Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-19

The last number of the African Repository
contains the following interesting notes OF SIX
native Artisans.
KROoMEN.
There are now in the city Of Baltimore, SIX
native Africans, belonging 10 The Tribe called
Kroomen. A highly interesting account OF :h's
remarkable tribe, by Thomas Ludbam, Esq.
formerly Governor Of Sierra Leone, will be
found at the 4Sd Of the lst volume oil our
work. These men while seeking employment
on board Of Mexican brig off Cape Monsera-
do, had The misfortune TO lose their canoe IN
gale Of wind, and the big being driven Gu, 10
sea, they we're compelled to come 10 the Uni
led States The commandeI OF the brig, (Capt.
Woodsides OF Baltimore, who so gallan'ly AID
ed Mr. Asl,mun in his attack on Trade own
has treated them with The utmost kindness, and
indeed for several weeks supported them entire
ly at his own expense. Their anxiety 10 return
10 their families, who are altogether Ignorant
Of their faeI is extreme, and we rejoice to add
that they will probably obtain passage In the
vessel about to be engaged 10 lake certain
rec ptured Africans from S,.Augusine 10 Lioe-
ria The chief, Prince Will. and his brother
Walker, have made short visit TO Washington
and some valuable Information has been deri-
we'd from them, in regard 10 the African coast,
aud particularly in regard to the character OF
their county, and the habits and customs OF
their tribe;
Prince VII was employed a greater part OF
the time for several years, by The late Colonial
Agent, Mr.. Ashmun, and Is; the h1eil'y ard en- .
ergy of his conduct, proved himself worthy Of
all confidence, and rendered essential service 10
the Colony. he stood by the settlement il, The
perilous conflict Of 1922; in his canoe bore IL
dings of its danger to The Colony Sierra Leone,
and thus secured the friendly interposition Of
the British Naval officers at that station
Subsequently at Trade Town he guided The ca
noe from which Mr.. Ashmun landed in the
face OF numerous band of armed pirates, and
Of all the Kroomen generously exposed his lie
in support Of the brave white man, who had so
long been his friend. Prince ana Walker are
both intelligent and manly in their aspect and
department, and r1hibit in their forms and wei
proportional limbs, degree Of strength aud
activity which would hardly suffer by CONF
parison with the models Of ancient times
The Kroomen are the labourers and water
men Of the coast, and upon them, consequently
are the masters Of vessels, visiting Africa,
more or less dependent for OBJ Iaining intelli
gence concerning trade, procuring supplies OF
lue and water, and In bringing off + ON places
where landing from boats is difficult, such mer
chandize they may ha,eaDurchased. On his
account. ana because slavery is not tolerated
among Kroomen, their rights are respected
even ny slave dealers, md they fearlessly board
any vessel which makes its appearance, IN
search Of some employment Not untrrquenl
ly is their passage gwen Them from one part OF
The coast TO another. and to such an act OF cour-
tesy from commander we'll known TO them,
they Seem to think III, mselves entitled. As a
,rrhe. they are shrewd, industrious, abslemious,
extremely sensible 10 kindness insult, and
very ambitious Of distinction in their own coun-
try.
Their government, is perhaps Justly denomi-
ma ed palriarchial, nor are any people in the
world perhaps equally attached to ;heir superb
ors. 70 introduce civilization, and Christian
i,y amvng the K'oom'u, is an obiec, OF vast
impor, ance, in our effor,s to enlIghten Africa.
Their refusal 10 aid those engaged in the slave
trad", would do much for the abolition of that
traffic. LIT hem b. converted 10 Christ, and
their salu airy influence would soon br felt a,
every commercial station from the Senegal TO
the Zaira
Prince Will has expressed an earnest desire
that American settlements might be established
among The Kroomen, and We will rot cease 10
pray, thai his counlrymen may soon behold the
everlasting Light