New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-21
WEST AFRICA.
Excurrlon Into lac Interior.

terror. about zoo miles zoo following the course
Of The riyerl, where the people had never before
seen white man.
Mr. Thomson was sent ont to West Africa
alont two years ago By the American Missionary
Association. as snccessor to Rev William Ray
,,ord who accompanied the Arlnistad Africans
to their native country. Hewas stationed at
nlace called Kaw Mendi, on the Little Boom
River about 100 miles south Of Sierra Leon and
20 miles from the coast, this being as near the
Meudi Country as the missionaries could reach,
owing to the wars then prevailing IN that re-
gion.
His efforts to instruct and benefit the people
were greatly hindcred by the war which was
raging among the different tribes IN the Sherbus
Country. and which extended far back into the
Mendi Country This war had prevailed several
years The consequence was, that many towns
were quite depopulated the cultivation of the
soil was almost abandoned. the people suffered
sorely from famine, and multitudes were carried
to the coast and sold into slavery. The women
and children were often obliged to go out in search
of berries and fruits, to keep themselves from
starving.
Things went on i'll this way for more than
wear after Mr.. Thompson's arrival, the war rag
ing all around the settlement. Meanwhile nc
had been gaining the confidence Of the chiefs and
people on both sides. Mr.. Raymond, his prede-
cessor, who labored there some live or SIX years,
had done much to promote friendly eetIng
among the natives This has always been made
prominent object with the mission, because these
a., rfr ati a
traffic in slaves. In fact, to suppress war IN AT
irica is to suppress the slave trade During the
whole time, the mission premises had been con-
sdered as a Neutral ground; it being well under
stood that the missionary there was a man OF
peace, and preached gospel which forbade war,
and enioncd on all men to love one another.
At length Mr. Thompson assembled large
number of the chiefs and principal men at the
nission-house and spent several days in hearing
their causes of complaint, and endcayorlng to re-
concile them to one another They were all hear
tily tired Of the war, but neither party was IN
clined to make much concession, However, by
dint of arguments, persuasions and presents, he
succeeded in bringing them round so that they
concluded on terms of peace This was most
ioyful event to people who had endured all the
horrors of savage warfare for nearly nine years.
But as there were other tribes at distance,
who were concerned in this war; Mr.. Thompson
found that to secure the advantage already gained,
and insure a general and permanent peace, 1t
would be necessary for him to visit them.
On the 18th of March last, he started on this be-
nevolent Grand taking with him Thomas Bun
van. his Interpreter, Ia native Mendan,l and live
.,o;. IA
Tii3Ze Boom after following it for some time they
entered fine large river, as wide as the ONO o.
Mississippi This noble stream is called IN dis
tinction from its tributary, the Big Boom. They
followed it up as far as TtSSana, large walled
town at the head of navigation. Here he was met
bv Draw, the principal chief that side OF the
war This chief had heard of the Christian rell-
gion through Bunyan and some years before had
visited the Mission at Kan Mendii he had long
desired to have teacher come to his country, and
was overioyed when he heard OF Mr. Thompson's
arrival. The account of their FIRST interview is so
interesting that we must give it in his own words,
Mr.. II. says:
con the wide sand beach he cauo down to
meet me, and as he approached | could hear him
exclaim, @ Ga.waw O Fe-a.ra Ga-wGW; Fe,a
whichis, 0 thank God thank God thank, thank
thank God y He repeated it many times we
met, and embraced me with all the warmth OF
long absent father The touching to
my heart the town was full OF JOY at my arrival;
every face beamed with gladness, and from all the
country round where the tdngs flow as on the
wings of the wind, they tocked to Tissana, to get
view of the white man. Fordays | could do lit
tie else but content myself to be put up to public
gaze-sbake hands from morning till night, and
hear their EXPLANATIONS OF wonder and their thanks
for my coming to their country to teach them
After few days spent at Tissana, during which
at Braw's earnest request, Mr.. Thompson entered
into agreement to establish a Mission there, he
started accompanied by the friendly chief to visit
the tribes on the other side He passed through
great dangers and hardships, from which his health
suffered severely; but after spending about two
months among them, he had the happiness ofsee-
ing his labors crowned with success. Peace
was established. Great were the rejoicings
among chiefs and people. Under date of April g,
he says,
From day to day l witness thrilling scenes;
warriors meeting and falling on each others necks
Chiefs, who have for years been enemies. now
shaking hands and embracing with the affection
OF long separated friends sisters wives daugh.
tiers, long captive falling into each others arms
with great emotion-snking on the ground
weeping long and loud before they can be oueted.
Now chief daughter is seen running to en-
brace her fathers feet, refusing to be torn from
her hold then a wife returns to embrace her hus-
band and children, while the whole town join in
the cry OF rejoicing. To witness such scenes day
after day, who could help shouting will re-
joice with them and praise the Lord
They told Mr. Thompson that no one but
white man could have brought about this peace,
and said they had long been praying that God
would send a white man to stop the war Mr..
7. says:
About o'clock we met in the Barne lpalaver
house again, and two such interesting, enthus