Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

Intelligence from Liberia.

We are happy, after a remarkably long interval, without any tidings from the Colony, to commence our fifth volume with the following able and highly interesting despatches from the Colonial Agent, Dr. Richard Randall. It must be recollected, that the statements here made, are the result of first impressions, having been completed when Dr. Randall had been in the Colony but fifteen days. Some of the opinions, therefore, here expressed, may be modified or changed by further investigations and more extended information, yet we have no doubt that, generally, they will be found correct. They are such surely, as to encourage every mind, that has seriously turned its thoughts to the great design of our Institution. Nor should they fail to secure attention from those who have hitherto neglected the subject. Shall our Countrymen remain longer insensible to the momentous claims which the scheme of African Colonization presents to their immediate, earnest, universal, united efforts! Can men who profess and call themselves Christians, reject or set aside these claims without subjecting themselves to the punishment of a condemning conscience? Is it not high time, that on this subject, our nation should awake out of sleep? The success of the experiment of our Society, leaves incredulity and apathy without excuse, and of those who refuse their aid to it, because still unconvineed of its practicableness and utility-we fear it might be said without injustice, "neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” We pray that the subject may, at least, receive a fair, a candid, and a full examination.

261862

MONROVIA, DEC. 28, 1828.

To the Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society, Washington City.

GENTLEMEN:

On my arrival at this place, on the 22d inst. I received the melancholy intelligence of the death of Mr. Cary, the ViceAgent, by the accidental explosion of gunpowder-enclosed you will find a detailed statement of the particulars of this unfortunate affair, by Mr. Waring, the present Vice-Agent, and Mr. Weaver the Councellor, resident at this place. The election for a successor to Mr. Cary, in the Vice-Agency, was warmly contested-Mr. Waring receiving forty-two votes, and Mr. Devany thirty-two. Although some jealousy and ill-will appear to have been excited between the partizans of the rival candidates, all submitted readily to the constituted authorities.

There are in the stores in this place, at this time, not less than $70,000 of goods and African produce, and twice that value, if we include all the convertable property in the settle

ment.

I am much pleased with the climate, location, fertility, and population of Liberia. The climate is, at this season, most delightful. It is not very warm during the day, and at night it is cool enough to sleep with comfort under a blanket. Though this is considered the sickly season, we have but little disease, and none of an alarming character. The Swiss Missionaries have all been sick, and the principal, Mr. Wolff, died the day after we arrived. But he, no doubt, died for want of medical assistance, and the sickness of the whole may be mainly attributed to their living in a low, confined situation. Of seven other whites, now in the town, five of whom have been here at least a month, not one has been sick, and the coloured part of our population is quite healthy. I consider the town of Monrovia, quite as healthy as any of our southern cities, and the other settlements on the Stockton and the St. Paul's, have even a better reputation for health. The causes which led to the mortality. among the northern emigrants, who came out here with the different expeditions, will, I hope, not again exist-and I am the more convinced from all I see and hear, that with proper precautions, and even moderate prudence, emigrants may come out

from any of the northern states with but little risk from the effects of the climate. You will find in an accompanying paper, some remarks on the subject of fitting out and provisioning such parties of emigrants as it may please the Society in future, to send out.

The location of Monrovia is the most delightful that can be imagined. Since the woods have been cleared away on the south side of the peninsula, our town is in full view from the ocean, and has really a most imposing appearance; and since the sketch which you have in the Repository, was taken, the view from the. north is much improved, by being more opened, and having many additional buildings. The location of this place, gives it most important commercial advantages—and, whatever may be the final success of our colonizing operations, nothing but some most unfortunate disaster can prevent this becoming one of the most important commercial cities on the African coast. The cape lands are not generally very fertile, but there are some situations quite so. Even the most barren parts are suitable for gardening, with a little attention to manuring, and the very worst part of it will produce coffee, and several varieties of fruits. I visited Caldwell, and the half-way farms, a few days since, and was much pleased with the improvements that have been made there during the short period they have been occupied. Most of the settlers have good houses, and all of them have flourishing plantations of rice, cassada, plantains, and potatoes, with many other fruits and vegetables. The short period that these people have been in the occupation of their lands, and the indispensable necessity they have felt, for getting a good stock of provisions, and furnishing their houses, have prevented them from devoting their time to other improvements. Though none of these people are as wealthy as their commercial brethren at Monrovia, they are all above want, and will in a few years become rich; for their lands are admirably adapted to the cultivation of sugar and cotton, in addition to the articles before mentioned. The lands on both sides of Stockton creek, are of the very best quality; being a rich, light alluvion, equal in every respect to the best lands on the southern rivers of the United States. The settlement of the half-way farms on the Stockton, does not advance very rapidly. They are principally owned by inhabitants of Monrovia, who

have not generally done more in the way of improvement, than was necessary to secure their titles. There are some exceptions, which will be particularly mentioned in some future communica

tion.

Since Mr. Ashmun left this, Mr. Cary has located the recaptured Africans, whose terms of service to the Colonists had expired, in a situation immediately behind the half-way farms, between Stockton creek and the Montserado river. I visited their town, and was much delighted with their improvements. They have been on their lands but three months, and have already built themselves comfortable houses, enclosed their lots, and have their cassada, plantains, and potatoes growing most luxuriantly. Their situation is, I think, more healthful than the halfway farms, or even Caldwell, on account of its being more remote from the Mangrove swamps on the border of the river. This would, perhaps, be the best place on which we could locate the next party of our emigrants. If the United States send out the recaptured Africans now in Florida, we will extend the present town for their accommodation. The late Vice-Agent, Mr. Cary, deserves much credit for his exertions, in the location and settlement of this flourishing village. I propose to have it called after him, Cary-town.

I have not yet visited the Millsburg settlement, but the reports from it are most favourable. I have allotted next week for the performance of that duty, and my next despatch shall contain the particulars of my visit.

I have enclosed a list of such articles as belong to the United States, to the Navy Department, and with this communication, will be found a schedule of such as belong to the Society.

If I had under my direction, an armed vessel, with 40 men, principally black sailors from the United States, I would pledge myself, that the slave-trade should not be carried on in the neighbourhood of this Colony. From all I can learn here, I am induced to believe, that the slave-trade is now carried on at the Gallenas between Cape Mount and Sierra Leone, and to the leeward of this place, to a greater extent than it has been for many years. The South American cruisers are alone efficient, in this neighborhood, against the slavers. The slavers are generally fitted out in the island of Cuba, or Brazil, and land their cargoes,

« PreviousContinue »