May 3, 1834
“A few months after the organization of the society in 1817, the colored citizens of Philadelphia, with James Forten in the chair, protested against its principles, predicted its unhappy influence; and appealed to the community on behalf of their rights. Besides, the first public Journal ever issued by the colored citizens of this republic, (with which Journal I had the honor of being connected), entered its equal protest against colonization; showing what we deemed the injustice of legislating away our rights —our claims to a country we had bled to redeem and sweated to cultivate, without making us a party, or allowing us a voice in the legislation, or giving us any proper representation in the discussions.” —- then the letter refers to “accompanying documents “, which support the claim of colored opposition to the colonizationist movement.
June 14, 1834
Anonymous letter about Cresson
This letter, simply from “Observer” indicates that in a recent speech Cresson has implied that when Wilberforce signed a statement critical of colonization, that he was on his deathbed and incompetent in mental faculties. Observer strongly criticizes Cresson, and wants to inform Garrison of what Cresson is saying.
Letter from C. Stuart
Same issue of paper includes a letter from C. Stuart, Boston, June 13, giving assurance that when Wilberforce signed the protest he was in a better than usual state of health, and that he signed it deliberately.
Jan 31, 1835 —
Refers to three letters from Smith, addressed to Rev. Leonard Bacon, New Haven.
G indicates that the first vindicates the doctrine of immediatism, the second both condemns and praises the American Antislavery Society, and the third which, Garrison claims, defends the Colonization Society. Garrison reviews the first letter, (the others in later issues), and then appeals to Smith for a change in some of his views:
“Sir, I am anxious to see you a convert to anti-slavery doctrines, and a patron of the American Anti-Slavery Society, as my more prudent brethren; and my reasons are —because it is lamentable to see a good man in error – because you have done immense injury to our colored population, and are bound to make reparation,— and, because, when once enlisted under the genuine standard of liberation, you will make a brave and valuable soldier. But until you can come with clean hands and a clear vision, and without wincing at the charge of inconsistency, I hope you will stay just where you are — or rather, that you will be less equivocal in your conduct. I am offended to see you put an abolition cockade upon your cap, and still wear a colonization uniform: both sides of the combatants must necessarily suspect you.”
January 2, 1836
Includes a notice of the dissolution of the Copartnership of Knapp & Garrison, “by mutual consent”.
With an introduction to the new volume, Garrison recites some the history of abolition, then proudly announces that the Colonization Society is struggling with dissolution, then goes on to recount successes: “Look, now, at that powerful association, the American AntiSlavery Society! Look at seven flourishing state Societies! Look a five hundred auxiliary societies, and see them multiplying daily! Look at the flood of our publications sweeping through the land, and carrying joy, and hope, and life, and fertility wherever they go! See how many presses have espoused our cause! ——- And the stream of sympathy still roles on – its impetus is increasing – and it must ere long sweep away the pollutions of slavery!……” Goes on to ascribe all glory and honor for the coming victory, to God.
May 14, 1836
In a May 11 note to Knapp, written from New York, Garrison tells of meetings he has attended, and then adds this at the end: “Last evening the Colonization Society held their meeting at the Chatham Street Chapel, to a crowded audience, made up of a very large number of our friends. The speeches were as incoherent, and weak, and wicked, and blasphemous, as the spirit of brutality and impiety could concoct.”
December 7, 1838
Here is a call to a meeting, addressed to the Colored Citizens of Boston, asking them to attend a meeting to be held in the Infant Room of the Belknap Street school. Purpose of the meeting is ‘to bear testimony afresh against that mischievous and unrighteous association, the American Colonization Society, the deadliest foe of the colored race….”
Signers are Hilton, Pitts, Scarlett, John Robinson, Leonard Black, Alexander, Hanson.
July 5, 1839
Barely one line, here is a tidbit of sarcasm: “Good. Friend Rogers writes Liberia thus: Lie-bury-ye!”
August 9, 1839
A. L. Haskell, writes from Newburyport, July 20th: ” I find the most of our anti-slavery friends firmly united to the parent society, the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society….”
Then he tells of an agent of the Colonization Society who has recently spoken in town, and he pleads for Garrison to come and tell the truth about Colonization in the town of both his and Garrison’s boyhood.
September 13, 1839
A brief item titled, Effrontery: “That pseudo Quaker, and colonization monomaniac, Elliot Cresson, is once more in this Commonwealth, endeavoring to dupe the people out of their money, in support of the nefarious project of African colonization. Honest and humane folks are advertised to be on their guard.”
June 11, 1841
A three-line note under the title, Puzzled: “The New York Journal of Commerce says, ‘A Colonization Convention opened its sittings in Baltimore on Thursday last. What is the precise object of the convention we are not informed.’ The editor comments: “To ‘get rid the niggers’, of course!”
