American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-09-14
THE AMERICAN COLONY IN AFRICA
OrflcE OF THE CONSULTATION SOCIETY,
Uushinaion, SEPT. Lat. 1927.


The dispatches just received at this Office from
Mr.. Ashmun, the Cofonoial Agent at Liberia up
20 the 18th Of June, exhibit detailed and anima
tim account of the progress of the Colony, and
such evidences Of its promise and utility, az even
is warmest friends would not have yentured to
predict History affords no instance, We believe,
Of a colony, enjoying, at SO early period of ITS
existence, greater prosperity From the numer
rus documents transmitted By Mr.. Ashmrn, we
can, at present. only give few extracts. having
reference to the general interests of the Colony,
emitting whatever is of subordinate Importance.
The passengers by the Doris, ninety three in
number, were landed. after pleasant, but some
what protracted passage Of forty five days. All
were. soon after their arrival, slightly affected by
hc climate, which proved fatal only to two small
children
,ihc people from Baltimore [says Mr.. Ashmun)
aefe the first, and generally the greatest, might
almost say the only sufferers. The Virginans fol-
lowed next III the order of time. as well in the
verify Of their symptoms and in regard to the
natives Of North Carolina, all the change they
save undergone. seems to he less disease than
catatary effort OF nature to accommodate the physi
cal system OF Its subjects. by safe and gentle
process OF attenuation, to the new influences of
tropical climate. The most protiacted case of i'll
ness in the whole number has not lasted longer than
five days Three DAYS is, perhaps. the average
feim Of the in,uor's contine ment Of such as are
pronounced sick. and about onc-third part have
not been confined at ALL"
OF the attentions experienced BY the emigrants
from the officers. particulclls from WIN. p. Mat
thews. Esq. supercarso, Mr. Ashmun speaks in the
highest terms; representing them as being of the
most minute and judcious kind, and indeed as all
which the : most amable humanity and bsnevo.
Ience could prompt"
The Factory at Young Sessers which was sus
pended Tor short aeason. III consequence of war
brtween two OF the native Chiefs, had resumed its
operations " All the public and private property
which had been confided to Freemans protection.
during the absence of the factor, was scrupuousy
respected and preserved amid all the alarm and
disorder OF the war; Three Of the colonsts arc
nov permanently fixed at this Factory, engaged in
stade, and making improvements.
The It. Johns establishment continues prosper.
Gus. large plantation has been connected with
she Factory Of the Island. 9 and the aay is per-
ectly prepared Tor the Introduction Of little col.
ony Of 20 - so families to this fertile spot at once
and an indefinite number, a. short intervals. ever
atterWards''
Il IS particularly gratifying to learn that an A.
gent has been. for the first tune, introduced at
Lutte bassa, Is miles to the Northwest OF ST
!ohn's Among the Chiefs of this region there
seems long to have existed secret aud silent dis.
like and dread OF the Colony, and thew have pcr.
sisted in the slave trade until the present year.
"Cnlsss, however. (says Mr. Ashmun,l great
y deceive myself, every cause of enmity and zeal.
onsy has. for some months past been fast melting
away, and we are, by the most uncxceptinnable
means, Introducing amoag them an influence which
g, with 1od's blessing. TO atneliorate and exalt
lheH own condition, and to lead on to the estab-
ii,hment Of civilized population in that quarter.
NJ no great distance OF time. We have already
90 some extent, connected with all our factories am
agricultural aprendase, a plan which has proved,
advantageous. 10 different ways, both 10 the coun
rs-people and colony. A most desirable addition
still to be made TO both, is School for the instruc
'lnn OF TIE native youth and children of the res
fective settlements IN which our establishment Is
situated"
MIR. Ashmun here urges the importance Of ;nv;.
ting the charitable institutions to lend their aid to
this object, and adds, 81 think it nearly capable
o. administration, that the african tribes lnaq be
'lrtlztd 'lthoat expulsion from their chosen set
Elements and riadges, ard uitiout that fearful d.
nlanition nhich has, from causes rttch do not er
ut here, as ~ regard h the Indians of .qmprica.
accompanied the march IF civilization in tha. hem.
sSphprp .
..hy following will, we are persuaded, be peru.
sea wlth no ordinary interest
. An excu, sion Of one Of our people into the Il.
terror, to the distance OF about l4O niles has led
% discovery Of the populousness and compare
s!yc civilization Of this district of Africa, never
s.l' within a few nonths, even conjectured by nv
sell The same individual is now absent on a Sc
tond journey. The particulars If both hone 10
9e aoe 70 present to the beard b. she next con-
veyance. In the mean time, it may not be- without
interest to observe taat we are situated within so
leagues OF country IN which highly improved
agriculture prevails: where the horse Is a common
domestic animal where extensive tracts Of land
are cleared and enclosed; where every article ab
solaely necessary to comfortable life, is produced
BY The soll' or manufactured BY the skill and in
dustfy OF the inhabitants; where the Arabic is Us
sn a. written language in the ordinary commerce