Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-03-26
CASSIUS
AMERICAN COLONY AT LIBERIA.
Copy ofa Letter from Capt. Nicholson Of
the U. s. Nary, TO Hon. II. Clay.
WASHINGTON, WaYch II, II

WASHINGTON, UQYch u, 1878.
S,a: Having visited the Colony OF Liberia, on
my re turn to The u States, from cruise in
the Mediterranean, cheeffully comply with
your request, by presenting 10 you such views
Of its present condition and probable growth
as occurred to me in the course Of that visit.
The soil in the possession of the Colonisis
is rich, aud will produce a, ,superabundance Tor
the supper, Of the Colony, as well as FOR exter-
nal commerce. Sugaa, cotton, coffee, rice, and
various trees and plants, yielding valuable dyes.
and medicinal gums, can be cultivated with
success.
The population is now l,2oo and is healthy
and thriving. The children born in the coun-
try are fue looking, and j presume can be rail-
sed as easily those Of the natives. All the CO.
lonists with whom had any communication,
land with nearly the whole Gid communicate
in person, or by my officers) expressed their de-
,cided wish TO remain in their present situa-
lion, rather than to return again 70 the United
States. l cannot give you better evidence Of the
prosperity of the COLONY, than by mentioning
that eight Of my Gre W, (colored mechanics af-
ter going on shore, two several days, applied
for. and received their discharge, in order TO
remain as permanent settlers. These men had
been absent from their country upwards OF three
years, and had, among them, nearly two thou.
sand dollars in clothes and money. Had they
not been thoroughly convinced that their hap
piness aud prosperity would be better promo
ted by remaining among their free brethren in
Liberia, they would not have determined on so
momentous step as quitting the U. States,
perhaps forever, where they all had left friends
and relatives.
The appearance Of all the Colonis,s, those Of
Monrovia as well as those OF Caldwell, indiea-
ted more than contehiment. Their manners
were those Of freemeE, who experienced the
blessing Of liberty, and appreciated the boon.
Many of them had, by trade, accumulated
competency, il the posse ssion Of from three to
Ave thousa nd dollars may be called 20. AS a
proof Of the growing Importance OF the COM
merce Of the country, more than 100 hogsheads
Of tobacco had been raised during the last year,
and the demand was increasing. Ivory and
camwood are now the prominent articles re-
6yewoods, and many medical gums ard roots
will be hereafter brought in, as they are already
known to exist in the interior.
i take this occasion TO suggest the propriety
of permitting any Of the Colonisis TO purchase
any additional number Of acres OF land from the
Agent. BY permitting this, the more enter
prising viii be enabled TO turn their attention
10 the culture Of the coffee tree, which grows
spontaneuu in the vicinity Of Monrovia. In
fact, the soil viii produce every thing which 4
tropical climate will allow to arrive at maturi,
~.
From the good order and military discipline
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