Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-02-27
Exploration of the interior Of Africa.

One Of the missionaries 10 Liberia lately
made an exploring tour OF 253 miles on
foot into the Interior. He passed through
thirty villages Of the Goulas, Deys, Queaks,
and Condoes la his report he says
Such a country as we passed through
ia that missionary tour, have not seen sur
passed III either of the fifteen west India
Islands which have visited, from Trinidad
to Tortola aud the Virgin Island. 1t IS an
elevated mountainous country. Ranges of
mountains, running most generally parallel
with tie line OF coast-lrOm Northwest 10
Souihwest-rise up before the delighted
eve OF the traveller, convincing him that he
is no longer in the land Of burning sands
and deleterious swamps, such as are en-
couutered IN proximity with the shores, but
Ia quite another region. And such are the
graduatlous IF its surface as would greatly
facilitate the objects Of agriculture. There
are few, IT any, very steep accliytIcs-noth-
ing like the bold, PERCEPTIONS mountains of
our Eastern States. Beautiful aud extern
siye valleys lie al the base of these mouth
tains, which gently slope down to the level
country lying bouaaeu tAsul
1t is a well watered country. During
the eight hours travel which we were fire.
quently obliged to perform IN a day, we
never walked more than two hours or two
and half at one time, without coming TO
some beautiful stream Of cool aud very pure
water. either tributary of the St. Paul's
or some other OF the many smaller rivers
winch intersect the African Canaan. Aud
here it may be proper to add, that my atten-
ton was directed 30 an examination OF the
adaptation of these streams to the purpose
of machinery, sites for mills, &C aud /
hesitate not to affirm, that within the G4ulah
country especially, any number OF the most
eligible situations may be found, where, al
any time during The year. good water may
be obtained, for any of the purposes which
an enterprlsing community, agriculIuralists
aud mechanics, may require. My Journey
was periormedin the very middle OF the dry
season, and yet we found pleu,y OF water
ia tine different streams.
at is well timbered land Through
an extensive forest for many miles which
lay IN onf return route, was SO struck with
the gigantic Trees of immense height, whict
reared their towering heads aud united then
uxurianl foliage above IN forming above US
the attention of the colored ministers of the
Liberia Annual Methodist Conference who
, accompanied me, To this evidence of the
. richness of the country which God had CIV
, en- to the Africans, aud to which their eN
lied brethren were invited by so many pow
: eriul considerations. | measured several
{ trees, and my journal, kept at the time viii
| scrupulous eXactncss, records %, p, =
= fee, as the circumference of many Of thea
$ within six feet OF the ground. Let me re
G mark, that the variety and superior qualit.
c Of the wood found IN these forests, and IN
e deed ali along the borders and around tn
+ settlement Of Liberia, from Grand Cap
,, Mount to Cape Pamas, or Maryland, can
d not be exceled any where within the Torn
Zone. From species Of poplar, soft au'
+ adapted to all the purposes for which tn
d white pine is used IN America, up to tn
?, teak, variety of mahogany, beauutu
e species Of hickory very abundant at Cap
At Palmas, the iron wood, the birthstone, sEt
II cepuble of a polish for furniture OF surpas:
a. ing beauty, and many others, an almo;
2 endless supply may be tounu.
"ll is an exceedingly fertile soil. Tn
hi immense underground of shrub and yln
interviewer around the giants of The iores
d. so thick, so impenetrable, without much e
is fort, aud through which a iootpath onl
~ conducts the traveller, is the best proof
la this. But the grams, roots, fruits, vines
in the tropics, all concentrate here, aud ma
be raised with degree OF comparative eas
ly rapidily of growth aud an abundance a
er most Incredible. | have stood erect und'
en- the branches of cotton tree IN Gouli
nd village, as they spread forth from the ma
- trunk, laden with bois, and supported
nd forked sticks to prevent their beng broA'
he down by their own weight, and found, {
measuring, that the tree covered space
~ ten feet ia diameter. On examining Il
le- staple, as the rpened bolls burst into mat
'as rity, it was found as good and equal IN q
IN hneness of its fibre to the cotton OF al
&c. country. As to coffee, will only borFo
oh the words of the report as comment
nd themselves Coffee of a quality super
wn to the best Java Mocha is raised IN Liberi
la and can be cultivated with great ease to a
on extent IL is a country where tobacco, u
red great article of commerce. may be cul
waited in any quantity with great success.
led But the region IN the vicinity oi la
re- ria is one of great mineral wealth. II
His remains for Science to fully develop, but