We have no motive in noticing this gorgeous dream of 'the
Committee,' except to show its fallacy--its impracticability, in
fact, its absurdity. No sensible man, whatever his color, should be
for a moment deceived by such impracticable theories.
On the African coast already exists a thriving and prosperous
Republic. It is the native home of the African race; and there he
can enjoy the dignity of manhood, the rights of citizenship, and
all the advantages of civilization and freedom. Every colored man
in this country will be welcomed there as a free citizen; and there
he can not only prosper, and secure his own comfort and happiness,
but become a teacher and benefactor of his kindred races; and
become an agent in carrying civilization and Christianity to a
benighted continent. That any one will be turned aside from so
noble a mission by the delusive dream of conquest and empire in the
Western Hemisphere is an absurdity too monstrous and mischievous to
be believed. Yet 'the Committee's Report' was accepted, and
adopted, and endorsed by a 'National Convention;' and is published
and sent forth to the world.
In July, 1855, Rev. James Theodore Holly, an accomplished black
gentleman, now rector of St. Luke's Church, New Haven, Connecticut,
U.S., was commissioned to Faustin Soulouque, Emperor of Hayti, where he
was received at court with much attention, interchanging many official
notes during a month's residence there, with favorable inducements to
laborers to settle.
During the interval from the first convention, 1854 to 1858, as
President of the Council, I was actively engaged corresponding in every
direction, among which were several States of Central and South America,
as well as Jamaica and Cuba; the Rev. J. T. Holly, who, during two years
of the time, filled the office of Foreign Secretary, contributing no
small share in its accomplishment.
Immediately after the convention of 1856, from which I was absent by
sickness, I commenced a general correspondence with individuals,
imparting to each the basis of my adventure to Africa to obtain
intelligent colleagues. During this time (the Spring of 1857), "Bowen's
Central Africa" was published, giving an interesting and intelligent
account of that extensive portion of Africa known on the large
missionary map of that continent as Yoruba. Still more encouraged to
carry out my scheme at this juncture, Livingstone's great work on Africa
made its appearance, which seemed to have stimulated the
Africo-Americans in many directions, among others, those of Wisconsin,
from whom Mr. Jonathan J. Myers, a very respectable grocer, was
delegated as their Chairman to counsel me on the subject. In the several
councils held between Mr. Myers and myself, it was agreed and understood
that I was to embody their cause and interests in my mission to Africa,
they accepting of the policy of my scheme.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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