The Committee on the Mission to Africa, respectfully present the following

REPORT.

In looking at this long neglected and depressed portion of our globe, we see much to animate the benevolent feelings of the christian, and much to awaken our sincerest sympathy. Near a century ago, the Moravians in their unexampled zeal in the cause of Missions, attempted the establishment of Missionary Stations in Egypt, and in the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, on both extremities of this vast region-these labours however were productive of no lasting benefit to these benighted countries.

About thirty years since, the London Missionary Society made a successful effort to evangelize the Hottentots of South Africa; the excellent Messrs. Vanderkemp Kichener and others who have already rested from their labours, have left behind them memorials of piety, of self-denial and devotedness to the cause of the Redeemer which but few Missionaries have ever exhibited. Their labours, however, are recorded in heaven, and a throng of Caffrees and Hottentots will doubtless at the last great day appear, as the reward of their privations and labours.

The English Church Missionary Society has accomplished much in the establishment of Missions in the Colony of Sierre Leone. Here many thousands of native Africans, after having been torn from their native land by slave traders, have been restored again to their country, and by the assiduous toils of Rev. Mr. Johnson and others, have been embodied into regular communities, and are taught to read the bible-to attend with strict regularity on morning and evening devotions-are instructed in the mechanic arts, and in their external appearance exhibit, perhaps, as much correctness of deportment as any other community in the world.

The Wesleyan Missionary Society too has had a number of successful Missionaries on the Western coast of Africa. But to come nearer home-we may with propriety ask, What have christians in the United States accomplished in this great work? Alas! Brethren, we again ask, What have we done that bears any proportion to what duty has required of us? One solitary Missionary Station, supported for several years past by a solitary Missionary Society, composed almost exclusively of coloured people, is all that we have effected in this important work. While fifty millions of immortal beings in Africa, are sinking to eternal misery, is this all that we have done to save them? We hope, however, for better things in future. We hope that a powerful exertion will be made, and that every part of our country will feel the importance of raising funds to extend the influence, and increase the labours of our African Mission, and we hope moreover that our prayers may be earnestly and continually offered, that the God of Missions will send forth many labourers to this abundant barvest.

Nearly twelve years ago a Society was formed of coloured people in Richmond, Virginia, called the Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society.

An article in the Constitution of this Society restricted the appropriation of its funds entirely to Missions in Africa. Their funds in five years had amounted to about seven hund dollars, when Rev. Mr. Lott Carey and Collin Teage determined on going to Afri Missionaries, and the whole of these funds were appropriated to their use.

These two persons were recognized by the Board of this Convention as their Missionaries also, and two hundred dollars, in 1820 were appropriated to their use as well as one hundred dollars value in books, since which time no appropriations have been made, (except two hundred dollars, in November last for Rev. Mr. Holton by the Committee in Boston) only what has been supplied by the Richmond African Missionary Society.

The circumstances of the employment and sailing of Rev. Calvin Holton to Liberia, have been detailed in the report of the Committee in Boston, and it is deemed unnecessary for this Committee to notice them further.

The success which has attended the exertions of Mr. Lott Carey at Monrovia and at Grand Cape-Mount, appear to your Committee a manifest call on this Convention for aid-the church of which he is pastor, formed originally in Richmond of seven members, now comprises sixty or eighty; and from the latest letters received from there, was in a prosperous and happy state. They were much in want, however, of funds to finish a meeting-house which was partially erected. A Sunday School has been regularly kept for several years past, and on the eighteenth of April, 1825, a regular Missionary day school was commenced with twenty-one native scholars, which by the 11th of June had increased to thirty-one, nineteen of this number had come from Grand Cape Mount, eighty miles distant to attend this school, and although Mr. Carey could spare but three hours in the day from his other duties to an attendance on the school, in less than seven weeks, several of them were able to read the bible. A very interesting account of a native African named John, who came from Grand Cape Mount to Cape Mesurado to be baptized, is given in one of Mr. Carey's letters, and the circumstances of this man's case seem to carry the fullest conviction that the hand of the Lord was in it.

Mr. Carey

As a missionary field, Africa seems already prepared for labour. as well as Mr. Ashmun, the United States Agent at Monrovia, have repeatedly and earnestly urged, that Missionaries and books might be sent out to help the poor Africans. The natives themselves are extremely anxious to be instructed, and your Committee believe that the establishment of the Colony at Monrovia, the facilities which may be derived from the United States government, and from the American Colonization Society, will reduce the expense of establishing and supporting Missionaries there to a sum far less than the cost of supporting them in India. But there are other considerations connected with this subject which your Committee think it important to notice. As a missionary field simply, Africa has claims upon us equally strong with any other heathen country in the world. But Missions to Africa must have a direct tendency to destroy in the most effectual manner the most injurious and inhuman traffic that has disgraced the civilized nations of modern times. Let the African become acquainted with the principles of our holy religion, and the slave trader must seek other employments. The arduous labours of a Wilberforce, or a Clarkson, were never so effectual in putting down the slave trade, as will be the labours of devoted Missionaries on the Coast.

But another consideration directly connected with this subject, and of almost infinite importance to us, is the melioration of the condition of our coloured population. Over this subject the wisest men of our country have mourned; they have anxiously sought a cure for the dreadful malady under which our country labours; but no effectual cure has been applied. And we are unable to conjecture when this malady will be entirely removed; but Africa is the home of black men: and the establishment of Missions there must open the way for many to return to the land from whence their fathers have been so unjustly torn. There they must be perfectly free; and there their characters and respectability may be estimated by their real worth, and not by their complexions.

But, brethren, to recur to the motto of the venerable Dr. Carey, "Expect great things; attempt great things." We all expect and firmly believe, that the promise that "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God," will be accomplished; and is it not duty for us to attempt to do whatever our hands find to do with all our might?

The interior of Africa will probably never be explored till the pious native Missionary shall teach us the geography of this country. A Mungo Park, a Belzoni, and many more have sacrificed their lives in geographical and scientific researches; but the great river Niger and the numerous nations on its borders are yet but very partially known. The genial influences of the Sun of Righteousness must soften the savage manners of the natives, before we can learn the circumstances of these remote nations. But from all these tribes and kindreds, however dark and degraded, the aviour will have a people for himself. The vision of John in the apocalypse will be fulfilled; from all these countries some must be redeemed, and at last come and sit down and partake at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

WIILLIAM STAUGHTON, Chairman.

[B.]

MISSION TO MEXICO AND SOUTH AMERICA.

The Committee on Missions to Mexico and South America,

REPORT,

That after investigating the subject so far as they have had access to means of information, your committee are deeply impressed with the importance of the extensive field for missionary labour which appears to be opening in the newly formed republicks in Mexico and South America Twenty-four millions have been estimated as the population of those regions. Free governments are established throughout this field, and although the Roman Catholic religion is acknowledged, and in some parts established by law to the exclusion of all others, yet a spirit of free inquiry has been awakened amongst the people. Several thousand copies of the Spanish Scriptures have been circulated, a Bible Society under encouraging auspices has been formed in Colombia, which may be a prelude to many others. The Scriptures are translating into the language of the ancient Incas of Peru. Tracts in Spanish are extensively circulated in some provinces. Some excellent religious books have been recently translated and circulated, and Missionaries from other denominations have entered upon, and extensively explored large portions of this field, and preached the gospel unmolested.

In relation to Mexico your Committee have learned that a very inviting field exists in some of the interior provinces to which there is direct access from Missouri. For several years a regular trade has been carried on from Missouri to St. Fee and the city of Chihuahua. The latter is a large city in the midst of a rich and popu lous district of country, from twelve to fifteen hundred miles N. N. E. from the city of Mexico. Liberal principles relating to government and the uncontrolled exercise of religion appear to have gotten a firm foot-hold in this region, and a disposition has been manifested by intelligent and influential Spaniards who have visited Missouri, to encourage American teachers in their schools. A number of merchants, mechanics and others from the Western States, have fixed their residence in this province, and testaments and tracts in Spanish have been sent from Missouri. One of the members of your committee has had frequent interviews with several intelligent Spaniards from that region who affirm to him that a free toleration in religion must be adopted shortly throughout Mexico, that the people have fought for and gained their liberty, and will indulge free inquiry in matters of religion; and that most of the priests in the province in which Chihuahua is situated are zealous republicans, and will encourage the circulation of the Scriptures amongst the people. It appears to your Committee that as there is now constant intercourse in the way of trade and business betwixt Missouri and this region, by the going and returning of Caravans, as the general government has surveyed and located a road the last year from Fort Osage on the Missouri to this part of Mexico, making communication more direct than heretofore, and affording greater facilities to travellers, the establishment of a Mission in that country ought to engage the attention of the Board when men and means can be had to effect it. All which it respectfully submitted.

[C.]

ELON GALUSHA,

LUMINARY AND STAR.

Chairman.

The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the affairs of the the Luminary and Star, and to inquire into the state of the property deeded to the Convention by the Agent, in consequence of not being furnished with any documents upon the subject before them, are unable to report so fully as could be desired; they however, by calling upon several persons who are or have been connected with these establishments, arrived at the knowledge of several facts which they beg leave herewith to submit to the Convention.

It appears that about the time of the first publication of the Luminary, Mr. Rice purchased at his own expense and on his own responsibility a printing office and types in Philadelphia; at this office the Luminary was printed by his directions.

There was however no definite pecuniary understanding between Mr. Rice and the Board. He never knew what he was to receive for printing, nor they on what terms the business was to be done. It seems at once to have been merged into a partly individual and partly general concern. This office cost, as Mr. Rice states, $2,000. When the Board removed to Washington, Mr. R. purchased on his own responsi bility two houses for seven thousand dollars. He then put up a building for fifteen hundred dollars for the printing office. A Ruling Machine and printing press are attached to the concern of the value of six hundred fifty dollars. Total cost of the printing office, buildings and fixtures, eleven thousand one hundred and fifty dollars. These are the two brick houses and printing office of which mention is made in the last report of the Agent to the Convention, and which he promised to deed to the Convention without delay.

After the removal of the Board and the Luminary to Washington, the business of the office continued to be transacted as before. Mr. Rice, the proprietor of the establishment, printed the work for the Convention, but the rate was never fixed, and he completely merged its transactions of every nature, with his other business. He has by his own acknowledgment made use of the monies received for the Luminary and Star, and devoted them to College debts, or to any other claims which might be immediately urgent, and has in the same manner paid the debts of the office out of monies contributed to other purposes.

In about a year and a quarter after the meeting of the last Convention Mr. Rice deeded over this property to the Convention as before promised, and a Committee was appointed to manage the concern. The deed however was given, as Mr. Rice has stated, with an agreement that the whole proceeds of the property were to be applied to his benefit until the sums due upon the buildings, and for which he was responsible, should be liquidated. This sum is about four thousand nine hundred dollars. This claim rests now good against the property, or against Mr. Rice. Supposing the property to have cost Mr. Rice eleven thousand one hundred and fifty dollars, and this part which is due be subtracted from it, and no claim in existence against the printing office, Mr. Rice gives to the Convention six thousand twe hundred and seventy five dollars.

It appears however that since the transfer of the property to the Convention, Mr. Rice has continued to direct the business of the office as before. He has received monies due for the Luminary and Star, and exercised the same control as at the first until the commencement of the present year, when the whole establishment was leased to another person.

In January the office and premises were leased to Mr. Baron Stow, who now has the charge of the Star. This lease is of the ordinary form, unless that either party is at liberty to dissolve the agreement upon a notice of six months. Mr. Stow upon entering the office discontinued the Luminary, and now conducts the Star upon his own responsibility. So that now the whole concern is reduced to the possession of a printing office and real estate which is to be disposed of to the best advantage.

The question which naturally presented itself to your Committee was, what were the debts of this printing office. This question is of two kinds. 1st. The debts of the office before its transfer, and secondly, the debts after the transfer. Mr. Rice baving stated that before the transfer the property was his, and that he was in fact the printer and publisher to the Convention, the Convention is not bound in strict equity to know any thing of these debts of the office. They are bound to pay him for his work, and they have an exclusive right to all the proceeds of the subscription list. Strictly therefore they are bound only to inquire into the condition of the affair after this transfer was made-except in so far as the debts of the office have a bearing upon the value of the property deeded to the Convention. But in as much as a more general construction might be given to his agency, and as he had managed the concern in the same manner after as before the transfer, your Committee were anxious of arriving at a knowledge of the state of the concern at any time whatever. For this knowledge they have sought, but sought in vain. Indeed your Committee are of opinion that no information can be at this time be expected. No leger or day-book has ever been kept in the office. The whole pecuniary accounts were noted in a subscription book. Mr. Rice informs us that he has always made minutes in his journal of whatever monies he has received, but that these minutes are scattered through his journals ever since the work began. An accountant has been and is now employed in transcribing and arranging these minutes. It will be four or five weeks before the work can be completed, and until this be done it is utterly impossible to form the least idea of the claims upon the office, or the means by which these claims are to be met. The reason why this was not done in season, Mr. R. states to be, that he had no expectation that it would occupy so long a time.