the commercial interests of the Colony. But, it has pleased God, to teach us not to trust for success, in the instruments of our selection, but, in his own unerring wisdom and omnipotent power. It is enough that we have his approbation, in our work; that, what he approves, he has promised to bless; and, that the laws of nature are less stable than his Truth.

The late Colonial Agent, Dr. Randall, left the United States in November, 1828, and arrived at the Colony on the 22d of the next month. Of Monrovia, he writes; its situation is as delightful as can be imagined, and it enjoys the most important commercial advantages. In the stores of this place, he remarks, there are, at this time, not less than the value of 70,000 dollars in goods and African produce; and, twice that amount, if we include all the convertible property in the settlement.

The trade of Monrovia is already considerable, and daily increases, both in its capital and the number of vessels employed on the coast. We have now, besides six or eight smaller decked vessels, two larger schooners, the one above thirty, the other above forty tons, employed in the coasting trade. I presume the exports from this place may be estimated at 60 or 70,000 dollars. In addition to this, our Colony has afforded facilities to American merchants, trading on the coast, to three times that amount.

With the condition and prospects of the Agricultural Villages he was highly gratified; and the description which he has given of their well constructed houses, flourishing plantations, and prospects, not merely of secur ing the means of subsistence, but of rising to competency, and even wealth, entirely agree with the representations which had previously been made to the Board. The lands, he observes, in these settlements, are of the very best quality, admirably adapted to the cultivation of sugar and cotton, and equal, in every respect, to those most valued on the Southern rivers of the United States.

Very considerable improvements have been made, during the present year, in the buildings of the Colony, particularly at Monrovia; new and substantial ones have been erected; others are commenced, and the Town on the Cape now exhibits a beautiful and imposing appearance.

It was stated in the last Report that the ship Harriet was chartered, and nearly ready to sail with emigrants to the Colony. In this vessel (which left Norfolk on the 9th of February, and arrived at the Colony on the 17th of March) embarked a respectable company of 160 persons from Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina; between 40 and 50 of whom were slaves liberated, on the condition, and for the express purpose, of colonization in Liberia. Some who took passage in this vessel had long been free and acquired considerable property; and nearly all were recommended as industrious in their habits and exemplary in their conduct. Unfortunately, the instructions from the Board to the Colonial Agent, which were to have been transmitted by the Harriet, and in which the importance of removing the passengers, by this ship, without delay, to Millsburg, were left behind; and to this, perhaps, may the unusual mortality which fell upon them, be in some degree attributed. But, there were other and more powerful causes: The indisposition which they at first experienced was slight, from which, having partially recovered, they regarded the danger as past; and, by imprudent exposures to the weather, and a free indulgence in tropical fruits, excited far more severe and fatal disease. Nor, should it be forgotten, that, at this period, both the Colonial Agent and Doctor Mechlin, were themselves reduced by fever; and, of course, incapable of rendering to others the full aid of medical talent and attention. When we consider the combined influence of these causes-that twenty-six out of the hundred and sixty, who sailed in the Harriet, should, in the course of a few months, have died, gives more reason for regret than surprise. Indeed, had these causes no existence, it

would be consonant, neither with reason nor experience, to expect to effect the objects of this Society, without the trial of dark and calamitous events.

In regard to the general health of the Colony, Doctor Randall observes, in a letter, dated the 28th December, 1828--"The climate, during this month, is most delightful. Though this is regarded as the sickly season, we have but little disease, and none of an alarming character." In February, Doctr. Mechlin writes-"This month, although called, by those resident here, the sickly season, has not, to judge from the few cases of illness that have come under my notice, merited that appellation. Indeed, I do not know any part of the United States, where the proportion of the sick is not fully as great as here; nor are the cases of a refractory nature, almost all yielding to medicine." In April the same gentleman having mentioned the prevalence of fever among the newly arrived emigrants, adds-"I never saw any fever in the United States yield more readily to medicine than the country fever, among the emigrants, at this season." In August he writes, "that only four or five cases of sickness exist, and that at no time had health been more generally enjoyed."

Attempts have been made, during the year, to penetrate into the interior-ascertain the soil, features, and resources of the country, and open a friendly communication with the more powerful and remote native tribes. As might have been expected, the enterprising spirit of Doctor Randall prompted him, as soon after his arrival as possible, to make an excursion up the River St. Pauls.

The clear waters of this river, revealing its bottom from. the depth of thirty feet-its high and broken banks, covered with the richest and most variegated verdure-the native villages, their thatched huts intermingled with the broad green leaf of the plantain-the recent foot-prints of the elephant-the artificial prarie, once the seat of a populous settlement, now adorned only by a few palm trees, lifting

their majestic trunks to the height of nearly one hundred feet, excited his astonishment and admiration. Several of the Colonists have, for the purposes of trade, visited King Boatswain's Town, situated, by the present route, about 150 miles, (which, it is believed, may be reduced to 120,) in the interior, which is represented as containing 1000 houses, well fortified, and capable of bringing 8000 armed men to its defence. The country beyond abounds in gold, and is believed to be the only one intervening between Boatswain's and Foota Jallou (the territory of the Foolabs, extremely rich, and whence much of the trade of Sierra Leone has been derived): after passing the falls, near Millsburg, the St. Pauls appears to be unobstructed and navigable, to within twenty-five miles of the town; and, as Boatswain evinces the most friendly dispositions towards the Colony, this river may be expected, at no remote day, to become the channel of a lucrative trade. The path to this town lies, for most of the way, through immense forests, filled with herds of elephants, and other animals; but, for twenty miles, the country is open, and well cultivated, with numerous cattle, and some horses.

Boatswain is thought worthy of confidence; and he has solicited, with some anxiety, the establishment of a factory in his town, and offered to send his people to aid in the transportation thither of goods.

In their last Report, the Managers expressed their belief that the Colony possessed ample means of defence. In his first communication, Dr. Randall gave his opinion, that these means were inadequate to the purpose, and proposed to re-build the fortifications, on an improved plan, should it meet the approbation of the Board. By the latest accounts this work is very far advanced, and its speedy completion may be expected.

The factories established by Mr. Ashmun, at various points on the coast, and which were made, under his administration, to contribute, very essentially, to the support

of the Colony, were found, by Dr. Randall, in a languishing state; and, indeed, so small advantage had, for some months, been derived from them, that he was led to question the expediency of their continuance. We are glad to learn, however, that there is now a fairer prospect of their usefulness. "I find," observes Dr. Mechlin, "that the factory at Grand Bassa, is the means of our exercising a considerable influence over a large tract of country; the chiefs have petitioned that it should remain, and promised, in such case, to pay their debts, and have nothing to do with the slave trade, and to permit no slaves to be sold on their territory."

Previously to Dr. Randall's arrival in the Colony, the recaptured Africans had been located, by Mr. Cary, in a separate settlement, at a little distance in the interior from the Half-way Farms, on Stockton Creek. With the improvements which they had made, in the course of three months, Dr. Randall was delighted; and their comfortable houses, enclosed lots, and luxuriant crops of vegetables, showed the advantages of their situation and the industry of their habits. The Managers are happy to state that a company of about one hundred recaptured Africans, mostly able-bodied men, who had been brought into Florida, have, during the last summer, been sent out by the United States' government to join their brethren in the Colony, and strengthen the work of their hands. Hitherto this class of the settlers have contributed no small share of service to the Colony; and, we trust, the benefits which it will confer upon them, will prove an ample reward.

The system of education in the Colony has remained, for most of the year, without any special improvement. Both Sabbath and day schools exist throughout the Colony, and many native children seek to enjoy their advantages. No want, however, more urgent has existed, in the Colony, than that of teachers, well qualified by education and habit, to enlighten, with various knowledge, and by a judicious