many with
despair, will be gradually removed, and by means consistent with
justice, peace, and the general satisfaction; thus giving to our
country the full enjoyment of the blessings of liberty, and to
the world the full benefit of its great example_. I have never
considered the main difficulty of the great work as lying in the
deficiency of emancipations, but in an inadequacy of asylums for
such a growing mass of population, and in the great expense of
removing it to its new home. The spirit of private maunmission,
as the laws may permit and the exiles may consent, is increasing,
and will increase, and there are sufficient indications that the
public authorities in slaveholding States are looking forward to
interpretations, in different forms, that must have a powerful
effect.

With respect to the new abode for the emigrants, all agree that
the choice made by the Society is rendered peculiarly appropriate
by considerations which need not be repeated, and if other
situations should not be found as eligible receptacles for a
portion of them, the prospect in Africa seems to be expanding in
a highly encouraging degree.

In contemplating the pecuniary resources needed for the removal
of such a number to so great a distance, my thought and hopes
have long been turned to the rich fund presented in the western
lands of the nation, which will soon entirely cease to be under a
pledge for another object. The great one in question is truly of
a national character, and it is known that distinguished patriots
not dwelling in slaveholding States have viewed the object in
that light, and would be willing to let the national domain be a
resource in effectuating it.

Should it be remarked that the States, although all may be
interested in relieving our country from the coloured population,
are not equally so, it is but fair to recollect that the sections
most to be benefited are those whose cessions created the fund to
be disposed of.

I am aware of the constitutional obstacle which has presented
itself; but if the general will be reconciled to an application
of the territorial fund to the removal of the coloured
population, a grant to Congress of the necessary authority could
be carried with little delay through the forms of the
Constit