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

nov 10 pFtveHt the sending of missio
nanes and the establishments Of schools, except
what result from the want Of pecuniary means
! sincerely hope the time 10 not distant when thi,
oimcuity will be removed, and that the presen
generation may have lights kindled in all thei
borders, and that generations to come may b,
saved from the darkness and wrStchedness O
their fathers.
You are not ignorant, gsntlsmsn, of tn a
Temps which have rsosntly bssn psdu ~, -ysi
designing, bad men, TO creofe szsscord md leal
ousy among the natiy~srkH TO incte them t.
insubordinatina. And regret to say that, il
one or two instances, they succeeded too well
es.d, at one time, created no little concern To-
the preservation of The authority and infuenct
Of the government.
/ In reference 10 the natives, this government
unquesiionaby should be, in its nature, kind
and mild, but firm and absolute. Laws and
regulations must be formed to meet their nd
yancing state, and which should remove the per-
picking and provoking differences which so ex-
iensiyely exist between various tribes--which
evil, in itself, if not eectualy cured will hinder
for many years, the progress of every effort
which may be made for their benefit
Another evil, perhaps equally destructive to
the natives, and equally necessary to be pro-
yided against by proper laws and regulations,
is, their intercourse with unprincipled civilized
il may employ the term--mcn, who visit them
for the purposes Of trade. Many of the natives
complain, and justly too, that the morals of
their youth are corrupted by bad foreigners---of
which we have sad proois-as well, also, rs by
some of our own people who trade with them.
This is well known fact and the cause of in
caculable injury to the natives, and seriously
retards their civilization. AS we would hope
to promote their welfare, this evil must, in some
way, by the wisdom of the legislature, be re-
moved. 1t can be done effectually in one way,
and in one way only; and that is, as recon-
mended to the legislature on former occasions
" that the government interpose and regulate
the manner of conducting trade with the ma
lives"
], therefore, earnestly recommend that in
future all trading establishments connected with
the natives shall be made in reference to the in
Auence which these establishments are expected
to exert over the natives; and that they be made
to bear upon every neasurure which may be
put I'm operation for the civil moral and intel
lectual Improvement Of the natives.
y
1t affords me much pleasure to be nble to in
form the legislature that the government has
happily succeeded in settling the difficulties
which subsisted between Kings Dour wee and
Zio; and in terminating the cruel war, which,
for the last five years, has completely cut off all
communication with the interior tribes of that
section, and which has produced incalculable
sufferings among the inhabitants of large
portion Of the Grand and Little Bassa terri
tories.
Kings Dour wee and Zio have solemnly
pledged themselves never again to make war
one upon the other, under any circumstances
whatever; and in case any dispute or misunder-
standing should hereafter arise between them, it
shall be referred to this government for adjust
ment, whose decision shall be final. | have
great pleasure in stating that King Peter Harris,
of Grand Bassa, made himself particularly SER
viceable to the government, in bringi & about a
reconciliation OF the above parties. He was,
indeed, unremitttng in his exertions, and Mt one
time was absent from his home, on n mission
to them as an agent of his government, more
than six month"; We are also indebted to Kings
Barguay and Saltwater of Little Bassa. for i'm
portant services rendered our commissioners
while employed in the above negotiations. Nol
can omit here to record my owledgements
for valuable assistance rendered the gov rnment
in this delicate matter, by Hon. Stephen A.
Benson and Lewis X. Croker, esq, whose in
defatigable exertions greatly facilitated the eff
forts of the government, in speedily terminating
the war, and restoring tranquility to the country
am grati6ed in being able to state that the
expense incurred by the government in settling
this war, was partly met by the patriotic and
liberal minded citizens of Grand Bassa country,
by voluntary contributions The balance was
paid from tie public treasury-which amount
you will find entered in the treasurer's account
regret to have to inform you, gentlemen,
that the same success has not attended similar
efforts of the government in other quarters, In
the latter part Of June last at the earnest solici-
tation of Il number of the chiefs, Veys, Golahs,
and Deys, i az pointed commission, consisting
of three gentlemen, to visit the Vey country,
for the purpose of arranging and settling the
disputes existing between the several parties
occupying that territory and, if possible, put
an end to the war which was then, and is still
being vigorously prosecuted between a part OF
the Vey and Golah tribes. But | am sorry to
say after an absence of several weeks, the com
missoners r, turned without being able to ac-
complish all that was desired or anticipated
The causes OF their failure you will find fully
set forth in their report which will be laid be-
fore you beg, however, to recommend that
further and immediate efforts be made to settle
those disputes and difficulties, and terminate this
war.
have the honor herewith to lay before you
for your consideration, n communication | re.
ceived a few weeks since from the chiefs OF
limbo, asking the protection of this govern
ment and TO be received within its jurisdiction
by the annexation of the whole OF their terri
tory to the republic; and requesting that ore
Will Bucker--who some years ago settled
among them, but has since succeeded in collect
ing around him n large force, composed prnci-
pally of strangers, and now threatens the exter.
mination of the original inhabitants, and who
has recently COMMITTEE, with impunity, several
cruel murders in the country-be moved from
the territory. q
beg, also, to submit to your consideration
the propnety of adopting measures to relieve
the authorities and people of Grand Bassa from
the annoyance Of Fisherman Grando, who, by
IL IA. :. IL