Feb. 12, 1831
From a Colored Philadelphian, Feb 3, 1831
“I would ask some of our pretended white friends , and members of the American Colonization Society, why are they so interested in our behalf as to want us to go to
Africa? They tell us that it is our home; that they desire to make a people of us, which we can never be here; that they want Africa civilized…….Will some of these guardian angels of the people of color tell me how it is that we, who were born in the same city or state with themselves, can live any longer in Africa than they?…… we consider the United States our home and not Africa as they wish to make us believe……..”
From Paul Cuffee, Philadelphia
Words from Cuffee are addressed to The People of Color. “Awake from your lethargy … for too long you have been worshipping at the shrine of ignorance … are you not men … formed like any other of the human species … moulded after the pure image of your Creator …” Cuffee cautions his friends against thinking that “all that is needful for the betterment of your condition will be effected by your benevolent white friends … there is a great deal more to be done, and you can do it by putting your shoulders to the wheels.”
From James Barbadoes, a letter to Garrison, “Esteemed Friend”:
Barbadoes refers to a Garrison address to colored citizens, on December 10, 1830. He says, “nothing was ever uttered more important and beneficial to our color … full of virtue and consolation … perfect in explanation, and furnished a rule to live by and to die by.”
Mar 12, 1831
Anti-Colonization Meeting — Feb 15th at the school house …
Robert Roberts is Chairman, James Barbadoes, Samuel Snowden, Hosea Easton, John Hilton, Thomas Dalton, Thomas Cole are prominently mentioned.
May 21, 1831
Considerable more discussion of Colonization, with a letter “correcting” Garrison’s comments on the circumstances of Russworm’s conversion to the Society, to which G makes a pointed response.
October 1, 1831
A large article headed as A VOICE FROM ENGLAND! It is about the American Colonization Society … Liberia
Contains a description of the ACS and its settlement in Liberia, then offers a critique of the ACS…” it powerfully tends to veil the existing and outrageous atrocity of Negro Slavery; and it corroborates against the people of color, whether enslaved or free, one of the most base, groundless and cruel prejudices that has ever disgraced the powerful, or afflicted the weak.” The article then includes statistics, and a graph designed to show the errors of ACS claims regarding its contribution to the elimination of slavery.
February 16, 1833
ANOTHER VOICE FROM ENGLAND
A letter from James Cropper to Thomas Clarkson
Liverpool, 10 month, 2d, 1832
The letter is critical of Clarkson’s support of Colonization: “Great injury has been done to the cause of negro emancipation by the encouragement which the agent of this most diabolical scheme has received from the sanction of thy name.”
April 6, 1833
In reference to the Colonization Society: “ When this Society was organized, I was one of its warmest friends, and anticipated great good from its influence, both in Christianizing Africa and abolishing slavery in our country…… I read with some care, the arguments of that distinquished and philanthropist , W. L. Garrison, in The Liberator, and was soon led to ask myself whether ‘this splendid scheme of benevolence’ was not a device of Satan, to rivet closer the fetters of the slaves, and to deepen the prejudice against the free colored people. I now believe it is, and that it had its origin in the single motive, to get rid of the free colored people, that the slave may be held in greater safety…..”
Reference to essay by young colored lady at Canterbury, who had been instructed by Miss Crandall. Further evidence of a rising public voice among young women of color.
July 6, 1833
SAVAGE BARBARITY !
Miss Crandall Imprisoned !!!
Garrison proclaims who are the “the authors of this infamous proceeding”….
“They are friends of the American Colonization Society, and have made their appeal to that association for countenance and support.! We verily believe, that these proceedings are the genuine fruits of colonization principles and prejudices, and we trust, that they will open the eyes of a slumbering and credulous community.”
August 10, 1833
Here is the story told in Mayer’s book, of the lecture given by Lloyd in London,
June 10, 1833…..Cresson. agent of the ACS was also in London, and had been invited to debate with G of this occasion ; Cresson declined the invitation, but was present for the lecture …..he was invited to take part, and there is much discussion … George Thompson delivers an address during this discussion.
August 31, 1833
“ I have seen Mr. Wilberforce. He has repudiated his views of the Colonization Society, and regards its principles and purposes with disapprobation.”
On the same page is a notice of the death of Wilberforce, July 28, in his 74th year.
On the same page in a letter from Charles Stuart to Arnold Buffum, written from London, June 29th: reference to Cresson: “Garrison is here, zealous, uncompromising, untiring. ….He is laboring like himself, the people, as they become acquainted with him, love and admire him – Cresson skulks from all collision with him, in a manner at once insolent and dastardly.”
February 1, 1834
46,OOO!
“American Colonization Society It appears that this old handmaiden of slavery, by her profligacy and extravagance is now involved to the amount of forty-six thousand dollars!
This is the society which boasts of having been so essentially benefited by the opposition of Abolitionists! Fresh benefits will be conferred as fast as we can issue The Liberator. This is advancing backwards, and getting the Irishman’s hoist, a peg lower with a vengeance. Now down with your mites….. there is a ‘dead horse’ to be taken out of the way which is to cost only $46,000!“
