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

kidnapped Africans, and refusing to give them
I'm. the colonists not only took their own people
bnt all the slaves they had collected. lhese
four hundred who are useful agricultufallsts, are
bann;lv situated and very contented. The SET
tlemements of which have spoken, contain IN
Tho .cgreoate. nearly two thousand souls, anu
are ali in flourishing condition.
have been frequently asked since my return
f,or, T; iberia. whether there is no danger OF the
natives breaking in upon the colonists and de-
stroying them. The best answer l can give 10
th;s question. in addition to what have already
s,id. is statement of the following facts:
When the colonists could muster but thirty Ell
fectiye men for defence, and when the forest was
within pistol shot of their houses, flve thousand
If the natives, armed with muskets and other
weapons of war, made an attack upon them IN
three divisions. A part of this little band were
surprised by the left division, who took posses
sion of one of their two cannon nine FOUNDER;
but instead of making use of it, ut indeed they
knew how for the piece was loaded with grape
and round shot, and lighted match placed near
it, the possessors were seen embracing It, pow
wowins over it and vociterating "big gun, big
gun" till the other four FOUNDER, was brought
to bear on them under the direction OF Lot Carey,
and piled with so much precision and activity.
that they Dretreated. The gun was retaken ana
turned upon the invaders, when they made their
escape to the forest There was some skirmish-
inc from the bush until one of their Gree-gree
men was slain, carried off by ovr men, and thrown
into the river. This event entirely dishearten.
ed them, they went of, and from that time ne
yer appeared in hostile array against the colo
nists. Many of them have traded with the colo
nv ever since, but thew would not acknowledge
that they were engaged in the war, till, from an IN
tercourse of some time, they found that 1t would
not be remembered to their prejudice. They
then related many singular and amusing anec-
dotes respecting it, and acknowledged the loss
of seventy to eighty men killed. If remember
right, the colonists lost but two three of their
little bard.
The means the COLONY have for defence. atpre-
sent consist of twenty pieces OF ordnance, and
muskets. &c. for a thousand men, which may be
increased from private stores IT wanted. In Mon
royia there are, Capt. Stewards company OF In
fantry, Weayers' company of Artillery, and
Diapers company of Rifle Rangers. In Cald-
we'll, Davis company of Infantry, and Browns
of Artillery. In Milsbury, Whites company OF
Rifle Rangers. All these are volunteers, and IN
uniform; besides which, respectable number OF
militia, not in uniform, and as many OF the ma
tiyes under the protection of the colonial govern
ment, as it may think proper to arm. These
facts WILL think, satisfy any man as to the safe
ty of the colonists from attacks by the natives.
There is respectable fort on Cape Monsera-
do, which commands the roadstead, and has pro-
tected an English vessel chased in by pirate.
The military are commanded by Major Barbour.
The commander chiefs the Society's Agent
There is much hospitality to be found in Mon
rovia, and among the inhabitants greater pro.
portion of moral and religious characters than in
this city. | never saw man intoxicated, nor
heard any profane swearing, during the three
weeks was among them.
The two houses for religious worship already
noticed, are Baptist and Methodist-the Baptists
have three, and the Mehodists five, preachers,
al intelligent colored men, merchants and trad
ers, residing among them; so that the people have
nothing to pay for the support of ministers. Five
German Missionaries, some ministers and teach
ers, reside there, portion of whom preach at the
Methodist church occasionally.
A trading company has been formed at Monro-
via, with capital Of $4,000, and an agreement
entered into that no dividend shall be made un-
til the profits increase the capital to 100000.
The stock has risen from so to IS dollars per
share, in one year.