American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-12
THE MARYLAND COLONY IN LIBERIA.

nal of the Rev. John Seys, superintendent of
the Methodist Episcopal Mission in Africa:
| Vie,o Of colOni=ation-the maryland coloay-by
whom toundcd-selection Of gorernor-popu-
tation-inn,tgran arrangements tor--homes
prouided--eOnientedne ndLSrg- morals
| administration-potce
My Dear Readcr--My long and unexpected
detention at Cape Palmas gave me an excel
lent opportunity for observing matters and
things they really are in reference to the
Colony, its actual condition, and its prospects.
| To be sure may not see as other men do, and
may imagine Improvement and prosperity
where they do not exist, or | may be prepos-
sessed in favor of Colonization to that degree
as to be blinded to its defects, or led to magni-
fly its favorable points. Be this as it may, |
venture now only to state matters of fact, such
as none will venture TO gainsay who have any
regard fortruth.
| consider the Colony of Maryland in Lbe-
! ria, known as the one receiving the exclusive
patronage ef the Maryland State Colonization
Society of the United States, as decidedly one
of the most prosperous of the American set
Elements on the western coast of Africa. 1t
could not have been otherwise. The organi-
cation and continued energetic labors Of the
Board representing the Society would lead US
was founded by DIR. James Hall, now the So
cety's general agent in Baltimore, and the ma
chnery of colonial government set in mo-
ton, the selection of a colored man as Govern
or was made. This was Just as it should be.
1t was called an experiment, but it was one, of
the success Of which no reasonable fears could
be entertained. From the commencement the
colony has been progressing, if not rapidly yet
steadily and onwardly. The population is now
about 700, and they receive an immigration
every year. All necessary preparation is made
for the reception of an expedition before its ar
; rival There is public asylum or receptacle,
consisting of a number of separate rooms and
situated in a healthful part of the colony, into
which the newcomers are generally accmat-
ed. Meantime frame billings are being erect
ed on lots laid out for them Of suitable size to
afford them good garden spot, and by the
time the immigrant is through the fever and
can begin to take care of himself, he has home
to go into--a dry, comfortable, little framed
and shingled house where he can have ali the
necessaries and comforts of life if he will only
follow up his first advantages with economy
and industry.
it is a notorious fact that there Is not q single
family Of dltth celoniSts in Maryland Liberia oc
c,spyiug a matched house, all have buildings
such as have described. Let it be understood
that there is another point of sound and wise
policy in this arrangement of incalcuahle ad-
vantage to the settler His house is not giren
to hin; by no means. He would not value 1t
as much if it were. lie is charged with all the
expenses of its erection. When he is able, he is
furnished work, work is found him by some
means, and as he earns his wages, he receives
part to live on, and reasonable proportion
is stopped in the hand of the Societys agent to
pay the debt due for the house. AS am not
writing treatise on Colonization, Reader, |
cannot stop here to notice one 1.-THE of the ma
ny points Of superiority which this plan pos
sesses over others which have been in vogue in
others places. Bat that it works we'll, one
must go Palmas, visit the people as did, 90
to their homes, eat and drink with them, in
quire into their condition, find out their con-
tentedness, without seeming to intend any
such thing, and then he will be satisfied
| should conclude from observations made
during nearly three months spent at Cape Pal
mas that the people are Industrious. They
would. doubtless be much more so if there was
vent for their provisions Only occasionally
however man-o-war comes in, and then there
is call for fresh stock and vegetables Except
on such occasions, there is more than is need
ed for their own consumption, and | was in
formed by a worthy citizen as he pointed to
the field that he had rotting in the ground an
abundance of the finest sweet potatoes. visi-
ted often one family who have paid much at
! tention to raising cotton, and who card and
spin enough for all the stockings used by them,
and knit them too. Many others might do the
same. Had they looms they might weave
quantities of good, substantial, plain cotton
goods.
In reference to the morals of the people had
frequently presented before me, an evidence
very conclusive of its character. During the
quarter past of my visit, could see from my
bedroom window, the gatherings of the Off
GERS and people at the monthly sessions Of their
court. The hour appointed by the constitution
is 6 o'clock, A M. They would meet accord
ingly, and proceed to business. But by o.
clock, or at farthest eight, every thing would
be over and the court adjourned. | often
thought, what no litigation at all-no civil or
criminal cases-month after month, no work
for judge lawyers, or jury to do? Surely this
is no bad evidence that the people generally
strive to ''follow peace with iii men,"
! made it point to inquire for my own sa-
tisfaction, and was happy to find that the pre-
sent administration is decidedly popular, and |
hope nothing may occur to induce Gov. Russ
wurm to resign his Office.
They have very good aud efficient police
at Cape Palmas. A circumstance occurred
while was there which proved this most con-
clusively to me. The native boy who accom-
panied me down from Monrovia as a personal
attendant, while walking by native town
near Harper, was accosted by one Of the pao-
Pile, young man, and nsulted. The other
very meekly and mildly endeavored to avoid
any difficulty by continuing his course. But
the Greybo youth wanted fight, so he took
up stone, flung it at the stranger, and gave
him severe cut over the eye. Two coonists
were present, one the clerk of the court, and
were witnesses of the whole affair. The cir