[LIBERIA]. Letter from an American Colonization Society agent regarding a freeman named Cocoa. 1836.

ALS ("W. McKenney") as an agent of the American Colonization Society. Baltimore, MD, 3 May 1830. Addressed to Reverend Furlong of Abingdon, MD.

3 1/4 pages, on bifolium, 7 1/8 x 9 1/4 in. Address panel on terminal leaf.

McKenney tells his recipient that Ira Easter, another agent of the State Colonization Society, informed him of a "free colored man by the name of Cocoa," who wishes to visit the Maryland colony in Africa as a missionary. He hopes to secure Rev. Furlong's recommendation to secure Cocoa's appointment as such.

McKenney then writes: "The papers & reports placed in your hands by the Rev.d Mr. Easter will I trust satisfy you of the vast importance of our colony, both as it respects the illumination & regeneration of the native African race, & the welfare & happiness of our Maryland black. Your influence over those under your charge might induce some of them to leave this their Egypt for the only Canaan of their race. We have ample appropriation from the state to send them out in comfort & to keep them so in the colony until they can raise their own crops."

"If my influence over the free coloured people could command their confidence I would not hesitate to use it in getting them to go at once to our splendid & flourishing colony. I have been instrumental in sending nearly 300 to Liberia, & consider it among the most usefull [sic] acts of my life. The Board of managers, I will remark, will not permit the drunken, dissipated & lazy portion of the coloured people to go to the colony, & you may assure my coloured friends of the church, & others, that they will find as good a society at Cape Palmas & other parts of our colony as they have ever been in."

Reverend William McKenny was a clergyman who set up local societies of the American Colonization Society in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Ira A. Easter was a Methodist minister in Maryland as well as an agent for the Maryland State Colonization Society. He was hired in 1835.

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Ephemeral Americana and Historical Documents

This lot is located in Cincinnati.