Southern planter., 1832-12-01

From The African Repository for Oct0bcr.
LIBERIA.
The following letter, from two highly respected
nccmen of color, who were dopuicd BY their bfehs
rem in Naichez TO visit and make report concerning
the African Colony, will be read with deep inter-
asi. Il is the purpose Of Messrs. Simpson aud
Moore to embark with their families to Liberia pi
an early day; and il is believed that many OF the
free people Of color in Mississippi will accompany
them.
WASHINGTON, Sept 27.
DEAR SIR. Having been requested by iheffcc
colored people Of Natchez TO visit Liberia, and
see for ourselves the true state Of things there that
we might make 10 them correct and foil report
in regard to the prospects opening before iieemen
Of color who may settle in that colony, and having
lst returned from Africa, we present, through you,
10 our colored brethren in-the Uniied States, the
following brief statement.
On The 30th June VIC anchored al Monroyia,
and remained in tho colony nearly thrco weeks, du-
ring all Of which lime we were anxiousiy engaged
in making inquiries aud observations, and endeav-
orinQ to learn the true condition and prospects Of
the people. We ehad the opportunity OF examining
nearly every settlement, md witnessing the actual
state Of mostof the colonisis When We arrived
and set our feet on shore, We we're treated with
kindness and hospitality far beyond our most san.
CNUcCtuilOng. anu WHICH lllnlt hA lfNi hNF-
selves al home. There was not n man that did not
take us by the hand and trent us as his broihers
We oI, for the FIRST time what it was to be free and
independent The people there possess spirit Of
liberty and Independence, such as we have never
seen among the people Of this country. As bo-
dy we think tho people Of Liberia, owing 10 their
circumstances have risen in their style OF living
and their happiness as a community, ar above those
of their colnred brethren, even the most prosper
GUS of them that we have seen in the United States
I bov feel that they havoo home. They have no
fear Of tho white man or the colored man. They
have no superiors. heydo not look up to oihors,
but they ore looked up 10 by them. Their laws
grow out Of themselves, and arc their own. They
truly sit under their own vine and iig tree hnying
none 10 moles them nnd make them alrnid. Since
our return, we have been in the houses Of some Of
the most respectable men of color both IN New
York and Philadelphia, but have seen none, on The
whole, so we'll furnished as many Of the houses in
Monroyia. The floors are, In many cases, well car
peIed, and all things about these dwellings appear
neat, CONVENIENT, and comfortable. There are five
schools, two Of which we visited, and were much
plensed with the teachers, and the improvement of
the children. We noticed very particularly the
moral state Of things, and during our visit saw but
One man who appeared to beintemperate, and but
two who used any prolane language We think the
settlers moral, people, than the citizens Of
the United States The Sabbath is very strictly
observed, and there is Rrea, attention to the things
Of religion We attended church several times,
md one Of Us being minister Of the Gospel Of the
Methodist church, preached three times, 10 large
md very attentive congregations. There must have
been from three TO four hundred al each religious |
ervice; all well dressed and apparently respectable
PERSONS. We visited the poor house, and found
here four sick and infrm persons, nne Of whom
nnde good deal Of complaint for want Of supplies
md attention. We found only two other persons
y tho colony who expressed any dissatisfaction.
nd We had much reason TO doubt whether they
ad any good cause for H. The soil al Caldwell
nd Millsburg is as fertile as ever VIC saw, and
iuch like the lands on the Mississippi We saw
rowing upon i pepper, corn, rice, sugar, cane, cas-
ada, planains, cotton, oranges imes coffee, peas,
cans, swoHt potatoes, waieTmelons, cucumbers,
nusop, banans, and many other fruits and vegetu.
les. Wesaw cattle, sheep, and goats; also swine
nd poultry in great abundance Wherever we
'ent, the people appeared to enjoy good health;
nd more healthy looking people, particularly the
hildren, we have not seen in the United States
Ve were there in who, is called the rainy season,
although it aincd hard but once, for about half
q hour, during the whole three weeks Of our visit
nd, instead Of the hea, being oppressive, We had
vho"uly u nue ufetAe, anu me ar was as cool ns
/ Is At Naichcz about The last Of September
We ought tosey, that our voyage was very pleas.
NJ, and nearly all those who sailed with US from
'oriolk ll58) appeared TO enjoy themselves vol |
ust before our arrival at tho culorv. a grU ,vors
AIKEN sick, and two children Eone an infant died
Don Don after lhey. we're landed. Our own health
'mle IN the caiony was good, although we were
'ucs exposed TO night air We must say, that
ad what we have seen Of the prosperity Of the col
my OF Liberia been reported to us by others, we |
'onld hardly have believed them; and therefore
prepared To expect that our own report may be dis
srediled by our colorod brethren We wish them
o sec and judge for themselves Whatever they
nay say or think, it is our deliberate Judgment. |
hat the free people Of color will greatly improve
heir character and condition, and become moro
lappy and more useful by aremova to LIBERIA
hero alone can the black man enjoy true freedom |
land where that freedom is, shall be our country.
GLOSTER SIMPSON,
ARCHY MOORE.
Rev. R. r.. GuRLrv.
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