REPORT.

In the mysterious wisdom of Providence, the Managers of the American Colonization Society are again compelled, at the commencement of their Annual Report, to announce the decease of individuals eminently devoted to the cause of this Institution, the loss of whose influence and exertions not this Society only, but Africa, will long deplore.

The venerable President of this Society, the Hon. BUSHROD WASHINGTON, expired, in Philadelphia, on the 26th of November. Called, unanimously, at the origin of this Institution, to preside over its concerns, he gave to it not merely the influence of his opinion, and the weight of his name, but, repeatedly, by liberal pecuniary contributions, evinced his intense interest in the object which it was established to promote. Nor, as a profound and sagacious statesman only did he contemplate this object, but with the enlarged views of a philanthropist, and the expanded benevolence and pious confidence of a christian. In an address, delivered at the First Annual Meeting of the Society, he remarks, "amongst all the magnificent plans, carrying on for the improvement and happiness of mankind, in many parts of the world, there is, perhaps, none upon which we may more confidently implore the blessing of Heaven, than that in which we are now associated. Whether we consider the grandeur of the object, or the wide sphere of philanthropy which it embraces; or, whether we view the present state of its progress, under the auspices of this Society, and under the obstacles which might have been ex

pected from the cupidity of many, we may discover, in each, a certain pledge, that the same benignant hand which has made these preparatory arrangements, will crown our efforts with success." Too familiar with the history of great achievements to expect their accomplishment without the occasional experience of calamity, those trying events, which might have broken the resolution of a weaker mind, proved to his but the exciting causes of more determined and energetic effort.

The Managers feel it impossible to present to this meeting even an outline of the character of this eminent man. Occupying, for more than thirty years, a seat in the highest Judicial Tribunal of our country; exhibiting, on all occasions, the attributes of a sound, comprehensive, and learned mind; fulfilling his arduous duties with rigid integrity and cloudless honour; no words of ours can increase the public regret for his loss, or add to the brightness of his fame.

The Society has also been called, during the year, to mourn the loss of one of its Vice-Presidents, Doctor RICHARD FIELD, of Virginia, a gentleman of distinguished benevolence, and who had shown himself deeply and strongly interested in the scheme of African Colonization.

At the last Anniversary of the Society, it was the painful duty of this Board to offer their tribute of sorrow and affection to the memory of AsHMUN! Hardly had time begun to allay the grief occasioned by his death, when the decease of his successor opens anew the wounds of affliction, and demolishes again the fair fabric of our hopes! The late Colonial Agent, Doctor RICHARD RANDALL, died in the Colony of Liberia, on the 19th of April. Having become deeply interested in the success of this Society; and, as a member of the Board of Managers, (to the proceedings of which he brought the resources of a discriminating and vigorous mind) familiar with its plans and operations; and, having admired, even to enthusiasm, the virtues and

deeds of his predecessor; when Ashmun fell, Dr. Randall unhesitatingly offered himself to occupy his arduous but honourable station. He left this country in November, and entered upon his duties, as Colonial Agent, on the 22d of the next month. The hope had been cherished, that his medical knowledge, would have imposed, at least, a temporary restraint upon the activity and energy of his mind, and that no motives would have induced him to neglect the precautions indispensable for safety amid the untried influence of the African climate. But, delay, in the work before him, was not to be endured by his high and generous spirit. From his first attack of fever he had nearly recovered, when he was again reduced, in consequence of exposure, for four hours, on the deck of a schooner belonging to the United .States (and which had stranded on the bar of the river) while the waves occasionally broke over him, and he stood, unprotected, under the intense beams of an African sun.Again he became convalescent, and again is disease excited by anxious and unremitted labours. Once more the unfavourable symptoms retire, and he is revived by the indications of returning health. Sickness appears among the newly arrived emigrants, by the Harriet, and all his thoughts and energies are aroused for their relief. The dictates of prudence-the remonstrances of friends-and every consideration of personal safety are forgotten and disregarded, in his incessant and untiring efforts to alleviate the afflictions and preserve the lives of others. An inflammation of the brain is the consequence; and he dies, the victim of an enthusiasm, which it is impossible not both to admire and regret!

Thus fell, at the age of thirty-three, on his chosen field of action, Dr. Richard Randall, a man eminently devoted to the cause of this Society, and who, by natural endowments, education, knowledge of mankind, candour and philanthropy of sentiment, and remarkable resolution and force of character, was admirably qualified to awaken the energies,

and administer the government, of the Colony of Liberia. Though denied the opportunity of exhibiting, in Africa, to any great extent, the wisdom of his plans, and the power of his talents, he yet accomplished enough to show how well founded were the expectations entertained of his success. Deeply engraven, on many hearts, is the memory of his worth; and, when Africa shall have risen from her sufferings and degradation, when her sons shall exult in the light of freedom and of truth, his name shall be honoured among those of her distinguished benefactors, and be held in affectionate and perpetual remembrance.

Nor here, without manifest impropriety, could the Managers pass, unnoticed, the sudden and melancholy decease of the Rev. LOTT CARY, Vice-Agent of the Colony, a man who, in defiance of circumstances the most unfavourable to. improvement, rose to an elevation of usefulness and honour which could be claimed by very few individuals of a more favoured race. Mr. Cary was born a slave, near Richmond, Virginia; and, in early life, his mind was not only darkened by ignorance but degraded by vice. Religion changed his character and his destiny. With hardly any aid from others, he taught himself to read and write; and, by singular fidelity and ability, while employed at the tobacco warehouse, in Richmond, he was enabled to ransom himself and two children, by the payment of $850. Having become a preacher in the Baptist Church, and evinced his desire to promote Christianity in Africa, by contributing, probably, more than any other person, to the establishment of the African Missionary Society in Richmond, (which, for fourteen years, has given, annually, to that object, from 100 to 150 dollars.) he embarked in the second vessel which was employed by this Society to convey emigrants to the Colony.

So appalling were the circumstances of the early Colonists immediately after landing at Cape Montserado, that, but for the resolution and energy of Mr. Cary, most, if not

all, would have returned to Sierra Leone. With dauntless courage, during the war with the natives, in 1822, he maintained his post; and, subsequently, amid all the trials of the early emigrants, he evinced a readiness to devote his time, his talents, and his property, to the promotion of the public good. His services, in behalf of the sick in the Colony, were invaluable; and, for a long time, were rendered without hope of reward. In September, 1826, Mr. Cary was elected Vice-Agent of the Colony; and, in March, 1828, the administration of affairs was entrusted to his hands, by Mr. Ashmun, in full confidence that his best efforts would be invariably and anxiously directed to preserve order, excite industry, and advance the general happiness. His conduct, while for six months, he stood at the head of the Colony, showed him worthy of this confidence, and proved both the strength of his judgment and the moral worth of his character.

The features of Mr. Cary were altogether African. He was diffident, and showed no disposition to push himself into notice. His words were few, simple, direct, and appropriate. His conversation indicated rapidity and clearness of thought, and an ability to comprehend the great and variously-related principles of Religion and Government. While ⚫ the African race is regarded by some as destitute of those qualities, and incapable of those actions, which adorn and dignify humanity, we rejoice that it has pleased Providence, by another bright example, to vindicate their claims to all the privileges and honours of our nature.

The Managers cannot close this melancholy statement without recording, with painful regret, the death of ABDUHL RAHHAHMAN, the unfortunate Moorish Prince. For some account of this remarkable individual, the Managers refer to their last Report. From the relation which he sustained to a powerful chief, in the interior, and his acquaintance with the Arabic language, great hopes were entertained that he would extend the knowledge and promote