Note 55 — Chapter XIII
Reading edition
We extract the following correspondence from the Western Pioneer, of which the author was editor, of February 16, 1831.
“The following letter from Judge Brown to the editor will be read with pleasure by many of our subscribers. The venerable Father Clark has long been known in Illinois and Missouri as a prudent, but uncompromising advocate of human freedom and the rights of man. The ladies could not have paid the worthy father in the ministry a happier compliment than making him a member of the Colonization Society.
Carrollton, Ill., December 25, 1830.
Dear Sir:—The cause of Colonization is gaining ground in our county, and many, both male and female, take a deep interest therein. The Rev. John Clark was constituted a life member of the auxiliary society of Greene County, on the 12th inst., by the patriotic ladies of Lofton’s prairie and its vicinity, who is the first person, so far as I know, who has been constituted by the ladies a member of that most benevolent institution. I hope for the honor of those ladies, and to stimulate others to follow the example they have set, you will publish the following resolution, with such remarks as you may deem proper to promote the cause of colonization, which I consider a most efficient means that ever have been adopted to civilize and Christianize the uncultivated and barbarous tribes of Africa, as well as to wipe away a foul stain from our national character.
Respectfully your obedient servant, Jehu Brown.
Carrollton, Ill., Dec. 25, 1830.
At a called meeting of the Auxiliary Colonization Society of Greene county, it was
Resolved, That the thanks of this society be presented to the ladies of Lofton’s prairie and vicinity, for their generosity and benevolent feelings in constituting Rev. John Clark a life member of this society.
By order of the President. Moses O. Bledsoe, Secretary.