1 POETRY. FROM THE LIBERIA HERALD. Hymn composed by Mr. H. Teage, to be sung on the first of December, 1836., 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. We sing the wondrous deeds of Him, Who rides upon the sky; His name is God: The glorious theme His days are one eternal now: His kingdom has no bound: Before his feet Archangels bow He guides revolving years;-He sits We were by those beset around, Whose malice, hatred, knew no bound, Hark from afar the trumpets' send The dreadful notes of war, And tinkling bells, and drums, portend A bloody conflict near. CONTRIBUTIONS To the American Col. Society, from May 25, to June 20, 1837. From the Rev. Joseph Claybaugh, Minister Associate Reformed Church, Collections in Churches. Auxiliary Societies. From N. Sawyer, Esq. Treasurer Chillicothe Col. Society, Collections by the Rev. R. R. Gurley, on his Southern Journey. From a few friends in Augusta, Geo. viz: Robert F. Poe, Robert Campbell, W. Catlin, Dr. L. D. Ford, $13 25 15 75 20 10 50 20 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 20 3 10 168 Donation. By Mrs. Eleanor Worthington, relict of the late Governor Worthington, of Remittances from subscribers to the African Repository are earnestly soli-cited. The amount due is large, and if it could be realized, would very much relieve embarrassments now severely felt. It is hoped that as many as can, will remit through their Representatives in Congress: and that those who cannot do sr. will send by mail such amount as they may suppose to be due. Acknowledgment s will be made as above. SINCE the publication of Mr. GURLEY's letter in our last number, the Managers of the American Colonization Society have received the subjoined Report from him. The friends of the cause will be happy to find that he is encouraged to expect considerable aid to it from the citizens of Georgia—a State in which the Society has from the period of its organization many stedfast friends, but in which no systematic effort has hitherto been made to extend its influence. The judicial opi nion of the late Judge CRAWFORD, of which Mr. GURLEY's letter gives a copy, will be found, if its principles be sanctioned in similar cases by the Courts of other States, to be one of great practical importance. ATHENS, (GEORGIA) June 13th, 1837. To the Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society; GENTLEMEN, On the morning of the 31st ult. I left Augusta and arrived the same day at Washington in Wilkes County, a pleasant town in a wealthy region of country. This place is on the stage. route from Washington City, through the upper Counties of North and South Carolina, to New Orleans. Besides one or two political, two religious newspapers, (one devoted to the cause of temperance,) are here published, the latter conducted by very respecta ble ministers of the Baptist denomination. These Gentlemen, as well as the respected Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, expressed a friendly regard to the Colonization Society, although little information concerning it has recently been brought before the Citizens of this State. The Baptists of Georgia are making great efforts to found a College in the State, and as the Rev. Mr. Mercer, an aged, venerable and wealthy clergyman in Washington of that sect, has subscribed thirty thousand dollars for the object, it is probable the Institution may be established at that place. From Washington we came to Lexington, a small but delightful village, (in Oglethorpe County,) near which the first Vice President of the Colonization Society, the late William H. Crawford, resided, and the seat of much intelligence and moral worth. Here I had opportunity to confer with several Gentlemen of high character in relation to the interests of the Society, and was gratified to find them its friends. Although the misrepresentations of enemies have, both in this State and South Carolina, produced to some extent, even in candid and benevolent minds, distrust of the principles of the Society, and through the excitement at the North on Abolition has rendered the people here cautious in regard to public meetings on the subject, the reflecting and religious, I judge, generally, approve of the design and desire the prosperity of the Institution. The publications of the Society are greatly needed in this community. The press in this State will soon, I trust, contribute to diffuse intelligence in regard to the operations and prospects of the Society. When this shall be the fact, in no part of the Union will friends arise more zealously to maintain its principles, and augment its resources. I learn from the best authority, that several individuals in Georgia have reflected deeply on the subject of the final removal of their servants to Liberia, and should that Colony continue to prosper, thousands will unquestionably be voluntarily liberated, that they may enjoy therein the blessings it is designed, and so well adapted to confer upon their race. The Board may recollect that James Bradley, near Lexington, several years ago emancipated by will, about forty slaves, with a view to their Colonization in Liberia, but as an act of the Legislature of Georgia, passed in 1818, declares any will or other instrument intended to give freedom to slaves to be null and void, the question in regard to the execution of this will was submitted to Judge Crawford. The following decree, obtained by a friend from the records of the Court in Lexington, though brief is invaluable, and may have much influence in settling the effect of similar wills, in this and other States whose manumissions are by law prohibited. The memory of Judge Crawford as an upright and illustrious statesman is consecrated in the best affections of the citizens of Georgia, and held in honor throughout the land. Nor should it be forgotten, that from the first he avowed his attachment to the Colonization Society, and while a member of Mr. Monroe's cabinet, gave his opinion in favour of arrangements by the Executive, in fulfilment of the law of Congress touching recaptured Africans, which proved of signal advantage to the Institution, in its early attempts to secure territory and commence its great work in Africa. I here insert the decree of Judge Crawford in regard to the slaves of James Bradley. "Reuben Jordan, VS. October 1830, The heirs and Legatees of James Bradley, "The will, after directing in what manner his slaves should be disposed of, adds, if any of them should be disposed to go to the African Colony, they should be permitted to do so, and that their expenses should be paid to the port of embarkation. The Counsel for the Complainants cite the act of the State of Georgia of 1818, which prohibits the manumission of slaves, which act refers to the preceding acts for the same purpose. The act of 1818 declares any will or other instrument intended to give freedom to slaves to be null and void by the Court. The statute of 1818 and those which preceded it were intended to prevent the increase of free people of colour in this State, where their presence could not fail to be injurious to the slave population. This is the evil which the will intended to prevent, and it was to guard against this evil that the act of 1818 and those which preceded it were recorded. As this will does not contemplate the emancipation of slaves so that they shall remain in the State and injure the slaveholders, it does not come under the reason of the law, and is not calculated to produce the mischief intended to be guarded against by the Legislature of the State. The policy of the State since the year 1799 has been unfavorable to the views and reasons of the first Counsel. The act of 1779, prohibiting the African Slave Trade, is certainly in substance a declaration that considers the number of slaves an evil, if not the very existence of slavery. It has been suggested, that there is no fund by which the expenses of sending them from a port of embarkation, can be paid. This ought not to be considered an insurmountable difficulty, because it is probable that the Colonization Society will pay the expense if it be necessary. Upon the best consideration which the court has been able to bestow on the case, it is of the opinion that neither the letter nor intention of the several statutes of this State are in opposition to the provisions of the will of James Bradley deceased, in regard to his slaves. The preamble to the act of 1818 shows very concisely the nature of the evil intended to be remedied by that act, and that evil will not be produced or increased by the execution of the will of James Bradley. The Court is therefore of the opinion, that the laws and true policy of the State, interpose no obstacle to its execution, in relation to his slaves. It is presumed by the Court, that the Executor is as competent to ascertain the intentions of the slaves, as the Court is to direct him. If this Court were placed in his situation, it would endeavour to collect the slaves together, and in the presence of some of the most respectable neighbors, proceed to interrogate them as to their wishes, and take a memorandum of their several answers. Should any of them decline going to Africa, they should be immediately disposed of according to the provisions of the will. If there should be a deficiency of funds to defray the expenses from the port of embarkation, those wishing to emigrate might be hired out until the requisite sum be obtained, and then sent to the port of embarkation." On Tuesday the sixth instant, (having spent the Sabbath in Lexington,) we arrived at this beautiful and flourishing town, the seat of the State University, the residence of an intelligent, hospitable, and virtuous community, and to which, in connexion with the Helicon and Madison Springs, (both of which are near,) many families of wealth and distinction, from remote parts of the State, resort during summer, for the benefit of a delightful climate and salubrious waters. The situation of Athens is elevated, a small stream (the Ocoonee) flows to the southeast through the eastern valley, which lies at the foot |