Freed Slaves Are Relocated in Africa

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

A very historic printed letter, 1p. measuring 8 1/2" x 8", Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 13, 1849, being an appeal by Rev. James Mitchell emigration agent for the American Colonization Society appealing to a certain "Howard" hoping to gain monetary support from Congress to aid in colonizing Liberia, in part: "…doubtless you are apprised of the horrors of the 'African Slave Trade,' which over 80,000Africans are exported from Africa annually, and sold into bondage…how ineffectual the policy…by the United States, England, and France has been its suppression, and likewise their fruitless expenditure of money…much good has been accomplished by colonization. A few benevolent men…having settled and erected the Republic of Liberia, for…not more than one million dollars…further we suppose that you are acquainted with the doings of the British Parliament…whose movements we learn that the British Government desires to change the policy of blockading the coast of Africa…of settling [the] coast with colonists…we respectfully request that you will use your influence in securing a change in our national policy on this point, and have the thousands of dollars that are regularly voted to the support of the African Squadron [be] diverted…from that object and applied to maintaining a line transports, which shall carry our free people of color…to emigrate to Africa. In doing this you will render a great service to the American Colonization Society, which is now unable to meet the growing demand for means of transportation…". At the bottom margin of the document, Mitchell annotates a personal plea, in ink, to Howard, in full: "P. S. Please secure the passage of similar resolutions in your Assembly and thus you can secure the cause of Humanity. J. M." During 1820, Liberia was founded by freed slaves from the United States. These freed slaves first arrived in Liberia at Monrovia (named after President James Monroe) on February 6, 1820. A group of 86 immigrants formed the nucleus of the population. Thousands of freed slaves from the U.S. soon arrived during the following years. The idea of resettling free slaves in Africa was nurtured by the American Colonization Society. The formation of the Republic of Liberia was not an easy task. It periodically encountered stiff opposition from African tribes, but nonetheless between 1821 and 1867, the Society transported nearly 6,000 black men, women, and children to the new republic. Mitchell served as one of the Society's most ardent supporters behind this immigration movement. By 1862, Lincoln recognized Mitchell for his efforts, and appointed him Commissioner of Emigration. A truly historic document in near fine conditio

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