Speech #490047410

The Chair hears none. and that order will be made. The petition is as follows: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Slates: The memorial of the American Colonization Society respectfully represents: Without entering into the history of the society. it is assumed that your honorable body is aware that in 1821 it succeeded in establishing on the west coast of Africa the colony of Liberia. which. increasing year after year in numbers and extent of territory. became strong enough in 1847 to declare its independence. and has since been recognized by the United States and the civilized governments of Europe as a member of the family of nations. Established. originally. "to promote and execute a plan for colonizing. with their own consent. the free colored people of the United States in Africa." the functions of the society in this respect. ceased to be peculiar when slavery ceased. and ahas since existea "to aid the colonization of Africa by voluntary emigration. fiid to promote there the extension of Christianity and civilization." In this work your memorialists have an especial interest. due to the origin of Li era and to their sympathy with its people. but your mnmoialists respectfully suggest that the inteiest of the United States in the growth of Liberia in " population and extent is greater still. Formerly England stood alone in African exploration. today France. Germany.