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Colored American, May 22, 1841.
MEETINGS OF THE LIBERATED AFRICANS.
We announced in our last, that the meeting of these brethren at the Tabernacle on
Wednesday, the 12th inst., was equalled in interest by no meeting during the week,
and was numerously attended. The proceedings were as follows :
The Hon. James G. Burney was called to the chair. The throne of grace was addressed
by the Rev. Christopher Rush, after which Mr. Lewis Tappan proceeded to apologize
to the audience for the absence of the Hon. John Quincy Adams, who was expected to
be present, by announcing that he was detained at home, in writing out his argument
in their defence. He next stated the object of the meeting to be, to show first,
the improvement these brethren had made since they have been in this country-- to
raise money for their support and education during their further stay among us--to
aid in sending them home, when they shall have got the necessary information preparatory
to so doing, and to excite the sympathy of the public in relation to the establishment
of a mission, which it is hoped will grow out of this case.
Mr. Booth, their teacher, next proceeded to make some statements, giving an account
of the success which had attended his efforts to instruct them. He related many incidents
respecting them, which had come under his own observation. He also related some things
which he learned from them in regard to their native country--that the people live
in small houses--have laws--are hospitable and honest--that the son, when old enough,
does the work for his father, he himself retiring from any further labor, and that
the children always live with their parents.
The Africans next read twice round from the New Testament, by which they showed the
success with which they had mastered our language, as well as the proficiency they
had made in learning to read. While some had done better than others, they had all
succeeded beyond all human expectation. Only reflect, they had first to learn the
language of the country, before they could understand, so as to receive instruction,
and having been here but 19 months, and only having had a teacher constantly since
October last, and now to read with ease in the New Testament, is amazing. Who could
have outdone them ? They sung two hymns in English with great melody and harmony,
and sung, also, two of their native songs.--Kinna, an amiable looking youth about
18 years old, and who has been hopefully converted, made an address in English, giving
the history of their captivity, and making many remarks as to what he considered
to be the American character. Cinque made an address in his native language, with
great energy, and appealing occasionally to his associates for proof, and who always
responded. When Cinque arose at any time, great bursts of applause resounded from
all parts of the house.
The meeting on the Thursday following, in the same place, was well attended, and
in some respects, we are informed, was more interesting than the former one.--We
were unable to attend, but learn that the proceedings were about the same as on Wednesday,
with some additional questions put to Kinna by persons in the audience, and which,
on account of the readiness and correctness with which he answered them, quite astonished
the assembly.
The following Friday, another meeting was held, by request, in the church, corner
of Thompson and Houston streets, and which was crowded. The exercises were the same
as at the previous meetings, so far as time would allow, and the audience was equally
interested in the proceedings, as at the former meetings.
On Monday evening last, another meeting was held by request in Zion Church, corner
of Church and Leonard streets. The audience was principally made up of colored people,
and we do not recollect of ever having seen a larger assemblage of our people upon
any occasion.--Messrs. Tappan and Booth were more brief in their statements than
at the Tabernacle, but the Africans were more interesting, we thought, than at any
of the previous meetings. Kinna in giving a brief history of his being taken from
his own country, of his being carried to Cuba, and the scene on board the Amistad,
&c., stated, “you are my brethren, the same color as myself,” and seemed to feel
himself at home, and his address was exceedingly concise, distinct and happy. James
Covey, also, the interpreter, who came from the same country, though in another vessel,
made an admirable address, which drew tears from nearly every eye, and the manner
in which he quoted and illustrated Scripture was amazing, and would serve as quite
a lesson to a learned divine.
These meetings all have excited great attention, and have been of an exceedingly
interesting character. The one at the Tabernacle on Wednesday,we regarded as a consuming
fire to prejudice. We do not believe that any went away with the same views,
and the same feelings in relation to any one in whose veins courses African blood.
The event of the landing of these brethren upon our shores is to be, not without
its beneficial effect, as well to the colored population of this country, as it promises
to be to Ill-fated Africa.
