ematically opposed."

The place the President proposed at this time was a colony in Central
America, seven days' run from one of the important Atlantic ports by
steamer. He stated that there was great evidence of rich coal mines,
excellent harbors, and that the new colony was situated on the
highways from the Atlantic or Caribbean to the Pacific Oceans. He told
this delegation of men to take their full time in making a reply to
him. The delegation withdrew, and we are unable to discover any
information regarding the reply. Evidently the group of men never
returned to make reply to the appeal of the President.[16]

In the Second Annual Message December 1, 1862, more practical
suggestions were made to Congress by the President. Says he:
"Applications have been made to me by many free Americans of African
descent to favor their emigration, with a view to such colonization as
was contemplated in recent acts of Congress. Other parties at home and
abroad--some upon interested motives, others upon patriotic
considerations, and still others influenced by philanthropic
sentiments have suggested similar measures; while on the other hand
several of the Spanish American Republics have protested against the
sending of such colonies to their respective territories. Under these
circumstances I have declined to move any such colony to any State
without first obtaining the consent of the government, with an
agreement on its part to receive and protect such emigrants in all the
rights of freemen. I have at the same time offered to several States
situated within the tropics, or having colonies there to negotiate
with them, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, to favor
the voluntary emigration of persons of that class to their respective
territories upon conditions which shall be equal, just and humane.
Liberia and Hayti are as yet the only countries to which colonies of
African descent from here could go with certainty of being received
and adopted as citizens; and I regret to say such persons
contemplating colonization do not seem so willing to go to those
countries as to some others, nor so willing as I think their interest
demands. I believe, however, opinion among them in this respect is
improving; and that ere long there will be an augmented and
considerable migration to both countries from the United States."

Later in the same message Congress is requested to appropriate money
and prepare otherwise for colonizing fre