Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-09

the Colonization Society which you will please to CO.
py in your useful and widely circulated paper. and
greatly oblige your friend and obedient servant,
B. 7. KAvANAUGH.
Indianapolis, March D, 1916.
LIBERIA still presents itself to the view of the civ
ilized world, as a bright and luminous spot on Africa's
dark border. 1t is The brightest star Of promise which
kindles its light in her black horizon 1t is the most
apparent means of her 5ehverance and salvation. 1t
possesses elements of moral power which do not ap-
pertain to any other scheme of benevolence. No can
did person, we are persuaded, can compare the state
of Liberia and its immediate neighbOrhood, with the
rest of Africa, and not be convinced that it is a sue
cessful enterprise, fraught with innumerable DEMENT'S
unattainable in any other way. 1t has met and over
come all the peculiar evils under which the African
race are suffering, and has rendered apparent every
means which need be employed for their redemption
Slavery and the slave trade and piracy, have ceased
wherever the influence of Liberia has been felt.
While law and order, civilization and Christianity,
with all their attendant blessings, have been substi-
tuted. As in the land of Egypt, of old, darkness and
plaques desolated all Its borders, save only where
moral darkness and seven-fold plaques curse all AT
rica's coast, save only where the colOnist abides, and
there blessings abound and safety dwells!
81 rejoice says DR.. Lugenbeel, the colonial physician,
in n letter published in the Christian Advocate and Jour
nal. that the standard of Christianity has been erected
on me SHORES OF ANlCa, anu ina ~ Ddnue ~ tue OIuS
of our Immanuel Is now waving in triumph over many
places, which, a few years ago, were the sites of the bar
racoons Of the sbominable slave trade, or Of the slaugh-
ter house Of human sacrifices. With heartfelt delight, |
have beheld companies of the rising generation, assem-
bled In the schools of CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES, and at
tenlive audiences sitting under the sound of the Gospel
of Christ. But. on the other hand, | have seen exhibit
tons of the debasing influences Of the grossest suPersti-
tons, operating alike on the childish tyrO, and the veneer
able and patriarchiaI looking SIRE lettering on the brink
of eternity, without God and without hope in the world"
In this light we have contemplated, with feelings
of peculiar satisfaction, the advancement which Libe-
ria has made sin every good word and work" during
the past year.
Governor Roberts, in his last annual message to
the Legislature council, remarks -
at affords me great,pIeasure 10 congratulate you, that
the affairs Of the commonwealth are. in all important re-
spects, in a prosperous condition, and the most devOut ac-
acknowledgements are due to our Divine BenefacIOr, for the
bounties of Providence, and the general health and tran
auiIity which at present prevail throughout the common
wealth. II is also a subject for grateful remark, that
through the interPositon of this government, the cruel
and inhuman wars that have existed for the last five
wears, and furnished so many cargOes of human beings to
be transported across the Atlantic into perpetual slavery.
aHd which have almost a~nnihiIated the trade of these col
Onies with the northeast section of the interior, have hap
PLY been brought to a cIOse-and we are permitted TO re.
jeice in the prospect of returning intercourse with the
tribes of that section OF country"
Uninterrupted peace has been enjoyed by Liberia
with all tine allied tribes. Some troublesome disputes
which had existed between the various chiefs and
head men Of the Little Bassa country, have been hap
PLY settled by the Intervention Of the Llberlan au.
thOrities. But for the existence and influence of LII
IBERIA, a most bloody and desolating war would have
ragged among the kindred tribes. But now they are
all at peace; their difficulties are adjusted, their
quarrels are at an end, and their whole territory is
put under the government of the commonwealth of
Liberia. In February last, the whole of the territory
over which Bah Gay is king, was purchased by au-
tbor,tv Of tho Eovarnmanf pf 4 ihoria Tho kInOl
subscribed the constitution and laws of the common
wealth, thereby incorporating himself and his people
VIII the citizens of Liberia, entitled to its care and
protection, and to share its privileges and immunltles.
In the same month, Governor Roberts effected a f.
ual settlement with the SINoU people, by which they
ceded to Liberia the whole Of their territory.
These purchases give the Society an unbroken line
of sea coast from DGBY, on the N. W., to Grand
Bassa Point, on the S. E., and from Blue Barre to
Tassoo.
OF the beneficial influence resulting from them,
Governor Roberts says
The prospects of the people in Grand Bassa, those of
Edna and Bassa Cove particularly, | think were never
better than at the present time. They are turning their
attention, with but few exceptions, almost exclusively to
agriculture. The culture of coffee they have commenced
in real earnest, and in a few years will be able. no doubt,
to export some considerable quantity. Mr.. Moore is now
gathering in his crops. and Notwithstanding he expects TO
lose at least 25 per cent. for the want of force and ma
chinery to gather and clean it, still he will save several
thousand pounds Of clear coffee.
This Ohe Slnou p~urchase) may be considered quite an
acquisition TO the colony, and we hope soon to conclude a
purchase for the Grand Butau country, now in progress,
which will give US al unbroken line of said coast of some
forty miles from the 5. E. end of the Blue Barre country,
TO the N. w. extremity of the Little Butau country-and
I hope will secure US from any further interruption from
foreign traders, at least within that line of coast"
1t is q deeply to be regretted that the effort to pur-
chase the New Cess country has thus far been unsuc-
cessful. 1t embraces the only slave factory remain
ing on the 300 miles of sea board which we hope to
possess In regard to it, Governor Roberts says -
Il am sorry to inform you that an eff ,rt in regard to
the purchase of New Cess failed. The SLAYER established
there has not failed to exert himself in every possible
manner TO foil all our attempts, and so far has succeeded.
He has for some time been dealing out. and continues to
deal out large presents to their chiefs and people, and tells
them he will pay for the country, if they insist upon sell
ing it, one thousand dollars more than we are willing or
able to paw So long as he continues thus lavish of his
means, We shall not be able to do anything"
The Governor however thinks that the prospect of
making other purchases is very fair. He says, under
date Of April last -
one year we could effect a purchase of almost the entire
cosst between this and Cape PaImas. Several important
points. viz: Naunskroo. King Wiley Town, and Tasso,
are now offered, bat we have not the means"
Since that date, we have sent him the means to
make additional purchases, and have instructed him
to prosecute them with all possible rapidity.
There are now eleven settlements In Liberia. Of
these, MoNRovIA is the largest, and the seat of Gov
eminent. 1t contains about ,OOO inhabitants.
On the ST. Paurs river there are three settlements,
Caldwell, Mllsburg. and McDonogh. The first about
ten miles, the second about twenty, AMI the third
about eighteen miles from Monrovia. On an arm of
the St. Pauls river, called Stockton creek, is New
Georgia, the settlement of recaptured Africans. At
the mouth of the Junk river is the settlement of Mar
shall ahOuf thirfv-6ve miles bv sea south of Mooro-