tion of extremities on both sides proved the cause to be one of those truly wise and moderate ones, which, respecting all interests, and just to all, move on calmly but firmly, under the God who leads them, to ultimate triumph and glory. This very opposition, moreover, will have been of the greatest service to the final success of the cause, and a signal proof of the watchful care of Divine Providence. Had there been, at the commencement of operations, one general voice of praise, approbation, and encouragement, on all sides — from whites and from blacks, together — the cause would probably have been ruined. Such a mass of emigrants, such a flood of the colored population, would have been poured on the infant colony, as would have overwhelmed it. The whole history of colonization shows that this would have been the result. The French attempted to colonize Cayenne with a grand body of 12,000 men — and a great part of them miserably perished of starvation. But the pilgrims of New England, few in number, landing in the depth of winter on an inhospitable shore — yet managed to maintain themselves, and prepared the way for others to follow, till a great nation sprang into existence. So the African colony, beginning with a few emigrants, and these preparing the way for more, had time to take firm root in the soil,-— and growing little by little, has now, after nearly forty years, become so strong and flourishing, as to be able to receive an immigration of. large numbers without injury.
The first effective settlement was made in the year 1822, at Cape Montserado or Mesurado, a lofty promontory on the African coast, about 250 miles south
