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(11) of Brazil should be willing to sell us a Territory on the Amazon, or some of its Tributaries, another division could be taken thither & at a moderate cost. In those cases after the labour & expense preliminary to permanent settlement would be less than if they were to return to the land of their forefathers; & perhaps they would be less likely to suffer from the hostility of their neighbors. But as to the great body of them, we concur in the general sentiment which announces their destination in the saying 'Africa for the Africans.' We do not propose to disturb the Colony of Liberia: we leave it to the zeal & care of its friends & patrons. The hopes of many who once wished it well, under its present name have waned well nigh to extinction. But let that experiment be fairly tried. And in order to this, let it have the benefit of a selection for its emigrants, from the best of those who are sifted from the entire black population of the country — & if necessary, a modification of its Constitution. One thing is certain; that if any large amount of our new Freedmen, in this present unprepared state, were suddenly poured down in their territory, the Republic of Liberia — if not already — would soon become, an obsolete idea; for it would inevitably be swamped beyond the hand of Resurrection. We suppose there is much other Territory on the Western Coast of Africa which might be purchased by our Government; or if this could not be effected at present, it might re-purchase from the Authorities of Liberia such part of her territory as was unoccupied & not needed for her present purposes; & this would serve as a point d'appui from which to obtain as much more as might be required. - Such an establishment could furnish no ground for jealousy to any European Power. With an object so unmistakable, & so commendable withal it should rather receive the aid of their good wishes & encouragement. [[strikethrough]] The several [[/strikethrough]] Each colony must needs at first be under Military Rule, until Society could be regained anew — laws assigned, & the new residents set on work. Even this must be succeeded by a strong Government, authorised to enforce labour if necessary; & the several colonies might be placed under a Governor General with well-defined power, who would receive his appointment & instructions from the Government of the U. States. We suppose also that a great work awaits the Colonists; — a work to which they only will be competent; as the natives seem never to have attempted it. — The Climate of Africa, along this entire Coast, as is well known, is deadly to the white man. It cannot be that the Cause of this shall remain forever a mystery; — or its removal, beyond the reach of Science & of Art. In some localities at least, this Malaria may arise from marshes & jungles — especially on the banks of the larger rivers - susceptible of being drained or dyked — or both. The Great works of Art in this [[left margin]] notes, it may be necessary to select some of the substitute agents, [[?]] intermediate race, better [[?]] -but of course only such individuals as will carry out the American Policy; if such can be found. [[/left margin]]
Transcription Notes:
at the ...[[?]] in the left margin it denotes I haven't deciphered most of it....
I think that's as good as it's going to get! I might have missed fixing a labour. Content distracting :-(
---------- the use of [[illegible]] I cannot find anywhere in the instructions - use [[?]] for each word that cannot be transcribed
Reopened for Editing 2024-01-23 18:24:57
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Reopened for Editing 2024-01-24 09:02:29
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Reopened for Editing 2024-01-24 13:03:55
I could figure out a few of the last missing words--now only that left margin still unclear...
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Reopened for Editing 2024-01-24 14:53:42
I can't figure out any of the missing words but everything else looks good, wasn't sure if it's allowed to mark as complete if there are missing words or not