than to their injury. But even amid these untoward circumstances, there burst forth occasionally the indications of that better destiny, to which nature herself will at last conduct them."[1] We think there is much probability in this view. And the course of the Liberian colony thus far is proof of it. Where is there, on record, an account of a colony or settlement of whites, taken from among a class so degraded, and uneducated as that from which many of the Liberians were drawn — who conducted themselves so well, so admirably with so much order, propriety, and harmony? We may safely say there never has been such a colony. Nor, moreover, have the Liberians shown any want of energy or ability. And it yet remains to be seen whether they will not-manifest by and by, intellectual capacities equal to those of the white race.[2]
- ↑ Kinmont‘s Lectures, pp. 190, 191.
- ↑ Mr. Freeman, in his Plea for Africa, has collected many instances of distinguished blacks — eminent in literature, science, and even in the military art. Among these are the following: "J. E. J. Capitein, born in Africa, and bought by a slave-holder, on the river St. Andre, was carried to Holland, where he acquired a knowledge of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldaic. He studied theology at the University of Leyden, took his degree, was ordained at Amsterdam, and went out as a missionary to Guinea, in 1742. He was the author of several published sermons, poems, and dissertations. His Dissertatio de Servitute Libertati Christianos non contraria, went through four editions. A. W. Amo, born in Guinea, was brought to this country when young, took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, at the University of Wittemberg. in 1734. He was skilled in Latin and Greek, and delivered lectures on philosophy; in 1744, he supported a thesis at Wittemberg, and published a dissertation On the Absence of Sensation in the Soul, and its Presence in the Human Body, was appointed Professor, and the same year supported a thesis ‘On the Distinction which ought to be made between the
