Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-07-08
Pron the National Journal, of June 26
THE AFRICAN COLONY.

THE AFRICAN COLONY.
Extract of letter from Lieut.. Comdt. John
ID Sloat 20 Commodore David Porter, CON-
manding United States squadron in the West
Indies, Coast Of Africa, &c. dated
u. S. Scar. GaAMrus, }
Matanzas, May %, 1924 5
aTn conformity to your orders Of
the 24th of January, 1924, sailedfrom
Hampton Roads on the esth February,
and proceeded to the Coast of Africa.
On the 4th of April / anchored at
Cape Measurable, and visited the colony
of free people OF color, where remain
ed eight DAYS, and have the satisfaction
to report thatI found them comfortably
settled, and at peace with all the neigh
boring nations, although they appre-
bend that the tribe they had the difficult
ty with previous to the visit of the Cy-
ane is not friendly to them, yet they do
not believe that thevwhl venture to at
tack them again, particularly since my
visit, as | gave the natives to understand
that should return there shortly, and
they know that ] supplied the colony
with ammunition provisions, SC. sc. a
return of which I enclose The APP
pearance Of the Grampus on the coast
has been of essential service to the set
tiement The trade with the natives
in their immediate vicinity had been
stopped for some time; but, when they
found the Grampus to be a vessel of
war, the king sent in word that he would
open the trade, and before ] left the re,
the natives began to come in with pro-
visions and other articles in considera-
bic numbers. The agent for the Uni
ted States, as well as that for the Colo.
nization Society, had left the settlement
some time before my arrival. They
have appointed acting agents, Mr.. Wa
ring for the United States, and Mr..
Johnson for the Society, both celored
men. BY their advice, the people have
elected council of twelve, to assist in
managing the affairs of the colony, and
fro,u what could discover they appear
to be doing very well. But they are
extremely DESTROYS to have the advice
of good agents. they say they do not
feel themselves competent to manage
the establishment.
The settlement is very pleasantly stu
ated on narrow peninsula--the sea on
one side and Montsurado river on the
other, on high ground, and they have
for its protection tolerable good fort
built of stone, at one end of the village,
on which are mounted at present, one
long eighteen FOUNDER, and two eigh-
teen pound gunnades. At the other ex-
trenity is block-house, with one nine
FOUNDER and one six. They also have
mounted one brass four pound field
piece, and one two pound swivel besides
several other guns not mounted, and
about one hundred muskets, eighty OF
which are in good order, and the others
they will be able to repair with the tools
and materials l gave them. The num-
Der of inhabitants is two hundred and
thirty seven-seventy eight of them
capable of bearing arms, who are form
ed into company, and muster for exer-
else every Saturday. They all have
very good houses, and some of the IN be-
gin to cultivate gardens; they have also
cleared considerable piece of ground
intended for cultivation. They catch
in the river variety of fine fish, and
plenty of oysters. They have an album
dance of fine timber, and the soil is We
ry good; and they all appeared to be
quite contented with their situation. -
They probably enjoy as good health
there as they would in any part of the
world. OF the last emigrants, one hun
-dred and five, all have gone through
their seasoning Three young chill
dren only have died, and they with COM
plants incident to every climate and
country.
l have made this detailed report, be-
lievng it would be agreeable to you, to
the society, and to all those friendly to
the settlement, to know exactly how
these people are situated, as have
been informed at st. Thomas, that
there are at present very discouraging
reports in circulation in the United
States.
BY the schr Fly, capt. Vandine,
at n York from Alvarado, the Com
mer. Advertiser learns, that a convoy
with money to the amount OF
81, 100000, had just arrived at that
place from the city of Mexico 1t is
also stated tina a conspiracy bad been