Prospects in Kentucky.

The cause of the Colonization Society is receiving very gene, ral and earnest attention throughout this State, and liberal contributions may be expected for its support. In the Kentucky Reporter, the subject is thus introduced:

We congratulate the friends of the Colonization Society, on the daily increasing favour with which the efforts and objects of the Society are regarded in this State.

We have all along believed that the principles of the Society, and the interesting facts connected with its history, operations and progress, only need to be correctly known and understood, to make for it friends, nay zealous supporters and advocates. Our readers are already apprised of the formation of a State Society at Frankfort this winter. We are informed that the managers of the State Society have appointed four Agents, in as many districts, into which the State has been, for that purpose, laid off, to disseminate information concerning the Society, and to aid its exertions by procuring the establishment of auxiliaries.

It is gratifying to know, that all political party feuds were forgotten, and all private animosities buried, in the formation of the State Society; and that distinguished men of all parties, united with ardour in this work.— Some who had been opposers of it, we are informed, upon receiving correct information, acknowledged that their opposition proceeded from an entire misconception of the principles and plans of the Society. In addi tion to the Auxiliary Societies previously formed in this State at Maysville, Lexington, Russelville, Frankfort, Versailles and Elkton; there have been recent public meetings for the same object, at New-Castle, Nicholasville and Louisville. At New-Castle a Society is formed with the most flattering | prospects, fifty-six names being enrolled at the first meeting. The ladies there are taking up the subject, with a view to a separate organization. We hope the good example will be followed by the ladies in other places. Every friend of the Society ought to embrace every proper occasion to diffuse correct information concerning it, and remove prejudices against it. In relation to the energy and zeal evinced at the formation of the State Society at Frankfort, à Gentleman writes:

"I am perfectly astonished at the ardour with which all men of all ranks enter into it. If the proper exertions are used, we shall succeed far, far beyond the dreams of the wildest enthusiasts. In going around to receive members, I was informed by many individuals, that they were perfectly ready to surrender their negroes at any time the Society might be prepared to receive them. Six life, and upwards of eighty common members have been added since you left us, and we shall continue to receive them rapidly. Not less than fifty have told me, they intend becoming members. I

think I may safely say, we shall raise here from 4 to $500 this year. I have no doubt, but 10,000 members can be obtained throughout the State."

Generous Offer.

Mr. L. Munsell, the Corresponding Secretary of the Colonization Society of Kentucky, has made himself a life member by the payment of $10-and offers to pay $300 within three years, to be app opriated in promoting American Colonization, provided ninety-nine other persons in that State, will engage to pay a like amount within the same period.

Address of the Kentucky Colonization Society.

We have perused with great pleasure, the Address of this Society, and are happy to present to our readers the following extracts. In regard to the design of the American Colonization Society, it is said:

"Whether we view this subject in its moral or political aspects, it is obvious that there is not one of the many benevolent institutions existing in Kentucky, which presents claims so strong, to the zealous and united support of the entire community: and we rejoice to announce the fact, that politicians of every party, and christians of every sect, now only contend with each other, who shall be foremost in the prosecution of the great enterprise.

"The existence of a class of men in the bosom of the community, who occupy a middle rank between the citizen and the slave-who encountering every positive evil incident to each condition, share none of the benefits peculiar to either, has been long clearly seen and deeply deplored by eve. ry man of observation. The master feels it in the unhappy influence which the free blacks have upon the slave population. The slave feels it in the restless discontented spirit which his association with the free black engenders. We would call your attention to the language of the colonists themselves, in their interesting address to the free people of colour of the United States, dated Monrovia, Sept. 4, 1827. They say, "The first consideration which caused our voluntary removal to this country, and the object which we still regard with the deepest concern, is liberty-liberty in the sober, simple, but complete sense of the word; not a licentious liberty, nor a liberty without government, or which should place us without the restraint of salutary laws, but that liberty of speech, action and conscience, which distinguishes the free enfranchised citizens of a free state. We did not enjoy that freedom in our native country, and from causes which, as it respects ourselves, we shall soon forever forget, we were certain it was not there attainable for ourselves or our children. This, then, being the first object of our pur

suit in coming to Africa, is probably the first subject upon which you will ask for information; and we most truly declare to you that our expectations and hopes in this respect have been realized. Our constitution secures to us, so far as our condition allows, "all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the citizens of the United States," and these rights and these privileges are ours. We are proprietors of the soil we live on, and possess the rights of freeholders. Our suffrages, and what is of more importance, our sentiments and our opinions, have their due weight in the government we live under. Our laws are altogether our own, they grew out of our circumstances, are framed for our exclusive benefit, and are either administered by officers of our own appointment, or such as possess our confidence. Forming a community of our own, in the land of our fathers; having the commerce and soil, and resources of the country at our disposal, we know nothing of that debasing inferiority with which our very colour stamped us in America; there is nothing here to create the feeling on our part-nothing to cherish the feeling of superiority, in the minds of foreigners who visit us. It is this moral emancipation, this liberation of the mind from worse than iron fetters, that repays us ten thousand times over for all that it has cost us, and makes us grateful to God and our American patrons, for the happy change which has taken place in our situation."

"How striking the contrast between their political condition here, and when transplanted to Africa, and yet it is not greater than that which relates to their religion and morals. What they are here in these repects, we will not say, let your own eyes proclaim it. What they are when removed to Africa, let the last annual report of the board of managers of the parent society at Washington reveal: "No village, perhaps, (say the managers,) in our own land, exhibits less which is offensive, and more that is gratifying to the eye of the christian, than the village of Monrovia. Crimes are almost unknown, and the universal respect manifested for the Sabbath, and the various institutions and duties of christianity, has struck the natives with surprise, and excited the admiration of foreigners."

"It remains for you, fellow-citizens, to decide whether you will or will not en masse, enlist in this glorious cause. Do you love your country? remove the free blacks. Do you desire the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom? look to heathen Africa and pray for Liberia's prosperity. Form societies in every neighborhood, in every county, in every town. The work is great, the work is glorious. If it succeeds, as succeed it surely will, posterity will rejoice over your labours, and bless you for the blessings you hand down. In the success of the work is involved the best interests of the slave and the best interests of the master: the best interests of the free black and the best interests of the free white man; the best interests of the present generation and of generations yet unborn; the best interests of two continents, of America and of Africa; the best interests of man, in time and in eternity."

Liberality of the Ladies.

In our list of donations will be found a donation of $200 from the ladies of Fredericksburg and its vicinity. The Gentleman who made the remittance writes:

"I have never addressed you with more pleasure than on the present occasion, conveying as my letter does, the first fruits of associated female enterprise and benevolence in our vicinity, employed in the best of causes. The above sum exceeds my anticipations, but is not all that will be raised, as the Society has hardly gotten under weigh. The Ladies intend spreading by means of agents, their ramifications through all the adjacent country; and I do not think I am too sanguine in anticipating the most beneficial results from their active zeal. They will, I hope, provoke the Gentlemen's Society here, to good works, and I think we shall add fifty per cent. to our annual remittance the present year."

An example so fair as that set by these Ladies, with those of Richmond and Georgetown, in this District, cannot fail to be more or less efficient; and we understand that our female friends in Baltimore, have already resolved to do something in the course of the season, worthy of their well known activity and benevolence.

10440

The Rev. George M. Erskine.—It was expected that this individual would embark for Liberia, in the ship Harriet, but information did not reach him in time, (he being, at the time of her outfit, in the State of Tennessee,) for his seasonable arrival at Norfolk. Soon after the departure of this ship, he came to Lynchburg, Va. with his mother, wife and seven children, and will probably remain in Virginia, until the departure of another expedition. Mr. Erskine is a highly intelligent and respected Coloured Minister of the Presbyterian Church, who, a few years ago, was, with his entire family, in slavery. His correct and exemplary character, recommended him to the benevolent notice of the Rev. Dr. Anderson, of Maryville; who, assisted by several other individuals, obtained his ransom, and for three years supported him and gave him instruction in the doctrines and duties of our holy reli gion. "In 1818, he was licensed to preach the Gospel, by Union Presbytery in Tennessee." From the charitable and pious, he has since been enabled to redeem his family at an expense of $2,400, and has resolved to emigrate to Liberia, in the hope that he may there do something to rescue his unenlightened brethren from their superstitions, crimes, and miseries,

and to conduct them to the knowledge of the true God. Mr. Erskine is well known throughout several of the southern and western states, has exhibited in all his conduct, the spirit of a sincere disciple of Christ, and is a very earnest and sensible preacher. His failure to embark in the Harriet, was a grievous disappointment, but we trust that he will not find himself friendless, in the section of country where his lot is for the present, unexpectedly cast,

Appeal to New England for Missions to Africa.

[FOR THE AFRICAN REPOSITORY.]

When injured Africk's captive claim,
Loads the sad gale with startling moan,
The frown of deep, indignant blame,
Bend not on Southern climes alone.

Her toil, and chain, and scalding tear
Our daily board with luxuries deck,
And to dark Slavery's yoke severe,
Our fathers helped to bow her neck.

If slumbering in the thoughtful breast,
Or Justice or Compassion dwell,
Call from their couch the hallowed guest,

The deed to prompt, the prayer to swell.

Oh, lift the hand, and Peace shall bear
Her olive where the palm-tree grows,

And torrid Africk's deserts share

The fragrance of Salvation's rose.

But if with Pilate's stoic eye,

We calmly wash when blood is spilt,
Or deem a cold, unpitying sigh
Absolves us from the stain of guilt;

Or if, like Jacob's recreant train,

Who traffick'd in a brother's woe,
We hear the suppliant plead in vain,
Or mock his tears that wildly flow;

Will not the judgments of the skies,

Which threw a shield round Joseph sold,

Be roused by fettered Afric's cries,

And change to dross the oppressor's gold?

Hartford, Conn.

L. H. S.