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Ar a Meeting of the Colonization Society of Kentucky Auxiliary to the American Colonization Society of the United States, convened in Frankfort on the 17th day of December, 1829,

Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Society are due to the Hon. Henry Clay for the very able and eloquent address delivered by him this day, and that his Excellency Thomas Metcalfe, Wm. P. Fleming, Esq. and Rev. John Bryce, be a Committee to request a copy of the same for publication. H. WINGATE.

GENTLEMEN:

FRANKFORT, Dec. 18, 1829.

I have to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution adopted by the Kentucky Colonization Society yesterday, expressing its sense of the Address which I had the honor of delivering, at the instance of the Board of Managers, and requesting, through you, a copy of it for publication. Although I am entirely persuaded that I am indebted to the vourable estimate which it has made of the of it shall be furnished as soon as it can be as the Society may choose to make of it.

partiality of the Society for the facharacter of that Address, a copy conveniently prepared, for such use

I am with great respect,

Your obedient servant,

H. CLAY.

His Excellency Thomas Metcalfe,

William P. Fleming, Esq.
and the Rev. John Bryce.

ADDRESS.

GENTLEMEN OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY OF KENTUCKY:

I MOST Sincerely wish that the task of addressing you, on this occasion, had been assigned, by the Board of Managers, to some individual more competent than I am to explain and illustrate and enforce the claims of the Society to the friendly and favorable consideration of the public. I yield to none in a thorough persuasion of the utility of the scheme of the Society, in a profound conviction of its practicability, and in an ardent desire for its complete success. But I am sensible that there are many others who could more happily than I can, throw around the subject those embellishments which are best calculated to secure attention, and engage the cordial and energetic co-operation of the community.When the application was first made to me to deliver this address, I hesitated to comply with it, because I apprehended that my motives would be misconceived, and my language be misrepresented. Subsequent reflection determined me to adhere to the maxim of my whole life, to endeavour to render all the good in my power, without being restrained by the misconceptions to which I might expose myself. In entering upon the duty which has devolved upon me, I ask only the exercise of ordinary liberality in judging the imperfections which will doubtless mark its performance.

In surveying the United States of North America and their Territories, the beholder perceives, among their inhabitants, three separate and distinct races of men, originally appertaining to three different continents of the globe, each race varying from the others in color, physical properties, and moral and intellectual endowments. The European is the most numerous; and, as well from that fact, as from its far greater advance in civilization and in the arts, has the decided ascendancy over the other two, giving the law to them, controlling their condition, and responsible for their fate to the Great Father of all, and to the enlightened world. The next most numerous and most intelligent race, is that which sprung from Africa, the largest portion of which is held in bondage by their brethren, descendants of the European. The aborigines, or Indian race, are the least numerous, and, with the exception of some tribes, have but partially emerged from the state of barbarism in which they were found on the first discovery of America. Whence, or how they came hither, are speculations for the research of the curious, on which authentic history affords no certain light.

Their future fortunes or condition, form no part of the subject of this address. I shall, I hope, nevertheless be excused for the di

gression of dedicating a few passing observations to the interesting remnant of these primitive possessors of the new world. I have never been able to agree in the expediency of employing any extraordinary exertions to blend the white and copper coloured races together, by the ceremony of marriage. There would be a motive for it if the Indians were equal or superior to their white brethren, in physical or intellectual powers. But the fact is believed to be otherwise. The mixture improves the Indian, but deteriorates the European element. Invariably it is remarked, that those of the mixed blood, among the Indians, are their superiors, in war, in council, and in the progress of the useful arts, whilst they remain in the rear of the pure white race still farther than they are in advance of the pure Indian. In those instances (chiefly among the French) during the progress of the settlement of this continent, in which the settlers have had most intercourse with the Indians, they have rather sunk to the level of their state, than contributed essentially to their civilization.

But if there be no adequate recommendation to the white race, of an union by intermarriage, with the Indian, we are enjoined by every duty of religion, humanity and magnanimity to treat them with kindness and justice, and to recall them if we can, from their savage to a better condition. The United States stand charged with the fate of these poor children of the woods in the face of their common Maker, and in presence of the world. And, as certain as the guardian is answerable for the education of his infant ward, and the management of his estate, will they be responsible here and hereafter, for the manner in which they shall perform the duties of the high trust which is committed to their hands, by the force of circumstances. Hitherto, since the United States became an independent power among the nations of the earth, they have generally treated the Indians with justice, and performed towards them all the offices of humanity. Their policy, in this respect, was vindicated during the negotiations at Ghent, and the principles which guided them in their relations with the Indians, were then promulgated to all Christendom. On that occasion, their representatives, holding up their conduct in advantageous contrast with that of Great Britain, and the other powers of Europe, said: "From "the rigor of this system, however, as practised by Great Britain "and all the European powers in America, the humane and liber"al policy of the United States has voluntarily relaxed. A cele"brated writer on the laws of nations, to whose authority British "jurists have taken particular satisfaction in appealing, after sta"ting, in the most explicit manner, the legitimacy of colonial set"tlements in America, to the exclusion of all rights of uncivilized "Indian tribes, has taken occasion to praise the first settlers of "New-England, and the founder of Pennsylvania, in having pur"chased of the Indians the lands they resolved to cultivate, not"withstanding their being provided with a charter from their "sovereign. It is this example which the United States, since they

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