Southern standard., 1853-09-24
LibCria--COIOniZatiOn.
our carriage.

Mr. CHAPMAN In your paper of last Satur-
day [ noticed an article, in which some inquiries
were made concerning Liberia and the efforts of
the Colonization Society in settling that country
with the free colored population of the United
States. And as it is question full of interest, and
have in my possession some information on that
subject, cannot better employ few moments than
in giving it.
Liberia. the name which in 1924, on the motion
of General Robert Goodloe Harper, was given to
the territory purchased by the American Coloni-
cation Society, lies on the western coast of Africa
between and degrees n Lat. and between
and 12 degrees w. Lon. from Greenwich In
the summer of 1921 cape Montserado or Mesura-
do with large tract of adjoining country was
purchased of the native chiefs, or head men.
The Colonization Society was formed in 1896.
'Its object is, to promote and execute a plan for
coonizing with their conscnt) the free people of
color residing in our country, either in Africa or
such other place as Congress shall deem expedi-
ent;'' to prepare the way for the interference of
the government, by proving that Colony can be
established and maintained without the opposition
of the natives; that the Colonists can be trans
ported at a moderate expense; that an important
commerce might be established, and the Slave
trade in consequence discouraged. In 1917, two
Agents were sent by the Society to examine the
western coast of Africa, for suitable spot for the
Colony. They selected position in the Sherbro,
and, in Feb. 1920, the first vessel was dispatched
with 88 Colonists. They were conducted by an
Agent of the Society, and accompanied by two
Agents of the Government. The expedition ar
rived on the low coasts in the raining season; the
three Agents, and great number of the Colonists
were carried off by the fever of the climate, and
it became necessary to abandon the Colony.
In 1921, another vessel was sent out with 90
Colonists, and cape Mesurado, as I stated above,
was purchased and found to be much more favor
able and healthy position. 1t has fine harbor,
the climate is pleasant and the soil is fertile, pro-
ducing Sugarcane, Indigo and Cotton without
cultivation. In 1928, the emigrants amounted to
$50, of whom several were recaptured Africans
taken from vessels seized for a violation of the
laws of the United States. In 1928, the Colony
contained more than 1900 inhabitants The town
at the cape is called Monrovia in honor of the ex-
President Monroe The possessions of the Socie-
ty extend $50 miles along the coast, and consd-
cradle distance into the interior Eight stations
or settlements have been established, at the re-
quest of the native chiefs, who construct the nee
essary buildings for the accommodation of the
Colonists at their own expense, The Colonists
employ several hundred native laborers; and they
are, in general, in very comfortable crcumstan-
ces. Several, schools have been established, and
the moral and religious character of the inhabi-
tants is excellent. Newspapers are published,
surprising we hope, some of our own country, in
that high toned morality which should character
ise the independent journals of free country.
The Agent of the Society formerly possessed
the sovereign power; and the Judiciary consisted
OF the Agent and two Justices appointed by him
The other officers were chosen by the people. But
now they are governed by President and Legis-
lature elected like our own; and their judiciary,
we believe is elected in manner similar to ou,
federal Judiciary. j.. J. Roberts has lately been
reelected President, and Stephen A. Benson Vice
President At the end of the present term Presi.
dent Roberts will have served eight years as Pres
ident and six years as Governor of Liberia, max.
ing fourteen years in all.
The common law is adopted with notifications
already introduced in the United States and other:
required by the peculiar situation of the Colony
In all their efforts at government they have imita.
ted our own, and with success astonishing to tho
world. til well settled that the negro can never
occupy place Of equality with the white maj