From the New York Observer. ORDINATION OF A COLORED MISSIONARY. THE Presbytery of New York has just received under its care Mr. James M. Priest, a licentiate of the West Lexington Presbytery, and will ordain him on Sabbath evening next in the Rutgers street Presbyterian church, (Rev. Dr. Krebs') services to commence a half-past seven o'clock. The services will be highly interesting. The Rev. Dr. Philips will preach the sermon, and Rev. John C. Lowrie will give the charge to the candidate. Mr. Priest was raised as a slave. He belonged to a pious lady who desired to emancipate her slaves and send them to Africa. With a view to this good object, she sent out Mr. Priest to Liberia to examine the colony and bring back a report of the land. Since his return he has been educated, and now goes forth as a missionary of the Présbyterian Board, to preach the everlasting Gospel in long benighted Africa. May the Lord be with him. If any persons are disposed to doubt the ability of the colored people to cope with the whites in the acquisition of knowledge, they should have heard Mr. Priest's examination on theology before the Presbytery of New York on Tuesday last. Few, very few, graduates of Princeton or Andover would sustain a more creditable examination than did this excellent man of color. A MISSIONARY FOR AFRICA. ONE of the best friends of the colored race communicates from Mobile, the 25th of January, the following statement: "I came here on Saturday last to meet the Synod of Alabama, and ask for their aid in the purchase of a pious slave, together with his wife and two children in order to place them at the disposal of the Board of Foreign Missions of our church, to be employed in the establishinent of a literary Institution in the Mississippi Colony. The Missionary Board have agreed to receive him provided his freedom can be secured. He is a learned blacksmith, and self taught and purely African, is a good Greek and Latin scholar, humble, intelligent, and industrious, and deserving of going to Africa. His present master bought him and family, last winter for twenty-five hundred and fifty dollars, and will sell him for the same price, for the above named purpose, but for no other, as he wishes to retain him for his services I proposed to the Alabama Synod to undertake to raise half the amount necessary for his purchase, promising on behalf of the Synod of Mississippi to undertake to raise the other half within the bounds of our Synod. They entered into the subject with spirit, and appointed a committee to secure the purchase. They tell me, I may rest assured they will speedily raise their portion of the money." We find also the following account of this man in the last Presbyterian. SELF-TAUGHT MAN. MR. EDITOR. Having attended a meeting of the Synod of Alabama, which closed its sessions on Monday evening, January 23d, in the city of Mobile, I hasten to inform you of some interesting proceedings of this body. Extracts of the minutes were directed to be forwarded to you for publication, and therefore it will be unnecessary for me to mention the various items of business which claimed the attention of the Synod. But there was one subject acted upon, which so interested my feelings, that I suppose an account of it will be interesting to you and to the public. It appears, that there is within the bounds of the Synod, a colored man of extraordinary character, whom the Synod resolved to purchase from his master, (in case he could be obtained for a reasonable price,) with a view of sending him to Liberia as a missionary. The man alluded to, is a member of the Presbyterian church, in good and regular standing, and has the confidence of all who know him, His wife is also a member of the same church. But what is remarkable in the case is, that he is a classical scholar and wholly self-taught. He is a blacksmith; and it was stated on the floor of Synod, by members and others, who knew him, that he first learned the letters of the alphabet, by inducing his master's children and others, to make the letters, one at a time, on the door of his shop; in this way he familiarized himself with the letters, and their names. He then learned to put them together and make words, and soon was able to read. He then commenced the study of arithmetic, and then English grammar and geography. It was also stated that he is now able to read the Greek Testament with ease, has some knowledge of the Latin language, and even commenced the study of the Hebrew language, but relinquished it in consequence of not having suitable books. He is now studying Dwight's. Theology, and was examined in the first volume by his pastor, who stated that he stood a good examination. It was also stated that he was a man of devoted piety, and remarkable humility;-that he studied at night till eleven or twelve o'clock, and that intelligent lawyers had stated, that when conversing with him, they felt themselves in the presence of their equal. He is between thirty and thirty-five years of age, and is willing to go out as a missionary, to Africa, under the Assembly's Board. It was communicated to the Synod, by Rev. R. S. Finley, who had corresponded with Mr. Lowrie on the subject, that the Board was willing to send him out as a teacher in a high school, which they contemplate establishing in Liberia, for the purpose of educating teachers, and preachers for Africa. His mechanical genius, his knowledge as a blacksmith, as also his scholarship, and piety, peculiarly fit him for the station. I may also add, that the fact that he is accustomed to a southern climate, is another recommendation. It appears to me that Africa cannot be christianized without such a school; and God in his providence, seems to have raised up this man for the work. Past providences seem to indicate that white missionaries are not the kind for that field. The history of this case has been so interesting to me, Mr. Editor, that I supposed it would be so to others, and therefore, I have taken the liberty to send you an account of it. Great harmony, and brotherly feeling appeared to prevail among the members of the Synod. I was very favorably impressed as to the piety and talents of the members as a body. VIATOR. DONATION FROM A FREE COLORED MAN IN THE CHEROKEE NATION. THE following is an extract from a letter of one of the ablest, earliest, and most useful missionaries to the Choctaws: NEAR FORT Towson, 7th JANUARY, 1843. REV. AND DEAR SIR.-Inclosed is an order on Mr. Hill for ten dollars, a donation to the Colonization Society, from George Freeman, a colored man, now residing at the Dwight Mission, Cherokee nation It would give me great pleasure to be able to make many such remittances from this section of country, for the objects of your Society. There are, however, but few who take an interest in any of the great benevolent objects of the present day. As light is gradually diffused a better spirit is manifested. George Freeman is a very promising black man, whose freedom I procured. He is the second for whom I have secured that inestimable blessing. My method has been to pay down the price demanded by the master or owners. 1 then opened a book account with the servant, gave him credit for the full value of his labor, and charged him with clothing, &c., and a moderate interest on the money paid for his redemption. In this way many worthy black people now in bondage might be liberated, and sent to Africa, should the means of the Society be equal to the demands on its aid. I hope George may yet go to Liberia. Yours, &c. THE following article from the Journal of Commerce is of deep interest, though we apprehend Lord Brougham is mistaken in regard to the extent of the decrease of the slave trade. That it is on the decrease we have no doubt, but while so many vigilant eyes are watching to detect it, there is equal watchfulness to escape detection. THE SLAVE TRADE.--From statements made by Lord Brougham in the British Parliament on the 28th ult., it appears that a very decided decrease has taken place within a few years past, in the importation of slaves from the island of Cuba. The number of vessels belonging to Havana which in the year 1838 were engaged in the trade amounted to 71; in the year 1839, to 59; in 1840, to 54; in 181, to 31; and in 1842 there were only three vessels so engaged. The number of negroes imported in 1839, was as many as 25,000; in 1840, 14,470; in 1841, 11,857; and in 1842, only 3,150. The largest number imported was 28,000. At the instance of the mixed commission, a very large proportion of those were emancipated. During the last year, Governor Valdez gave full freedom to 1,215 of the negroes emancipated by the mixed court, prior to the treaty of 1835, and who, though nominally emancipated, had been retained in a state of virtual slavery. The Governor has, moreover, within the year, made five seizures of bodie s of newly imported Africans, amounting in all to 754, so that these may be deducted from the number of new slaves, leaving the actual number only 2,396. EXPEDITION FROM NEW ORLEANS. THE Rev. William McLain, Treasurer of the Society, is on his way to New Or leans to charter a ship and attend to all matters connected with the departure of the expedition of which we gave notice in our last number. The Committee deeply feel the necessity of incurring the responsibilities of this movement, and they hope the Father of all wisdom and goodness will open many hearts in charity towards the work in which they are engaged. The time demands the special efforts of auxiliary Societies. This ship will touch at Norfolk about the 1st of May, to receive additional freight and emigrants. The opportunity will be favorable to missionaries desiring a passage, and for missionary societies who may wish to send supplies to their several stations in Western Africa. A PLAN TO RAISE $20,000 FOR THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, BY SUBSCRIPTIONS OF $50 EACH, TO ENABLE IT TO EXTEND THE TERRITORY OF LIBERIA. OFFICE OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY, Washington, Murch 22d, 1843. It is vitally important that the colonial jurisdiction should be rendered incontestable over the whole line of coast from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas, since about twenty tracts have already been purchased on this line, many settlements founded, and difficulties have risen in regard to other tracts between these two points, not yet purchased, and which are liable to be sold by the natives to foreign traders or Governments, who are moved by commercial cupidity to obtain possession of them. Should this end be attained: 1st. The slave trade would be forever suppressed in this part of Africa, and a vast native population be brought under the influences of civilization and christianity. 2d. Collisions and disturbances would be prevented, to which the colony is now exposed, from the interference of foreign powers or their citizens., 3d. Immense agricultural and commercial benefits would be secured to the colonists, and through them to our American commerce. 4th. An invaluable region of Africa, brought under the influence of good government, would be opened to colored emigrants from the United States, and the growth and prosperity of our colonies be secured. The Committee feel that in the Providence of Almighty God the cause of African Colonization and the colonies of Liberia are assuming extraordinary magnitude in relation both to our own and other countries, and that every patriot and christian should now regard them with intense and increasing interest, and that instead of leaving them to the ordinary operation of events, they can only, by most arduous efforts for their advancement, discharge the great trust reposed in them with satisfaction to their own consciences, or the just expectation of the intelligent friends of the Society. The Executive Committee of the Society, with full confidence in his intelligence, fidelity, and ardent devotedness to the great and beneficent objects of the Institution, have appointed Franklin Knight, Esq., to carry into execution the important plan here submitted. R. R. GURLEY, Secretary. Mr. Knight will commence his labors in this District and Virginia. CONTRIBUTIONS to, and receipts by, the American Colonization Society, from the 24th of February, to the 24th of March, 1843. NEW HAMPSHIRE. New Market, Miss R. Kittridge, formerly of Tewksbury, $10, per CONNECTICUT. New London, Jonathan Coit, Esq., 8th instalment on subscription of NEW YORK. Trumamsburg, Subscriptions of certain members of the Presbyterian Pittsgrove. The Female Auxiliary Society, Salem county, $3, per DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Washington, Capt. R. Lee, U. S. N., $10, the proceeds of worsted work by two ladies, $15, VIRGINIA. Everettsville, Collections in the congregational church, $15, per Rev. OHIO. Granville, Annual subscription by Sereno Wright $10, GEORGIA. Augusta, From a "Georgia Baptist," per W. H. Turpin, $100, MISSISSIPPI. Washington county, Francis Griffin, Esq., $100, RECEIPTS FOR THE AFRICAN REPOSITORY. VERMONT-Weathersfield, William Jarvis, for '42, $2, MASSACHUSETTS.-Springfield, Charles Stearns for 3 copies from 1st PENNSYLVANIA -Philadelphia, W. Primrose, $1 50, Total for Repository, Total, 2.00 12.00 1 50 300 3.00 12.00 12.00 $45 50 $636 00 $681 50 Those subscribers in Pennsylvania who have received the Repository as annual subscribers of $5 to the cause, and do not desire to receive it on this condition, or as subscribers, will please give information to the American Colonization Society. All remittances for this work may be made directly by mail to the Editor. ON AFRICAN COLONIZATION, ADDRESSED TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW ORLEANS COMMERCIAL BULLETIN, NEW ORLEANS, 1842. WHILE many men are to be found in our land, discussing abstract principles, and broaching their theories of benevolence, there are, we trust, not a few who grapple with the evils they find around them, and, in the fear of God, endeavor to mitigate or remove them. Which of these two classes of men ranks first in philanthrophy, is known only to him who searches the heart-principles must be discussed, great and leading truths brought out and illustrated; but we must confess that our sympathies are chiefly with those who, with strong common sense, invincible perseverance, patience that knows no limit, and a regard to the actual state of things around them, ameliorate the condition of their race. Of this class, we know none more deserving the homage of the good, than the individual whose letter to the editor of the New Orleans Bulletin has given occasion to the following notice. While a Channing was taxing the powers of a benevolent mind to portray the evils of a system, which to him was but a theory, we find a southern master, with no aspirations after a niche in the temple of fame, but with strong sensibilities, and a quick sympathy with his kind, applying himself with a wise reference to all the surrounding circumstances to their removal, and in so doing, has solved a problem which will tell upon the interests of this land, and of Africa, long after he has gone to his reward. 1. The master What are the difficulties in the way of emancipation? cannot afford it. 2. The slave is not fit for it. So that it would be ruinous to both, and, therefore, common sense and christian prudence forbids. It would not be loving yourself or your neighbor. Mr. McDonogh has removed the difficulties, by a plan as novel as it is successful, and makes it the interest of the master and a blessing to the slave. accomplishing his benevolent purpose, he has solved another problem, In |