The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-04-14
LIBERIA.

The following letter, addressed to the
Wiliamsburgh Times, is written by an in
tellgent colored man. who emigrated from
Williamsburgh, New York, to Liberia few
months ago. 1t will be seen that he is de.
lighted with the change in h. condition
and prospects:
MaNRovIA, Jan. %, 1853.
Ipromised TO let you hear from me when
10 Liberia, Africa, but although have been
here two months, cannot at this time g, o
YOU much account of the place. This lit
lie republic is So far ahead of what ex-
pected to find il. that your good people 0
the States would scarcely think were
narrating truth we're to describe all that
| have seen. Liberia is fine fertile
country. Things fevcry kind grow here.
The people are more comfortable, in every
respect, aud enj'y themselves much better
than have ever known them to do else
where. The houses are very lnrge, and
are bull, mostly Of brick and stone; they
are two stories aud two stories and bali
high, from 80 to SO feet in front, and from
20 10 40 feet deep. The steps to these
houses are composed Of iron ore--a cub
stance on which the city is built Iron
ere is as plentiful in Monrovia as COMMON
stone is in Wiliamsburgh.
Most of those who farm are located on
the banks of the ST. Paul river, about five
miles from the city. and some are dong
we'll Allen Hooper, of New York, has
been here a little over two years. lie had
but small means TO commence with, but
now has one of the best coffee plantations
on the river. lie has seven thousand
trees growing-twot thousand Of which are
'oaded with cotfae--and he is Of opinion
that next year al viii hear Next will
n.n'9n A Bfackicce aho is mal,ipg
shgut twelve thaBsand pounds ~ seaar 3
yesr, aud some hundreds Ct gallons Of mo
1asacs aHd svrap~-ait Of which viii fatafa-
5lv compare with the best imported artl-
Giles Of the kind.
Sweet potatoes, Lima beans. lndian
corn, cassada, plaintains. aud other table
vegetables are raised up this river. which
is 25 or 30 miles long. A fine town is sitn
atod at the source of this stream; it is call
ed NiilsbHrg, and contains population OF
500 or 900 persons-lhe most Of whom
employ themselves in making brick and
hewng timber Of all kinds for market
have not ability 10 describe the advan-
'ages to he reaped in this country, nor
have the time Ny business is 50 much
better than it ever was before, that am
constantly occupied in attending TO it.
One word as TO the fever. My children
have all had il; all the omigrnn,s VIII
came out with us, except my wife, myself,
and two others. None Of them KEEP, their
bods for more than two or three DAYS
The fever is not as bad as il is generally
represented TO be. J have seen persons
who have lived here for from two TO TWEEN
rs years, and who never had j, at all.
This is a great country for men and wo-
men who love liberty and who love them
selves. for money can be made here.
Please to give my thanks TO the gentle
man in your city whose philanthropy was
the cause If my success. TRUST that YOU
will publish this letter for The information
ot those who may wish to know something
Of this country. My next letter shall be
longer. and will contain much more infor
nation respecting this colony of Liberia
a day star of hope fol the co!ored race.
JouN ID. JOHNSON.