The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-15
COM M UNIC Alto s.
COAST OF AFRICA.
No. IL.

RIGS. TO remove all the prejudices and feelings OF
dread entertained by the colored population Of the
limited States concerning it. AS but few are willing
10 emjgrate to the Liberian colonies, to judge for
themselves, plain statement of facts, by one who
. interested only, in what he States for the ameliora-
non of the condition of the African race, may IN
duce many to seek refuge in the land OF ther an
ces,ors, who otherwise would remain IN ignorance
of the real condition Of things there and exc out
life of toll and degradation which can never be I'M
,roved in the United States. We do not wish to
impress those disposed TO emigrate WIN an idea
that they 90 to Africa to live IN idleness 'and ease
We should deceive them, were we to lead them to
believe this They would have to toll; but they
,.ould labor for themselves, and reap the benefit
ofi, Every emigrant can, If he wishes, have land,
and rests with him TO improve It; Secause think
he receives assistance from the society for six months
soer his arrival Many liberated slaves from the
.oo,b and southwestern States who seldom, or
never had seen white person work, and are in a
state of the darkest ignorance fancied that, upon
,bsr reaching the shores of Africa, they could live
without work All had an eye to trade, thinking
thew might do as the whites Of that part of the
Unite d States whence they came did, They had
no idea that to the morrill, the laboring white man
worked much more than the slave; and II only re-
ouired such explanations as we gave them, as to
how hard the white man had to work, to induce
them soon to express wish to turn their atten-
ton to agriculture; and there is no doubt but that
this knowledge will spread and eradicate the impress
sion. that when they so to Africa If they 60 there to
he free-and freedom, in their conception of the
word is to do nothing-they must also work to
maintain that freedom,
The climate of the Lberian colony is not so dele
ferrous to the health of the emigrant as it is sup
posed to be by those who are interested in being UNI
deceived respecting it. Any change OF climate
either from good to bad, or bad to good always m
duces change in the habits and constitution. tbs
not. therefore, wonderful that the colonist, short
time after his arrival in Africa should undergo the
process of accmation. In some cases 1t is very
mild, and in others very severe. All must undergo
the ordeal The first settlers suffered very severely
The disease was not then as well understood as it is
now; and owing to this, the limited accommodations
then provided, and the want of comforts, many
died very soon after their arrival The case is now
very different Intelligent and able physicians, who
have had long and ample experience, have, by prac-
tice and observation brought these diseases almost
within their grasp, and the number OF deaths at the
present time is not more than about in thirty or
thirty. five.
LISA curious fact that all who are born on this
part of the coast of Africa must pass through this
process of acclimation. Within month after
birth, the infant Of the native African, who has
never left the soil, is attacked with fever which,
in very many cases. is fatal for want Of proper care
and treatment Hence it is, that the population OF
these tribes does not increase. II is scarcely kept
up. The native African here is pagan. He be-
lieyes that none but infants and very old persons
ever die, except from personal violence
The climate is also felt by every animal brought
to its shores. After being short time exposed to
its influence, it droops for considerable length OF
time. Some eventually recover, but many de-
The climate is peculiarly fatal to horses.
After the emigrant RECEIVERS from the first attack,
upon his arrival on the coast of Africa he enjoys as
good health as he would in any part of the world.
! think better; because the temperature Is better
suited TO his constitution, and he is not liable TO
many diseases to which he is subject in cold lati-
tudes. But the European, even if he escapes from
the acclmatng attack is after subject to remit
tent fevers of the worst form, and thinks himself
fortunate to escape death. These repeated attacks
of masmatic fevers produce chronic diseases,
which render him confirmed invalid for life. 1t
really seems as if Providence, in its wisdom, had
set apart this section Of the world for the African
race alone
This portion of the coast is peculiarly favorable
to the culture and growth of the coeetree, which is
here very large, and yields abundantly-the average
being about from five to six pounds for each tree;
while in Cuba, coffee plantation yields an average
Of one pound only. | have seen tree from which
eighteen pounds had been gathered. The grain is
larger than that of the West India Rio coffee and,
when properly cured, equal to the Mocha. The at
tenon of the cooniss has lately been turned to the
cultivation Of this tree; and Judge Benedict, the
acknowledgements Of Liberia, has between four
and FIVE thousand near Monrova, which are now
yielding abundantly. There are many other coffee
plantations but not large, although gradually be.
ing increased.
The casada-root is also very valuable produc-
uon which, win rice, IL Nne prHlclpdi ioou VI 'He
native tribes This root yields abundant crops for
four years. at the expiration Of which time it must
again be planted. 1t very much resembles the yam,
which is also cultivated here. All the productions
of the tropical climates grow very luxurantly, and
yield abundantly in these colonies. Oranges, lem
ons, lines, bananas, pine-apples, &c, very good,
and every kind of vegetables, with the exception OF
the Irish potato is very abundant, and Of excellent
quality.
The sugar is also cultivated, but in small quanti-
ties. If the coonists had capital to establish all the
necessary apparatus for making sugar, there is no
doubt but that it would be very profitable bust
ness
There is, at about twenty miles up the river St
Paul, which empties into the sea at Monrovla,
very fine wa,er-power extending some distance
well suited for any kind Of mills or factories. Why
will not the coored people in the United States be
convinced of all the advantages which await them
IN the colonies of Liberia and Cape Palmas'