The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-18

and Town, (thcSe hve towns including all most |
properly termed Krou or KIoo people, Little Nj
fou, Middle Niou, Great Nlfou, Picksniny Ses-
tiers, and Grand Scsters, the present extreme
southern limit Of the republic
From this limit commences the jurisdiction OF
the Maryland colony, along the shore OF which we
may specify, as prominent points, GaTIaway nveI
and Point, Fishtown Poiat, Middle Point, Rock
Town, Cape Palmas, "a place OF great beauty and ma
pal town Of the colony )Cavaly Point Tabou. Grand
Tabou, Basha Point, Wsppoo, Poor Point Half Bere-
by Grand Bereby Tahou Point, and San Pedro river,
the eastern boundary OF this colony. The republic
of Liberia is divided into three counnes-those of
Montserade, Grand Bassa, and Sinou-each of
which is entitled to representation In the house
of repre- sentative and senate OF the State. Mr.
Asbmun judged this maritime region of Africa to
4" Between the settlements OF the coast and those
Of the interior Is, In most places, forest of from
half day 10 two days journey, left BY both as q
barrier of separation, and which is seldom passed,
except by erranc traders, who are, in many parts
OF this country, very numerous The Rev. John
Day, the intelligent superintendent OF the Southern
Bapus. Mission, who resides AT Bexley, on the ST.
Johns, and who has travelled into the interior 10
the distance Of seventy seventy FIVE miles, thus
describes the country -" From seven to twenty
miles the country is beautifully undulating, and
interspersed with the most lovely rs OF excellent
water, clear crystal, foamng and scolding among
the rocks, pre- senting thousand mill seats. The
air in that region is saubrious and bracing, the
soil deep and rich, covered with forest which,
4
never seen equalled From twenty TO thirty miles
is region of small mountains, of from three
10 hive bundled feet in elevation. These mountains
are covered with a rich forest, and may be cult
waited. have stood on the summit OF one OF them,
guilty ited 10 the top, and thence behcld delight
full prospect. Beyond these hills, or mountains, as
we call them, the land becomes generally more
level 10 the distance OF seventy mules, the extent OF
my interior travels / am told by the natives that
a days walk beyond are loftier mountains (Which
il will require q whole day to assembly and very
steep i SO, the country speak of is valley.
The soil for the whole distance is rich, water
abundant and good, and the cause Of disease is no
apparent than in level regions in America. IL
people want health, they may surely obtain il
in the mountainous region by transatlantic trips.
have left home in bad health, on preaching tours
of two or three weeks, and returned vigorous and
strong. The birds sing more sweetly there, and
the flowers are more beautiful and fragrant, than
in the msrshy region bordering the sea. The
natives are more cheerful, stout, industrious,
honest, happy, and hopeful, every way, in that
region. To thousands in that fores' clad region
haze preached, while they were as attentive even
ca congregations Ill Amenca."
POPULATION.
In regard TO the population comprised IN the re-
pubic, AID the comparative number OF the castles
composing it, and their feelings towards one
another, may observe that the emigrant popu-
laiion in the republic is estimated at six thousand,
and the native population at one hundred and
forty TO two hundred thousand. OF the Maryland
colony, the emigrant Inhabitants are aboat nine
hundree, and the natives estimated at one hundred
thousand, separated into numerous small tribes,
varying in lang lage, indie pendent OF each other in
matters of domestic concern, yet slightly united,
within certain limits, ,on questions Of general and
common interest. The native people OF this region
OF Africa bear a striking similarity in manners,
character, and supersttions.
The Fey or Ney tribe, people more enierprising,
proud, and warhke than most OF their neighbors,
iDhsbit the country from Galleaas TO Cape Mount,
and to the dist ance of thirty miles inland have
been much addicted TO the slave trade, and are
nha in IN he
Sand. The Deys occupy the country on the coast
from Cape Mount TO Cape Montserado are more
mid INDECENT and inoiensive than the Veys, and
perhaps by one-half less numerous. Between the
languages Of these tribes there is affinity
both are rude and imperfect. and could be traced
by Mr.. Ashmun TO none OF the other dialects OF
Africa
The B,ssas are south of Cape Montserado, are
more numerous than both of the preceding tribes,
and with their allies in the county OF Grand Bassa,
estimated at fifty thousand. They are described
as mid, peaceful, and in certain respects, indusri-
oua, occupying a country of great fertility, and
which, eyen under their exceedingly imperfect Gull
tNaiion, Yields a large surplus Ut rice, palm oil,
poultry, cattle, and the various vegetables and
fruits OF tropical Africa-as friendly 10 the Ameri
can emIgranls, eager for trade, disposed 10 labor
Tor moderate compensation, and as much inclined
"a sny OF The native people OF that country TO &C
quie the manners, the arts and the habits OF ciyi-
zaton.
These people dwell in small villages Of from
fifty TO one ar two thousand souls, scattered along
the coast, and for some distance In the interior,
each governed by q chief and several subordinate
hesdraen, whose will, though regulated by custom
and precedent, has the force Of law, and Is seldom
resisted domestic slavery and polygsny are uni
yersel and, IN consequence OF the purchase OF
female children from the Interior, the number OF
women is thought considerably 10 exceed that of
the men. Ia cleaning The farms for rice, IN the
months Of February, March, and April, the men
labor ndusriously but The cultivation, harvesting,
and cleaning of Ne nee, and all servile domestic
duiles, are performed by the women. Their arts
ore few ana simple 10 manners and dispositions,
they are gentle aud patient IN their habits OF llv-
ing, abHtemous, (noe being the principal article of
io6d) yet, when excited, they are capable of en-
during almost incredible exeruon and fatigue
The native African population OF Slnou resemble
those OF Btssa-aIe, perhaps. more associated, u
not 10 come extent blended, with the FIshmen and
kroomen, (who are numerous on that region OF
The coastl aud more connected IN traffic with the
Inferior tribes Like other natives, who occupy
positions along the sea shore, they have some
knowledge II the EnRlish language, and, though
what ayeTse 70 the instruction OF their female
children, they are willing and DESTROYS that their
boys should be taught something Of the languages
sfd customs OF civilized nations. II the number
Of their towns be, as reported by the committee al
Snou, about one hundred, they can hardly com
Prise population less Than from twenty to thirty
thousand.
sill further south, We arrive al the country Of
the kroumen or kfoomen-a people the most dis
tnct, intelligent, and remarkable 10 be found on the
cOast n western Africa. The kroo mark "a black
the forehead 10 the end of the nose,) has been
adopted by those not originally Of their community;
end their name is usua given by strangers 10 the
PEOPLE ~ three different tribes who exhibit this
maik-the Eishmen, the Settra kroo people, and
the people II Nfou These branches Of what il
usually, rather than rrOp,ry called the Kroo fam
ily-unted ~ common slgn, ~ language not
III same, bat - akin IS TO enable them 10 c0mmu.
area { with each Other, BY many general habits OF
thought, actCn, snd supersuiion-are bound to.
gfth.T BY nc political ties, and by no peculiarly
IFaternai sentiments or the contrary, jeslousies,
rivalIies, end, not unfFequently, hosuhdes arse
heiv cen The i-nmcu ard those associated under
The one end same government az Seitra krOo,
where reside the descend ats oi the original kroo
recrle, sfli a3hcrng, With wonderful tenaciiy, to
d. laws, traditions and superslilions Of their
fathers
The flshmtn derive their name from their uni
ycrsal Occupation ia fishing. when not employed
by foreigners They are The largest and strongest
men uIon The coast; mcst sdruft IN the manage
us ~ at canoes aHd boat; nre marked by d pscu-
etE4fg mo "a ~ nrkl, fufnf urrdugeH 10