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The practice of vaccination , originating With an individual , and spreading by means of a voluntary association , within a few years , over the greater part of the habitable world , is adduced as a case in point , an example , and an encouragement .
The African character opposes no real objection to the design of the . association . " The portrait of the Negro has seldom been drawn , but by the pencil of his oppressor , and he has sat for it in the distorted attitude of slavery . " His reviler 3 have given in the most contradictory testimony , and therefore their evidence is nugatory . He has been
accused of falsehood and indolence ; but the charge is sufficiently refuted by Travellers into Africa , and especially Mr . Park , who says , speaking of the rich and valuable productions that this country might be made to produce , that ** Nothing is ^ wanting to this end , but example ^ to erdigbten the . minds of the natives $ and instruction ) to enable them to direct their industry to proper objects .. "
The North American Indians are not naturally superior to the Africans , but the Quakers have lately proved , that they are capable of instruction , and of the arts of life . ( See the Review of two Pamphlets on this subject , M . Repoi . Vol . H . p . 606 . —609 . ) " The Government
of the United States , convinced by experience , of the value of this reformation , has lately granted a considerable sum from the public purse , for its further extension ; and the application of this aid , has been wisely committed to the same benevolent society , whrch has so judiciously led the way in this interesting work . "
The disastrous issue * of the Sierra JLeone colony is improperly urged , as an objection to the ' African Inbtitution , which is a design altogether different : the failure of that benevolent plan , was brought on by causes not affecting the present society . The Sierra iLeone company was established before the slave trade was
abolished , in expectation however of that event ; the carrying On of the trade in the vicinity of Sierra JLeone , completely topped the progress , and interrupted the prosperity of the colony . Duiing the
^ hoie period of the existence of the company also the mother country was in a state of war , which oppressed the infant state , and laid it open to pillage and devastation by the enemy . Besides tha , t , the civil establishment , which the
conv-P * iy imprudently engaged to support , * v * s a weight wftieh its funds were un-
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able to support . The first settlers in new colonies have seldom succeeded . But tfye history of Sierra Leone is so far en couraging , as it shews that the African may be taught , and civilized , and habituated to regular industiy . And the colony , now in the hands of Government , is an eligible station , where the institution may be ^ in its labours with , a prospect of success .
The African Institution disclaims al 1 religious projects ; it is not a missionary society . It aims not at colonial establishments . It will not engage in commerce . Its only object is the improvement of Africa , by setting on foot jour *" nies of discovery , by establishing schools , by ^ honorary and other rewards to enterprising traders , and by whatever means time and opportunity may disclose .
The present is a favourable period , for commencing the labours of a benevolent African society . The slave trade is abolished by Great Britain , America , and Denmark;—France , Spain , and Holland , are prevented by the war from carrying it on . The Portuguese branch of the trade a , lone remains . Now as the Africans have been accustomed to
European goods , and as no way of getting them will be open but that of honourable trade , their necessities will f drive them into commerce , and that will beget industry , which again is the parent of many virtues . " Nor ought we" the Committee conclude , to overlook the
benefits which this country is likely to derive from such a developement of the faculties of the African Continent . , While that gigantic power , at the feet of which the Continent of Europe now lies pros * trate , is employing his utmost efforts to
prevent our commerce from flowing * in its ancient channels , surely it becomes us to cherish every reasonable - prospect of ' rindittg ^ other outlets . We have achieved a great and splendid act of national justice , in abolishing the slave trade . The chain which bound Africa to the
dust , and prevented the success of every eifort that was made to raise her , is now broken * I-et our benevolence interpose to repair the ruin and degradation which we have contributed to bring upon her *
and cp teach her the use of her' liberated faculties ; and we may soon discover , by mow n happy experience , that in exer * g justice and benevolence towards her , whatever rtfay be the apparent sacrifice , we have onfr V ^ een laying a more solid foundation , for the enlargement o £ pvs own national p *© $ perity . "
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Heport of the Committee of the African Institution . 287
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1808, page 287, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2392/page/59/
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