Circular to the friends of African colonization

Description:	This 1855 circular (an advertisement or letter delivered to a large number of people) is addressed to the Friends of African Colonization. It is comprised of a one page introduction, and a long letter addressed to the Indiana State Board of Colonization. Overwhelmingly white, supporters of the Colonization Movement advocated for relocation of free people of color and emancipated slaves to Africa. Free black people voiced strong opposition to this movement, as did many abolitionists, who viewed the agenda of the Society as counterproductive for racial reconciliation and ineffective as a scheme to combat slavery. The circular author, Rev. James Mitchell (1818-1903), was a Methodist minister, an abolitionist and the Secretary of the American Colonization Society of Indiana. The introduction to the body of the circular, which is a communication addressed to the Indiana State Board of Colonization, summarizes the purpose and intention of the movement as benevolent, and requests state action be fully funded in this direction. Mitchell criticizes legislation and action that essentially deports free people of color to Liberia without adequate provisions or funding to ensure their safety and success. He argues that the citizens of Indiana support this movement, and that colonization must be voluntary with philanthropic objectives, not oppressive or coercive. In the body of the circular, Mitchell argues that the time for action has come, complains financial provisions are inadequate, explains Colonization Society delays in action, and details specific plans for colonization, including funding, and the location of the settlement in Grand Cape Mount, Liberia. He also proposes an administration plan to eliminate inefficiency involving either the appointment of AME Rev. John McKay (a black minister) as commissioner who would deal directly, in person with the government of Liberia, or deputizing the Rev. William W. Findley, a free black minister, charged with the promotion of the movement to free people of color.
Origin:	1855
Created By:	Mitchell, James S., 1818-1903
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p1819coll6/id/63022
Collection:	Indiana Historical Print Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Copyright:	No Copyright - United States
Geography:	Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States
Subjects:	African Americans--History African Americans--Indiana Indiana--History Colonization African Americans--Social conditions Grand Cape Mount County (Liberia) Liberia Back to Africa movement Emigration and immigration Indiana State Board of Colonization Indiana Colonization Society

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