REVIVALS OF RELIGION. THE hopeful religious appearances, in many parts of our country, still continue. The revival at Newark suffers no abatement, so far as we learn. It is considered as the most remarkable revival, which has taken place for many years. We hear that the good work prospers in several towns in Vermont. There have been recently some signal displays of divine grace. Happy will it be if our country should generally partake of those influences, which have been so graciously vouchsafed to some parts of it, in so distinguished a manner. * A letter to the editor from a clergyman, who resides in the Connecticut Reserve, contains the following intelligence. "The church and society in this town are in a very promising state. Our meetings on the Sabbath are gènerally crowded, especially when there is preaching. Within about nine months past, 40 persons have been received into our communion; 23 from other churches, and 17 by profession. About half the latter number are the fruits of a little revival, with which we were favored last summer. We expect several others will unite with us before long, by making a public pro#fession of religion. "Last summer and fall there were pretty extensive revivals in several towns of Ashtabula county; particularly in Austinburg, Morgan, Rome, and Jefferson. In the former of these places, containing 50 or 60 families, there are probably not more than three or four in which there is not family worship. "The Grand River Presbytery, during their session in February, formed themselves into a Society for the education of pious young men for the ministry, and appointed a committee to publish an address on the subject. "The Connecticut Reserve Bible Society are about procuring 400 more Bibles, making 1,600 in the whole procured by that Society. "The subject of the establishment of a College in New Connecticut has lately begun to interest the attention of the public. "Thus you see, dear Sir, that this new country is prospering. The wilderness is indeed beginning to blossom. We trust that it will ere long bring forth fruit in abundance to the praise of the glory of divine grace. At least we have much cause to rejoice in the past, and to hope for the future." BOSTON CENT SOCIETY. THE liberal and catholic manner, in which this Society appropriated its funds, did not secure it from the attacks of those, who boast perpetually of their own catholicism and liberality, We publish the following statement furnished by the Society. Funds of the Society the past year distributed in the following manner:➡ For the education of native Indian children, $120 00 To a school in Vergennes, for emigrant Canadians, 20 00 12 00 To the Female Society for the religious and moral instruction of poor children in Boston, 30 00 To the Female, do. do. do. 20 00 20 00 20 00 30.00 105 62 10 00 To a School in the neighborhood of Norridge wock, District of Maine, To the Baptist Sunday School, To the Female Auxiliary Bible Society of Boston and vicinity, $417 62 The Managers cherish a belief that from this little Association have issued streams that have swelled that River, which is to make glad the city of God. We suppose there is preaching but half the time, the clergyman supplying two congregations. From its sources the ignorant have been instructed; native heathens enlight ened, and the word of life imparted to those perishing for lack of knowledge and it is confidently hoped, that as the benefits resulting from this Society become more known, the present list of subscribers will not only continue, but very many will be added to it, who will rejoice in an opportunity furnishing another proof, that "great effects result from little causes." MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. EXERTIONS FOR COLONIZING FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR. THE past winter has been distinguished by an attempt to excite the public attention the condition of the free people of color in the United States. During the autumn the Legislature of Virginia took up the subject, and requested the Governor to correspond with the President of the United States, for the purpose obtaining a territory in Africa, or some other place without our own limits, to serve as an asylum for such free persons of color, as might choose to remove thither. The same body also requested the Senators and Representatives in Congress from Virginia to aid the President, in the attainment of the above object. On the 21st of December a public meeting was held at Washington, for the purpose considering the same subject. The Hon. HENRY CLAY presided." The meeting was opened in a suitable manner by the chairman. ELIAS B. CALDWELL, Esq. then addressed the gentlemen present, and explained, in a judicious and sensible speech, the plan which had been conceived, and the means which were requisite, to meliorate the condition of the free people of color. He was followed by Mr. Randolph and Mr. Wright. He then offered the following preamble and resolution, which were unanimously adopted: "The situation of the free people of color in the United States has been the subject of anxious solicitude, with many of our most distinguished citizens, from the first existence of our country as an independent nation; but the great difficulty and embarrassment attending the establishment of an infant nation, when first struggling into existence, and the subsequent convulsions of Europe, have hitherto prevented any great national effort to provide a remedy for the evils existing or apprehended.-The present period seems peculiarly auspicious to invite attention to this important subject, and gives a well grounded hope of success. The nations of Europe are hushed into peace; unexampled efforts are making, in various parts of the world, to diffuse knowledge, civilization and the benign influence of the Christian religion. The rights of man are becoming daily better understood; the legitimate objects of government, as founded for the benefit and intended for the happiness of men, are more generally acknowledged, and an ardent zeal for the happiness of the human race is kindled in almost every heart. Desirous of siding in the great cause of philanthropy, and of promoting the prosperity and happiness of our country, it is recommended by this meeting to form an association or society for the purpose of giving aid and assisting in the colonization of the free people of color in the United States. Therefore Resolved, That an association or society be formed for the purpose of collecting information and to assist in the formation and execution of a plan for the colonization of the free people of color, with their consent, in Africa or elsewhere, as may be thought most advisable, by the constituted authorities of the country." A committee was appointed to present a respectful memorial to Congress, and another to prepare a constitution for the proposed society. The meeting was adjourned to the 28th of the same month, when a constitution was reported, and unanimously adopted. The Hon. BUSHROD WASHINGTON was appointed President; thirteen gentlemen of distinguished character, in different parts of the United States, Vice Presidents; twelve gentlemen of Washington and the vicinity, Managers; ELIAS B. CALDWELL, Secretary; W. G. D. WORTHINGTON, Rec. Sec.; and DAVIN ENGLISH, Treasurer. The President and Managers were directed to present a memorial to Congress; and, on the 14th of January, the following memorial was presented: "To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled "The memorial of the President and board of managers of the 'American Society for Colonizing the free people of color of the United States,' "Respectfully shows, "That your memorialists are delegated by a numerous and highly respectable association of their fellow citizens, recently organized at the seat of government, to solicit Congress to aid with the power, the patronage, and the resources of the country, the great and beneficial object of their institution; an object deemed worthy of the earnest attention. and of the strenuous and persevering exertions, as well of every patriot, in whatever cordition of life, as of every enlightened, philanthropie, and practical statesman. It is now reduced to be a maxim, equally approved in philosophy and practice, that the existence of distinct and separate casts, or classes, forming exceptions to the general system of policy adapted to the community, is an inherent vice in the composition of society, pregnant with baneful consequences, both moral and political, and demanding the utmost exertion of human energy and foresight to remedy or remove it. If this maxim be true in the general, it applies with peculiar force to the relative condition of the free people of color in the United States; between whom and the rest of the community, a combination of causes, political, physical, and moral, has created distinctions, unavoidable in their origin, and most unfortunate in their consequences. The actual and prospective condition of that class of people; their anomalous and indefinite relations to the political institutions and social ties of the community, their deprivation of most of those independent, political and social rights, so indispensable to the progressive melioration of our nature; rendered, by systematic exclusion from all the higher rewards of excellence, dead to all the elevating hopes that might prompt a generous ambition to execl; all these considerations demonstrate, that it equally imports the public good, as the individual and social happiness of the persons more immediately concerned; that it is equally a debt of patriotism and of humanity, to provide some adequate and effectual remedy. The evil has become so apparent, and the necessity for a remedy so palpable, that some of the most considerable of the slaveholding states have been induced to impose restraints upon the practice of emancipation, by annexing conditions, which have no effect but to transfer the evil from one state to another; or, by inducing other states to adopt countervailing regulations, end in the total abrogation of a right, which benevolent or conscientious proprietors had long enjoyed under all the sanctions of positive law and of ancient usage. Your memorialists beg leave, with all deference, to suggest that the fairest and most inviting opportunities are now presented to the general government, for repairing a great evil in our social and political institutions, and at the same time for elevating, from a low and hopeless condition, a numerous and rapidly increasing race of men, who want nothing but a proper theatre, to enter upon the pursuit of happiness and independence, in the ordinary paths which a benign Providence has left open to the human race. Those great ends, it is conceived, may be accomplished by making adequate provision for planting, in some salubrious and fertile region, a colony, to be composed of such of the above description of persons as may choose to emigrate, and for extending to it the authority and protection of the United States, until it shall have attained sufficient strength and consistency to be left in a state of independence. "Independently of the motives derived from political foresight and civil prudence, on the one hand, and from moral justice and philanthropy on the other, there are additional considerations and more expanded views to engage the sympathies and excite the ardor of a liberal and enlightened people. It may be reserved for our government, (the first to denounce an inhuman and abominable traffic, in the guilt and disgrace of which most of the civilized nations of the world were partakers) to become the honorable instrument, under Divine Providence, of conferring a still higher blessing upon the large and interesting portion of mankind, benefited by that deed of justice; by demonstrating that a race of men, composing numerous tribes, spread over a continent of vast and unexplored extent, fertility, and riches, known to the enlightened nations of antiquity; and who had yet made no progress in the refinements of civilization; for whom history has preserved no monuments of arts or arms: that even this, hitherto, ill-fated race, may cherish the hope of beholding at last the orient star revealing the best and highest aims and attri butes of man. Out of such materials, to rear the glorious edifice of well ordered and polished society, upon the deep and sure foundations of equal laws and diffusive education, would give a sufficient title to be enrolled among the illustrious benefactors of mankind; whilst it afforded a precious and consolatory evidence of the all prevailing power of liberty, enlightened by knowledge and corrected by religion. If the experiment, in its more remote consequences, should ultimately tend to the diffusion of similar blessings through those vast regions and unnumbered tribes, yet obscured in primeval darkness; reclaim the rude wanderer from a life of wretchedness, to civilization and humanity; and convert the blind idolater, from gross and abject superstitions, to the holy charities, the sublime morality and humanizing discipline of the Gospel; the nation, or the individual that shall have taken the most conspicuous lead in achieving the benignant enterprise, will have raised a monument of that true and imperishable glory, founded in the moral approbation and gratitude of the human race; unapproachable to all but the elected instruments of divine beneficence:-a glory, with which the most splendid achievements of human force or power must sink in the competition, and appear insignificant and vulgar in the comparison. And above all should it be considered, that the nation or the individual, whose energies have been faithfully given to this august work, will have secured, by this exalted beneficence, the favor of that Being "whose compassion is over all his works," and whose unspeakable rewards will never fail to bless the humblest effort to do good to his creatures. "Your memorialists do not presume to determine, that the views of Congress will be necessarily directed to the country to which they have just alluded. They hope to be Excused for intimating some of the reasons which would bring that portion of the world before us, when engaged in discovering a place the most proper to be selected, leaving , with perfect confidence, to the better information and better judgment of your hon orable body to make the choice. "Your memorialists, without presuming to mark out, in detail, the measures which it may be proper to adopt in furtherance of the object in view; but implicitly relying upon the wisdom of Congress to devise the most effectual measures, will only pray, that the subject may be recommended to their serious consideration, and that, as an humble auxiliary in this great work, the association, represented by your memorialists, may be permitted to aspire to the hope of contributing its labors and resources. BUSH WASHINGTON, President.” The memorial was committed to the Committee on the slave-trade. On the 11th of February the following Report was made; which, however, was not acted upon during the remainder of the session. "REPORT on colonizing the free people of color of the United States. February 11, 1817. Read, and committed to a committee of the whole house on Monday next. "The commitee to whom was referred the memorial of the president and board of managers of the "American Society for colonizing the free people of color of the United States," have had the same under their deliberate consideration. The subject is of such magnitude, and attended with so many difficulties, it is with much diffidence they present their views of it to the House. "Were it simply a question of founding a colony, numerous and well known precedents show with what facility the work might be accomplished. Every new territory estab. lished by our government, constitutes, indeed, a colony, formed with great ease; because it is only an extension of homogeneous settlements. But in contemplating the coloniza. tion of the tree people of color, it seemed obviously necessary to take a different course. Their distinct character and relative condition, render an entire separation from our own states and territories indispensable. And this separation must be such as to admit of an indefinite continuance. Hence, it seems manifest that these people cannot be colonized within the limits of the United States. If they were not far distant, the rapidly extending settlements of our white inhabitants would soon reach them; and the evil now felt would be renewed; probably with aggravated mischief. Were the colony to be remote, it must be planted on lands now owned and occupied by the native tribes of the country. And could a territory be purchased, the transporting of the colonists thither, would be vastly expensive, their subsistence for a time difficult, and a bod of troops would be required for their protection. And after all, should these difficulties be overcome, the original evil would at length recur, by the extension of our white population, In the mean time, should the colony so increase as to become a nation, it is not difficult to foresee the quarrels and destructive wars which would ensue; especially if the slavery of people of color should continue, and accompany the whites in their migrations. Turning our eyes from our own country, no other, adapted to the colony in contemplation, presented itself to our view, nearer than Africa, the native land of negroes; and probably that is the only country on the globe to which it would be practicable to ⚫transfer our free people of color with safety, and advantage to themselves and the civil. ized world It is the country which, in the order of Providence, seems to have been appropriated to that distinct family of mankind. And while it presents the fittest asylum for the free people of color, it opens a wide field for the improvements in civilization, morals, and religion, which the humane and enlightened memorialists have conceived it possible, in process of time, to spread over that great continent. "Should the measure suggested be approved, an important question occurs-In what way shall its execution be essayed? "A preliminary step would be, to provide for the perfect neutrality of the colony, by the explicit assent and engagement of all the civilized powers, whatever dissentions may at any time arise among themselves. "The next important question is:-Will it be expedient to attempt the establishment of a new colony in Africa, or to make to Great Britain a proposal to receive the emigrants from the United States into her colony of Sierra Leone? "At Sierra Leone, the first difficulties have been surmounted; and a few free people of color from the U. S. have been admitted. A gradual addition from the same source (and such would be the natural progress) would occasion no embarrassment, either in regard to their sustenance or government. Would the British government consent to receive such an accession of emigrants however eventually considerable, from the United States? Would that government agree that at the period when that colony shall be capa ble of self-government and self-protection, it shall be declared independent? In the mean tiac, will it desire to monopolize the commerce of the colony? This would be injurious to the colonists, as well as to the United States. Should that country, from the nature of its soil and other circumstances, hold out sufficient allurements, and draw to it, from the United States, the great body of the free people of color, these would form its strength, and its ability to render its commerce an object of consideration. Now as the great and permanent benefit of the colonists, was the fundamental principles of the establishment-will the British government decline a proposition calculated to give that benent the important extension which will arise from a freedom of commerce? To those, at least, at whose expense, and by whose means, the colony shall be essentially, extended? Should an agreement with G. Britain be effected, no further negotiation, nor any extraordinary expenditure of money will be required. The work already commenced will be continued--simply that of carrying to Sierra Leone, all who are willing to embark. "It would seem highly desirable to confine the migrations to a single colony. The two distinct and independent colonies, established and protected by two independent powers, would naturally imbibe the spirit and distinctions of their patrons and protectors, and put in jeopardy the peace and prosperity of both. Even the simple fact of separate inde pendence, would eventually tend to produce collisions and wars between the two estabfishments, (unless, indeed, they were far removed from each other) and perhaps defeat the further humane and exalted views of those who projected them The spirit which animated the founders of the colony of Sierra Leone, would be exerted to effect an union of design, and the cordial co-operation of the British government with our own; and, it might be hoped, not without success. It would be in accordance with the spirit of a stipulation in the last treaty of peace; by which the two governments stand pledged to each other, to use their best endeavors to effect the entire abolition of the traffic in slaves, while the proposed institution would tend to diminish the quantity of slavery actually existing. If, however, such enlarged and liberal views should be wanting, then the design of forming a separate colony might be announced, by the American ministers, to the maritime powers; and their guarantee of the neutrality of the colony obtained. "Your committee do not think it proper to pursue the subject any further at this time; but that the government should wait the result of the suggested negotiations; on which ulterior measures must depend. "In conclusion, your committee beg leave to report a joint resolution, embracing the views herein before exhibited. "JOINT RESOLUTION for abolishing the traffic in Slaves, and the Colonization of the Free People of Color of the United States February 11, 1817. Read, and committed to a committee of the whole house on Monday next. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the U. S. of America, in Congress assembled, That the President be, and he is hereby authorized to consult and nego eiate with all the governments where ministers of the United States are, or shall be accredited, on the means of effecting an entire and immediate abolition of the traffic in slaves. And, also, to enter into a convention with the government of Great Britain, for receiving into the Colony of Sierra Leone, such of the free people of color of the United States as, with their own consent, shall be carried thither; stipulating such terms as shall be most beneficial to the colonists, while it promotes the peaceful interests of Great Britain and the United States. And should this proposition not be accepted, then to obtain from Great Britain, and the other maritime powers, a stipulation, or a formal declaration to the same effect, guaranteeing a permanent neutrality for any colony of free people of color, which, at the expense and under the auspices of the United States, shall be established on the African coast. Resolved, That adequate provision shall hereafter be made to defray any necessary expenses, which may be incurred in carrying the preceding resolution into effect. PROGRESS OF EDUCATION. No subject can be more interesting to the moralist and the Christian than the state of education in the newly-settled parts of our country. The impress which is given to society at first is supremely important. Every exertion should therefore be made, by the first settlers of a wilderness, to give a happy character to their rising community. It is with pleasure we learn, that the inhabitants of many places in the western states are very desirous of enjoying themselves and securing for their children the advantages of Christian instruction and of early education. In some places, the efforts which have been made are very commendable, and have been attended with encouraging success. The settlers of the Connecticut Reserve, in the north-eastern corner of Ohio, deserve particular credit for their efforts for the establishment of schools and of the Gospel ministry Among them. We publish the following account, as an instance of the progress which is making in education. A year ago last winter an act of incorporation was obtained for an Academy in Tallmadge, Ohio. On the 26th of November last the institution was opened. The first term has lately closed. An account of the exercises of the first quarterly exhibition, written by one of the Trustees, is as follows: "The quarterly exhibition of the students in Tallmadge Academy was attended on the Sth of February. As this was the first exhibition of the kind, that has ever taken place |