Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-06

phia and Baltimore have given valuable aid to
the cause.-the Legislature of Maryland has done
itself immortal honor and given an Instructive
lesson to other states, by its munitcent liberal'y
Virginia, too,-though the wise and noble po.
icy of her representatives has been, for the pre-.
sent, defeated BY the Senate-is too well &C.
quanted with what she owes TO herself to be out.
done in this cause by any other State: and, what
deserves to be mentioned with special commen.
dation, one gentleman of Kentucky has pledged
himself to the Society for ten thousand dollars:
While we are prone. at times, to be little
proud Of what has bren done. and 10 imagine that
everv body must approve and commend, we are
suddenly checked by some calculating friend.
who interrupts US with the startling question
What have all your exer,ions accomplished
We are very willing to tell, and our answer shall
be brief statement of facts. "About ID years
ago." we quote from speech Of Mr. Archer, of
Virginia. 9 some gentlemen met in a tavern in
this place (WashingtOn); they were few in num-
Der; they were dispersed as regarded residence
The contribution they required was exceedingly
inconsderabe. They found little support in
public opinion or sympathy; on the contrary,
their project was received with apathy, where it
did not meet with jealousy, disfavor, repulse.-
They persevered, notwithstanding, with stead-
now the condition and promise Of their expert
ment?-Such as to place IN distinct view the sue.
cess of the important philanthropy in which their
efforts have been embarked. The germ they
planted in the wilderness, with generous growth,
has become a stem, giving the certain assurance
Of stability, and propising an expansion which
NAV hereafter gather multitudes. and even whole
communities, rescued from desolation or barba-
rism, under the shade of its branches, to yield
them the fruit of regeneration.
We grant, and we have incurred, that some
valuable lives have been sacrificed in this great
undertaking. But, compared with any other Co.
onv of equal extent, the loss of life has been ex-
ceeedngy small; and as we have reason to be.
ieve that most, il not all. who have died in this
service we're prepared by Divine Grace for
- reigning in life." they lost nothing--and their
death has given sanctty to the cause which Will
endear it the more to the Christian philanrhroplst.
But to our facts: The Colony now numbers
more than 1000 inhabitants. free. healthy, pros.
porous, and happy. Ii enjoys great degree OF
prosperity, not only unexampled, but gre ex-
ceeding the most sanguine anticipatinns OF ITS
friends. We have just received the 10Th Report
of the parent Society, and, in speaking OF the
Colony, shall quote freely from It's pages. One
of the most important of ITS interestsis
Commerce This has rapidly increased during
the year. The Liberia Herald announces the
arrival of eighteen, aud the departure ut fourteen
vessels in single month; several OF these. how
ever, were small schooners, owned at the Colo
| nv. Forty-six vessels. twenty-One of which were
| American, visited the Colony in the course OF
the year. and the amount of eXports was SS8.9l1.
The trade is carried on by small vessels, and pri-
waite factories along the coast; also with the ma
| tives from various countries Of the Interior Re
cent competition has diminished, and large i'm
portations of trade goods have reduced the pro-
fits, but still the disposition to engage in it is ex-
cessive. Losses, however, which have in some in.
stances occurred by giving credit to the natives.
and the failure of individuals, qualified neither
| by education nor experience for commercial pur.
| suits, will probably correct the evil.
Horticulture. This we consider the most i'm
portant interest Of the Colony, and the Mana
gers assure US. they have constantly endeavored
to encourage attention to it, They are assured
that the ColonIsts generally are beginning to di,
rect their thoughts and Efforts decidedly and
successfully to the cultivation of the soil. Ii cam
not be denied that the desire and expectation Of
immediate gain from trade, ignorance Of the best
methods of agriculture in tropical climate, and
a want of energy, industry, and perseverance
among many Of the settlers, who vainly imasin.
ed that they could obtain subsistence in Africa
with little or no labor, have prevented those i'm
provements which can alone render the Colony
independent of foreign aid. Several individuals,
however, have occupied themselves solely with
the cultivation of their farms. and secured not
only the means Of support for their families, but
a surplus produce for the Colonial market. The
coffee tree, which is Indigenous all along the
coast, begins to be cultivated, may be- raised at a
small expense, and will doubtless prove a source
Of wealth to the Culony Indigo, cotton, the sugar
cane, and other productions Of tropical countries,
will, at no remote period, reward and enrich the
| Agricultural labors.
1t has been the earnest desire Of Of the Society.
| and of the COOnsts themselves. that sound learn
Ing and knowledge should be diffu>ed through all
the settlements Some ut the difficulties attend
Ing the introduction. aud maintenance of schools,
among people just struggling into political exs-
| tence-a people too, whose late condition aRong
ourselves tended necessarily to fetter their ow D
minds. and disquafy them for obtaining. and OF
course for impartng, instruction. may readily be
conceived. Yet under these and many other
disadvantages, we are assured, there is mani.
fest Improvement on the subject of
-hnuSpv h,ya haan tab