The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-17

R.(aiaiton q th< charge # Lieutenant FORBES,
u the British Many.

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R.)alsttoa q ta< charge # Lieutenant FORBES,
y the British Many
At meeting Of the executive committee of
the American Colonization Society, at the rooms
Of said soeiety, on the lst Of May, 1851, the at
tsntaon OF the committee was called to publ
cation Ia the newspapers, from a work recently
published by Lieutenant Forbes, of the British
nary, entitled !" Dahomsy aud the Dahomans"
IN which he states that domestic slavery" ex-
lists IN the republic of Liberia, that the citizens
OF that republic are largely engaged in the "buy-
ing and selling" Of slaves, and that the republic
OF Liberia !" Ia in reality a new name and form
for slavery in ensIaved Africa" Whereupon,
the Rev. J. =. Bacon, d. d., of the executive
committee, and DR.. J. w. Luaenbeel recording
secretary Of the American Colonization Society.
were appointed committee to investigate the
subject, and to report at the next meeting Of the
committee.
At meeting of the executive committee,
held on the 18th of May, 1861, the Rev. DIR.
Bacon presented the following report, which
was unanimously adopted, and ordered to be
published under the signatures Of the executive
committee:
The committee TO whom was referred the
consideration Of certain statements which have
ing the existence of slavery in the republic Of
Liberia-said statements purporting to be from
book lately written by Lieutenant Forbes, Of
the British navy-have attended to the duty as
signsd them, and beg leave to offer the follow
lug report;
That from all the evidence which they have
been able to gather, from the abundant sources
within their reach from public and private doc
uments--from the statements, both vc' bal and
written, Of persons Of the highest standing for
intelligence, honor, and truthfulness, who have
visited or resided in Liberia and from the per-
sonal observations Of one of the committee, (Dr.
Lugenbeel,) who spent nearly six years in that
country, in an official capacity, prior to 1850 !;
during which time, he had the amplest oppor-
tunities for becoming fully acquainted with he
condition of that republic, and with the charac-
ter and conduct of its citizens; they feel entire
confidence in saying that the assertion OF Lieut.
Forbes that slavery, or the buying and selling
of slaves exists in Liberia, is utterly groundless
Whether the statements which he has made
on this subject originated in ignorance, or pre-
iudce, or in willingness, from interested mo-
tiyes. to depreciate the government and people
of Liberia in the estimation ofthc British public,
it il not for the committee to determine it is
enough for them to be able to say--as they do
from the fullest and most authentic information
on the subject-that they are without the least
foundation in truth.
If any formal refutation of this unjust and
iliberal charge were needed, the committee
might refer to the fact, that all the slave facto-
ries or establishments which were formerly in
full and successful operation within the territo-
~ now occupied by Liberia have been broken
up, and destroyed. Previous to the settle
ment of the colony at Cape Measurable, the slave
trade was extensively carried on in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the cape, and at numerous other
points along the coast now embraced within the
limits of the republic At all Of these places it
has been utterly abolished: not vestge OF it
remains This has been done through the agen-
cy, and by the efforts Of the Liberians-in some
instances by the force of arms, at the hazard
and expense of life--in others by the moral and
social influence of the Liberan settlements in
the neiphborhood of the factories. 1t is true,
that in come few cases, they have received i'm
portant aid from the armed vessels on the coast
but the work has been mainly done by the Lii
berians themselves.
One of the fundamental principles of THEN
constitution as a coony--afterwards as a CON-
monwealth and subsequently as republic
was, and now is, Incorporating hostility te
the slave trade, both domestic and foreign. This
they have always openly avowed and the com
mittee feel authorized to say, there is abundant
evidence to show that they have at all times
and everywhere, carried out this lrinciple tc
the fullest extent of their moral and phy1ica
power, Indeed all the wars and skirmishes
which they have had with the native tribes, have
arisen from their determination to MAINTAIN tins
policy, at all hazards, and to exterminate the
traffic in slaves from every part OF the territory
over which they could claim jurisdiction. Ane
in carving out this determination, several of tht
citizens Of Liberia have fallen, MORALLY wounded
in their contests with the natives thus sealing
with their blood their fidelity to this principle
OF their constitution.
The committee would here remark, that, il
breaking up these factoris, many instances oc
curred in which considerable numbers of thu
miserable victims who had been destined for tn
slave ship, and the horrors of "the middle pas
sage" were rescued by the Lberian authorities
and placed under the protection ofthe government
of Liberia They were treated with great kind
ness and hospitality by the peope-were sup
plied with provisions, and received every atten
ton which their necessities required. Those o
adult age were Immediately admitted to tn
rights of citizens, so far as they were capable
Of exercising them; and the children were com
mitted to the care Of respectable persons, unde
the customary legal forms of apprenticeship
until they should arrive at suitable age TO
enjoying all the privileges of citizenship With
in four wears from the time the colony was es
tablished Gin 1929 more than two hundred o
these captives were forcbly taken by the Liber
ians from the barracoos. near Monrovia all o
whom were liberated, and placed where the
could enjoy the blessings Of freedom. Some o
these are still living, and with others of the sam
class, are occupying respectable positions in tn
republic. DIR. Lugenbeel, while residing i
Liberia, had personal knowledge of numbers Q
this class of persons; all of whom were enjoyin
the same privileges with emigrants from tn
United States--a large proportion of them mem
benz Of Christian churches, or scholars in tn
Sabbath or day schools. During his resdenc
there, about sixty eaptises were taken from slav
factories at different places within recently pun
chased territory. One Of these places was tn
famous New Cess, which had long been note
ms one Of the principal slave marts on the wind
ward coast. With the aid generously afforde
NV tho Frpnch war steamer Espedon. this cstal