Colonization Correspondence 1824

I have been led to believe that one of the first steps towards either the enlargement of the existing school or the establishment of a new one must be to secure one or two young men of proper qualifications who will devote themselves to the work, and willingly spend their lives as professors in a negro college. Two such men may be obtained. One of them, Samuel H. Cowles is a member of the senior class in this Semy. He was graduated at Yale in 1821 - is a good scholar possesses a mind of uncommon vigor and originality - his feelings are strong - his piety is ardent - his attachment to the African cause is uncommonly great - he has been from the beginning one of the most active & judicious members of our "Colonial Committee" - & the estimation in which he is generally held by his fellow students may be judged of by the fact that he is President of our "Society of Inquiry. His deficiencies are his knowledge though extensive is not so well classified & of course not so accuate as it might be - his mind though active is not as well disciplined as it might have been by a different mode of study - & he has not (though he may acquire hereafter) that constant & judicious reliance on his own powers which is necessary perhaps to the most splendid and successful excitations. The other - David Greene - was Cowles' classmate in College & the two have long been as one may say - sworn brothers. Greene taught school in Boston one year after leaving College - he was then connected with this Seminary for about six months & he is now employed not very much to his own satisfaction I believe as Principal of Amherst Academy. My acquaintance with him is not so intimate as with the other, but I know that as a scholar he was inferior to none in college& his talents would qualify him for a Professionship in almost any other literary institution. In whatever business he may be employed I shall expect to see him distinguished for prudence, independence, every perseverance. I say these two men may be obtained for though neither of them has given what might be an irrevocable plede, they have both expressed me a perfect willingness & I may add a strong desire to do whatever they can for Africa & to do it in this particular way. Perhaps it will seem premature or at least self sufficient in me to have already taken measures to secure teachers in a school which is as yet hardly in embryo. If as I can only say that I have acted accordingly to the best of my judgment. Will you be so kind, sir, as to inform me whether these men can be employed in the manner proposed. If they can, one or both of them will be ready to take hold next autumn. I regard the African school of a propspect importance; & I cannot distinctly accurately ascertain how the things stands or how we are to get at it. Half an hour's conversation with you I think would add exceedingly to my stock of information on the subject. Shall we not see you in Boston ata the General Election? If such a visit could be consistent with your plans of business or relaxation, I think some consultations might be held with good men in this quarter which would have an important bearing on the African cause & more especially on this particular department of it. A missionary is very much wanted in Liberia at this moment. If one of suitable character could be found the American Board I doubt not would be glad to send him. Do you know of any such man whose devotedness would lead him & whose circumstances and duties will permit him to become an African Missionary? Dr Ayres has resigned his agency & a successor is wanted. This officer will be supported by government & if he writes as Dr A. did, the character of physician & agent & his salary will amount to more than two thousand dollars. Is there in your acquaintance any man either minister or lay man of suitable qualifications who will engage in this employment? If there is any such man, you may do much for the cause by communicating the fact to Mr Caldwell or Mr Gurley orme - Agents are also wanted in NE for an exciement must be produced in favor of the Col Society; memorial to Congress or it will fail

Copy of a letter to Rev ED Griffin May 1, 1824

Rev E D Griffin D.D. May 1, 1824

assuredly & forever

New York May 17 1824

Dear Sir,

I failed in my efforts to see Dr. Woods before he left town, which I regret, but I have the opportunity to send a package by Rev. Mr. Green to Bost and hope you will get it in due time. I sent along a few circulars not knowing exactly what you are doing for the object but I send them that you may see what I am doing. I also send a paper that contains some proceedings of the N. York Society. I doubt not you as taking measures to call the attention of the people to the 4th of July collections. I am sending to the various Newspapers &c and I hope the Boston publications will notice their collections.

and you I doubt not will give much atten-tion to the subject, as is important. I have to complain some of the operations of the Present Society, but I hope better things, yet I greatly fear they will delay their preparations for the expedition this year till it is too late, and again bring the [?] on themselves, which they have heretofore, by delaying the sailing, till much to late in the season. - I have for three months, been urging them to put out on expedition at this part, and call on the Auxiliaries of this city and vicinity to do it, but there is no determination yet - 'tis greatly wrong. Is it not immensely impor-tant an expedition should sail from the nor-thern states this season? Do urge it. Dr. Griffin has done something upon the subject of getting up a society or adopting some measures, to provide in-struction for the colony. He called a meeting and a part of your letter to him on the sub-ject, discussed it with others, and the meet-ing was interesting and all felt something must be done. Would agree on nothing def-initely - but choose a committee to corespond - and when proposed to call a meetng when and where they should see best. This committee consists of five, Dr. Griffin, Francis S. Key of Washington, that there might be a quorum for doing business somwhere, Sidney Morse, Rev. Mr. Patton and myself were appointed in this city. I can say nothing further on the subject now. Wrtie me your views most freely. I trust something will be done for the abused and long neglected sons of Africa. With High regard, I am a fellow laborer, L.D. Dewey

Get the subject of Collections 4th of July before the Convention & Gen Association of Mass. and all others you can - I shall attend to Conn, Vermont and this region

May 17. 1824. Dewey New York

To Mr. Leonard Bacon Andver Mass.