re than all the other West
India islands put together. The exports and imports of the United States
to and from the island were cited as an illustration of her prosperity.
A comparison was made of the commerce of Liberia and that of Hayti, the
latter country being held up in a very favorable light.

Nicholas Penn, of Frederick, spoke in favor of emigration to Liberia.
They did not want an island. The colored population increased so fast
that they needed no island but a continent for them. His constituents
wished him to examine Africa, and he hoped it would be done. Liberia was
the only place for them. The white man fought for and claimed this
country, and he was now going to give it up to them. In the language of
Patrick Henry, will we be ready tomorrow or next day to act more than
now? No! Now was the time; and he hoped this enterprise would spread far
and wide until the whole people should understand it and all unite in
the glorious movement. Let us appoint men to go and examine Liberia, and
report to us just what it is. We want a home, and we were sent here to
examine and determine on what would be best to recommend.

B. Jenifer, of Dorchester, said, all these statements about Africa were
theoretical--gained through geography, and went on to state that he had
spent nearly eleven months in Africa, had traveled it over and examined
its productions and resources. He had been sent for that purpose by a
colored colonization society of his county; but did not wish to discuss
Liberia at this time. Mr. Handy had so ably discussed the subject, and
in all of which he fully coincided with him. The true question for this
convention to decide was whether they should remain, here, or to seek a
home in Liberia or elsewhere.

John H. Walker, after some difficulty, got the floor and offered a
substitute for the report of the committee on the platform, which was
unanimously adopted. The following is the substitute:

WHEREAS, The present age is one eminently distinguished for inquiry,
investigation, enterprise and improvement in physical, political,
intellectual and moral sciences; and, whereas, among our white
neighbors every exertion is continually being made to improve their
social and moral condition, and develop their intellectual faculties;
and, whereas, it is a duty which mankind, (colored as well as white,)