I will close this communication by relating one additional
circumstance communicated to me by Mr. Railey, to show the
interest felt by Mr. Green in the success of the scheme of
African Colonization. The day previous to his death, he
requested Mr. Railey to write a memorandum of several things
which he wished done after his death, which memorandum
contains the following clause, viz:--"After executing all my
wishes as expressed by Will, by this memorandum, and by
verbal communications, I sincerely hope there will be a
handsome sum left for benefitting the emancipated negroes
emigrating from this State to Liberia; and to that end I have
more concern than you are aware of."
I am authorized by the Executors to state that there will be
a residuum to Mr. Green's estate of twenty or thirty-five
thousand dollars, which they intend to appropriate in
conformity with the views of Mr. Green expressed above.
Yours, &c.,
ROBERT S. FINLEY.
And now I rest the case, and commit the result to an enlightened
public. Here are my proofs and arguments showing as I believe
conclusively, that the slanderous accusations against my country and
my brethren which I have come to this city to repel,--are not only
false, but incredible. Here are my testimonials, few and casually
gathered up, but yet, as it seems to me, irresistibly convincing, that
the people and churches of America--in the very thing charged,--have
been and are acting, a wise, self-denying and humane part. That they
should move onward in it as rapidly as the happiness of all the
parties will allow, must be the wish of all good men. That obstacles
should be interposed through the error, the imprudence, or the
violence of well meaning but ill-judging persons, is truly deplorable.
But that we should be traduced before the whole world, when we are
innocent; that we should first be forced into most difficult
circumstances, and then forced to manage those circumstances in such a
way as to cause our certain ruin, by the very same people; or in
default of submitting to both requirments, be forced first into war,
and afterwards into a state of bitter mutual contention, only less
dreadful than war itself, is outrageous and intolerable. While we
justly complain of these things, we discharge ourselves of the guilt
attributed to us, and acquit ourselves to God and our consciences, of
all the fatal consequences likely to follow such conduct.
* * * * *
MR. THOMPSON rose, and spoke in nearly the following words:
_Mr. Chairman_,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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