suppose a gift of such value were offered to the colored people of the
city, or of the State, on condition that they would take possession of
it and organize _a State Government for themselves_, and be admitted as
one of the members of the new republic, who will say that they should or
would reject the offer? Who will say that it would not be more safe and
wise to emigrate to Africa than to Canada, Oregon, California or Mexico?
But the decision of this question of right belongs to the colored people
themselves. If the _foreign emigration_ continues to roll in upon us,
the subordinate stations in society, in the west also, as is the case
already in the east, will ere long be chiefly occupied by foreigners,
and the colored man left, it is to be feared, without profitable
employment. Dear as is the land of one's birth, if men's interests can
be better promoted by a removal, the ties of country and kindred are
bonds easily broken. The spirit of enterprise which characterizes the
present age, if we do our duty, will in due time animate the intelligent
colored man, as it is now stimulating the white race, and if he cannot
secure equality of condition here, will prompt him to go where he can
obtain it.

"Total number of emigrants up to January, 1848.... 5,961
Number of communicants in churches in 1843,
were, of

Americans........... 1,015
Captured Africans..... 116
Converted heathen..... 353 in all............... 1,484

Present population estimated by President Roberts 80,000

Of these, are emigrants, captured Africans, etc.,
about....................................... 5,000

"The slave trade is suppressed on 400 miles of coast, excepting at
one point.

"Shipping owned in the colony, 14 vessels, of from 20 to 80 tons.

"The exports annually, from the colony, are about $100,000.

"David Christy, "_Agent Am. Col. Society_"

--_The African Repository_, XXIV, 179-180.

OXFORD, O., April, 1848.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] For a more detailed account of these settlements see Woodson's "The
Education of the Negro, Prior to 1861," 243-244; and Hickok, "The Negro in
Ohio," 85-88.

[2] Mr. Powell, a teacher of Tuskegee, wrote this letter a few years ago
while making a study of the Negroes in Ohio.

A TYPICAL COLONIZATION CONVENTION

CONVENTION OF FREE COLORED PEOPL