OCR Text |
Show viii PREFATORY LET'l'EH.. thee in the opinion, that these measures class under the head of an armed police, rather than under that of offensive or defensive warfare, yet they arc points in which, for my own part, I feel conscientiously restrained from taking any part. In the mean time these points are under the sole care of government, and cannot interfere (as it appears to me) with the claims of the African Civilization Society, on the christian public.- "' There is a thinLparticular connected with Sir T. F. Buxton's views for the benefit of Africa, which is under the sole care and responsibility of Government- ! mean tltc proposed expedition to tlte Niger. From Lord John Russell's admirable official letter on this subject, it appears that three iron steam vessels are appointed to be sent up that river, with commissioners on board, whose duty it will be to form treaties with tltc African chiefs and powers, for the suppression of the slave trade, and for the establishment of legitimate commercial relations between Africa and Great Britain. While this object must meet with the cordial approbation of every Christian philanthropist, there is one circumstance connected with the expedilion, ·which stands directly opposed to my own views, and those of many others who wish well to the undertaking: it is that these vessels (as in all similar expeditions sent out by Government) are, to a certain extent, armed for the purpose of protection. Lord J ohn Russell's letter is dated H 26th December, 1839." The Society for the Civilization of Africa, instituted about six months afterwards, cordially approves and encourages the general object herein pursued by Government. In its printed circular, the Society, amongst other things, proposes " to cooperate by every means in its power with the Government expedition to the Niger; to report its progress-assist its operations-circulate the valuable information it may communicate; and generally to keep alive the interest of Great Britain in the supprcs· sian of the shve trade, and the welfare of Africa." Now the very word u cooperate" seems to point out the action of independent parties, united in the pursuit of a common object. While the Society confines the above mentioned cooperation and assistance, to matters purely pacific (as has hitherto been strictly the case) it seems to me to stand on a safe ground. It cannot, as I apprehend, be fairly considered responsible for a collateral circumstance, distinctly disapproved by some of its members, wldch it has done nothing to promote, and which belongs exclusively to tho independent action of Government. This Society maintains its own independence, not only as it relates to Government, but as it regards all associations formed for the respccthe PltEFA'l'OitY LE'J"l'EH. IX But I can cordially unite with thee first, in thy advice to our rulers to enter into friendly treaties for the suppression of the slave trade, and for other pacific purposes, with the nntivc powers of Africa; and secondly, in the whole of thy noble plan for the establishment of commercial and agricultural relations with that benighted region, and for the extension of civilization, education, and above all Christianity, among its wretched inhabitants. This plan appears to me to be better adapted than any other which has yet been attempted, for two great purposes-first, for the final suppression of the slave trade-that monstrous and intolerable scourge of our race -and secondly, for the raising of Africa to a participapation in all those rich temporal and spiritual blessings, which we arc ourselves enjoying. When the African princes are practically instructed in the utter impolicy and folly of the present system, they will no longer bring human creatures to the market, instead of the produce of human labor. They will soon discover that their desire for articles produced or manufactured in Europe, can be gratified to an almost infinitely greater extent than it is at present, by their availing themselves at home of the capabilities of their soil, and of the well rewarded industry of the population. And as the people themselves come to understand the benefits of commerce, agriculture, education, and religion, they wiJI soon present purposes of trade, colonization, and Christian missions. The following paragraph, in the prospectus, explains the views of its founders. " The present Society can take part in no plan of Colonization or of Trade. ITs OOJECTS ARE AND MUST DE EXCLUSIVELY PACU'IC AND BENEVOLENT; but it may by encouragement, and by the diffusion of information, most materially aid in the civi lization of Africa, and so pa\·e the way for the successful exertions of others, whether they be directed to colonization and the cultivation of the soil, or to commercial intercourse, or to that which is immeasurably superior to them all, the establishment of the Christian faith on the continent of Africa." As long as the Society in question maintains this simple and unexceptionable ground, so long (in t~y opinion) its claims on the support of Christians of every denominahon arc dear and unquestionable. |