In December 1831 , the Maryland state legislature said that it would give US$ 10,000 for 26 years to take free blacks and former slaves from the United States to Africa , and the Maryland State Colonization Society was started for this purpose . In December 1831 , the Maryland state legislature appropriated US$ 10,000 for 26 years to transport free blacks and ex-slaves from the United States to Africa , and the Maryland State Colonization Society was established for this purpose .