Mr. Monroe explained, that, at this crisis, when the Western States were throwing off our slaves from their territory, it became Virginia and the Southern States to decide what they should do; that he did not recommend that the other States should interfere; but that we should find it to our interest to invite their interposition.]

Mr. L. asked the venerable gentleman, where was the power to interfere at all; and whether, if you permitted them to do so, they would not of themselves do it, without our invitation?

Mr. L. referred to the change which the venerable gentleman from Loudoun [Mr. Monroe] had undergone as to this convention question; he strongly opposed innovation in 1810, after his return from France; and how then could he reconcile the change he had now undergone. [Mr. M. rose to explain, but Mr. L. begged him to let him finish the few remarks he had to offer, as his strength was nearly exhausted.] He proceeded for a few minutes only, and then closed with a strong appeal to the gentleman from Frederick [Mr. Cooke] in behalf of the modus in rebus; of moderation in public affairs.

When he had closed, Mr. Monroe rose to explain his views in 1810, and at the present time. He stated that the habits of the French people had disqualified them from enjoying a free Government, and had thrown them into disorders. He pointed out the difference among the people of Europe and of America; and that here the people were qualified for ine enjoyment of liberty. If there were any people who were fitted to keep up a Republican Government, they were here, in the United States, and in Virginia. As to the people of color, if the people of the Southern Siates wished to emancipate them (and he never would consent to emancipate them without sending them out of the country) they might invite the United States to assist us; but without such an invitation, the other States ought not, and would not, interfere. He was for marching on with the greatest circumspection upon the subject. He concluded with apologizing for the explanation he had given.

Address of the Colonists to the Free People of Color in the United States.

At a numerous meeting of the citizens of Monrovia, held at the court house, on the 27th day of August, 1827, for the purpose of considering the expediency of uniting in an address to the colored people of the United States, JOHN H. FOLKS, Esq. in the chair, it was

Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed to frame a circular address, to be published in the United States, for the better information of the people of color in that country, respecting the state of this colony, and the condition of the settlers; and,

That Captains James C. Barbour and F. Devany, W. L. Weaver, Esq. and the Rev. C. M. Waring and George R. McGill, be the committee to prepare and report the said address, on Tuesday, the 4th day of September.

next.

TUESDAY, September 4, 1827.

The forenamed committee reported the following address; which was adopted, and ordered to be transmitted to the United States, and there published for the information of the colored people of that country.

CIRCULAR.

As much speculation and uncertainty continue to prevail among the people of color in the United States, respecting our situation and prospects in Africa, and many misrepresentations have been put in circulation there, of a nature slanderous to us, and, in their effects, injurious to them, we feel it our duty, by a true statement of our circumstances, to endeavor to correct them.

The first consideration which caused our voluntary removal to this country, and the object which we still regard with the deepest concern, is liberty-liberty, in the sober, simple, but complete sense of the word: not a licentious liberty, nor a liberty without government, or which should place us without the restraint of salutary laws, but that liberty of speech, action, and conscience, which distinguishes the free enfranchised citizens of a free State. We did not enjoy that freedom in our native country; and, from causes, which, as respects ourselves, we shall soon forget forever, we were certain it was not there attainable for ourselves or our children. This, then, being the first object of our pursuit in coming to Africa, is probably the first subject on which you will ask for information: and we must truly declare to you, that our expectations and hopes, in this respect, have been realized. Our Constitution secures to us, so far as our condition allows, "all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the citizens of the United States; and these rights and these privileges are ours. We are proprietors of the soil we live on, and possess the rights of freeholders. Our suffrages, and, what is of more importance, our sentiments and our opinions, have their due weight in the government we live under. Our laws are altogether our own: they grew out of our circumstances, are framed for our exclusive benefit, and administered either by officers of our own appointment, or such as possess our confidence. We have a judiciary chosen from among ourselves; we serve as jurors in the trials of others; and are liable to be tried only by juries of our fellow citizens, ourselves. We have all that is meant by liberty of conscience. The time and mode of worshipping God, as prescribed to us in his word, and dictated by our conscience, we are not only free to follow, but are protected in following.