The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-10-12

dique.
COLONY OF LIBERIA.
Robert Finley, a venerable clergyman
OF New Jersey, laid the foundation of the
Colonization Society, in meeting at Wash
lngton, 1916. Many members OF Congress,
persuaded by his Argument and invited by
his zeal, supported his project Agents
were sent 10 Africa to determine on what
point Of the Western Coast they should
select site for the intended Colony. Dur
ing the five first years nothing seemed to
encourage their efforts. The American
Agents had no experience. The natives
with whom they treated for lands, were
deceittu in their bargains. A climate hos
tile to the whites, carried off most of those
engaged in the enterprise, and the unex-
pected attacks ofthe natives, added tc their
calamlties. At different times the Colony
was near being entirely ruined fer ever,
and the small number of Colonists who re-
manned, were reduced to the most frightfrl
distress, and were even obliged in 1921, to
remove to the Colony of Sierra Leone.
These successive disasters did not dis
courage the Society. In the year 1921,
they sent two new agents, who bought of
the natives territory to which they gave
the characteristic name of Liberia. This
territory, whose central point is Cape Mes
urado or Montserrado, is situated deg. N
OF the equator; and $50 miles S. of Sierra
Leone. 1t extends along the coast to the
length of about $50 miles, and reaches into
the '".:.arlor, one days journey, or from 20
to 30 miles. 1t is separated from the inte-
! rior by glrdle of wood land Rivers, some
of considerable size, water the country
throughout The soil is extremely fertile,
and abounds in all productions OF tropical
climates. the native tribes, degraded and
wasted by the slave trade, are too feeble to
! oppose a serious barrier to the progress OF
tbs Colony. Nine wears have elapsed since
the purchase of the Colony. 1t contains Il
population Of more than 1000, who live in
| their own houses, and on farms which they
! themselves cultivate, and they perform the
various duties of an agricultural and COM
| mercial people.
The chief city. Monrovia, SC called il
| honor OF the President, is situated ouCape
Measurable, containing abou; 80 houses ant
stores, three churches, and 700 inhabitants
The houses are generally well built, and off
pleasant appearance. This city is 20 fee
above the sea. The streets, 100 feet wide
cross at right angles. At this elevation tn,
inhabitants enjoy refreshing sea breeze
The temperature is mild and equable.-
The thermometer does not vary more thai
from 63 deg. to 81 deg. The harbor O
Monrovia is formed by the mouth of the
river of Montserrado. 1t is convenient ant
suitable for vessels of moderate dimensions
The commerce of Monrovia, acity essential
ly commercial is already considerable, anG
increases yearly. Some individuals have
acquired from $4,000 to 10000. Sever
miles north of the outlet Of Montserrade, is
the river st. Paul. Here is the colony O.
Caldwell, Astounding in productions of al
kinds. This city, after the plan of man,
American villages, has only one street,
mile and half long, and planted with two
| rows of banana and plaintain trees. This
agricultural establishment is feurishing.
Between Caldwell and Monrovia is anoth
/ er settlement of 30 families. On the oppo
/ site side of the bay of Stockton, live 40t
Africans, taken from slave ships. Finally
25 miles N. E. of Monrovia, is Millsburc
containing 200 inhabitants, and increasing
by new colonsts. 1t has peculiar advanta
! ges. The soil is as fertile as that of Cald
well, and many navigable streams enabI,
| it TO become the medium OF commerce be
| tween the interior and the sea coast. TIL,
forest around contains excellent timber.
The supreme government has as yet beef
in the hands of the society. The Colonia
Agent is recognized as Governor. N,
! means are neglected to habituate them t,
republican forms and the spirit of liberty
The elections are annual for Magistrates
and sometimes are much contested. 4
court of Justice, composed of the Agent ant
two Judges, whose jurisdiction extend
over the whole Colony, assemblies month";
| at Monrovia. The crimes generally ar
| theft, committed with few exceptions b.
the natives who are admitted in the limit
of the Colony. The judgments are decd
! ed BY jury, with all possible formality.
Three documents contain the political an
civil legislation of Liberia. The first is tn
act of Constitution. 1t grants them right
as in the United States. The 5th art. pro
hibits all slavery in the Colony. Art.
declares the common law to be that of tn
U. States. The Cd document regulates tn
civil forms of Government. By Art. IL
censors are instituted to guard the publ
morals; to report the idle and vagabond:
and to bring to legal investigation all tina
can inlure the prosperity Of tae Colony.-
The Sd legislative document is n code c
procedure and punishment extracted frot
American djgests. Experience .has show
that those three pieces are sufficient 70
the present state ofthe Colony to preserv
the public order and the interests of tn
| citizens.
The Colonists are remarkable for fnoralit
and religions feelings. An American Can
tain says, that DUNG the three weeks h
passed in the Colony, he saw only on
fight, which was provoked by polite,
quarrel with black from Sierra Leone
prevent intemperance, $500 are require
for license to sell liquor. Many blacl
are engaged in religious instruction, an
some have more than ordinary intelligence
The education Of infants is RETARDED, by I'll
want Of suitable teachers. A society
forming in America to obviate this ditficu
/ ty. A public library is established at Mo
rovla, and a journal is published which HI
800 subscribers.
4 The position of the Colony, situate
\ the central point of long extent of S,
coast, and enabled to establish relations
trade with the interior, opens prospects
great commerce. The articles of expo
are rice, palm oil, ivory, gold, shells, iro
and other articles, that increasing civil
cation shows them the use of. The co,
nlsts possess some boats, and are engag,
in the carrying trade between Cape Mes
RADIO and the Factories along the shor
under the direction of the Governmer
Several large vessels will be sent TO Il
United States to establish their reputati,
on a larger scale, as soon rs they shall
,1a,t Al