Miscellaneous papers relating to Aborigines, ca. 1839-1871 - Page 172

You are here

Transcription

APPEAL
OF THE
BRITISH AND FOREIGN
ABORIGINES' PROTECTION SOCIETY.
President
SIR THOMAS FOWELL BUXTON, BART.
Committee,

ALDAN, WILLIAM, Esq. M.P.
ALLEN, WILLIAM, Esq.
ANGAS, GEORGE FIFE, Esq.
BAINES, EDWARD, Esq.
BEAUMONT, JOHN, Esq.
BELL, ROBERT, Esq.
BRYANT, SIR JEREMIAH.
BURNETT, Rev. JOHN.
BUXTON, EDW. NORTH, Esq.

CHAPMAN, WILLIAM S. Esq.
CLAY, WILLIAM, Esq.
COSTELLO, Dr.
CUNNINGHAM, Rev. FR A.M
D'ESTE, SIR AUGUSTUS, Bart.
EVANS, WILLIAM, Esq. M.P.
FREEMAN, Rev. J.J.
HAWTREY, Rev. MONTAGU.
HINDLEY, CHARLES, Esq. M.P

HIGGINS, WILLIAM M. Esq.
HODGKIN, THOMAS, Esq. M.D.
HUTCHINSON, MATT. J Esq.
KING, RICHARD, Esq.
LUSHINGTON, Rt. Hon. Dr. S.
LUCAS, FREDERICK, Esq.
LUCAS, SAMUEL, Esq.
MARTIN, EDWARD, Esq.
MOTTE, STANDISH, Esq.

O'CONNELL, DAN. Esq. M.P.
PEASE, JOSEPH, Esq.
STURGEON, CHARLES, Esq.
TERRELL, HULL, Esq.
TREDGOLD, J. H. Esq.
WASHINGTON, Capt.JN R.S.
WILKIN, SIMON, Esq.
WRIGHT, ANDREW B. Esq.
YOUNG, ROBERT, Esq.
 
Treasurer,
HENRY TUCKETT, Esq. 7, South Street, Finsbury.
Secretary,
FREDERICK MAITLAND INNES, Esq. 17, Beaufort Buildings, Strand.

THIS Society, which was instituted in the year 1836, advocates the cause of may millions of human beings, a large portion of them being intimately connected with British Colonies and Commerce. They are the free Aborigines of remote countries, whom experience proves, when justly and kindly treated, to be capable of receiving the benefits of Civilization and Christianity, while they urgently require protection in their increasing conflicts against oppression. 
Of these people, the Aborigines who may be termed British, amount, at a low estimate, to one Million inhabiting Australia: one Million in the South Sea, including New Zealand; half a Million still surviving in North and South America; and two Million in Western and Southern Africa; with several Millions of the more barbarous tribes in British India and its borders, and of the Eastern Archipelago and Indian Ocean.
Of Foreign Aborigines, who will be benefited by our efforts, there are sixteen Millions in America: sixty Millions in Africa, two hundred Millions in Asia; and a small but interesting remnant of ancient European barbarian existing in Lapland. 
Among these multitudinous tribes our imported diseases produce frightful ravages: our ardent spirits deprave and consume their population: our unjust laws exclude them from enjoying that first element of well-ordered societies - judicial protection,as well as from the possibility of a timely incorporation with Colonial communities: while, in addition to all these evils, our neglect of suitable methods of improving them, prevents their adopting the civilized manners and customs to which they are inclined. 

The ABORIGINES PROTECTION SOCIETY seeks ro devise remedies for these evils, and its plan of operation embraces, 
1st, An extensive correspondence at home and abroad.
2nd, The publication of documents and papers.
3rd, Public Meetings to advocate aboriginal rights.
4th, Interviews and communications with different departments of                  the State.
5th, The presentation of Petitions to the Crown and to the Legislature.
The extension of Colonies constitutes a marked characteristic of the times we live in, to which fertile source of national prosperity, the course pursued by the ABORIGINES' PROTECTION SOCIETY is by no means opposed. But it is impossible for us as men, patriots, philanthropists, or Christians, to behold without anxiety the ruin of the people we shall thus be accessary in supplanting, unless our future modes of colonization be directed with greater humanity and wisdom than in times past. 
The claim of this Society to public support is rested on the grounds already stated, and as its funds arise from voluntary contribution, the Committee earnestly solicit annual Subscriptions or Donations.
Donations and Subscriptions will be received by Messrs. Drewett and Fowler, Prince's Street, Bank.
The Publications of the Society may be procured of Smith, Elder, and Co. 65, Cornhill, and at the Office, 17 Beaufort Buildings, Strand.

P.White & Son, Printers, Devonshire Square, Bishopgate.

This page has its status set to Ready for review and is no longer transcribable.