upon every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts."

The position and ultimate destiny of the African race on this continent is a subject eminently worthy to engage the attention of the humane and benevolent. The highest motives of patriotism and religion prompt us to co-operate in all rational measures intended to improve their unfortunate condition. But it is of the first importance in considering a question of this magnitude, surrounded by so many embarrassments that we should discard the passions and prejudices which are so ready to usurp the place of common sense; that the spirit of faction should yield to the higher sentiments of a pure and generous philanthropy; and that in this, as in the ordinary concerns of life, we seek for a plan having some practical connection with the object of our efforts. We are to enquire, not merely what may be desirable, but, in view of the realities around us, how much is attainable, and what course of action will produce the most beneficial results? The negro race was brought to this continent almost as early as the white, and continued to be imported for nearly two hundred years. It is one of the most revolting features in the world's history, that during this entire period the most of the civilized nations participated in the slave trade. All of the thirteen colonies tolerated slavery within their borders.

The people of this State have furnished conclusive proofs of their aversion to slavery, and of their abiding conviction that it is a moral and political evil, by abolishing it at home, and by their uniform opposition to its extension over free territory acquired by the arms and treasure of the nation.

In the Southern States of the Union where the slaves form so large a part of the population, we cannot expect that the institution will disappear in a day or a generation. It has become too deeply rooted and too closely interwoven with social and pecuniary interests to yield to sudden or violent measures of reform. The progress of amelioration must, in the nature of things, be gradual. It must be left to the voluntary action of the people more immediately concerned, experience having shown that we have more to hope from their own inherent sense of justice and

policy, than from any interference that may be proposed by misdirected philanthropy, operating at a great distance from its object.

The anomalous position of the free colored population, undoubtedly forms one of the most serious obstacles to the gradual liberation of the slaves. We cannot close our eyes to the fact, that although the free people of color enjoy a certain degree of liberty, they are commonly treated; both in the free and slave States, as an inferior race, and deprived of the social and political rights without which freedom is but an empty name. Even in our own State they are excluded from the most essential privileges of citizenship. Debarred from all participation in public employments, rejected from most of the institutions of learning and religion, governed by laws which they have no share in framing, having been denied the right of suffrage by a vast popular majority, shut out from social intercourse, and condemned to a life of servility and drudgery, their condition amongst us is deplorable in the extreme. Any great improvement of their condition under circumstances so calculated to crush the spirit of manhood, seems morally impossible.

The blighting effect of the inferiority to which they are subjected, is seen in the fact, that while every other class has rapidly inceased, the colored population of this State has dwindled from 50,027 in 1840 to 47,937 in 1850. A result so remarkable naturally excites apprehensions that the African, like the Indian race, cannot permanently co-exist on the same soil with the whites, and that a separation is necessary to prevent their ultimate extinction. However unjust the pervading prejudice which affects the public sentiment toward the black race may appear, its existence and its unfavorable effect upon their welfare cannot be disputed. In several States, this antipathy is dis played in laws prohibiting negroes from coming within their borders. The people of Indiana adopted a restriction of that character last year by an extraordinary majority. It is evident that every scheme for the elevation of the African to a position of equality and full citizenship in our country, must prove delusive until pride and the sense of superiority shall have been ex

tirpated from the human heart. The instincts of nature, too powerful to be counteracted by the refinements of abstract reasoning, proclaim that the two races must sooner or later be separated.

The American Colonization Society presents the only organized agency which has contributed to accelerate this separation or produce practical results beneficial to the African race. This association was formed many years ago by benevolent citizens in different sections of the country and has for its objects to rescue the free colored people of the United States from their social and political disadvantages, by placing them where they may enjoy the blessings of free government; to spread civilization and religion throughout the continent of Africa; to arrest and destroy slave trade, and to afford such owners as are willing to liberate their slaves an asylum for their reception. For the accomplishment of these noble designs, a colony, composed of free colored persons emigrating voluntarily from this country, has been established in Liberia, on the western coast of Africa. For years the enterprise encountered many obstacles, but these have been overcome by persevering efforts.

A careful examination has convinced me of the feasibility and immense advantages of the undertaking, and of its pre-eminent claims upon our support. Under the auspices of the society, nearly 10,000 free colored persons have emigrated, many of them being slaves liberated on that condition. They have established a free republican government, and acquired by peaceful means a large extent of country, embracing 200,000 people, and abounding in the elements of agriculture and commercial prosperity. They have shown themselves competent to make their own laws and administer their affairs with regularity and justice. Industry prospers, schools and churches have been established, and the people of this infant colony, carrying with them the knowledge acquired in the scene of their former humiliation, are spreading christianity and civilization over a portion of the earth which has been sunk for ages in heathen barbarism.

The value of this consideration will be felt when it is remembered that the population of Africa is computed at 150,000,000,

of whom a majority are in the most abject slavery. By the et forts of the new republic the slave trade has been suppressed along several hundred miles of coast, and the extension of the settlements will extirpate that detestable traffic. Thus we perceive that this great work of humanity may claim the double merit of redeeming another continent from degradation, while it improves the condition of our own. It needs no prophetic vision to foresee that one of the great designs of a mysterious Providence is to be fulfilled by restoring the oppressed sons of Africa to their native soil after centuries of bondage.

A cause so beneficent, identified with the lasting welfare of two of the great races of mankind, rises high above the party contests of the day, and appeals with resistless force to the justice and humanity of the whole American people. I hope to see it sustained by the liberal action of the national government, seconded by contributions from the several States. The employment of government steamers to transport colored emigrants from this country, would soon obviate the necessity for a naval squadron on the coast of Africa, which is now maintained there by the United States at great expense and waste of life, for the suppression of the slave traffic.

It may be objected to the claims of the Colonization Society that its operations are gradual, and that the consummation of its purposes will require a long series of years. But we should reflect that it is impossible to remove an evil of such magnitude by any human means within the period allotted to a single generation. It is not to be denied that the efforts of the association have secured the liberation of several thousand slaves, a result more practical and beneficial than has been produced by any other organization. Until some portion of this continent or of the West India islands shall be set apart for the exclusive habitation of the colored race, African colonization must be regarded as the only effective auxiliary of voluntary emancipation.

A growing desire to emigrate is manifested by the black population, and many masters have declared their readiness to free their slaves when means can be found for their removal. Some of the States have made considerable appropriations to promote [Assembly No. 1.

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the object, an' an increasing interest has been evinced by others. New-York.ought not be behind her neighbors in the performance of a duty so important to her own welfare, and so beneficial to a large portion of the human family, now held in a melancholy debasement. It is a work in which christians and patriots of all parties and in all sections can unite their efforts, without involving the country in political or geographical dissentions. I submit the whole subject to your enlightened consideration, in the firm belief that upon a full examination of its merits you will deem it in accordance with justice and policy, and an enlightened public sentiment, to manifest your approval of the cause by a liberal appropriation for the furtherance of its benevolent design.

Having fully determined to retire from office at the close of my term, I trust. I may be permitted to avail myself of the present opportunity to renew to my fellow citizens an expression of my profound gratitude for the honors conferred upon me by their confidence, assuring them of my continual aspirations for the advancement of my native State in virtue, prosperity and happiness. WASHINGTON HUNT.

Albany, January 6, 1852.