The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-16


Gently published by Lieutenant Forbes. Of the British
navy entitled Dahomey and the Dahomans, in which
he states that domestic slavery" exists the republic
Of Liberia that the clixens OF that republic are largely
engaged in ths buying and selling" OF slaves, and that
the republic OF Liberia " is IN reality new name and
form for slavery in enslaved Africa" Whereupon, the
Rev. s. Bacon d. d., OF the executive committee, and
Dr. w Lugenbee recording secretary OF the Ameri-
can Colonization Society, appointed committee TO
investigate the subject and TO report at the hext meeting
Al meeting of the executive committee. held the
18th OF May, 1851 the Rev Dr. Bacon presented the fol-
lowing report which was unanimously adopted, aud or.
deed 10 be published under the signatures OF the executive
committee
The committee to whom was referred the consideration
OF certain statements which have recently appeared in
the public prints respecting the existence OF slavery in
the republic of Lbera-said statements purporng be
from book lately written by Lieutenant Forbes, OF the
British navy-have attended to the duty assigned them,
and beg leave to offer the following report:
That, from all the evidence which they have been able
to gather from the abundant within their reach
from public and private decentralization the statements,
both verbal and written Of persons OF the highest stand
ing for intelligence, honor, and ruhfulness, who have
visited or resided in Liberiaand from the personal Oh
servaons OF one OF the committee (Dr Lugenbeel who
spent nearly six years in that country in official
pacy prior to 1885, during which time he had the ampest
opportunities for becoming fully acquainted with the
dtion of that republic and with the character and
duct OF its ctzensthey feel entire confidence in saying
that the OF Lieutenant Forbes, that slavery
the buying and selling OF slaves exists in Liberia is III
teriy gF0unAeSs.
Whether the statements which he has made on this
subject originated in ignorance, or prejudice, in
willingness, from interested motives. to depreciae the
government and people of Liberia in the estimation Of the
British public, il is not for the committee TO determine
II enough for them be able TO sayas they do from
the fullest and most authentic information on the SUBJ
ect,ha they without the least foundation in truth.
If any formal retuallOn OF this unjust and iberal
charge needed. the committee might refer 10 the
fact that all the slave factories establishments which
formerly in full and successful operation within
the territory occupied by Liberia have been broken
up and destroyed: Previous to the settlement Of the
colony at Cape Mesurado. the slave trade extern
sively carried in the immediate vicinity Of the Cape,
and at numerous other points along the coast now
braced within the limits Of the republic. At all Of these
places has been utterly abolished not vestige OF it
remains This has been done through the agency and by
the efforts OF the Lberans in some instances by the
force OF at The hazard and expense of life; in
others, by the moral and social influence OF the Liberan
settlements in the neghborbood of the factories. 1t is
true that in few they have received important
aid from the armed vessels the coast. but the work
has been mainly done by the Liberians themselves
One OF the fundamental principles OF their constitution
as colony-aiterwards as commonwealth, and subse
quenty republic was and now is, Incorporating
hostility 10 the slave trade both domestic and foreign
This they have always openly avowed and the commit
feel authorized to say there is abunden evidence to
show that they have a. all times, aud everywhere car
red this principle the fues, extent Of their moral
and physical power. Indeed, all the wars and Skin
nshes which they have had with the native tribes have
arisen from their determination to maintain this policy al,
ali hazards, and to exterminatc the traffic in slaves from
every part Of the territory which they could claim
jurisdiction. And in carrying out this determination.
|
wounded in their contests with the natives-ihus sealing
with their blood their fidelity TO this principle OF their
constitution.
The committee would here remark that in breaking up
these factories many instances occurred in which
siderable numbers OF the miserable victims, who had been
destined for the slave ship and the horrors OF he mid
and placed under the protection the government Of
Liberia. They were treated with great kindness and
hospitality BY the peope-were supplied with provisions,
and received every attention which their necessities
CURED. Those OF adult age Immediately admitted
to the rights OF citizens. far as they capable OF
exercising them aud the children were committed 10 the
care OF respectable persons, under the customary legal
forms OF apprenticeship, until they should arrive at
suitable for enjoying all the privileges OF citizenship
Within four years from the time The colony estab-
lished, I'm ls22) than two hundred of these cap
tives were iorclby taken by the Lberians from the
baracoons near Monrovla. all OF whom liberated
and aced where they could enjoy the blessings OF free
dom. Some oil these still living, and, with others OF
the class occupying respectable positions n the
republic. DR.: Lugenbeel. while residing in Liberia
had knowledge oil numbers OF this class of per-
sons, all OF whom were enjoying the same privileges
with emisran's from The United Sates-a large proper
ton OF them members OF Christian churches, scholars
In the Sabbath or day schools. During his residence
there, about sixty capves were taken from slave fac,o
ries different places within recently purchased terri.
tory. One Of these places was the famous New Cess
which had long been noted OF the principal slave
marts the windward coast With the aid generously
afforded by the French steamer Espedon. this es,ab-
shmen was taken by the Liberian forces, and entirely
broken up. All the property belonging to the traders
| who had prepared for the most determined resistance,
was destroyed, and forty slaves recapured and set at
| liberty.
In forming treaties with the native tribes, the Liberian
authorities nave uniformly required solemn written
stipulation prohibiting the parties from engaging in the
slave trade in any FORM or under any circumstances
whatever More than forty such treaties have been
made and in this way many OF the tribes in the interior
who were formerly engaged in II have been induced 10
| abandon the trade altogether
The groundlessness well as The reckless char
acier OF the charge made by Lieutenant Forbes will be
apparent from reference 10 the existing constitution
OF the FIRST article OF the constitution reads thus: There
shall be no slavery within this republic; nor shall any
citizen OF this republic, any person resident therein
deal in slaves, either within without this republic
directly indirectly" And at the first session OF the
legislature, alter the adoption Of the constitution an
act was passed declaring the slave trade equivalent,
TO piracy, and providing that any person who shall
engage IN building hitting out, equipping, load
ing, or otherwise preparing or sending away aoy
sell knowing intending fat she shall be employed in
such trade any way aiding abetting therein, shall
be deemed guilty oil piracy, and shall suber such pains
and penalties as by law may be attached TO the crime
piracy" The act further provides that citizen
OF Liberia other person resident within the urisdic
ton Of the ZANE, shall be permitted act agent, or
enter INTO The employ or service oil person persons
engaged IN the slave trade any person the
degree connected with hem under the penalty of indc
nent. and being twelve months bound 10 hard labor in
rons fined in the OF not less than five hundred
dollars"
Surely. in the face Of such constitutional prohibitions
and such penal laws, the Lberans must be posessed Of
uncommon bardhood attempt engage in the traffic
even il they had an inclination 10 do So which the com
miltcc feel the fues, confidence il the fact but on
the contrary, they assured from the reliable
sources that, such is the public sentiment
prevailing among the citizens OF the republic the laws