Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-24
LIBERIA.

The following interesting letter from Captain
SHERMAN will be read with high qualification by
every friend Of the Colonization Society.
70. S. Gazette.
PHILADELPHIA, May 10th, 1880.
Mr.. Ed,card HailolceH,
Dear Sir-As you expressed awish that should
commit to writing some account OF our colony In
Africa, for your own information and that N your
friends. with pleasure comply with your re-
quest. and will give you all the information
could obtain in the three weeks was there last
March.
The tract of country purchased by the Colo
nization Society of the United States. from Afrl-
can kinSs. with view Of providing an asylum
for emancipated slaves, and residence for any
free persons of color who might be desirous OF
suing thither. is called as YOU very well know,
by the appropriate name of Liberia.
The first settlement and capital of the colony
is Nonroria, situated in lat. s, 81, \. and 1880
w. long. about 4 quarter OF annie above the
mouth of the river MOnserado, and about three
quarters of mile from the point OF the cape
bearing the same name. The rver 81. Paul
empties into the sea short distance from the
Monserado. For me first two years, the emf
grants lived in small matched houses, and about
VI
timber and boards. was built on the site of the
present town. in a forrest of trees of towering
height and thick underwood. Tigers entering
this them little village. have been shot from the
doors. The first settlers 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 perseverin9 indus
try.
Monrovia. at present, consists OF about ninety
d,rei;ng houses and stores ttco kOtses for public
,yorship and court house. Many of the dwell
ings are handsome and convenient and all of them
comfortable. The plot Of the town is cleared
more than mile square, elevated about 20 feet
above the level of the sea, and contains Seoen hun
bred inhabitants The streets are generally one
hundred feet wide, and, like those of our good
city intersect each other at right angles. The
Colonization Society have an agent and physi-
clan there.
The agent is the chief magistrate Of the colony
and the physician his assistant No white per-
sons are allowed to reside in the colony for the
purpose of trade, or of pursuing any mechanical
business, such being intended for the exclusive
benefit of colored people. The colonial secreta-
nv, collector of Customs, surveyor, and consta-
bles are appointed by the agent;-the vice-agent,
elective. and all the offices except thatof the agent
and physician are filled by coloured people.
The court holds its sessions on the first Mon
day in every month; juries are empannelled as
with US. and its jurisdiction extends over the
whole colony. The trials are principally for
larceny, and the criminals generally natives,
who commit thefts in the settlements. A few in
stances of kidnapping have occurred; these dep
relations were committed on the recaptured AT
ricans. To the honour of the emigrants be it
mentioned that but FIVE of their number have been
committed for stealing or misdemeanor since
1927.
Two native kings have put themselves and
their subjects supposed to amount to ten thou
saud,) under the protection of the colony, and
are ready, should it be thought necessary or ex-
pe,ent bv the settlers To put into their hands
arms. 10 make common cause with them IN case
of hos;ities bv anv Of the natives; which, how
ever is not anticipated, as the most friendly dis
position is manifested by all the natives of the
country from whom any danger might have been
at all unprecedented.
The township Of ColilceU is about seven miles
from Monrovia. on st. Paul's River, and contains
a population Of 500 agriculturaliSts. The soil
is exceedingly fertile, the situation pleasant, and
the people satisfied and happy. The emigrants
pleasing and satisfactory account of that part of
the country, are located there.
NRs5urg is situated twenty-five miles from
Monroyia, on the st. Paul's, at the head of tide
water, where there are never failing streams, suf-
fcent for one hundred mills; and there is timber
enough in their immediate neighborbOod for their
employment. if used for the purpose of saving,
for half q century.-The town contains 200 in
habitants.
Bushrod's Island, which separates the Mon
serado from St. Paul's river, is seven miles in
length, three at its extreme breadth, about FIVE
miles from Monrovia, and is very fertile; on this
island are settled thirty families from the Caro-
linas All the above settlers amounting to at
least fifteen hundred, are emigrants from the U.
States.
On the left bank Of Stockton Greek, and near
the settlement on Bushrod's Island. the recap
tured Africans are located; two hundred and
fifty of whom were sent out by the government of
the United States, and one hundred and fifty
taken by the colonists from the Spanish factories
the agents of which having bought some OF our