The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-17
From the Philadelphia Inquirer Of He'ferdoy
The Western Coast OF Africa-An Important
Mission by Lieut.. Lynch.

We learn that Lieutenant Lynch, of the United
States navy, whose name 10 familiar to the country
in consequence of his having headed the Exploring
Expedition to the Dead Sea, left New York on
Saturday last in the steamer g Arctic " for Liver
pool. He is charged with highly important mis-
aion II 10 to visit the western coast Of Africa, to
make inquiries and arrange prelminaries, with
reference to an Exploring Expedition to that coast
and the adjoining country This is a measure of
the deepest interest, and the task could not have
been confided to more capable hands. The
public of Liberia ia located on that coast, and the
prospect of an extensive settlement indeed
that will form the nucleus of II great empire
was never more encouraging than at the pre-
sent time. The population Of the colony consists
Of about eight thousand individuals Of American
birth, and one hundred and fly thousand
natives. They occupy n country about five
hundred miles along the coast, With average
depth Of thirty miles. The slave trade has been
entirely abolished in that region, and the habits
and manners Of the people have been greatly soft
ened and civilized. Formal treaties have been EN-
tered into with several European powers, and many
of the most distng statesmen and phianthro
piss OF the Old World as we'll as the New are
watching with the iiveest interest the progress OF
this truly iaudable enterprise. The government OF
the colony, as 10 we'll known, is thoroughly repub
lican, its model being the United States. Hereto
| fore some prejudice has existed among color
| ed population, but this ia rapidly passing away.
| At this moment several vessels are preparing at
Baltimore, Norfolk, Wilmington, N. c., and New
| Orleans, to carry over an aggregate of more than
six hundred emig rants, most Of them ncipa ted
| slaves. The little acorn is indeed rapidly grow.
| ing; and should Lieut.. Lynch return with favor
| able Impressions, new imp ulse will no doubt be
| given to this truly important movement. The
trip between the United States and Liberia, in sail
ing vessels, is made in about FIVE weeks; by steam,
| it could be made in two. The colony is indeed
| but little more remote from Va than Liverpool Mr..
| J. Roberts, bright mulatto, ia President of tn
| republic, and has been for several years. He ID
now about 80 years Of age, and is native of Peters
burg, Va. He is a man of undoubted character
and high intelligence, and is much respected by
the citizens of the young republic. We may he1
add, the authority of letter from friend, that
President Roberts recently visited Paris, where he
had an interview with Louis Napoleon, who re,
| ceived him in the kndest manner, presented him
| with vessel Of war, and offered him any aminu.
milton, ordnance, or military clothing that he
| might stand in need Of. The British government
also, sorne time sincc, presented him with a SINAI
vessel of wnr-and both powers have formally
| cognised the independence Of the republic OF Ii
IBERIA. This duty is yet to be discharged by the
| United States. Aside from the social and benevp
lent objects to be accomplished by Lieutenant
| Lynch, his mission possesses interest in CONNER.
| cial point of view, and will doubt materially
| tend TO the increase OF the trade between Africa
| and tho tJnited Statea