Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-08-11
Letter from "a Liberian.


Letter from a LiberiaM.
A gentleman, in Georgia, has sent us the
following extracts from letter which he recei-
we'd from IN intelligent citizen of Monrova, who
went to Liberia little more than twelve wears
ago. We are well acquainted with the writer,
and are glad 10 have the pleasure o presenting
the extracts to our readers :-.!frican Reposi-
tory.
MoNRoyIA, Feb, lS47.
"With regard to agriculture in this place,
am sorry to say it has been formerly too much
neglected, but lately the people are more awak-
ened to their true interest, and turning their
attention 10 the earth for support. The prin-
cipal articles that we can expect to cultivate for
erportdttoh will be coffee, that which is raised
here is said TO be better than most any other:
respectable strangers have pronounced it even
better than the Java or Mocha.f" a.
have now growing on my farm more than 5000
trees,all of which are of the wild plants bro ght
from the woods and transplanted in tie rainy
season. Most of my plants have commented
bearing: Ii is thought our trees at full matll-
riry will yield from to 81 lbs. of clean coffee
on an average. In the West Indies 2 lbs. is
considered fine crop; however there are trees
in this place ana elsewhere in rich and moist
spots, around the houses, which have yielded
from 8 to Z pounds besides this, coffee tree
will bear relt from 10 10 IL years: then YOU
may cut it off, leaving the roots, which will
spring aftesh, and in one rainy season, will
grow SO as TO bear the next, being perfectly re-
nosated, so that once good coffee plantation
rs established IL sciH remain for generations: al
first it is Of slow growth, taxing from 3 to z
years. according to the quality OF the soil. At
present can and do sell of the coffee raised bv
myself at 25 cents pound; this of course will
not the case. when large quantities are raised.
Next to coffee Tor exportaiion, is palm oil.
As yet the palm tee his not been cultivated:
the millions of gallons which have been expor-
ted from our place ana neighborhood, besides
the thousands consumed BY ourselves, all of
which have been manufactured and brought in
by the natives. But as the demand is yearly
increasing, we will now have to begin the cul-
tivatlon of the same. 1t takes very little longer
than the coffee tree to commence bearing, then
will go on to unborn generations. The palm
tree ought tobe planted % feet apart each way,
the coffee about 10 feet. Cotton grows here,
but Liberia is not proper cotton growing coun-
try. We have excellent rice here, also sugar,
bat in either of the last mentioned can we ex-
pet to compete with The United States and the
West Indies. We have fine sweet potatoes
cassavas, vans, tan yana. 3.c.,-just around
here, corn does not grow as well as many parts
of Africa. We have fair gardens in its sea-
sons, an have something growing the year
rcuad. We have but few horses, but we are
getting on finely in cattle own about dozen
mich cows and raise a number of fine hogs:
beth our cattle. sheep and hogs are smaller than
in the United States: but theirs too at one time
were small. We have fine rivers, abounding
with excellent fish, oysters, sc. Our woods
abound with deer and other animals, MANY of
which are killed by the natives and brought in
to our markets for sale. Both cGm,cood and
irory are brought in by the natives, but depen-
ding too much upon this, being a more quick
way of making money has ruined many. How
ever, we have need to be very grateful to hea-
ven for His kindness in providing such ample
means from the wilds for support, and which
has assisted us on until this time. The soil
here is generally fertile, but it is like it is in
other countries, viz: good, middiing and poor;
but we have plenty of it. What would the
poor Irish, and other Europeans give, if they had
our opPoI tunities!'
Wood Cor lumber are as yet plentiful, altho'
the woods have been partially ruined of its larg-
est growth by the natives: in cutting for new
farms every gear. We have some very hand
SOllle WtOu lOI c~Ss
Respecting emigrants, the American Colo
nzaton Society have promised, and their agent
the Governor, has accordingly been in the habit
of giving to families after their arrival town
lot, if they remain in town or tract in the
country not to exceed ten acres; single persons
two acres. When they improve the same, if
in two years, they obtain a decd in fee simple.
On their arrival they are provided with shell
ter and food, with medical attendance for at
least six months, after the expiration of which
they have to support themselves. Persons at
ter, some not until two or three months, and
may continue feeble for eight or ever twelve
months, others having gone through the sea
soning in much less time; during this state of
trial, many have wished themselves back in A
Inerica, even slavery: but invariably, as soon as
they get entirely BETTER and able to act forthem-
selves, they are then ashamed of themselves,
and will hardly acknowledge what they have
said, or perhaps written, to their friends in the
United States derogatory to their new country"
" Respecting Schools, our statutes
provide for the poor, but the missionary Socie-
ties, particularly, that of the M. Z. Church,
have done more for the children of the settlers
than any other body = I'VE have no
institution of instruction of higher class than
to teach the different branches of an English
education. We will, hope, before very long
be enabled to do better. | have a son now,
which | would like much to have collegiate
education, being nov of suitable age and learn
ing to enter University, but such are the pre-
JUDGES in the United States | dare not send
him to England or Scotland, being myself par
la to Republican principles and Government,
of which | wish to instil into him the same
9 $ prospecting Missionaries, | assure
you proper persons sent out either from the
Northern or Southern churches as missionaries
will be gladly enough to work upon, without
quarreIling or conflicting with each other."-l
, "There are many smart and In
telligent colored men both in Georgia, the
Carolinas and other Southern States, which
would be of essential service out here as teach
ers and exhorters, and some very fair preachers,
but we would not like to see any sent as such,