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"The Africans, " Colored American, Mar. 27, 1841.
THE AFRICANS.--Our readers have long since rejoiced exceedingly with us, at the decision
of the highest judicatory of the nation, in declaring these men "freedom"--at
this triumph of truth--at this signal defeat to slave-holders and the slaveholding
spirit. There was not so far as known more anxiety among the friends of freedom in
the free States, in looking forward to this trial, than among the friends of slavery
at the South. (What a term, friends of slavery in a republican country, and yet such
is the fact.) The former, looking forward with trembling anxiety, lest liberty, through
the case of these individuals, be stabbed at its vitals, the ends of justice perverted,
and
"Truth crushed to earth."
The latter with awful dread, lest the decision should aim a deadly blow at their "peculiar institution," and
"Error be wounded, to writhe in pain,
And die amidst its worshippers,"
and these poor men should not be immediated upon the altar of slavery. But thank God, liberty has triumphed, and its enemies are defeated
There is something more glorious in the latter decision than in the former one, by
the Circuit Court in Connecticut. By that decision they were to be lodged with the
President, to be conveyed to Africa, at the expense of the government. by the latter,
they are "freemen" on this soil, left in the hands of the committee, who
have had their case in charge, to choose for themselves whether to go home to Africa,
or remain in this country. No influence will be exerted over them either way. It
will be left to the decision of "Cirque," whom they all recognize as their
leader and counselor, and who, though uneducated, is nevertheless competent to decide.
It will be as he may say, and when he shall have had due time to reflect, he will
doubtless decide, and they will probably go home. For further information in this
respect, we refer our readers to an article headed, "Reception of the news by
the captives."
These thirty-six individuals were last week, by an order from Judge , of the Circuit Court in Connecticut, released from a prison in which they had been incarcerated for eighteen months, most of them only having had the privilege of the yard. They are now at Farmington, Ct., by the direction of the committee, on the farm of A. F. Williams, a very worthy and good abolitionist. The three girls, however, are an exception who are in the family of Mr. A. Townsend, of New Haven, an abolitionist, and who has stood by them through thick and thin, and been one of the committee having had the charge of their education.
The committee are making arrangements to have them brought to this city and exhibited, and a speech made on the occasion by the Hon. J. Quincy Adams. This will take place if they can secure the services of the honorable gentleman. We hope they may succeed.
P. S. Since the above was in type, we hear that owing to Mr. Adams' many engagements he will not be able to attend; but that a meeting will probably be [held]] week after next, at which the captives will be present.
