The flourishing Colony, which has been planted on the shores of Africa, at its origin encountered not only privation, disease, and death, on that - continent, but a singular weight of ridicule and opprobrium at home. It was counted by many as a brain-sick chimera of the wildest fanaticism, and certain discomfiture and defeat were predicted, with a confidence that would have staggered minds less resolute of purpose than those who dared to spread out the enterprise, and fearlessly maintain its practicability before the American people.

The storm is past, Sir; the trial has been had, and the results are as honorable to the authors as they are propitious to the interests of humanity. Scorn no longer points its finger, and the language of reproach is seldom heard more. So powerfully has this little settlement plead its own cause, that it has been deemed worthy of the patronage of legislative approbation; already have eleven of our State Legislatures extended their decided countenance, and commended it to the notice of our National Councils.

It has achieved collateral benefits that richly entitle it to our grateful consideration. At one period (and it was the most delicate and dangerous in its history) it encountered equal jealousy from the North and the South. The one arraigned it as a covert scheme, to rivet more effectually the chains of slavery, aud the other denounced it as a disguised attempt to encroach upon the rights of property, and aggravate the dangers of an existing evil, by unseasonable and imprudent interference.

Thus assailed, this Society, while it meekly bore the common reproaches of both, unrolled its purposes, and so successfully urged the purity of its motives and the fairness of its views, that these prejudices have subsided. But the Northern States were led by the discussion, with more temperate feeling, to revert to the history of their own relations to the subject of slavery; and, as they turned over the pages, we found, Sir, that, tremendous as were the evils of slavery, we had no plea to make but guilty.— We could exhibit no charge against a sister State that did not implicate ourselves. If any difference existed, it was in extent merely, and that was the result not of principle but occasion. And no cause for superior compla. cency was to be found in our earlier systems of emancipation. This great revolution, in a whole nation of separate and distinct men, could be accomplished with perfect safety, and comparatively trifling sacrifices of property. Yes, Sir, I ascribe it chiefly to the kindly influence of this Society that the indiscriminate clamours, once so liberally dealt out, have all died away. I hail the return of better feelings, of juster views. We, now, Sir, regard the mischief as of common and universal concern. The language of harsh and unjust crimination and reproach, is succeeded by that of sympathy and kindness.

There is a moral sublimity and beauty in this enterprise that deserves the favourable consideration of every patriot and statesman. It is not only a fountain of light, that will shed its healthful beams over the degraded

African tribes, but it will reflect a moral influence upon ourselves, propi. tious to the best hopes of freedom. It is a living monument of philanthropy that we have elevated to the vision of an admiring world, that will most happily nourish the principles and cherish the spirit of enlightened liberty!

Wherefore is it, that, by so many means, we carefully perpetuate the memory of our revolution-that, by monumental and historical records, we anxiously endeavour to keep alive the recollection of all that eventful story? Wherefore is it, that among all enlightened nations, where freedom has ever found an abode, we perceive the like concern? Plainly, Sir, because the great mass of the people have not the time to cultivate, as matters of morals and science, those principles, but need some palpable and striking manifestations to arrest their attention. They have minds to apprehend and hearts to appreciate their value, when, by some prominent and tangible object, you exhibit their nature and operation. And where, Sir, permit me to inquire, where, in all the earth, can there be found a nobler, grander spectacle, than that of a great and free people, planting on the shores of a distant continent, the germs of a future Empire of redeemed, liberated captives, and directing its counsels and cares to establish a government upon kindred principles with our own? But, this is not its only feature to admire. It is to illustrate and perpetuate the reputation of our justice, also. We have committed a mighty trespass. Africa has a heavy claim against us—it is a long and bloody catalogue of outrage and oppression-the report of our National crime has gone up to Heaven. It rose, Sir, upon the groans and tears of her kidnapped men-the infernal horrors of the slave ship have, in ten thousand instances, wrung from distracted bosoms the cry for vengeance, and there is a just God to hear and regard it! On the front of this blessed scheme of humanity is inscribed, in better than golden characters-Recompense to the injured! And where is the American heart that does not rejoice to render it? Granted, that it has a feeble commencement. In the impartial administration of the Infinite Judge, the desire to do justly is approved, and the practice of this virtue, commensurate with ability, is alone expected.

But, in truth, the progress of the Colony takes away the reproach of feebleness. It numbers now about fifteen hundred souls. True, incredulity inquires, with seeming triumph, what impression can such meagre materials produce upon an evil of such great and increasing magnitude? Nothing but the wildest extravagance, argues the adversaries, can entertain the hope of any beneficial results. To meet the exigency you need a giant's strength, and you vainly employ an infant in its cradle. All history repels the charge, and gives to your hopes, Sir, the stability of soberness and truth. Let it be remembered, that less than ten years efforts of private charity, and that very scanty, have located, under a happy constitution, and in the most flourishing temporal circumstances, fifteen hundred freemen!

Recur to the annals of any colony that first broke ground in this Western World, and their contrast with this Il astonish us-fifteen hundred rescued captives, on the heights of Liberia, looking out upon the broad face of day, with the animated elevation of conscious freemen; and yet, many among us are slow to believe, when it was only about one hundred of devoted spirits that first kindled the flame of liberty on the Plymouth rock. Yes, Sir, only the fifteenth part braved the wild waste of waters, and a whole hemisphere of savage foes to oppose them-sickness, deser. tion, and death to dismay them—yet, Sir, they cast their fortunes here— they struck up the lights of civil and religious liberty, that penetrated these western forests-that have been enlarging and expanding until these whole Heavens are illumined, and twelve millions of freemen live to honor their unshrinking firmness and patriotic patience.

Every comparison, with kindred enterprises, through all past time, leaves no cause for despondency. Let us go forward, Sir: it is a nation's interest. It deserves, and I hope will soon receive, a nation's patronage. And, in particular reference to the resolution which I have the honour to submit, while the reverend Clergy of our country deserve our best thanks, we may confidently look to them, Sir, for prayerful co-operation, as the ministers of that blessed gospel, that proclaims "liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison doors to them that are bound.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to such Clergymen as have, during the year past, invited the attention. of their congregations to the objects of this Institution, and taken up collections in its behalf, and that they be respectfully and earnestly requested to continue to it the encouragement of their efforts.

On motion by the Rev. Dr. LAURIE,

Resolved, That this Society has observed, with great pleasure, the recent establishment of State Societies in New York and Indiana, and that they earnestly recommend it to their friends in those States, where such Societies do not already exist, to adopt measures for their organization without delay.

The Rev. Mr. DURBIN then rose, and, in a brief but eloquent speech, expressed the pleasure which he felt at the progress already made by the Society, and his unwavering belief that the apprehensions, interests, and religion of the Southern States, would contribute their united influence to promote the success and triumph of this Institution. He adverted, feelingly, to the condition of Africa, and to the light and moral beauty which it might be expected the scheme of Colonization would spread over the dark and melancholy features of that continent. He then moved the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the efforts of the several Auxiliary Societies,

during the past year, merit the warmest thanks of this Institution.

On motion of G. P. DISOSWAY, Esq.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Institution be offered to those individuals who have subscribed on the plan of Gerrit Smith, Esq. to raise $100,000 for this Society, and that to this plan the attention of the liberal and wealthy be earnestly solicited.

On motion by the Right Reverend Bishop CHASE,

Resolved, That the warmest thanks of this Society be presented to R. Smith, Est. the Treasurer, for the continuance of his able and important services.

On motion,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society for their distinguished liberality and efforts in providing the means required to fit out an expedition with emigrants to Liberia

The Society then proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year.

The Hon. CHARLES CARROLL, of Carrollton, was then chosen President of the Society, and the following gentlemen were added to the list of Vice-Presidents :

Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, of Connecticut.
*THOMAS S. GRIMKE, Esq. of Charleston, S. C.

Hon. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, of New Jersey.

The other officers remain the same as during the last year.

On motion by Rev. Dr. LAURIE,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to the Hon. C. F. MERCER, for the dignity and ability with which he has presided during this evening.

This gentleman, though a decided friend to the Society, has declined the office of Vice-President.

OFFICERS..

Hon. CHARLES CARROLL, of Carrolton, President.
Vice-Presidents.

Hon. Wм. H. CRAWFORD, of Georgia.
Hon. HENRY CLAY, of Lexington, Kentucky.
Col. HENRY RUTGERS, of New York.
Hon. JOHN C. HERBERT, of Maryland.
ROBERT RALSTON, Esq. of Philadelphia.
Gen. JOHN MASON, of Georgetown, D. C.
SAMUEL BAYARD, Esq. of New Jersey.
ISAAC MCKIM, Esq. of Maryland.
Gen. JOHN HARTWELL COCKE, of Virginia.
Rt. Rev. Bishop WHITE, of Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM H. FITZHUGH, Esq. of Virginia.
Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, of Boston.

Hon. CHARLES F. MERCER, of Virginia.
JEREMIAH DAY, D. D. of Yale College.
General LAFAYETTE, of France.
Hon. JOHN MARSHALL, of Virginia.
Hon. RICHARD RUSH, of Washington City.
Bishop MCKENDREE.

PHILIP E. THOMAS, Esq. of Maryland.

Doctor THOMAS C. JAMES, of Philadelphia.
Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, of Connecticut.
Hon. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, of New Jersey.

Managers.

FRANCIS S. KEY, Esq.
WALTER JONES, Esq.
Rev. JAMES LAURIE, D. D.
Rev. S. B. BALCH, D. D.
Rev. O. B. BROWN,
Rev. WILLIAM HAWLEY,

Col. HENRY ASHTON,
Dr. THOMAS HENDERSON,
Rev. JOHN N. CAMPBELL,
W. W. SEATON, Esq.
SAML. H. SMITH, Esq.
Rev. Wм. RYLAND.

Rev. R. R. GURLEY, Secretary.
RICHARD SMITH, Esq. Treasurer.
JOHN UNDERWOOD, Esq. Recorder.