aise the people of color in the
United States to as highly improved a state, as any class of the
community. All that is necessary is, that those who profess to
be anxious for it, should lay aside their prejudices, and act
towards them as they do by others.

'We are NATIVES of this country; we ask only to be treated as
well as FOREIGNERS. Not a few of our fathers suffered and bled
to purchase its independence; we ask only to be treated as well
as those who fought against it. We have toiled to cultivate it,
and to raise it to its present prosperous condition; we ask only
to share equal privileges with those who come from distant lands
to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Let these moderate requests be
granted, and we need not go to Africa nor any where else, to be
improved and happy. We cannot but doubt the purity of the
motives of those persons who deny us these requests, and would
send us to Africa, to gain what they might give us at home.

'But they say, the prejudices of the country against us are
invincible; and as they cannot be conquered, it is better that
we should be removed beyond their influence. This plea should
never proceed from the lips of any man, who professes to believe
that a just God rules in the heavens.

'The American Colonization Society is a numerous and influential
body. Would they lay aside their _own_ prejudices, much of the
burden would be at once removed; and their example (especially
if they were as anxious to have _justice done us here_, as to
send us to Africa,) would have such an influence upon the
community at large, as would soon cause prejudice to hide its
deformed head.

'But alas! the course which they have pursued, has an opposite
tendency. By the _scandalous misrepresentations_, which they are
continually giving of our character and conduct, we have
sustained much injury, and have reason to apprehend much more.

'Without any charge of crime, we have been denied all access to
places, to which we formerly had the most free intercourse; the
colored citizens of other places, on leaving their homes, have
been denied the privilege of returning; and others have been
absolutely driven out.

'Has the Colonization Society had no effect in producing these
barbarous measures?

'They profess to have no other object in view, than the