Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-08-22

of our Capt. John Underhill in the Phil
lpinesw of the Narraganset annals,
writes that he has taken summary pos
session of Little Bassa, a triangular space,
haging27 miles of coast and lying be-
tween the Junk and ST. PauPs river, the |
head men and chiefs having repeatedly |
evaded making restitution for property of
the colonists said to have been seized by
the natives-though they had agreed SO to
do sin solemn palaver." After verbally
pledging their territory in case of nom
performance of their promise in four
months, they changed their minds and
declined 10 proceed any further. The
Governor, thereupon, was resolved not to
let the matter pass "without a prompt and
decided expression of disapprobation.''-
The meaning of which phrase is that, his
chief military man, Col. J. ]. Roberts,
whether white or black, we know not
was sent up to Bassa with an armed force
and took formal possession of the county.
Accordingly on the Of April, de-
Spatehed other commissioners, accompa-
MED by an armed escort of 70 men, under
the command of Col. J. J. Roberts, to
renew the endeavor of an amicable ad
justment and in the event Of failing to do
So to take forcibIe and formal possession
of the country in the name and behalf of
the Am. Col. Society. On the arrival of
the commissioners at Bassa they were for
| eight days amused by the same course Of
equivocation and evasion, which in this
| whole affair had marked the conduct Of
the natives, and on the eighth day they
took formal possession in the name and
on behalf of the American Colonization
Society, in right of the agreement, entered
into by the natives in relation to the debts.'
In this conquest made in the name and
in behalf of the American Colonization
Society, and which from the patronage
extended towards this Society by the Unit
ed States, may involve US in a conflict
with those people; it appears that the
natives themselves have also been subiu-
gated as well as their country. In the
same kind OF tone of mock sympathy,
with which we are familiar in the history
of the early settlement of this country,
we are told in the Liberia Herald, that
these colored subjects who have been made
to pass under the yoke Of the black gov
eminent we are erecting in Africa
Twill be allowed to remain and pursue
their peaceable calIings and legal traffic
as here Whenever a settlement shall be
formed there, they will be required to
conform to the laws and usages. At pres
ent no alteration will be made in their
laws, customs and hafic, but in that re-
lating to sIave-trade."
! Verv kind to be sure. This IS doing
up the business, and capturing and maxi
ing new laws for the captured in as expe-
diclous a manner as the most ambitious
Tamerlane could desire. 1t will turn out
a queer position if our efforts to anchor
ate our colored races should end in max
ing them petty kings, and ultimately slare
+ AAnsH ~La>se- 49, -@4~--.s
in addition to the above it appears that
Gov. Williams was not content with the
acquisition Of which he boasts of having
made to satisfy the honor of the colonists,
but also took possession OF five miles
square on the north side of St. Paul's,
| lying in the Dey country, to revenge the
murder of settler there named David
Logan, by the Mandingoes-though with
much candor, it is confessed, the Deys
themselves probably had no connection
with the murderers! Still, says the Gov
ernor, they were bound by contract or
compact lit is mmaterial. as the Governor
is not very regardful of Vattel and Puff
tendor0 20 extend protection to the colo
nlsts in their country. 1t peeps out in
the end that Logan died desperately in
debt, and the Governor, who nav be a
creditor, suggests taking this land to pay
his deficits.
To some up, the Journal of Commerce,
who has touched on the matter, and looks
at it little awry, as savoring too much
of the foreclosure of a mortgage, or rath-
er taking the responsibility" attempts to
\ gloss 1t over by representing the land in
Africa as dog cheap. The whole of this
business requires thorough investigation
by the Society. If it is understood that
our vessels of war are at too much ex.
pense to be stationed there to assist Liberia
Governors in their personal views of mil
itary conquests and ggrandizements, the
colonization business will be broken up
4 in no time.
From the Christian Index
THE TRACT AND THE JUG.
While travelling through an adjoining
county few days since, | was informed
of a circumstance which is proof positive,
of the real value of tracts. A brother
who had met with an accident while pass
ing through the town of NJ, called
at blacksmith's shop for aid. The
smith was absent, but his wife allowed
the stranger to use the forge and tools, as
it was impossible for him to proceed with
out repairing the loss. While at work in