Colonization correspondence 1825-1831

If you will let me know soon whether you and the Committee think with me on this preparatory course, I will be ready to say or do something further. Let me hear how the matters stand - in their view, even if they cannot decide the whole mater. Your truly D Greene Mr. Blanchard

[sideways] Mr. Amos Blanchard Theo & Seminary, Andover

[sideways] Greene Boston Feb 17th 1827

Boston, July 14th 1827Dear Sir,

The reply, which I sent to your letter, was perhaps, of a too discouraging characcter. I have thoughts so since I sent it, and and since I have thought and converted somewhat more on the subject. Not that I suppose your Committee have so little confidence in their own opinion, or so much in mind, as to be turned from their proposed cause, by a few objections of doubtful strength, or by few or many real difficulties. But as you asked my opinion, I gave it - and as, if I were to answer your letter now, that answer might be shaded a little differently, I write again. Mr. {Evans?} says he thinks there need be no serious apprehension in regard to colored people brought from the South and put to school here if proper care is taken of them - as much care as the whites - as if Andover students take of themselves. Mr. Erarts of course is a much better jjudge in such a case, than I am - He is as good a judge, probably as anybody. He thinks it highly desirable that some Africans should be educated expressly for missionaries - at any rate that as many as possible of promising characters

should be educated. The days that it will be desirable, too, that, while in a course of instruction, they have something to do, both for the production of health - and to make them less expensive. He says employ them two hours a day about the commons hall - in setting the tables & waiting on them perhaps - I however should hardly like to be waited on by them. It would seem too menial - perhaps for a time it would not be so - but it might make the basis of a fine story to be circulated at the South or any where else that the students had procured slaves from the South to wait on them - They might, perhaps, be put under Mr. Emery's control for two hours in the day - in the wash-room or in the garden - or field - or barn - or wheeling wood &c. Not merely for the purpose of making in part pay their way - but for their own good in various ways - and if they saw the students excercising too, they probably would not complain of it. I think there will be no difficulty in supporting them, not because I have tried by asking money, but because if it promins well, it will be seen to be a good cause, and such an one as will interest thte pious & humane people here & elsewhere. I would not hesitate a moment to go on, from fears of their kind - I hope you will not hesitate from any other cause Nothing else, I suppose, prevents us from being established in Africa, to want of proper men of African descent - amiable, from being habitual to Southern climate, to endure the seasons there. From some appearances just now, (which you had better not intimate in the present stage of this thing), it is not improbable, that one such man may be found and seat before a very long period shall elapse. I can hardly conceive of the extensive and good effect of a successful missionary establishment in connexion with Liberian settlement. well conducted - in journals of which is the Miss. Herald, should go to so large a portion of the Christian Community, as read that work, the African race would thus be associated with the most enlarged and truly benevolent operations of the day - and the pious feeling & effort of the Christian public would thus be brought directly in {c?} with that almost forgotten race. They could not make efforts for Africans in Africa. and that is some connexion with a settlement for this country, without thinking & feeling & divising for the good of those at home - Let me hear how this matter stands with you soon - and depend on any cooperation of mine which my circumstances admit - D Greene

D Greene Boston Feby. 14th 1827.

Mr Amos Blanchard Theol Seminary Andover.

Mr. Pierce.

Mr Amos Blanchard D. Sir: I duly received your favour on the subject of our African School - and I wish I could furnish you with encouraging information - But within a few days the trustee of the Koscuisko fund has written to us, that the heirs in Europe are about to file a Bill to avoid this legacy, in the Supreme Court of the United States and that until this question is decided, he can not pay over to us this fund - it will probably be two or three years in suit. The Trustees of the School met to advise with each other as to the course we should pursue. We had calculated to commence our operations spring with $2000 of our own collections & $4000 of the Koscuisko fund - but we are sadly disappointed. We resolved however to go forward - we have commissioned a general agent to go south as far as Baltimore - our design is to commence a school upon an enlarged scale, principally to furnish useful mechanics and well instructed teachers & ministers for the African Colony. But my dear Sir, unless New England will aid us, our efforts I fear will come far short of our designs or desires. You can have but lilttle idea of the despairing view that much Christians here take of this deeply interesting subject. I believe the Lord will eventually smile upon our labors. He has sorely tried us - and I trust we feel that it is good. I hope your Committee will be escited by His spirit to extend a helping hand towards us - I remain with esteem Yours respectfully Theol:{illegible} Newark Mar. 26. 1827