Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-30

that the hostility of the natives at time, threat
ened to extnguish tho euterprise,hat death deprived
them the eminent and l0mcntcd AsrMUN,-that tho
friends of the i'll America, though undismaycd
were few in number, and its enemies numerous and
wcrfu-whcn this dark picture is conrasted with
the cheering views At liberty to contemplate
there is abundant reason for gratitude to the Author of
all Good, by whose pervadng energy and counScls the
works of man arc alone permitted TO prosper. With
out any exaggeratlon in language, behold the
light OF christian civilization rising amidst the gloom OF
African superstition, and derkness;-a fourishing
munity Springng III distant and barbarous land,
borrowing its laws, manners, and institutions from
Republican country, and cvincipg by its acts of wis
dom, and moderation, entire capacity for sclf-goyer
ment. What renders this spectacle the more rcmurko-
bic, is tho fact, that the who compose this
ny-sprsng from the degraded condition in their
native land. Placed midway between freedom and
slaverythey felt neither the honorable incentives of
the one, nor the powerful restraints of tho other
With few exceptions sunk the level of the slave, in
moral debasement, they often below him in point
OF poverty and suffering and by the vicousncss their
example, they were alike injurious to every class of
society.
The progress of the Colony in the short space of
eight or nine years, i'll wealth, population, commerce.
agriculture, in moral improvement, and in all the
forts and refnemcns of civilization, truly wonder
tul On this subject, present from the last Annual
report to the Parent S)ciey the following extract:
''Ihe visit of Mr. Francis Dcvany, of the earliest
and most respectable of the Colonists, the United
States during the last Spring afforded the Managers
ana the Public, an opportunity to learn from man of
color, worthy of entire confidence, many interesting
facts in regard the feelings condition, and prospects
of tho settlers in Liberia. Mr.. Devany arrived i'll
Washington at the time when Memorial of the Soci-
ETY. To Congress, under the consideration of Com
mlee of that body and at the request'of the Chair
man of that Committee, several gentlemen from both
Houses assembled to hear his testimony i'll reply to the
various questions proposed to him concerning
interests and progress Of the Colony. MIR. Dcvany
stated, that the health and morals of the Coloniss
IN general good; that capital crime had been
committed in the Colony that instances of inempc-
rance are extremely rare that in Monrovia there
three churches that Divine Service l. attended thrice
on Sunday, also on Tuesday and Thursday evenings;
that many native children attend the Sunday Schools
that their parents in neighborhood adopting
mode of Dress that the climate is mild and uniform,
the thermometer falling below Is dogs. and sell
dom rising above SIS degrees; that the soil is cultivated
with ease; that much OF the country is finely wooded
and abounds with valuable ship tmber that Co6e Sim
liar 10 that OF ava) among the products of the
try that many of the houses built of sone others
of logs weathcrboarded that of these are painted
white and have venetian blinds; that provisions
plenty and the Colonists well satisfied with their con-
dton; that much emulation prevails, each settler cndea
vourng TO push his fortune by all fair and honorable
means; that there six Volunteer Companies Uni
torn besides Militia amounting in all to about 500
that the Colony is nevertheless in state of com
pete defence, owing to the unfinished condition of the
fortcaions and to the fact that of the guns
to be remounted that the harbour is seldom without
vessel and is deemed the best along the coast; and
that while the slave trade is prohibited by the severest
penalties on the territory under the colonial Jurisdiction,
II is still carried OH in its immediate vicinity"
Besides the curious and important facts presented in
the foregoing extract, there which deserves par
lcular notice. account of the influence ii destined
eratter to exercise and furnishing itself striking
indication of improvement. We allude to the re es-
adjustment of commercial and literary newspaper in
Monrovo, conducted by free colorcd man ofconsider-
able atalnments and ability. As of collecting
and ditfusing valuable information, only with regard
to Liberia hut to all that contiguous portion of Africa
over which the Colonial influence is rapidly extending,
this newspaper has already afforded respectable proofs
of its utility We learn from one of its numbers pub
shcd in February last, in the language of the Editor
himself that 1.-THE changes which have taken place in
the Colony during the publication of the Herald
perhaps among those most worthy of notice
Every thing has improved, agriculture-our COM
mercc, have each shared in the blessing Monrov
has almost assumcda garb, and should things con-
tlnue to prosper they have town will certainly
present the most desirable residence a stranger of
on the coast OF Africa In Monrova alone, the number
OF comfortable stone and wooden dwellings,, erected
during the year. has been upwards of fy-ive-and if
we take into consideration that Caldwell. Millsburp
and the rccaptured towns have shared equally in this
prosperity have abundant reasons to be thankful
for the showers of mercy which have been extended to
our infant colony. Our commerce is daily extending
and we believe the day is not far distant, when our
Port VIII be the emporium of the Western Coast of At
RIGA.
The facts stated by the Editor Of the Herald, are
fully confirmed in late Reports rom DIR MeckIin the
present Colonial Agent The jurisdiction of the Colo
ny, extends over $50 miles ofsea coast and r;..:
limit furnishes complete security against the vet
tlsed atrocities OF the slave trade Several of the
tribes allured by the civilized habits and con,noor;,I
protection, and surrendered themselves to its
ment: others which were heretofore hostile or dis
rsttui, have cvnccd desire to cultivate the
relations of peace and friendship. The inhabitants of
Liberia exceed at this time two Thousand in number
no portion OF Western Africa is believed to possess ca
8aubrlous climate, and few countries on the Globe are
more mexhaustibly fertile in soil. 1t abounds in
almost all the animal and vegetable productions
Know IN the United States besides the delicious fruits
and plants peculiar to the tropical regions 1t exports
to other countries, dye woods, ivory gold palm oil
exchange thrOuph Inc
an active commerce, various articles of forepn MANN
tactures The nett profits tyso items of export a.
lone, III tho first half year of 1896 are stated 10 haze
exceeded iO,OGG, and eight vessels from the sinpie
port oil Philadelphia, traded to Monrova in the last
year. Several of the colonists have realized what
would be considered in country, handsome fortunes
and cases of individual poverty and suffering arc so
az to be scarcely known
With this lattering picture before u.s. who can contern
plate the future history Of this infant settlement with
out emotions of Phanthropc pride7 Who does not re
gard 1t as the dayspring of promise bengted Africa
as well as the germ Of great and important results to
our own domestic peace? Who does not rejoice in the
prospect that this scheme of beuevolenco is likely 10 he
accomplished, notwithstanding the perils and hostility
1t has from time TO time encountered! What class Gf
our citizens may not exult ut the ultimate success Of t
enterprise? To tho Merchant and Artizan new chan
mel OF profitable commerce, will be opcned 'Ti,c
Statesman and Patriot, will witness the acics nent m
great moral and political good which will merit and
receive the BLESSING of postcritv. The Cbry4;,,,