ALS signed “F. S. Key,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, September 9, 1823. Letter to "Rev'd & dear Sir" on the subject of colonization, the migration of free African-Americans to the continent of Africa. In full: "We have just rec'd very encouraging letters from Ayres & Ashman, by the Liberian packet Fidelity which has just arrived, after a very quick passage. She left them all doing well late in July—which is a month later than the departure of the Oswego. Ayres implores us to send out a missionary & it is now high time to make our arrangements. If Mr. Nash cannot go, can we get any other? Somebody we must send in the Vessel which we expect to despatch in Nov'r. We have (as I told you a clergyman from N. England offering) but I confess I shall regret it if Mr. Nash does not go. Do write to him & let me know his determination soon. Where is Hall (formerly of Wilmington) will he do if Nash does not go? I have directed a…paper to be sent to you containing some numbers I am writing on Colonz. Can you get them republished in your city? Would Mr. Walsh publish them? Perhaps he would, if the Bishop would ask him—He might be told that I was writing them & that nothing should appear in them at all offensive to him or the opinions which I am sorry he seems inclined to hold at present on that subject. His aid, or his neutrality even, would be important to us. His only objection is to the practicability of Scheme, & of this he may, as he sees more, be convinced. I am acquainted with him & have thought of writing to him: but the Bishop's speaking to him & telling him this (if he would be so obliging as to do it) would answer better." In very good condition, with tears and fold separations, chipping to the edges, and a small rectangular area of paper loss which affects none of the text. Key was a founding member and active leader of the American Colonization Society, which helped to establish Liberia as a home for former slaves.
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