The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-06-19
THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.
There are isw, il any, Of our readers but
who sEs aware that republic, similar 10
lite Organization tothat Of the United States,
has been established within q few Year,
upon The western coast Of Africa, and, ~
|iss location would imply, is administered
by tho colored race, emigrants from our
|own country. This republic in 1850 ex
|srcised jurisdiction over an extent Of terri
|tDry three hundred and City miles on the
cost, with an interior extent Of forty miles,
equivalent TO fourteen thousand square
miles, all obtained from the native proprie-
,ors by acsusl purchase. This republic and
The Maryland Colony, founded 1t Cape
Pslmas, are included snder the general
name Of Liberia. Important acquisitions
Of territory have been made both by the
republic and The Maryland Colony within
tho last year, the most important Of which
| u Gallenas, slave mart, very favorably
lsituatsd for the traffic. BY the purchase
lof Gallenas the slave trade has received a
death blow upon the coast Of Africa. The
amsliosating influence Of the emigrants Of
Liberia had had ! tendency 10 make the
trade il their follow beings less popular;
this purchase, we trust, will act a. the fin-
ishing stroke to tho disgraceful traffic
The smigrant population Of Liberia is about
seven thousand, while the native popula-
ltion Is estimated Ut from two to three hun
dred thousand.
4 In the republic and the country adja-
cent, there are many small tribes Of ma
tives, Of the moro peculiar Of whom We
wish to speak. Among them polygamy
and domestic slavery generally prevail,
and the servile domestic duties are per-
formed BY the women. The Kroomen are
4 people tho most distinct, intelligent and
remarkable that are 10 be found on the
whole coast Of western Africa. They are
united BY common sign, Kroo mark, be-
ling Z black line, much darker than the
skin, from the top Of the forehead TO the
END Of the nose! A very important sign,
a. BY . compact formerly made with the
Portuguese slave traders, the adoption on
their part Of the peculiar Kroo mark was
to be deemed sign Of exemption from sla-
very. They are governed by king who
receives his Office hereditary and by twelve
headmen who are distinguished BY an iron
ring around the leg!
They build their houses Of sticks, cover
ed with plated bamboo; the floor being Of
the same material and raised more than >
foot from the ground. The fire place is
built 10 one corner Of the room near which
is the only window to allow the egress OF
the smoke, much Of which escapes into the
loh overhead and preserves the rice there
stored, from insects. Their floor answers
for bed, table and chairs; and their pillow
is round stick Of wood. Like most Of the
tribes Of western Africa they are supersti-
tious, ascribing sickness and death to witch
craft. The doctor, in this case, designates
the witch, who Is compelled to drink de-
coc,ion Of sassy wood, . powerful narcotic
poison, which il rejected BY the stomach
proves his innocence, if not, bis guilt, and
consigns him to speedy and cruel death.
This ordeal Of sassy wood 10 one ofthe most
prevalent and distinctive Of African super
tstitions, and by it thousands formerly per-
ished miserabIy every year.
j These and many other important tribes
reside within the Jurisdiction Of the repub
lIic Of Liberia. Its authority over them il
highly salutary and benefcent. Rev. r
r. Gurley, who was recently sent out by
our government to obtain information in
respect to Liberia in his report TO the Sec.
rotary Of State ssys:--'.It has banishsd the
slave trade from all this district Of Africa
adjusted the differences which separated
and suppressed the wars which have foI
centuries spread misery and devastation
among these people; has interrupted, If moi
eradcated, some Of their barbarous super.
|stitions, ministered new incentives to their
Industry. opened new channels and suppl
led new motives and rewards to trade, and
sIinvited them TO listen 10 the teachings and
become enriched with all the blessings Of
Icivilization aud christianity" Native At
llricsns are frequently found upon the juries
nor is it unusual to meet with them ii
public officers Of justice or police holding
, commissions from the President Of tho re.
public.
4 WocD:--In consequence Of the unprece-
ldented high water, nearly al Of the steam
iboat wood OF the UHpes Mississippi hal