:
"_Resolved_, That in the opinion of this Committee, the plan
suggested by the first General Convention, of purchasing land or
lands in Upper Canada, for the avowed object of forming a
settlement in that province, for such colored persons as may
choose to emigrate there, still merits and deserves our united
support and exertions; and further, that the appearances of the
times, in this our native land, demand an immediate action on
that subject. Adopted.
"_Resolved_, That in the opinion of this committee, we still
solemnly and sincerely protest against any interference, on the
part of the American Colonization Society, with the free colored
population in these United States, so long as they shall
countenance or endeavor to use coercive measures (either directly
or indirectly) to colonize us in any place which is not the
object of our choice. And we ask of them respectfully, as men and
as Christians, to cease their unhallowed persecutions of a
people already sufficiently oppressed, or if, as they profess to
have our welfare and prosperity at heart, to assist us in the
object of our choice.
"_Resolved_, That this committee would recommend to the members
of this Convention, to discountenance, by all just means in their
power, any emigration to Liberia or Hayti, believing them only
calculated to distract and divide the whole colored family."
In accordance with a resolution of the previous day the Rev. R. R.
Gurley, Secretary of the American Colonization Society, was invited to
address the convention. He endeavored to offer an acceptable
explanation of the Society, and to advocate its principles. But the
Colored people, almost to a man, were opposed to colonization; and
most of the anti-slavery societies regarded colonization as
impracticable and hurtful to the cause of emancipation. William Lloyd
Garrison happened to be present, and followed Gurley in a speech that
destroyed the hopes of the friends of colonization, and greatly
delighted the convention.
While the Colored people opposed colonization they regarded Canada as
a proper place to go. They felt that as citizens they had the right to
decide where to go, and, when they got ready, to go on their own
account. Canada had furnished an asylum to their flying,
travel-soiled, foot-sore, and needy brethren,--was not so very far
away, and, therefore,
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