The Litchfield County post., 1828-04-10
ETsR tks MaisnAi baeliissHeer. AMERICAN COLONY AT LIBERIA.


 selves of permission to publish letter rec gently addressed by Capt Nicholson, of the Navy of he United States, to Mr Clay. It exhibits a picture of the Colony estab- IiShed on the coast of Africa, under the auspices of the association of individuals under the title of the American Coloniza- ton Society, which cannot but be gratify- ing to all who peruse it, but especially to all those who, like us, have stood by the Society through good report, and through evil report, believing that the experiment would result happily, and to the benefit of our country, as well as of the colonists, and knowing that it had its origin in the mo- blest feelings of the human heart.
 Copy of letter from Capt. Nicholson. ofthe v. s. NaUy, to Hon. Henry CIGy.
 Washington, March IT, 1928.
 Sir-having visited the Colony of Li- beria, on my return to the United States, from cruise in the Mediterranean, cheerfully comply win your request, by presenting to you such views of it's pres ent condition and probable growth, as occurred to me in the course ot that viSit
 The soil in the possession of the Colo nists is rich, and will produce superabun- dance fig the support of the Colony, as well as for external commerce. Sugar, cotton, coffee, rice, and various trees and plants, yielding valuaale dyes, and medi- cal gumsy can be cultivated with great success.
 The population is now 1900, and is healthy and thiving. The children born in the country are fine looking, and pre- sume can be raised as easilyas those of the natives. All the colonists win whom I had any communication, land with near ly the whole did l communicate in person, or by my officers, Depressed their decided wish to remain in their present situation, rather than to return again to the United States. l cannot give you better evidence of the prosperity of the colony, than by mentioning that eight of my crew, (color- ed mechanics,) after going on shore, two several days, applied for, and received manent settlers. These men had been absent from their country upwards of three years, and had, among them, nearly two thousand dollars in clothes and money Had they sot been thoroughly convinced that their happiness and prosperity would be better promoted by remaining among their free brethren in Liberia, they would not have determined on so momentous step as quitting the United States, per- haps forever, where they had left their friends and relatives.
 The appearance of all the Colonists, those of Monrova as we'll as those of Cald- well, indicated more than contentment.- Their manners were those of freemen, who experienced the blessings of liberty, and appreciated the boon. Many ofthem had, by trade, accumulated a competency, if the possession of from three to five thou sand dollars may be called SO. As proof ot the growing importance of the com merce of the country, more than one hun- dred hogsheads of tobacco have been rais- ed during the last year, and the demand was increasing. Ivory and camwood are now the prominent articles received in ex- change for foreign imports other dye woods, and many medicinal gums and roots will be hereafter brought in, as they are known to exist in the interior. ..
 I take this occasion to suggest the pro- priety of permitting any of the Colonsts to purchase an additional number of acres of land from the Agent. By permitting this, the more enterp,ising will be enabled to turn their attention to the culture of the coffee-tree, which grows spontaneously in the vicinity of Monrovia. In fact, the soil will produce every thing which tro- pical climate will allow to arrive at matu- rity.
 From the good order and military disc- pline which appear to prevail among the colonists. am induced to believe they could easily repel any attack which could be made upon them by any native force.- They have arms, and having associated themselves in volunteer companies, have acquired the knowledge of using them with effect, against any probable force which might be brought t" bear against them, by the undisciplined and scattered tribes in their vicinity. It is true, they no harbors for large vessels, as all their rivers are obstructed by bars. This is not If much consequence to the coasting trade, as they have many harbors and inle,s which are accessible to small vessels.- Large vessels have also ol e advantage. that most of the heavy winds are of the coast, which gives them lee and smooth sea. Of Cape Mesurado tbera ;s n rooJ