New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-21
NETWORK TRIBUNE.
LIBERIA.
Report OF Rev. X. X. Gurley on the COndi-
ton and Resources of Liberia.

U. S. Government on the Condition, Resources
and Prospects Of Liberia, gives an interesting
picture of the state of affairs in that hourisbing
young Republic We condense the leading
points of the Report.
Mr.. Gurley sailed from Baltimore on the lst OF
August, ls49, and arrived on the African Coast
on the 18th September; remaining two months
on the Coast Of Liberia bis impressions of the
African climate are more favorable than the &C
counts hitherto published; for, says Mr.. G.
though our arrival occurred during the latter por-
ton Of what is called the rainy season. and we
continued on the coast during most Of the transit
ton period from that to the dry season, the
weather was generally clear and pleasant, and
we were seldom deferred for an entire day from
visiting the shore, or from moderate physical ex-
ertion.
No one can look upon the athletic, fnely-pro-
portioned and developed forms Of the native Afri-
cans, or upon congregation OF the Inhabitants OF
Monrovs or of the other towns and villages of the
Liberian Republic, and retain the idea that health
cannot be enjoyed on the African Coast The gen.
eral aspect Of the people of Liberia is healthy;
and the dangers OF the climate to colored imml-
grants are becoming less and less formidable and
soon will, to good degree, be averted, by the cul
ivation Of the soil, an appropriate regimen, and
increased medical experience and skill. Mr.. Cur
ley had seen large families in Liberia, who, after
residence there of some years, had suffered no
invasion from death, and who found their security
In watchulness against excuses in diet and ex-
ertion, in moderation approaching TO abstinence,
in the use OF medicine, and In the possession OF
ampe'suppes OF the necessaries and comforts of
life. The friends of colored people, and of the
Republic of Liberia cannot be too emphatically
reminded that to send emigrants with inadequate
supplies to feel all the depression OF want while
exposed to the untried influences of the African
climate, is an error which must often prove fatal
to human life and sadly injurious to their great
enterprise. Far better is it to enable few immi-
grants to establish themselves in health and COM
fort in Liberia, than to cast large bodies of them
on that shore with no sufficient means of subsis-
tence, during the time when such means can be
secured by no exertions of theirs-thus augment
ing vastly the perils of their condition, or impos-
ing burdens upon the charity of that but recent
community which its citizens must find it difficult
if not impossible, to sustain.
Having visited Africa in my youth, continues
Mr.. g. and witnessed, in company with the dis
tinguished and lamented Ashmun, the first bud
dings of civilized and Christian life Cape Mont
seredo, it may be readily imagined that l could
not, after quarter OF century, look again upon
that verdant promontory-that could not again
tread the streets of Monrovia-that L could not
meet those who so many years ago, extended TO
me their hospitalities-cOuld not behold that hum
BILE community, who when l first stood there,
were making some narrow openings In the dense
thirty or forty matched roofs, few feeble and ex
posed to barbarous foes now risen, through the IA
voring hand of the Almighty, by their forttude and
energy, to the elevation Of an Independent Re-
public, acknowledged as such by two OF the most
powerful natiOns-without a deep sense Of the
Divine goodness to the people of Liberia, and to
the writer in that he was permitted to see on that
shore the renovating power OF Government oil
constitutional liberty, pervaded by the Christian
spirit, and encompassed by the highest motives to
beIefcence.
On our arrival several vessels were moored in
the harbor of Monrovia, (among them the Ameri-
can man. ofwar schooner Decatur, Captain Byrne,
and the Lark, a small beautiful armed vessel,
presented to the authorities OF Liberia by the
English Conveniently and as we dropped our
anchor the steamer of her Britannia Majesty,
which had brought out the commercial treaty rati-
fed between Great Britain and the Republic, was
taking her departure The reception of this treaty
was announced by the thunder of cannon from the
nights of Monrovia and the summit Of the Cape,
and signaized by mutual congratulations among
the citizens, and by signs and expressions OF uni
yersal joy.
TYPOGRAPHICAL LIMITS.
The Republic holds political jurisdiction overthe
county from Mama, point bordering on the
notorious Galenas on the northwest, TO Grand
Sesters on the east, distance, on the coast OF
$50 miles, with an average extent interior OF 40
miles-the boundary line inclosng space OF
the Mary land Colony extends from Grand Sesters
TO the River Pedro, distance, by water, OF l2O
miles, and by land of 40 or $50 miles. Important
acquisitions OF Territory have been made within
the last few months by the Republic, and also by
the Maryland Colony. For the purchase of g al
lenas, a wealthy English friend has promised
President Roberts $1,000; and an equal amount
is offered by one of our citizens, gentleman OF
Ohio for the same object The most important
points on the coast ~Of Liberia, southeast from
Galenas are Cape Mount, rising 1850 feet above
the sea, thence near so miles, Cape Montserado,
on the summit of which, 24O feet above the ocean,
stands light house, and $50 feet lower down, aud
one mile back, the town Of Monrovia; southeast
thence 35 miles, Junk River, and near its mouth
a settlement bearing the ilustrious name OF Mar
shall onward 35 miles, Grand Bassa thence i've
miles Tobacannee; further on seven miles, Young
Sesters; thence four miles, Tradetown; after
these, in succession Little Culloh, Grand Culloh
(ealily recognised by Tobacco Mount conlcal
hill $50 feet high,) Cestos, Sangwin, Baiou, Tss
sou, Little Bootou, Grand Bootou Snou, AID
BloObaria Point opposite distant about 50 miles
from Grand Bassa,) Kroubah, Little Krou, Settra
Krou, Mamma krou, Ring Wills Bay and Town,
these five towns including all most properly
termed Krou or Kroo people, Little Niiou, Middle
Nfou, Great Nifou, Pickaniny Sesters, aud Grand
Seslers the present extreme southern limit OF the
Republic. ,,., ..,,o>,
The emigrant population in the Republic IS estl
mated at 5000, and the native population at
100000 to 2OO, 600 OF the Maryland colony, the
emigrant inhabitants are about 900, aud the natives
estimated at 100000 separated into numerous
small tribes, varying in language, independent OF
each other in matters of domestic concern, yet
sisbtly united within certain limits on questions
of general and common interest The native
people of tnis region of Africa bear striking SINH
iarityin manners, character, and supersttions.
The Fey or Vey tribe, people more enterPri
sing proud and warlike than most OF their neign
bors inhabit the country from Gallenas TO Cape
Mount and to the distance Of thirty miles inland
have been much addicted to the slave trade, and
ore probably. in number from twelve to fifteen