Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-16
LIBERIA.

read with qualification by every friend
Of the Colonization Society.
PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1880.
Mr.. Edpard HoiioweH,
DEAR SIR-As you expressed wish
that should commit to writing some ac-
count of our colony in Africa, for your
own information and that of your friends,
with pleasure comply with your request,
and will give you all the information
could obtain in the three weeks l was
there last March.
The tract of country purchased by the
Colonization Society of the u. States,
from the African kings, with view of
providing an asylum for emancipated
slaves, and residence for any free per-
sons Of color who may be dcsirous of going
thither, is called, as you very well know,
by the appropriate name of Liberia.
The first settlement and capital of the
colony is Monroria, situated in lat. GEL,
N. and 10, 80, w. long, about quar-
ter of mile above the mouth of the river
Monserado, and about three quaters of
a mile from the point of the cape, bear
ing the same name. The river st. Paul
emptics into the sea a short distance from
the Monserado. For the first two years
the cmigrants lived in small thatched
houses, and about five years ago, the
first dwelling constructed of timber and
boards, was built on the site of the pres
ent town, in forest OF trees of towering
height, and thick underwood. Tigers,
entering this, Chem little village, have
been shot from the doors. The first set
tiers had many difficulties to encounter,
as is usually the case in establishing a
new settlement; but all those difficulties
have been happily overcome, and the
people are now enjoying the benefits Of
their persevcring industry,
Monrovia, at present, consists of about
ninety dwelling houses and stores, two
houses ofpublic worship and court house.
Many of the dwellings, are handsome
and convenient, and all comfortable, >
The plot of the town is cleared more
than mile square, elevated about sew
enty feet above the level of the sea, and
contains sepen hundred inhabitants. The
streets are generally one hundred feet
wide, and like those Of our good city, in
tcrscct each other at ri ght angles. The
i COLONIZATION Society have an agent and
| physician there.
The agent is the chief magistrate of
the colony, and the physician is assistant
No white persons are allowed to reside
in the colony for the purpose of trade, or
for pursuing any mechanical business,
such being intended for the exclusive
benefit of colorcd people. The colonial
secretary, collector oicustoms, surveyor,
and constablcs are appointed by the
agents; the vice agent, sheriff, treasurer,
and all other civil officers are elective,
and all the Offices except that of the
agent and physician arc filled by colorcd
people.
The court holds its sessions OH the first
Monday in every month; jurics arc en-
pannellcd as with us, and its jurisdiction
extends over the whole colony. The
trials are, principally for larceny, and
the criminals generally natives, who
commit thcns in the settlements. A few
instances of kidnapping have occurred;
these dcprcdations were committed on
the recapturcd Africans. To the honor
of the cmigrants be it mentioned, that
but five of their number have been COM
mittcd for stealing or misdcmcanor since
1927.
Two native kings have put themselves
and their subjects Supposed to amount
to ten thousand under the protection of
the colony, and are ready, should it be
thought necessary or eXpedicm by the
settlers to put into their hands arms, to
make common cause with them in case
hostility by any of the natives: which,
however is not antici cipatcd, as the most
friendly disposition is manifested by all
the natives of the country from whom
any danger might have been at all apPre-
hended.
The township of CaldWeH is about sew
en- miles from Monrovia, on st. Paul's
river, and contains a population of five
hundred and sixty agriculturists. The
soil is exceedingly fertile, the situation
pleasant, the people satisfied and happy.
The cmigrants carried out by me, and
from whom l received n pleasing and
satisfactory account of that part Of the
country, arc located there.
.Miilsbwg is situated twenty-five miles
from Monrovia on the st. Paul's at the
head oftidc water, where there are new
or failing streams, sufficient for one hun
drcd miles; and there is timber enough in
the immediate ncighborhood for their
employment, if used for the purpose of
saving, for halfa century: the town con-
tains two hundred inhabitants.
Bushrod's Island, which separates the
Monserado from st. PauPs river, is sew
en- miles in length, three at its extreme
breadth, about five miles from Monrovia