Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-11-20
TO THOMAS :. nIcfsIf, ESQ.

sIR:-In my last, gave you some facts in regard 10
the health OF Liberia showing that the mortality among
The emigrant population is less than among the peone Of
Philadelphia New York and Boslonaud NOT r.ler than
among the people of Virginia. will now ask Your atten
ton 10 some facts ard considerations On the relous eda
lional and industrial slate Of the new Republic
For one parallel or rather contrast. take the following
facts, extracted FROM Repnrt to The Boston Union Sucety
for The relief Of the colOred race made IN 1887.
ln Liberia more than IN every TOUT are church
bers Boston, less than in every seven are church
members. ln Liberia, there five hundred and eighty
pledged members of the Temperance Societies IN Boston
there is not In Liberia every child of sufficient age
of The COlohsts is al regular Schuos in Boston The pro-
portion is small and uncertain 10 be really not COM
parable. In Bostn, primary School for eoored children
had 10 be discontinued for Of schoars Liberia TT
schools cannot satisfy the people, clamoous for the
education of themselves and their offspring In Liberia
the inhabitants support, both by their pecunary and liter
airy contributions ably conducted paper (now two pa
pers in 1867 They can, not only read but write and cum
puse and manly style. as quotations frequently
made abndanly testify in Boston scarcely any of the
adults are able to read In Boston they attend church very
irregulay Liberia they peculiarly church going
people, In Boston they numerically decreasing by
deaths upon the natural increase in Liberla they are IN
creasng by Births against The nroads Of death, nolwh-
standing The unusual mortality by and fever in its early
history 1t be doubted therefore, whether Boston
moral and political condition of the colored race"
Capt. Nicholson, Of the u S. Navy visited the coast Of
Liberia in 1887, and remained some time at the Colony
under orders from the United States government TO
tain its condition and lis He says. in his Off
cal letter the Secretary Of the Navy, SIN .forOra,
the population is about 1000 and their exports amount 10
about $75, 900 annually in camwo0d ivory, pam-o, and
few hides The forests abound with medicinal herbs,
gums, and woods Of every description About seventy
sells touch here annually, Of which one,hrd Americans
Cotton, Coffee Indigo and the riches. Sugarcan are in
dgenous 10 the SOIL and with encouragement and industry
could be procured in any quantities. The salubry Of the
climate found to increase the forests are cleared away.
Vegetables OF many kinds may be raised in plenty and
hogs, sheep, goats and appear thrive. Fish in
bundance found in the streams and is very generally
admitted that very comfortable subsistence be prncur-
ed BY any man of moderately industrious habits The
Schools the settlements generally well attended; the
children make very good progress The morals al the up
per settlements generally stand alr.
SAT Bassa Core agreeably surprised al the pro-
gress that had been made in clearing the land laying out
Streets draining piece of low land, and building houses,
well for the actual settlers for those who are expect
ed Eleven months only have elapsed since Bassa Cove
dense wilderness, and it exhibits the evidence
Of thriving village and Of an industrious people, obeden
the laws and understanding their interests in maintain
ing them. The Schools appear to be well attended by
duIts and children.
Sat Cape Palnas the Colonsis have already in cuva-
ton foryseven farms, generally Of five acres and model
farm Of fifty acres partly under cultivation.
1.-The Colonies have taken deep root IN the soil OF
Africa and though they may be depressed at times by ad
versy yet by the gradual development Of their
and the udcius assistance Of their friends, they must H.
naly flourish and be asylum the coored man, and an
honor to their founders"
Capt. Bell, who visited the colony in 1910, says-The
editor Of the Liberia Herald, man of talents and ednca
tun was save-sD The Colonial Secretary, the Ienen
Governor the keeper of The Colony "a place of
great responsibility slaves and old Col. Johnson
the hero of five wars and many encounters with the ma
tyes, was also slave The latter Of the first sel
TIERS and with eighteen defeated upwards Of one thou
sand during the time Of Ashman, and saved the Colony
from extinction.
Lieutsnanl PAM. at the same time wriies-"My opin-
ion Of the importance Of the colonies is quite changed from
nearer view Of their actual state and capacities. had
supposed them weak and their influence limited. found
them exercising moral influence calculated to do for
the cause of humanity than had believed possible"
Again, Capt. Bell says Previous Ia the settlement Of
Liberia, the mouths Of The rivers ST. Paul, Measurable and
ST. John were the greatest mars for slaves tie wind
ward coast. Thousands came annually down those streams
for transportation Now those used by the hus
banman bring their produce MUnrovla, Grand Bassa
and Edna and The negro paddles his canoe in safety nnder
The protection of the benevolent institutions founded by The
COLONIZATION Sociey."
Similar testimonies with the foregoing horne by Com
nodore Suckton, Capt Sherman, Capt Kennedy, Cap.
Abes, Capt. Vuurhees, Commodorps Perry and Skinner
and others of Navy who have been stationed the AZ
can cast aud had the best opportunities form coseac
qaainance with the asls they affirm. And these testmo
MES continuous reaching down 10 the most recent adj
vices from squadron on the Liberian coast
Very RESPECTFULLY, r.. w. BAILEY.