The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-21

their way out through her ports anu as tue alses rise
the scale OF being, and begin TO appreciate the blessings
and feel the wants consequent, civilizations they WILL
through some channel Obtain the products and nanulac-
whatever the foreign of Western Africa may
be- Liberia will control H. Her position on the coast and
her relations with foreign nations, necessarily confer
upon her this advantage Her Independence having been
formally honoaby acknowledged by five OF the leading
governments Of the world-EDgland France, Prussia
Belgium and Brazshe is fairly entitled 10 form treaties
and establish International relations which shall regulate
the trade between her vast interior and the markets oil
| the world.
Already has this opening field for commercial enter
prise attracted the attention OF other nations. The egu
lar merchantmen engaged in that trade being insufficient
10 It's demands, line OF steamers under contract With
her Majesys has been established and runs
once month from London, touching at Liberia. -Four
powerful steamers, OF nine hundred 10 one thousand Ions
1 each, on The ne-he Foerunner, Faith, Hope, and
Chary--nanes appropriate and significant, Another
line from Liverpool has just been started So that
l Llberia has steamer from England twice a month
Capt Rudd, United States navy letter just received
from him on board the ifgae Constitution, on Monro-
4 via, says
al enclose you paper giving the route OF the English
steamers this coast They doing irst-ra,e bust
ness running full OF freight both ways, and q course cut
ting up trade Uety much and believe IN Two years
they will get all OF H. Steam is The only Thing on this
coast"
The English government, with wise reference TO the
extension OF her commerce on that coast, admits cam
wood palm oil, and its other great staple products, free
duty consequently. The English trader can always give
higher price for these articles than the Americans can
Inc LlDeTlan by Inc BRUSH steamers Wnat-
goods he from London or Liverpool and have
them in his store in eight weeks after the order is
issued while TO obtain the like goods from an American
/ port requires a, least the same number OF months.
Under these circumstances, il is to be wondered at
that British commerce increasing that coast with
uHexampled rapidty, and that American commerce has
10 struggle hard TO maintain lis present limited ex
! isence
England may be bold, she may be graspng in her ef
forts TO spread her commerce abroad over The lace OF the
whole earth Who can blame her is II not well that
she should extend civilized customs oil trade and Chris
tan commerce along that coast covered with bar
1aols ,lahiS U human blood There y Tremendous ,h
barbarous. Liberia has on her hands in this respect
work mighty TO demand all possible encouragement
and assistance from other nations. For many Years she
struggled for mere existence, without the power OF
means TO regulate commerce AT length, but trembling
~ she declared herself to be, and actually became, an
independent nation England noby came forward with
the couresles OF recognition, and welcomed Liberia to
1 the family OF nations France soon followed then
Prussia, Belgium, and Brazil England and France have
from nme 10 tme compmented her In Inc most marked
and distinguished manner
! And yet the harbors and ports OF Liberia open
alike TO British steamers. French merchantmen, and
american traders Her camwood, palm oil, coffee, and
her Spices and all the rich productions OF her sunny
cline, she IS ready 10 exchange for the manufactures OF
all other nations equal Terms Thus far Liberia has
shown fevorsm, has exercised no selfish Partially
Her treaties OF commerce with England and France give
them advantage whatever over the United States oil
America In all the commercial relations into which
she has entered thus far. she has kept the field wide
open 10 ALL giving peculiar advantages to none. This
surely is all that could be askedall that anybody had
right 10 expect But, now suppose that those nations
which have acknowledged her independence should en-
deavor Obtain for themselves the privilege of ntrodu
cling their manufactures free of duty, and the exclusive
right to trade in canwood and palm OIL who else could
complain If any other governments have neg Elected TO
improve the opportunities which her has pre-
scented TO them there not ground 10 apprehend that they
may be ultimately deprived of them
Liberia a certain sense The United States. BY
private benevoence means were provided among our c
Gems 10 take from country those who had neither
social political relations transport them the land OF
their fathers plant and nurture them there until they
should develop and skill enough 10 perform all the
functions oil self government IN manner adequate TO
their necessities and credabe among the nations And
there Liberia stands and has stood for the last years
free and independent nauon--l bngh, gem sci upon
the dark ground OF vast continent, with some two hun
ded thousand citizens, exerling undsputed dominion
over seven huRdred miles OF sea-coast, extending
considerable distance interior, under republican
form Of government, with written constitution similar
in many respects 10 own the first and the only Tree
government on the continent OF Africa
Thus situated, she asks with all dignity and respect
recognition from the United States government She
knowe lodges with gratitude her obligations 10 the benev
oence OF citizens which has helped 10 make her
what she is. She u ready 10 extend 10 us all the al.
vantages OF trade which she can legally bestow.
Not as mere matter of form or sef-graiuation does
she ask 10 be recognised. The moral effect OF such
recognition would be OF vast advantage 10 her in all her
commercial and national relations. IL would aso
than anything else, operate upon the free coloed people
IN our country and induce them TO seek there home
and nationality for themselves and their children. Then
would LIBERIA gain strength of head and heart,
which would enable her no5ly to stride forward in the
career OF splendid achievement 10 which sbe is
Grated.
The present resources OF the society entirely mad
equate 10 the work hand The time has arrived
when enlarged Improvements must be iosdejn Liberia.
The increasing numbers who desire 10 emikrae demand
enlarged facilities OF anspor alton. Why, then should
not one vigorous effort be made 10 place ia the control OF
the society ftsclass steamer, capable Of carrying both
Freight and emigfsnts, and OF making four voyages
year, Can such line be established We believe !,
can.
The first line of British steamers enabled to start
by the English government giving them contract to
carry The mails.
! Let The United States government give this society
mail contract the same generous terms allowed 10
other steamships, and then among the liberal friends of
colonization can raise the money to build and equip
\ a steamer.
Private enterprise seems inadequate 10 the undertaking
without aid from government. The same thing
was true M establishing the lines OF steamers that al
ready ahoat and spreading the glory OF the county over
every
II this same assistance be granted 10 any body to
enable then TO open steam communication with Africa
il seems bot right and fair that il be TO this society in
preference 10 any private individual or incorporated com
pany II has labored hard and long to found Liberia, TO
sow the seeds OF commerce. 10 open OF
wealth 10 citizens, fields for the extension OF our
trade and new markets for the sale OF manufactures
which il may be the power oil government to be.
stow, while prosecuting her own legitimate enterprise in
that direction.
Mr. Lalrohe addressed the society for considerably |
than hour, 10 which he gave very satisfactory
account of the prospects Of the society, audng 10 many
OF the interesting points and epochs ia s history and
strongly urging measures for the extension OF s powers