It is with peculiar satisfaction that I meet the founders and patrons of the American Colonization Society, after the experience of a year has ascertained that their wise and benevolent purpose will be seconded by the voice of our common country.

     From every quarter of the United States, the aspirations of good men have been breathed to Heaven, for the success of our future labors.

     The resolution of Virginia, soliciting the aid of the General Government in effecting a similar object, which had passed the popular branch of her Legislature by a very large majority, before the organization of this society, received shortly after the almost unanimous sanction of her Senate.

     Auxiliary societies have been formed in many parts of the country, and in the populous cities of New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, for the purpose of co-operating with the parent society established at the seat of the General Government; and many similar associations await only the measures which the President of the United States may be expected to take, in pursuance of the request of Virginia, to imbody themselves, and to combine the resources of the Union for the completion of our comprehensive and benevolent design.

     Among a small but opulent society of slaveholders in Virginia a subscription has been raised, by the zealous exertions of a few individuals, of such magnitude as to illustrate the extent of the funds which we may hope hereafter to command, and to induce a confident hope that our labors will be rewarded by the willing contributions of a generous and enlightened people.

     Other public-spirited individuals have forborne to make similar efforts until the success of our preparatory measures shall have been clearly ascertained.

     The society have engaged two agents to explore the western coast of Africa, and to collect such information as may assist the Government of the United States in selecting a suitable district on that continent for the proposed settlement. The performance of this preliminary duty has been confided to Samuel J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess, gentlemen possessing all the qualifications requisite for the important trust confided to them, and their report may reasonably be expected before the next annual meeting of the society.

     The addition which has recently been made to our stock of knowledge of that continent, to which every eye is directed as the proper theatre of our future labors, is highly encouraging to that enlarged and beneficent plan, when associates the political emancipation and future comfort of an unfortunate class of men with the civilization and happiness of an afflicted, oppressed, and degraded quarter of our globe.

     Amidst these encouraging prospects, I cannot forbear a momentary tribute of regret to the memory of a man to whom Africa is indebted for a vindication of her capacity for moral and intellectual improvement, and the world for an illustrious example of disinterested benevolence. This event is the more to be deplored, as the death of Captain Paul Cuffee occurred after his usefulness had been recently manifested by the restoration of fifty of his countrymen to the land of their forefathers—an act which must afford to every Christian society fresh cause of gratitude to that God who inspired this generous African to execute the counsels of universal benevolence.

     An effort has been unfortunately made to prejudice the minds of the free people of color against this institution, which had its origin, it is believed, in an honest desire to promote their happiness.  A suggestion has been made to them, which this society disclaims by the terms of its constitution, that they are to be constrained to migrate to the country which may be selected for the seat of our colony. No suspicion can be more unfounded. It is sanctioned by no declarations or acts of this society, from which alone our intentions can be candidly inferred.

     As little can be apprehended by the proprietor who will not voluntarily avail himself of the opportunity which this settlement will afford him of emancipating his slaves without injury to his country. The effect of this institution. if its prosperity shall equal our wishes, will be alike propitious to every interest of our domestic society; and should it lead, as we may fairly hope it will, to the slow but gradual abolition of slavery, it will wipe from our political institutions the only blot which stains them; and, in palliation of which, we shall not be at liberty to plead the excuse of moral necessity, until we shall have honestly exerted all the means which we possess for its extinction.

     In the magnificent plans now carrying on for the improvement and happiness of mankind in many parts of the world, we cannot but discern the interposition of that Almighty power who alone could inspire and crown with success these great purposes. But, amongst them all, there is perhaps none upon which we may more confidently implore the blessing of Heaven than that in which we are now associated. Whether we consider the grandeur of the object, and the wide sphere of philanthropy which it embraces, or whether we view the present state of its progress under the auspices of this society, and under the obstacles which might have been expected from the cupidity of many, we may discover in each a certain pledge that the same benignant hand which has made these preparatory arrangements will crown our efforts with success. Having, therefore, these motives of piety to consecrate and strengthen the powerful considerations which a wise policy suggests, we may, I trust, confidently rely upon the liberal exertions of the public for the necessary means of effecting this highly interesting object.