The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-09
African Exploration Society.

African Exploration society.
meeting Of eentemen friendly TO the proposed es
ploraton OF Western Central African enterprise whc
has been advocated by Rev John Morris Pease who ha
visited l4ber'a-was held yesterday afternoon, at No.
Beekman street The meeting organized by the ap
poatment OF Rev Dr Absolom Peters as chairman Rev
| J. e Series officiating as secretary.
Mr. PEAsS read the following memorial which be hac
drawn up setting forth the objects and presenting plan
Of the proposed expedit.on:-
MEMORIAL AFRICAN EVAPORATION SOCIETY
II Is deemed proper THAT memorial should be pre-.
sehted embracing few facts aad considerations as the
basis o. the society 10 be oraanzed on tie present
sioh' ~ s impossible fully to estimate the important
interests o. thorough exploration Western Central
Alea or TO perfectly comprehend the atreadant bless
nRs OF As Successful accomplishment either 20 Liberia
ana Africa ON toe one hand-to the colored man our
county and The great objects Of science agriculture
mission OF exploration involves particular and genera
censderatons or vast nom en ia whch grea heart
oi American huiasa'sy should be interested.
TIis COUNTRY KxproRED.
That region OF Western Central Area Of which so
counts approxmses nearest to the lated States in
vokirg the civil and Christian Institutions our coutry
20 the sr, ,,eScsg0n Of M ppSan
within the geographical lines Of IS and Is degrees nora
latitude ana extending from the Atlantic eastward to the
valley and waters Of the Niger TO about degrees
longitude making about 10 degrees north and south by
about IL degrees east end west comprising altogether
the most interesting section of Western Africa not Of
the continent itself
The Niger, OF the largest rivers in Africa has its
source according the iatest and most reab geogra
phcal data within three hundred miles of Monroyia the
capital OF the republic Of Liberia. Immediately
north of Mount Caa the most elevated western point OF
the extensive range running north and OF LIBERIA
termed the Snow, Cony Mountains. Thus the
ofthe Niger and head waters of the St. Paul. laid down
on the maps, arc only divided by that range of
tains, and probably formed ffcm its springs.
The Niger runs west northwest and north northeast
Tbuctoo within few miles of the Great Desert thence
east by south 10 line So degrees Of lonetudeS thence
south southeast, and finally south, emptyng its trea-
sured waters gathered from sweep OF full three thou
sand miles, through its hundred mouths eastern
extremity OF the Gulf Of Guinea, or properly, the
pored Is everywhere and fertized by the tbu
tares OF this mighty river which encreles than
half o the sntire region Of Western Central Africa.
Within this region are numerous smaller tribes and
kingdoms on the north the great and powerful
Of Ashsntee Dahomey and Zarribar on the east, with
country intervening wholly unknown except in far
Iiberian and native traders have communicated niorma
tion respecting il.
This country is Immediately east OF liberia north Of
the Gulf Of Guinea and west Of the Kingdom Of Ashance
termed the "unexplored region y Aso, northeast with
in the circle OF the Niger is ul one half Of the grea.
scope OF our plan ami Geld Of exploration.
ssTHE uNKSowS REGION y
The country directly east OF Liberia south OF 10 de.
grees north latitude west Of Ashantee and north OF the
western waters OF the Gut Of Guinea. is unknown,
above remarked, except TO Eberian merchants, from
their constant commercial Interchange with native ine
That section nearest the Gulf bordering on the south
portion of Liberia is termed the grain coast; that
section further east is called the ivory coast" and
the region north Is termed the "gold regon'-names
commercial wealth with which they arc said 10 abound.
Immediately east Of Nonroya, up the St Pauls toward
The region Of the SLOW Mountains and south Of them,
Is vast section OF open prairie country, ahoundng with
sattc, horses sheep, &c also, well supplied with rice,
barley, and all tropical productions
Tbs entire country sad 10 be elevated, undulating
and well waered suiasly imberei Of pure air fertile
soil, and possessing most salubrous and charming c
mate every aboundng with the resources Of wealth
ard happlnes-grans, vegetables, fruits, cattle, palm
oil, wood aud the valuable dyes, ivory cotton
coffee, gold DUST &c. and has been termed from lis sup
posed, a. well as Known wealth, = Nor,hernGainea"
The acquisition Of this interesting region to LIBERIA
her back rural country anticipated as one Of the results
of the proposed xploaoL, woae give TO her govern
mtnt new and increased energy 70 her citizens enlarged
enterprise ard prosperity; while, at the same time the
Introduction OF civilization and Christianity among these
rat've tribeswhch they have long 6es,red-woui
fer CT them an eternal blessing
rASrTAtIoRys.
Fast or the southern section Of LIBERIA and up q vi
gable riyer-fhe puhack-aYe two large healthy
ue sad TO be densey populated wealthy en.erprising
First-Tte sah TO country; IL capital Sec kong-a
large city, with many thousand people Ia this country
ana near the capital Is said 10 be "a great Iron manuac
tory" where various articles Manufactured from the
virgin metal sbounting in this country and st further
this oorniry, and submitted the abci chemists Of New
York and Boston, and pronounced BY them TO be pure
rave IRON This sab 70 country and the regions north
ward are said 20 abound with this vavaslc metal In this
unprecedented state OF native purity There said 70
y, Elk lage and Gourshng ownsin this country, mainly
situated On the river Drbach
secone-immcdaieiy east OF Sab Po Is the Dey coun.
try-a country more dcnsey populated Of superior ad
vapcement In civilized life full OF wealth and enterprise,
md aboundng in cotton and In manufactures OF cotton
seods; also paper, articles OF cotton cloth. Paper
and ron en- this country have come into hands, via
Hcniova These interesting kingdoms have never been
visited by a white man. and only known citizen
uaoers Of Liberia ExPresdsnt Roberts has expressed
bis entire confidence IN the elevated character aud i'm
Troved condition 81 these people. The Information res
pecng them together with the fru, Of their intelligence
and industry he deems perfectly reliable, How vastly
important The accession OF these kingdoms TO Liberia or
pt all events, friendly relation and commercial inter
change existing between thtm and the government and
citizens of Liberal 50 desirable an object only b.
accomplished by the proposed exploration and fatcrnal
diplomacy contemplated
has been esmaiei that for several years past the
tcs exports from all ts region Of Western Central Africa
European States lave nmO.ntedto about hfteen mil
Hens of dollars Jer annUm, aai at commercial exchange
in ayo- OF the civilized traders Of about 500 per cent
TIA trade, for number OF years. has been carried
chiefly by native and Ibersa traders and mostly ship.
Tcd from lberan ports and others the Gulf Of Guinea
IN European vessels Thcre are regular traders fron
England Germany. DENMARK France, spain and Poriu.
gal 70 Liberia though the balance Of commercial power
=, By far. IN fpslsh hands There Is regular monthly
line Of commercial steamers between England aud Iibe
ran ports, "a semi nenihly line u contempls,ei) be-
sides numerous sailing veses, aud ali are always crowd
ed With articles Of commerce
thorough exploration Of Western Central Africa be
coming acquainted with the country and people, arousng
nsnsiy social civil Christian and commercial relations
bringing the abundant BE sings q the country no
tssy ana Intimate connection WI the sesboard
ending The rcd,emlng Institutions Of the sesboard back
enorg the native PEOPLE az the Interior Is Indispensable
% the present prosperity and future greatness Of Liberia
herYeM
TO krow thoroughly the geography, soil climate and
populafion q Western ceuuai AFRICA viii constitute
lev AM most mportsl IN the history Of African
tccvrfy aud 70 orcn interior 70 the Introduction cf
Ciyilixea Gud christian We. will furnish new ami in
tsrcs,ing neld for chris. an philanthropy
proposed therefore. 20 make thorough scientific
exvi Trondrst Of the unknown region directly Of
Liberia, sready detailed In this PAPER, and 70 extend the
expiration much beyond the entire region named as
possible.
TIE object Of such exploration TO become acquainted
pttty with the geography uf ths; country, IN all res
rtcts the character condition and wants of "a
reputation opening the country 10 the Introduction o
civilization and christianity leading TO the enlarge neat
OF Ihesa that direction 70 facilitate The cevelopemsnt
OF agfcuiural and commercia resources aud stusic
the government and citizens Of Liberia 10 incresed al
,entien t. physical and intellectual improvements.
pisPos7IoS FNFfnRAuoS-rHx NAIVE rpiHvs
Nanv az the raiive tribes AMI countries bordering
friendly relations with that aovernment