I was a child； and； though I never saw her； after the cruel sale that separated us； till she died； yet I know she always loved me dearly。 I know it by my own heart。 When I think of all she suffered； of my own early sufferings； of the distresses and struggles of my heroic wife； of my sister； sold in the New Orleans slave…market；—though I hope to have no unchristian sentiments； yet I may be excused for saying； I have no wish to pass for an American； or to identify myself with them。
“It is with the oppressed； enslaved African race that I cast in my lot； and； if I wished anything； I would wish myself two shades darker； rather than one lighter。
“The desire and yearning of my soul is for an African nationality。 I want a people that shall have a tangible； separate existence of its own； and where am I to look for it？ Not in Hayti； for in Hayti they had nothing to start with。 A stream cannot rise above its fountain。 The race that formed the character of the Haytiens was a worn…out； effeminate one； and； of course； the subject race will be centuries in rising to anything。
“Where； then； shall I look？ On the shores of Africa I see a republic；—a republic formed of picked men； who； by energy and self…educating force； have； in many cases； individually； raised themselves above a condition of slavery。 Having gone through a preparatory stage of feebleness； this republic has； at last； become an acknowledged nation on the face of the earth；—acknowledged by both France and England。 There it is my wish to go； and find myself a people。
“I am aware； now； that I shall have you all against me； but； before you strike； hear me。 During my stay in France； I have followed up； with intense interest； the history of my people in America。 I have noted the struggle between abolitionist and colonizationist； and have received some impressions； as a distant spectator； which could never have ocomurred to me as a participator。
“I grant that this Liberia may have subserved all sorts of purposes； by being played off； in the hands of our oppressors； against us。 Doubtless the scheme may have been used； in unjustifiable ways； as a means of retarding our emancipation。 But the question to me is； Is there not a God above all man’s schemes？ May He not have over…ruled their designs； and founded for us a nation by them？
“In these days； a nation is born in a day。 A nation starts； now； with all the great problems of republican life and civilization wrought out to its hand；—it has not to discover； but only to apply。 Let us； then； all take hold together； with all our might； and see what we can do with this new enterprise； and the whole splendid continent of Africa opens before us and our children。 Our nation shall roll the tide of civilization and Christianity along its shores； and plant there mighty republics； that； growing with the rapidity of tropical vegetation； shall be for all coming ages。
“Do you say that I am deserting my enslaved brethren？ I think not。 If I forget them one hour； one moment of my life； so may God forget me！ But； what can I do for them； here？ Can I break their chains？ No； not as an individual； but； let me go and form part of a nation； which shall have a voice in the councils of nations； and then we can speak。 A nation has a right to argue； remonstrate； implore； and present the cause of its race；—which an individual has not。
“If Europe ever becomes a grand council of free nations；—as I trust in God it will；—if； there； serfdom； and all unjust and oppressive social inequalities； are done away； and if they； as France and England have done； acknowledge our position；—then； in the great congress of nations； we will make our appeal； and present the cause of our enslaved and suffering race； and it cannot be that free； enlightened America will not then desire to wipe from her escutcheon that bar sinister which disgraces her among nations； and is as truly a curse to her as to the enslaved。
“But； you will tell me； our race have equal rights to mingle in the American republic as the Irishman； the German； the Swede。 Granted； they have。 We ought to be free to meet and mingle；—to rise by our individual worth； without any consideration of caste or color； and they who deny us this right are false to their own professed principles of human equality。 We ought； in particular； to be allowed here。 We have more than the rights of common men；—we have the claim of an injured race for reparation。 But； then； I do not want it； I want a country； a nation； of my own。 I think that the African race has peculiarities； yet to be unfolded in the light of civilization and Christianity； which； if not the same with those of the Anglo…Saxon； may prove to be； morally； of even a higher type。
“To the Anglo…Saxon race has been intrusted the destinies of the world； during its pioneer period of struggle and conflict。 To that mission its stern； inflexible； energetic elements； were well adapted； but； as a Christian； I look for another era to arise。 On its borders I trust we stand； and the throes that now convulse the nations are； to my hope； but the birth…pangs of an hour of universal peace and brotherhood。
“I trust that the development of Africa is to be essentially a Christian one。 If not a dominant and commanding race； they are； at least； an affectionate； magnanimous； and forgiving one。 Having been called in the furnace of injustice and oppression； they have need to bind closer to their hearts that sublime doctrine of love and forgiveness； through which alone they are to conquer； which it is to be their mission to spread over the continent of Africa。
“In myself； I confess； I am feeble for this；—full half the blood in my veins is the hot and hasty Saxon； but I have an eloquent preacher of the Gospel ever by my side； in the person of my beautiful wife。 When I wander； her gentler spirit ever restores me； and keeps before my eyes the Christian calling and mission of our race。 As a Christian patriot； as a teacher of Christianity； I go to my country；—my chosen； my glorious Africa！—and to her； in my heart； I sometimes apply those splendid words of prophecy： ‘Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated； so that no man went through thee； I will make thee an eternal excellence； a joy of many generations！’
“You will call me an enthusiast： you will tell me that I have not well considered what I am undertaking。 But I have considered； and counted the cost。 I go to Liberia； not as an Elysium of romance； but as to a field of work。 I expect to work with both hands；—to work hard； to work against all sorts of difficulties and discouragements； and to work till I die。 This is what I go for； and in this I am quite sure I shall not be disappointed。
“Whatever you may think of my determination； do not divorce me from your confidence； and think that； in whatever I do； I act with a heart wholly given to my people。
“George Harris。”
George； with his wife； children； sister and mother； embarked for Africa； some few weeks after。 If we are not mistaken； the world will yet hear from him there。
Of our other characters we have nothing very particular to write； except a word relating to Miss Ophelia and Topsy； and a farewell chapter； which we shall dedicate to George Shelby。
Miss Ophelia took T