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The colony of Liberia has been in existence a long time. In a certain sense it is a success. The old President of Liberia, Roberts, has just been with me---the first time I ever saw him. He says they have within the bounds of that colony between 300,000 and 400,000 people, or more than in some of our old States, such as Rhode Island or Delaware, or in some of our newer States, and less than in some of our larger ones. They are not all American colonists, or their descendants. Something less than 12,000 have been sent thither from this country. Many of the original settlers have died, yet, like people elsewhere, their offspring outnumber those deceased.
The question is if the colored people are persuaded to go anywhere, why not there? One reason for an unwillingness to do so is that some of you would rather remain within reach of the country of your nativity. I do not know how much attachment you may have toward our race. It does not strike me that you have the greatest reason to love them. But still you are attached to them at all events.
The place I am thinking about having for a colony is in Central America. It is nearer to us than Liberia---not much more than one-fourth as far as Liberia, and within seven days' run by steamers. Unlike Liberia it is on a great line of travel---it is a highway. The country is a very excellent one for any people, and with great natural resources and advantages, and especially because of the similarity of climate with your native land---thus being suited to your physical condition.

The particular place I have in view is to be a great highway from the Atlantic or Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, and this

Lincoln Address on Colonization to a Deputation of Negroes [1] August 14, 1862

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I have had the somewhat strange experience of observing closely immigrants from Liberia. They have established a community of roughly 300 in nearby Johnson City. Many came as refugees in the recent Civil war. Im pretty sure they are Christian.

They have a shoestring business of shipping used stuff to Liberia. They have very good suppliers at yard sales.The black American container drivers are amazed at their enterprise., They appear to be ordinary blacks but their constant jibber jaber is incomprehensible.They have a radio with “right wing” talk radio. They are not the normal black community (they are very very black)