University of Virginia Library

TO R. R. GURLEY.

Dear Sir,—I received in due time your letter of
the 21 ulto. and with due sensibility to the subject
of it. Such, however, has been the effect of a painful
Rheumatism on my general condition as well as
in disqualifying my fingers for the use of the pen,
that I could not do justice "to the principles and
measures of the Colonization Society in all the great
& various relations they sustain to our own Country
& to Africa." If my views of them could have the
value which your partiality supposes I may observe
in brief that the Society had always my good wishes
tho' with hopes of its success less sanguine than
were entertained by others found to have been the
better judges, and that I feel the greatest pleasure
at the progress already made by the Society and the

encouragement to encounter the remaining difficulties
afforded by the earlier and greater ones already
overcome. Many circumstances at the present moment
seem to concur in brightening the prospects of
the Society and cherishing the hope that the time
will come when the dreadful calamity which has
so long afflicted our Country and filled so many with
despair, will be gradually removed, & by means consistent
with justice, peace, and the general satisfaction;
thus giving to our Country the full enjoyment
of the blessings of liberty and to the world the full
benefit of its great example. I have never considered
the main difficulty of the great work as lying
in the deficiency of emancipations, but in an inadequacy
of asylums for such a growing mass of population,
and in the great expence of removing it to its
new home. The spirit of private manumission as the
laws may permit and the exiles may consent, is
increasing and will increase, and there are sufficient
indications that the public authorities in slaveholding
States are looking forward to interpositions in
different forms that must have a powerful effect.

With respect to the new abode for the emigrants
all agree that the choice made by the Society is rendered
peculiarly appropriate by considerations which
need not be repeated, and if other situations should
not be found as eligible receptacles for a portion of
them, the prospect in Africa seems to be expanding
in a highly encouraging degree.

In contemplating the pecuniary resources needed
for the removal of such a number to so great a distance

my thoughts & hopes have long been turned to
the rich fund presented in the Western lands of the
Nation which will soon entirely cease to be under a
pledge for another object. The great one in question
is truly of a national character and it is known that
distinguished patriots not dwelling in slaveholding
States have viewed the object in that light and
would be willing to let the National domain be a
resource in effectuating it.

Should it be remarked that the States tho' all may
be interested in relieving our Country from the
colored population are not equally so, it is but fair
to recollect that the sections most to be benefited
are those whose cessions created the fund to be disposed
of.

I am aware of the Constitutional obstacle which
has presented itself but if the general will be reconciled
to an application of the territorial fund to
the removal of the colored population, a grant to
Congress of the necessary authority could be carried
with little delay through the forms of the
Constitution.[143]

Sincerely wishing increasing success to the labors
of the Society I pray you to be assured of my esteem,
& to accept my friendly salutations.