here they could enjoy the blessings of liberty, and
as the most suitable country for the colored man whenever they should be
disposed to seek another home.

William Perkins, of Kent, in answer to the protest of Harris, said the
only platform they recommended for adoption, left it to every man to go
where he pleased, or to remain here if it suited him better. Let Mr.
Harris go to his constituents and tell them that the convention only
recommended what it thought best; its action was binding on no man.

F. Harris, in reply, asked if the convention had examined Liberia. They
recommended that place for them to emigrate to, and yet they had not
made any examination of Liberia to know whether it would suit. Did they
know anything of the climate or agriculture of Liberia to lay before the
people. Let them examine Canada, Jamaica, and other places, and then if
they found Liberia the best place, why say so to the people.

Chas. Williamson said he had had it in his power to examine most
countries. He had been in Canada twice; in the West Indies three times,
and, under the British government in Trinidad five years. During that
time he had examined the countries with a view to see which was the best
for the colored people. He was sixty-seven years of age and could expect
little for himself. In the West Indies capital ruled the people--the
government recognized you, but the planters, who had been accustomed to
drive on slaves, knew you not. If they went to Canada they would not
better their condition--he had lived there seventeen months at one time.
It would cost money to get to Canada--money to get to the West Indies.
The Canadas are peopled with many persons from this country. The leading
men were principally Yankees. In the West Indies he had to take his hat
around to get the dead out of the way of the turkey-buzzards--that
showed their sympathy. In Canada you cannot be recognized in office--in
the West Indies it is better, and some colored persons get into office.
In the Canadas he never heard of but one colored man being in office.
The Canadas are a fine country, but he asserted here that he felt there
could be no permanent home for them except in Africa, where their
children could enjoy all the blessings of liberty. That was the best
country for them. In the United States they did not want the colored
people any more, they had