Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-06-27
LETTER FROM LIBERIA.

LETTER FROM LIBERIA.
The accounts prosperity attending
the colony of Liberia have been so inn
posing through the letters that have
been received from that place, that
doubts of their authenticity have exist
cd in the minds of some Of our colored
population. An emigrant from LOU
doun county agreed before he left on a
plan by which no false epistle could be
palmed off as his; this was to mention
certain facts selected by himself and
his brother, and to place them in the
postscript of his letter. The letter it.
self has been handed us, and is pub
lished below. 1t speaks for itself
indeed the colonization society now
meets with little opposition. The an
nual appropriations by the state will
give new impulse to its operations.
Under these appropriations this town
will be entitled annually, for five years,
TO the sum of 500 33, and the coun-
ty the farther sum Of 1927 4S-mak-
ing an annual dividend of 1927 81.
If to this sum the colonization society
of the county shall add any considera-
bic amount, and the whole fund be iu-
diciously managed, it will have a SEN
sible effect, and will produce more
real good than if devoted to any other
possible purpose. Will not our socie-
fy renew her exertions in this patriotic
and philanthropic work.-Win. Virg.
MoNRovIA, Liberia, March /, 1888.
Dear Brother Benjanun:-We have
arrived safely at Liberia--myself and
all my family. On the passage we
had no sea-sickness, and as yet the fe-
yer of the country has not attacked us.
1t usually comes on in from two, to
six weeks, after arrival; some die, 9TH
ors have it slightly-the event, as to
me and mine, leave with God. Hith-
erto, ! am much pleased, and am per-
fcctly satisfied with the present cir
cumstance of things. | believe an in
dustrious man can live here easier than
in the United States, and as yet am
so agrceably disappointed with the
country, that | have no desire to re-
III W Tic OIllLCu ettltCo w tlNC tiiCiC.
| wish very much that you were here
with me. [ feel that | am in land OF
great privileges and freedom. Last
Sabbath | preached three times in bap-
fist churches. There are here meth
odists, presbyterians and baptists--all
Jealous and active in the good cause.
The productions of the country are
numerous; oranges, lines, indigo, plan
tain, &c. are all plenty. have sat
at tables where fowls, and fish, and
hams, and beef were all served up as
good as we have in the United States.
| have drawn town lot, and am liv-
ing in hired house until get one built
on it.
There is a great demand here for
stone-nasons. am now, though have
been here only one week, engaged on
house at So so per perch, to be
paid in cash--the price sometimes is
$4 so. Tell my old friend, Joseph
Sanford, if he were here he could fine
ready employment. ! have found large
store-houses, and others built of stone
] as we have in the United States, and
some rich people living in style as In
any other country.
| find a great many natives here
Their dress is nothing but handker
I chief around the loins-all the rest o
1 the body naked, both men and women
! though the latter do not frequent the
! town, being ashamed to be seen. saw
one of the women in one of their towns
her breast all naked, and little chile
on her back, holding on to the mothers
side with its little hands. This state
Of half.nakedness becomes so familiar
that do not now notice it at all, ant
1t has no bad appearance to me as /
did at first.
Capt. Hatch treated US on the pas
sage in the kindest manner, so mucl
50, that | think he deserves my high
est gratitude. wish you might com
out with him. My love to yourself ant
mother, and sister Hannah and all tn
family, especially to George Moss an
William Moss. Benjamin and the chill
dren, send their love to Jesse and tn
rest OF the children. | must not om
my particular love to sister Harriet.
Your most affectionate brother,
REUBEN MOSS.
N. B. Twill now give the sign whic
was to give you that you may knov
this letter is from me. 1t was to mer
ton the accidents. The first was you
getting your leg caught under the tree
the second was my falling off the hors
and having my hand split open by a