Colonization Correspondence 1824

Andover Theological Seminary Society of Inquiry Colonization Committee Correspondence, 1824

In my address at Boston after attempting to fix the attention of my hearers on the whole African race whether on their own continent or in foreign lands at the partakers of one common degradation, I undertook to show that provience had made such arrangements that if we would do anything effectual for the benefit of either of the two great nations of that race we must set up such a system of operations as shall aim at the c. omplete renovation of both. In other words the cheapest if not the only way to civilise Africa is to elevate the character & condition of Africans in foreign countries & at the same time it is true that the civilization of Africa will rapidlly & powerfully & yet without danger promote the improvement & happiness of her exiled children. This principle, which I cannot express so clearly as I might wish without more illustration than it would be pertinent for me to attempt giving it here, seems to my mind to shed some light ot only on the importance of the Seminary proposed but also on the precise character which it ought to assume & the aspect in which it may be most advantageously presented to the public. We want a Seminary which shall operate at once on both departments of the great system of African improvement: a Seminary which shall elevate intellectual beings, & which shall send forth its alumni not only to carry to their brethren in Africa the hopes & blessings of the gospel, but to kindle on the shores of their own continent the

[LEFT SIDE] lives of freedom & the light of science. We want an institution which shall awaken no prejudice of place or party but by its broad & liberal scale of operations shall commend itself to the patronage of all the friends of Africa. We want, if possible, a college which even Boyer may feel to be a blessing his people & to which his subjects may send their sons for an education, with as few scruples as the planters of the south feel in sending their sons to the colleges of New England. For these reasons I think we should aim at making the proposed institution a college rather than a Theol Seminary. I would have it organized like other colleges. There should be an incorporated board of trustees independent of all other bodies & especially of all ecclesiastical bodies; & the sole object of this board should be to regulate the concerns & promote the interestsof this African college. They should sustain the same relation to missions in Africa wh the trustees of [?] Coll sustain to missions at Bombay. There should be provided the necessary buildings, & teachers, & all the appointees of instruction, & then if the funds cannot be made to support the teachers let every pupil be charged with tuition as at yale, & let individuals & societies-- & why not the Am Ed Soc?-- be called upon to support beneficiaries there. I would not oblige the students to work a certain portion of their time, but I would give them the opportunity of working & tell them to support themselves. And every pupil when his course is complete should be at liberty so far as the college is concerned to pursue just what course & just what profession he may choose. No doubt

[RIGHT SIDE] missionaries might be suited in this way as well as in any other. And if we can only find missionaries there are societies enough already organized, to send them forth, whatever may be their denomination. I will only add that such an establishment might be kept under religious influence with as much care as the college over which you preside, which is independent I believe of all the ecclesiastical bodies in the world. To the Rev E.D. Griffin DD July 22 1824 Andover

Extract from a letter to Rev Dr Griffin July 22 1824

Montpelier Jan 5. 1824 My very Dear Brethren, I recd your {illegible} subject of an {illegible} or college for negroes. I have heard nothing however on the subject Have you? Do you know how the circular succeed? What shall shall we do next? Is it not best to try to join our Aux. Soc. in NH. Me. Ms. RI. Ct. & a few in N. York? Cannot you and I meet at the next elections in some of these states or during the next sessions of their legislatures, for this purpose? A society found at such a time could be likely to enlist many mem bers of the legislature and its annual meeting holden at the time of believe of the Session of the legislature would afford an opportunity to circulate its reports & other documens thro' the states; I throw out these suggestions in great haste. Mr Crosby the bearer will I hope see you. If he returns