The New York herald., 1851-08-26
Interesting from Africa,

Interesting from Africa.
THE SETTLEMENT AT BAssA covE-PRoGREss OF cI-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE COAST, ETC.
The following has been furnished to the Boston
Coagregattomatist, by Commodore Gregory, Of the
African squadron
U 5. SHIP YORKTOWN, Monrovia Roais
SIR:-l have the honor to report to you, that in
obedience to your order of the lst Of January,
visited Bassa Cove, at which place l arrived on the
9TH ofFebruary.
My first object was to seek an interview with
Judge Benson, to whom had been recommended
as one whom should find to be gentlemany in his
department, and willing as well as capable to afford
me all the information which, in accordance with
your wishes, was desirous to obtain and in this
was not disappointed, having found him courteous
and obliging. in all things. l had previously pre-
pared myself with a set Of questions, from the re-
plies to which, / deduced the following facts:-
The county of Grand Bassa, of which Bassa Cove,
although not the most populous, is the county
town, was formerly under the protection of the
pally inhabited by emgrants from Virginia and
Maryland, and a few from South Carolina, Georgia,
kentucky and Tennessee with very small mum
Der from New York and Connecticut. The town
of Bassa Cove lies the point formed by the juno
tion Ofthe rivers ST. Johns and Benson, and almost
Immediately opposite at the reunion Of the 81. Johns
and Meclin rivers. is situated the town OF Edna,
and seven miles further up the st. Johns is tho
town of Bexley.
Bassa Cove contains two hundred and sixty inha-
btants; Edna four hundred and thirty, aud Bexley
in each town are natives-the rema ainder are emf
grants from the United States.
All these places are regularly aid out into
streets running at right angles and tie squares are
three hundred feet, allowing each building lot to
be sixty feet, by depth Of ono hundred and fifty.
The buildings are chiefly constructed Of wood.
which, in my opinion, is bad policy, as the con-
slant interchange of wet and dry seasons causes
them to rot and, added to this, the myriads
OF insects whish this climate supplies, makes
them soon 60 to decay. This could be avoided
oy substituting stone or brick, the latter arti-
Gle being now made in various parts of the re-
public; but that which should recommend in
place OF either the above articles, is iron which,
! presume you are aware, is now used extensively
in galvanized state in the United States for the
construction OF houses and athou gh the effects Of
galvaDism would be fully tested in his humid eli
mate yet doubt not that iro would form the best
article Tor the construction of houses.
II gave me much pleasure to learn FROM all with
whom i conversed, that the moral and religious
condition OF this part Of the Liberian republic is
most ehe.rpg there being but little vice, while q
truly gratifying religious character is very appa-
rent. Bassa Cove contains two churches, one be-
longing to the Baptists, the other to the Metho-
dsts: Edna has three churches, one to each Of
lists, and Presbyterians.
Attached to each of these churches is a flourish.
Ing Sunday school, attended BY natives, we'll as
AmeIiesn children; the average attendance in the
hve-of whom one hundred and twenty. are ma.
tive youths. There are also .. Bexley two dag
schools and Bassa Cove and Edna each has one.
At these, however, are taught at present only the
rudmsnts Of an education but this cannot continue
long, as the desire for instruction is too strong to
prevent the cause Of education going ahead.
Ins s0s s0adSn |. Of the people a. Gand Bass:
they are slowly but steadily increasing in sgicu-
ture and commerce.
The cultivation of coffee is receiving at this
place special attention-Judge Benson alone having
twenty Ave devoted to that object; and there
are Others but little below him In that quantity Of
land. In the whole country there are twenty nine
thousand coffee trees planted, SO that Grand Bassa
produces coffee than all other parts Of Liberia
united, the quality OF which is equal to the best
Java This article can be cultivated to any extent,
as 1t Is indigenous to the SOIL and is found in great
abundance.
The exports of Grand Bassa consist chiefly Of
palm oil, camwood, ivory, arrowroot, ginger, aud,
as yet, small quantity Of coffee and amounted last
year from Bassa Cove and Edina, alone, to about
twenty. Eve thousand dollars. The imports embrace
the usual neeessaries of life, with but fe uxares,
the amount Of which was unable to obtain.
The Bassa tribe Of natives surround this point Of
Liberia, and are represented ne being now very
friendly, and wiling to work for fair compensa-
tion when not employed on their own farms. IL
maybe proper Tor me to mention that within very
from one Of the far, far inland tribes, came to So
licit that commissioners might be appointed on the
part Of Liberia, to make arrangements with all tho
intervening Tribes, for clear passage to the sea-
board, for the purpose that all might have an op-
portunity of brir gng their productions free from
any obstacle, which am told the other tribes have
been in the habit Of exercising. The commissioners
were accordingly appointed. This, AZ one Of tho
igbs OF the times Is an indication Of the probable
rcrease OF the commerce Of Liberia.
But have reserved for the latter part Of my re-
port that which cannot but deem TO be the most
important. The towns Of Bassa Cove and Edna.
though only very short distance within the mouth
OF the river ST Johns, are obstr icted by danger
Gus BAR which, at most times it is unsafe, and at
SEINE periods impossible to psss-while at distance
OF only two miles TO the southwark in what Is
termed the cove, Is most desirable situation for
towI-well supplied with water and every other
requisite for a settlement, and at which all kinds
of boats land with perfect safety evtn in the worst
weather.
am told il is in contemplation to form a COM
munity on this site and my only wonder is
that IL was not selected for the settlement or, IL
fist overlooked why it should have been SO long
neglected. ! trust the information which have
received Of the intention TO form a new town on the
site OF what is now called Fshtown, and which is at
present temporarily occupied by kroomen, will
prove TO be correct as there is no spot that have
visited on the whole coast which think SO we'll call
culatedfor convenient port and If had any in
fuence with the American Colonization Society,
would use IL in most srenuously ndinr that
this point should receive their immediate attention.
lor " Is so lar superior to any other situation in
commercial point Of view, tina, cannot but think
that the future will see IL become the emporium Of
commerce on the coast Of Liberia; and hope tho
American COLONIZATION Society will take the ear
hest opportunity Of supplying the country Of Grand
fassa with intelligent and enterprisng emigrants,
some OF whom at least shall possess moderate
capital.
inquired Of Judge Benson whether could be Of
any assistance to the people Of Grand Bassa, but
be could not think OF any thing only that
what Grand Bassa most wanted, was a few men Of
enterprise and moderate capital. | have the honor
to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MARsroN, Commander.
Com. FRas III GREGORY, commanding ". 2.
4 rlca