and their purpose vigorously and generously to sustain its operations. The Managers of the Kentucky Society suggested that efforts should be made, in concert, by the several State Societies, to relieve the Parent Society from every embarrassment; and in this opinion the Committee of the Mississippi Society fully concurred. Both in Natchez and New Orleans, he experienced the kindest attentions, and found that many of their wealthy citizens were the friends and benefactors of the Society.

Among the unsold portions of the estate bequeathed by the late Mr. Ireland, of New Orleans, to this Society, in joint connection with the two Asylums for Orphan Children in that city, was a valuable square of ground in Fauxburg Lafayette, which, with the consent of the representatives of these Asylums, was sold at public auction for $18,500. Though the Managers regard this sale as entirely fair and unexceptionable, yet, through some misunderstanding, it is to be presumed, an objection has been urged against it by the gentlemen entrusted with the interests of the Boys' Asylum, in courtesy to whom, and to prevent even a feeling of uncharitableness in the disposal of this property devoted to charity, the Board have consented that it should be resold. It is worthy of remark, that as this property is to be sold on a credit of one, two, and three years, it was generously proposed by the gentleman acting in behalf of the Asylums, that the amount which might become due the first year should be paid over to this Society.

It will be recollected, that by the will of Mr. Green a number of his slaves were liberated, and a portion of his estate left in trust of Mr. Railey, Mrs. Railey, and Mrs. Wood, (the last two, sisters of Mr. Green,) with requests both verbal and written, that it should be applied (unless their judgment should dictate otherwise) to the emancipation and colonization of slaves from Mississippi in Liberia. The slaves emancipated by Mr. Green have already been sent by his Executors to the Colony, at an expense, including the ample supplies furnished them, of about $7,000. The Secretary was informed by Mr. Railey, that although in the opinion of some, the Executors would be clearly discharged from the trust reposed in them, by the further appropriation of $20,000, in fulfilment of the benevolent designs of Mr. Green, they had resolved to make the amount $25,000. It is expected that this sum will in the course of a few months be ready to be applied to the objects to which it is devoted. As the whole matter in regard to this legacy is left to the discretion of the Executors, the cheerfulness and promptitude with which they have resolved to carry into full effect the charitable purposes of the Testator cannot be too highly appreciated.

At Prospect Hill, nine miles from Port Gibson, Mississippi, the seat of the late Capt. Ross, the Secretary had the pleasure of conferring with his very intelligent and highminded daughter, Mrs. Reed, on the subject of the great and humane purposes contemplated in the testament of her venerated father.The provisions of the will of Capt. Ross are before the public. The will directs that should his slaves choose to emigrate to Liberia, his entire estate, after deducting some small legacies, shall be sold, and the proceeds thereof applied to their benefit in Africa. But that should they decline to go to Liberia, they, together with the estate, shall be disposed of, and the proceeds be a permanent fund entrusted to the Colonization Society, the interest of which shall be applied to establish and support a Literary Institution in the Colony. Every thing possible may be expected from the benevolent views of Mrs. Reed towards carrying into speedy effect this will, prepared as she is to make any sacrifice of her personal feelings to the cause of humanity and duty. It is believed that the relatives of the deceased generally, concur in the sentiments of Mrs. Reed, and that the Executors of the estate will discharge their high responsibilities with fidelity and success. This will involves great interests. Capt. Ross was a remarkable man, distinguished for energy, integrity and benevolence. slaves are mostly disconnected from those on other plantations, and therefore constitute one great family of about one hundred and seventy in number, who have enjoyed almost parental care and kindness. To render them happy, appears to have been the great object of their master. For several years before his death, Capt. Ross, though a skilful manager of his estate, made no attempt to add to his capital, but developed and applied his resources to increase the comforts of his people. These people are moral, sober and industrious. The income of the estate is estimated at $20,000 per annum.

His

Mr. Isaac Ross, (now deceased) a worthy son of Capt. Isaac Ross, directed by his will that the slaves on one of his estates should be placed at the disposal of the Colonization Society, that they might be removed to Liberia; and a similar provision was made in regard to all his slaves of a suitable age, by the late Drury W. Brazeale, of Claiborne county, Miss., who directed further, that they should be supplied from his estate with the articles necessary for their comfortable settlement in Africa..

A large bequest (estimated at nearly thirty thousand dollars) has been left to the Society by the will of the late Hasten M. Childers, of Carrol county, Louisiana. It is said there is a legal defect in the execution of this will; yet the estimable and generous character of Mrs. Childers will, it is presumed, forbid, if possible, that a mere informality should de-feat the ends of justice and humanity.

At Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, Shelbyville, Harrodsburg, and Versailles, public meetings were held; gentlemen of talents and influence came forward to advocate Colonization, and resolutions were passed, without a dissenting voice, declaring the plan of the Society worthy of State and National patronage, and that it was expedient for the friends of this plan in Kentucky to submit the questions therein involved, at an early day, by memorials, to the Legislature of their State and to the Congress of the U. States. Societies in several cases were reorganized; men of all political and religious creeds, and of every class and professsion, were united in the opinion that the scheme of African Colonization merited support; that it was a scheme of such magnitude and utility and practicableness, as to demand for its execution the combined means and powers of the State and Federal Governments. Such is the opinion in Kentucky, of those who fill with honor her highest offices, legislative and judicial in the State, and of those who represent her with such ability and eloquence in the national councils.

Though the season of the year was unfavorable to raising funds for any object of public charity, and though much time was occupied with other objects relating to the cause, yet the subseriptions obtained amount to $10,015.23, of which $7,963.23 has been paid. Of this amount $3,711 was from Louisiana; $2,930 from Mississippi; and $2,685.23, including $1,200 from the State Society at Frankfort, Kentucky; $590 from Mobile, Alabama; and $100 from New Albany, Indiana.

In his report to the Board, already before the public, the Secretary acknowledges with gratitude to the great Author of Benevolence and of all success in benevolent enterprises, that during his extensive tour, and his intercourse with thousands of his countrymen in the vast and busy world of the West and Southwest, he has experienced from all kindness and hospitality only; that in the prosecution of endeavours to subserve the cause of African Colonization, he has in nearly every instance received cordial, in some powerful aid, and in no case encountered opposition; that he has found pervading, generally, the minds of virtuous and reflecting men in that portion of the Union, a desire that this cause should be sustained, as of concern to patriotism no less than to humanity, by the State and Federal Governments, connected with a disposition (until it shall be so sustained) to give to it their influence, their prayers, and their donations.

Whether we consider instances of the emancipation of slaves with a view to their colonization in Africa; the munificent bequests recently made to the Society, or the amount of money contributed by the Auxiliary Associations in Mississippi and Louisiana, we may conclude that throughout the

Union there is no field of better promise to the cause; none from which emigrants in larger numbers, or more suitable, are to be expected; none which will yield ampler means for their prosperous settlement in Liberia.

Early in the spring the Managers of the Mississippi Society and the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Society announced their purpose of establishing, respectively, under the general superintendence of the Parent Society, new settlements or colonies in Liberia. Neither the Mississippi nor Louisiana Societies propose any change at present in their relations to the Parent Society; and any settlements they may plant are to be subject to the laws and government of Liberia. Yet the very movements in which they propose to engage, involve nearly all the relations which can subsist between the Parent and Auxiliary Societies: and that these relations should be clearly defined and satisfactorily adjusted, so that the views and operations of each will be perfectly intelligible to the other, and all collision and perplexity in this country and Africa be avoided, is desired not less by the Managers in Mississippi and Louisiana, than by those of the Parent Board. The evils of a disagreeing, if not conflicting, policy are already experienced; and every sober friend of African Colonization must desire to see framed a comprehensive system, which shall secure both here and in Africa that harmony of purpose and action to promote the plan, indispensable to any very extended and permanent success. A Committee of the Board of Managers was recently instructed to visit and confer with the Managers of the Branch Societies of New York and Philadelphia, in the hope that they might concur in measures tending to strengthen the bonds of union to the Parent Institution, and to give it the powers and influence indispensable to its unembarrassed operation as a National Society.The Managers regret that questions of great interest between the Parent and these united Auxiliary Societies remain yet undecided. They trust that all the wisdom of the Society will be directed so to order and settle the relations between the Parent and all subordinate Institutions, that in any movement each shall have more power, and all more of harmony. The respected Chairman of the Mississippi Society expressed the hope that some general plan should be devised, which admitting to some extent of separate action in State Societies, might neither impair the energy nor weaken nor disturb the control of the Parent Society. There are advantages to be derived from enlisting State interests and emulation in the cause. The people of Maryland will probably give more to sustain a Maryland Colony, than for one equally related to every State in the Union. There are also disadvantages. It may be questioned whether, at prer

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sent, they do not overbalance its advantages. In this scheme of Colonization, nothing effectual can be done, with small means, without system. The present contributions to the object, if united, may effect something; should they be divided and expended by the several State Societies, will there be a gain by their increase to compensate for what is lost by divided counsels and divided strength? Whether we consider unity of opinion throughout the country on a subject in regard to which, of all others, differences are most fatal to success; or energy of action, in a case where all present available power is inadequate to the work; or harmony in a complex system, where the irregularity of a part may retard the movement if not ruin the whole; or economy in an enterprise, to the greatness of which the pecuniary means already secured bear no comparison, and which, without vastly increased resources, can never be completed; or order and peace, common laws and uniform manners, in the Colonies to be planted on a distant shore; the Managers are convinced that a Society, national in its character, conducting its operations through one central organization, has advantages over any other; and that its subversion might endanger, if not destroy, the whole scheme of African Coloni-

zation.

RETURN OF THE LATE COLONIAL AGENT.

Dr. Ezekiel Skinner, who consented to accept (until some other well qualified person should be appointed,) the office of Colonial Agent, and who has devoted himself with most untiring zeal, disinterestedness and activity to the welfare of the Colonists, has been compelled by ill health, to return to the U.. States. The Managers would do injustice to their own sen-sibility, did they not express the esteem they cherish for that: moral courage and enthusiasm which prompted this gentleman, after suffering bereavement in the loss of a son, who with his wife and child died in the missionary service to Africa, to leave his own family, that on a distant and heathen shore, amid toil and peril, he might alleviate human suffering and assist to build up the homes of Freedom and the Churches of the Living God.

APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNOR OF THE COLONY.

The Managers are gratified to be able to state that Captain E. A. Hitchcock, a gentleman of commanding qualifications for the station, has received, by a unanimous vote, the appointment of Governor of Liberia, and strong hopes may be entertained that he will accept the appointment.

In conclusion, the Managers would present devout thanksgivings to the Almighty Father of mankind, by whose sustaining energies and providential care they have been permitted to continue their exertions during another year.