and welcomed her into the family of nations! France soon followed-then Prussia, Belgium, and Brazil! England and France have, from time to time, complimented her in the most marked and distinguished manner!

And yet the harbors and ports of Liberia for a distance of some seven hundred miles along the coast are open alike to British steamers, French merchantmen, and American traders. Her palm oil, her camwood, her coffee, and her spices, and all the rich productions of her sunny clime, she is ready to exchange for the products and manufactures of all other countries on equal terms. Thus far Libe. ria has shown no favoritism-has exercised no selfish partiality. Her treaties of commerce with England and France give them no advantage whatever over the United States of America! In all the commercial relations into which Liberia has entered thus far, she has kept the field wide open to all, giving peculiar advantages to none. This surely is all that the United States can ask, or that we had a

and firm foundation. It was undertaken in christian charity, having in view the relief and elevation of a race who were outcasts from government and country.— By private contributions means were provided, in our own country, to take from among us those who had neither social nor political relations, transport them to the land of their fathers, plant and nurture them there, until they should develop nerve and skill enough to perform all the functions of self-government in a manner adequate to their necessities and creditable among the nations. This great work was accomplished in the most quiet and peaceful way. No man's rights were molested; no governmental prerogatives were interfered with, and no violence was done to the welfare of society. Private enterprise, supported by christian charity, began and completed the great endeavor! And there Liberia stands, and has stood for the last six years, a free and independent Republic-a bright gem set upon the dark ground of a vast continent—with some two hundred thousand citizens-exercising an undisputed dominion over some seven hundred miles of sea-coast, extending a considerable distance interior-under a re

a

right to expect. But suppose now that those nations which have acknowledged her independence, should endeavor to obtain for themselves the privilege of intro-publican form of government—with ducing their manufactured articles free of duty, and the exclusive right to trade in camwood and palm oil, who else could complain? If any other governments have neglected to improve the opportunities which the existence of Liberia has presented to them, is there not ground to apprehend that they may be ultimately deprived of advantages which they might otherwise have secured?

written constitution similar in many respects to our own; the first and the only free government upon the continent of Africa.

Liberia is in a certain sense the child of the United States. Its origin and history are unlike those of any other government on the face of the earth. Humanity and benevolence underlie it as a broad

Thus situated, she asks, with all dignity and respect, a recognition at the hands of the United States Government. She acknowledges with gratitude her obligations to the benevolent regards of our citizens, through whom she obtained a fair field for self-exertion, in which she might develop her own native powers. She is ready to extend to us all the advantages of trade which she can legally bestow. To secure these advantages, we must put ourselves

in a right position ;-we must form commercial relations with her; we must protect our commerce on that coast, and find a market there for some of our staple productions and many of our manufactures. In order to achieve this important result, the first step is to acknowledge the nationality of Liberia and extend to her our offcial approbation.

It is not as a mere matter of form, for self-gratulation, or from a vain conceit, that Liberia desires thus to be recognized. The moral efect of such recognition would

be of immense advantage to her. The public expression of our approbation of her endeavor to maintain a republican government in Africa, of our confidence in her strength and our faith in her ability to do it, would greatly benefit her in all her commercial and national relations. It would more than any thing else operate upon the free colored people in our country, and induce them to seek there a home and a nationality for themselves and their children. Let them know by this act of our government that the country, to which we desire them to emigrate, has an honorable name and an acknowledged place among the most favored nations, that the institutions of that country are respected by the great powers of the earth-that its welfare is desired that its commerce is valuable and sought after-that its productions are rich and abundant—that money may be made there and fortunes accumulated—and social and public position be honorably obtained—then will they begin to appreciate their true interest; and so sure as the magnet turns to the pole, will they turn their faces to that land of promise! Then will brighter prospects and broader prosperity open before Liberia. Then will she gain new strength of head and heart, and of all the means and appliances of civilization and christianity, which will enable her ||

to strike forward in the career of splendid achievement to which she is consecrated! We would therefore call upon all who love and long for the spread of civilization and the triumph of christianity—and who study the peace and seek the enlarged prosperity of our own beloved country, to open their eyes and behold the indications of Providence, and extend to this enterprise a helping hand, and all necessary practical

co-operation!

The present resources of the Society are entirely inadequate to the work on hand.

The time has now arrived, when extensive improvements must be made, for the more comfortable accommodation of our newly arrived emigrants in Liberia. Our present house-room for them for the six months of their acclimation is insufficient. When we sent but four or five hundred a year, it was adequate-but now when we are urged to send a thousand or twelve hundred, it is not.

To accommodate the increasing numbers who desire to emigrate, enlarged resources and increased facilities are demanded. The present high price of provisions, is a strong argument in favor of making quick voyages. But with the best of sailing vessels we cannot reasonably calculate upon landing our emigrants in Liberia in less than thirty-five days, as an average. Why then should not one vigorous effort be made to place at the control of the Society a first class steamer, built for the pur|| pose, capable of carrying both freight and emigrants and of making four voyages a year? The establishment of such a line of communication with Liberia would mark an era in the history of colonization, and would cause such a tide of emigration, as would astonish the world. Can such a line be established? This is a grand and practical question. We believe that it can, and that the time will shortly come, if it is not already at hand, when it must

be. Our plan of operations is very simple, || anybody to enable them to open steam and we believe entirely legitimate. Let communication with Africa, it seems but the United States Government give to this right and fair that it should be granted Society a mail contract, to carry the mail to this Society, in preference to any private four times a year from the United States to individual or incorporated company.Liberia and back again, on the same gen- This Society has labored long and faithfulerous terms which are allowed for carrying ly to plant the foundations of government it to other parts of the world! Then by and sow the seeds of commerce on that one grand effort among the wealthy and coast. With what success she has labored devoted friends of colonization all over the let facts and a candid world decide. If

country, we can raise the means to build and equip a steamship, suited in all and every respect for this peculiar service.

Apart from this, we can see but one other plan which is feasible. That is, for the Secretary of the Navy to be authorized to detail a Government Steamer for this service, and let her make four voyages a year, carrying the United States mail, and affording room for such emigrants as the Society may desire to send to Liberia ; the Society to find them on the passage, so that the Government would incur no other expense than is necessary to keep the vessel afloat, in any other service!

If one of these plans were adopted, most of the State governments, which have not already done it, would soon make appropriations sufficient to defray the expenses of colonizing their own free colored population. Then would the work move onward in a manner somewhat correspondent with its magnitude!

by her efforts in this direction she has brought honor and advantage to the nation; if she has opened new sources of wealth to our citizens, and new fields for the extension and increase of American commerce, then surely she is entitled to any collateral advantages which it may be in the power of our government to bestow, while prosecuting her own legitimate enterprises in that direction. If any advantage is to accrue to anybody for carrying the United States mails to Liberia, this Society is by all fair and honorable considerations entitled to it, to enable it to carry on the work of colonization with increased vigor.

Here then for the present we leave the subject. And here we are content to leave it. It is possible we are too sanguine in our hopes in respect to the aid and encouragement expected from our Government. It may be, that we shall still be called upon to labor and struggle on in the same quiet, unpretending way to which we have become so accustomed. In that case, we shall not despond, but the rather thank God, and take courage. Ethiopia

But aside from these two schemes, we are unable to discover any means, at present, of establishing a regular steamship communication. Private enterprise was inad-shall yet be glorious in prosperity and her equate to establish the first line of British steamers to Africa, without some aid from government. The same difficulty was felt in opening all the lines of steamships which are now extending our commerce and spreading the glory of the country over every sea! The aid and encouragement of the government set them afloat. If this same assistance is to be granted to

sons and her daughters happy and independent. On those fertile plains, along those gentle streams, and among those golden sands, the children of Africa shall yet stand up disenthralled and christianized, and sing their christian jubilee! Then shall it be seen that our labor has not been in vain-that our patience and per severance have met their large reward.

Proceedings at the 37th Anniversary Meeting of the A, C. S.

The American Colonization Society met according to adjournment, Tuesday evening, the 17th January, 1854, at 7 o'clock, in Trinity Church, Washington City.

J. H. B. Latrobe, Esq., President, presided.

Rev. Dr. L. P. W. Balch, opened the meeting with prayer.

An abstract of the Annual Report was read by the Secretary.

Addresses were delivered by the President of the Society, and the Hon. James M. Wayne of the United States Supreme Court; after which, the Society adjourned to meet in the Colonization Rooms tomorrow, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

COLONIZATION ROOMS,
January 18, 1854.
The Society met according to adjourn-
The President in the chair.
The minutes of the last meeting were
read.

ment.

The Annual Report was presented by the Secretary, and was referred to the Board of Directors.

JOHN H. B. LATROBE, Esq., was unanimously re-elected President of the Society.

Rev. Messrs. Maclean, Pinney, Finley, and Pease were appointed a Committee to nominate Vice Presidents. After consultation they reported the following gentlemen, who were duly elected, viz: VICE PRESIDENTS.

(First elected in 1819.)

1. Gen. John H. Cocke, of Virginia. (First elected in 1823.)

2. Hon. Charles Fenton Mercer, of Va. 3. Rev. Jeremiah Day, D. D. of Conn.

(First elected in 1830.)

4. Hon. Theo. Frelinghuysen, of N. J. (First elected in 1832.)

5. Hon. Louis McLean, of Maryland.

(First elected in 1833.)

6. Moses Allen, Esq., of New York.
7. Gen. Walter Jones, of Dis. of Col.
8. Joseph Gales, Esq.,
do

(First elected in 1834.)

9. Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D. of Va. (First elected in 1835.)

10. Rev. James O. Andrew, D. D.,
Bishop of the M. E. Church, South.
11. William Maxwell, Esq. of Virginia.
(First elected in 1836.)

12. Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio,
13. Hon. Walter Lowrie, of New York.
14. Stephen Duncan, M. D., of Miss.
(First elected in 1838.)

15. Hon. William C. Rives, of Virginia,
16. Rev. William Winans, D. D. of Miss.
17. James Boorman, Esq., of N. Y.
18. Henry A. Foster, Esq., of do.
19. Robert Campbell, Esq, of Georgia.
20. Hon. Peter D. Vroom, of N. J.
21. Hon. James Garland, of Virginia.
(First elected in 1840.)

22. Hon. Willard Hall, of Delaware.
23. Rt. Rev. Wm. M. Otey, of Tenn.
24. Gerard Ralston, Esq., of England.
25. Rev. C.Van Rensselaer, D. D. of N. J.
(First elected in 1841.)

26. Thomas Hodgkin, M. D. of England.
27. Rev. E. Burgess, D. D., of Mass.
28. Thomas R. Hazard, Esq., of R. 1.
29. Thomas Massie, M. D., of Va.
(First elected in 1842.)

30. Gen. Winfield Scott, U. S. A.
(First elected in 1843.)
31. Hon. L.Q.C. Elmer, of New Jersey.
32. James Raily, Esq., of Miss.
33. Rev. G. W. Bethune, D. D. of N. Y.
(First elected in 1844.)

34. Elliot Cresson, Esq., of Penn.
35. Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D. of Mass.
36. Rev. Beverly Waugh, D. D., Bishop
of the Meth. Epis. Church.

(First elected in 1845.)

37. Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D. of S. C.
38. Moses Sheppard, Esq., of Md.
39. Rt. Rev. C. P. Mclllvain, D. D. ofO.
40. Rev. J. T. Edgar, D. D., of Tenn.
41. Rev. P. Lindsley, D. D. do.
42. Hon. J. R. Underwood, of Ky.