The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-04
COLONIZATION OFFICE,

TO the Editors of the Exchange:
1t is only in compliance with the urgent solicta-
lions of several friends of colonization that the wr
ter is induced to notice paragraph copied into your
paper OF this morning, from the FarnriWe Jour-
nal, and headed, ''Strange accounts from Liberia.
1t purports to be the report of two slaves manumit
ted by the late JNo. WATSON, ESQ.,, of Prince Ed
ward county, Va, who have been to Liberia. and
returned to slavery from choice, served up by the
editor of the FdrmuiHe Journal 1t states that the
agent of the Colonization Society on board the shin
imposed upon them by selling them calico, cheap
Jewelry &c. that the provisions sent out for their
support were sold to Others and they supplied with
those of inferior quality; that their -four was sold to
bakers and they had to buy it back as bread at an
enormous advance, the agent receiving part profits.
that they received but half an acre instead of five
acres of land promsed that they received bad treat
ment from the authorities that the President oftbe
Colony, if not engaged in the slave trade conniyes
at 1t; and finally, that if the Liberians had the means
ofgettng away, seven-eighths of them would re-
turn, and serve the hardest masters to be found in
the South.
Now, Messrs. Editors, there may be some truth
In part of the above allegations ADMITTING. how
ever, of qualifications which would satisfy all can
did people; but the majority of them are entirely
false. These people went out in the ship u. C.
Sterens, in November last and returned in the same
ship In March, having been absent from this coun-
try little over four months and on shore in 1.-The
ria about six weeks. There was no agent of the
Society on board to sell them merchandise of any
Kind, or on any terms. Most likely, if they had
money, they might have parted with it foolishlv to
other emigrants or the crew. They landed at Cape
Mount, one of the most recent, but best conducted
settlements in Liberia. The receptacle for emf
grants is spacious and well ventilated and is under
the care OF one of the best matrons in Liberia Mrs
MOORE, well known to the writer. The emigrants
1eed at one common table, the food being prepared
under the direction of the matron The rations
are uniform, and quite sufficient for laboring men:
supplied mostly from provisions sent out by the
Society. The statement that the matron of the
receptacle, or MIR. SrRYKER, the agent of the So
ciety both well known to the writer are guilty of
imposing upon emigrants requires better authority
than that OF the two returned emigrants
mat they received half instead of five acres
OF iand Is probable, as the settlement is new and it
may not be thought advisable to locate emiprants
on their farm lands until it has acquired greater ac
QUESTION OF numbers; but most likely the emqrants
chose town lot of half acre. instead of a five
acre farm lot, as it is termed As to bad treatment
from the authorities, that cannot be credited Too
much liberty and freedom from restraint is most
generally allowed.
Inc engagement In or connivance of the Presi-
uent at the slave trade is most likely figure of the
edltor OF the FdrmrWe Journal. 1t could not have
entered the minds of the simple emigrants Be sides
they could nave little opportunity of Judging never
having been within sixty miles of the seat of gov
eminent, or seen the President at all.
The truth probably is, these people went out
much against their own inclinations, found them
selves In strange country, strange climate among
strangers, and soon grew very homesick, having
strong local attachments and very little ambition
10 De anything but "good nggers,' and having
money sufficient, determined to come home; and be-
ing home, determined to make out the best story
possible, as an excuse for coming. The only point
OF any Importance to refute and that scarce needs
reputation, Is the President conniving at the slave
traue. The answer to this is at hand and concu-
slve Little more than a year since the French
Emperor presented the Republic with an armed
prlg to be used as a guarda costa, for which they
were very thankful. In the meantime His Males
ty sanctioned the apprenticeship system, and the
President OF the Republic of Liberia was appealed
to, to favor the operation. Against this and the
whole scheme, he protested, and informed His Ma
jesty of France that any French vessels found in
their waters, in the business would be dealt with as
slavers. In consequence of this the tender of the
brig is withdrawn, and Ex-President ROBERTS who
went to take possession, came back without her.
Lastly, if seven-eights of the Liberians would be
glad to return to the United States and serve the
hardest masters that could be found, would it not
De good operation for those advocating renewal
save trade, fitout ship ard bring home from
.e.en TO eight thousand willing slaves? No harm
III =" certainly, only let good vessel be used-one
worm capturing that will compensate the Lberians
for the loss of the French brio