AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY - LETTER by WILLIAM HENRY FITZHUGH printed in the CHRISTIAN MIRROR detailing the PLANS OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY. Fitzhugh's letter is printed on the left two columns of the front page.

Christian Mirror, Portland, Maine. Volume V, Number 15, November 24, 1826. Folio, single fold broadside (4 pages), each page approximately 15x21 inches.

Only FAIR Condition: Center and horizontal folds as issued, fraying at margins, creases, toning and foxing, some stains, a piece missing from the front edge affecting some text; nonetheless still holding together with text that is clear and legible. The name of "Mrs. M. J. Lewis" is written at the top of the front cover.

The American Colonization Society (ACS), initially the Society for the Colonization of Free People of Color of America, was an American organization founded in 1816 by Robert Finley to encourage and support the repatriation of freeborn people of color and emancipated slaves to the continent of Africa.

Opposed by Abolitionists, one saying: "We recognize in the scheme of African Colonization the most intense hatred of the colored race, clad in the garb of pretended philanthropy; and we regard the revival of colonization societies as manifestations of a passion fit only for demons to indulge in."

William Henry Fitzhugh (1792-1830) was a Virginia planter, politician, and a Vice President of the American Colonization Society (ACS). Fitzhugh believed free Black people could never be integrated into American society. Fitzhugh was one of Fairfax County's largest landowners and slave owners. In 1810 he owned 242 slaves in the county. In 1818 he became very active in the ACS and sold 2000 acres of his Ravensworth plantation, a large brick building in Alexandria, and about 80 slaves, to raise funds for its cause. In 1820 he owned 158 slaves, vowing to eventually repatriate them.

In 1822, the ACS established a colony on the west coast of Africa. In 1847, the colony became the independent nation of Liberia.

RARE HISTORIC DOCUMENT RELATING TO PLANS FOR THE DEPORTATION AND COLONIZATION OF BLACK AMERICANS.