The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-19

Sir, In answer to your letter Of The -
inst, beg to say, that AN instructed y
Messrs Iaude, Hamilton 4 Co., not - pAy
any duties on gopds 70 ~ lanaeA on the ~
oasst, they hasaAg Ia tAsir claim IL sxen to4
thsse6soW helbss Vlsseun2 PslanSrsAcnA - -
scapg Il iettes rsaaiwsd b them, bs.<sag -;
bsen jna1wesla4 70 in6fit&ts inquriies iN3 ~
lnaaAser - - nay b expected up N n&&
! paesth ~ that puvpuSs, L..
= nea siFeAdy hsen iAtimsted tome tnes
sesen0@op had been made to Fer meJe1eya
governments respecting the exytciss Of laFasr
oiction, by this government, ever certssn ~
ritories, on our lsswsrd coast and tha$ the
llberlan authorities, In said communicates
were accused OF imposing uhFsasonabls and
unjust restrictions upon British commerce. and
that Commodore Fanshawe would probably
visit Liberia soon to ASCERTAIN the faets ia rsls-
ton to these representations In view Of this
and other considerations, and especially to con-
vince British merchants Of our desire to cult
vate and maintain good understanding with
them, informed Captain Murray that compul-
sorry measures would not be res0rted to until |
| had had the honor of an interview with the
Commodore in the meantime, the government
would not hold him responsible for the duties
accruing on all goods which he might land
within It's jurisdiction and that it would not be
difficult for me to prove, in the most convincing
manner, TO Commodore Fanshawe, as well by
solid reasons, as by the authorities of the best
authors who have written on the law of nations,
and the judgment of civilized States in general,
the right of this government to exercise SOW
ereignty over the territory in question
On the nth ultimo, received despatch
from Commodore Fanshawe, informing me that
he had been directed by his government to visit
Liberia for the purpose of comforting with the
authorities respecting the complaints which have
been made by British merchants, who occupy
trading establishments on the coast of Liberia,
but, in consequence Of circumstances OF con
siderable importance on the southern part OF his
command he could not, at an early period, visit
| Monrovia in person, but to avoid delay he had
deputed Commander Patten, the senior officer of
the division of her Majesty's cruisers on the
north coast, to confer with this government on
these matters.
Captain Patten, of her Majestys brig Hound,
arrived here on the 18th ultimo, and entered
Immediately upon the investigation of the va
rious complaints of Messrs. Laurie, Hamilton o.
Co, London, who appear to be the principal
complainan s and who certainly have INDUCED
unjust and unwarrantable charges and accuse
tons against the Lberian authorities.
1t is possible--indeed, will not doubt-that
those gentlemen, acting upon statements made
to them by their agent, believed that they were
making correct and truthful representations to
her Majestys government. 1t is to be regretted
however, that they so readily gave credence to
such statements-without, apparently, giving
themselves the least trouble to ascertain the real
facts of the case.
Full explanations of the several items Of
complaints were furnished TO Capt Patten, and
every facility afforded to enable him to examine
thoroughly the invidious charges andimputations
that have been preferred and insinuated against
the government and people of Liberia No one
could be more particular and minute, in the in
,estigation Of the charges and complaints refer
red to, than was Capt Patten. And have
great satisfaction in being able to inform the
| Legislature that he expressed himself fully salts
fled and convinced that gross misrepresentation
have been made to her Majesty's government,
in which great injustice has been done the au-
thorties and people of this republic, and dis
tinctly condemns the course of Captain Murray
in resisting the laws of this government.
| X
! Gentlemen--In view of the primary import
ance of providing every facility for carrying the
laws into prompt and faithful execution and to
render the administration of justice as convenient
to the people as may consist with their present
circumstances, | cannot omit once more to re-
commend to your serious consideration the
judiciary system of the Republic. No branch
of our political organization is more interesting
than this to our public happiness and to none
can those improvements which have been sug
gested by experience be more beneficially APP
! piled.
| The compilation Of the laws of the republic,
as authorised at your last session, regret to
say, has not been accomplished to the extent of
your wishes ] ask the appointment Of COM
mittee of the legislature to examine the work rs
far as it has gone, and to report upon its correct
ness, and the circumstances which have delayed
its completion.
The importance of agriculture, as an efficient
contrbutary to the welfare and prosperity of the
human family, and especially of the people Of
Liberia, is so fully organized and understood
that deem it quiet unnecessary for me to urge
upon you, Mt any length its claims to all the aid
and encouragement ii may be in your power to
give to every well-dreced effort for its improve
ment 1t cannot be doubted that the cultva-
ton of the earth, with other branches of rural
economy, supply the vital principle--the very
| life blood-to every other department ofhuman
industry.
With respect to common Schools and the i'm
portance of extending the means of education,
| feel that cannot do better than to invite your
attention to what had the honor of commun-
eating to the Legislature, on this subject, at its
last session. ! am quite sensible of the feeling
of the legislature with regard to the extension
of the facilities of education; and | exceedingly
regret, gentlemen, the pecuniary disability which
still exists, and which alone, am sure, prevents
your doing all that you desire to do for the pro-
motion of useful knowledge. 1t is, however, a
source Of much qualification 10 know that our
friends abroad--esPecially in the United States