Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-11-17

cru,se on the wesrera Coast OF Africa.
CORRESPONDENCE Of the alexandria Gazette.
U. s. SHIP MARION, ST.. PAUL DE LoASDA,
AFRICAN CoAsr In coming over the mat
.srs of eur cruise along the western coast OF
Africa, it has occurred to me that many Ct
your readers might relish some few OF the
Incidents connected with it, as we'll present
ing an occasion TO attempt tho reclprocatlng
past pleasure, derived from the perusal OF
your instructive and agressb bic columns. In
truth, think it we'll to recall to your memo
ries. the banished humans OF these isolated
parts, as deem its attainment impractica'
bic from any beralded distinction we may
reap here. Four months have elapsed Since
weighing anchor at Hampton Roads, three
of which have been spent coasting. the hrss
be ing consumed 10 cur passage 10 Porto
Prays, which is mustered as Head Quarters
for lur squadron on this station. We were
favored with unusually pleasant weather
when crossing, excep. in the Gulf stream,
where discovered my legs were capable OF
an astonishing locomotive exhibition, upon
an entirely udep endent principle, and my
stomach had some very curious sensations,
absorbing my attention so exclusively, as to
prevent an indulgence 10 those sentiments
b id previously imagined first beholder Of old
o.ean's rolling IN aj esty would beinspired With.
We reached Porto Prays the second Of last
May, and a more God-forssken looking spot,
nv eyes were never brought up with" Ii
is situated on the east side OF ST. 1sgo, lone
Of the Do Verde group hemued 10 by abrupt
hills and PEAKS, destitute Of vegetation, and
is settled by Inongrel Of drooish PUr!ugsse
and Negroes, whose principal subsistence
aud occupation is the supply and collection
Of their native fruit, which grows IN rich
abundance, is possessed IF exquisite flavor,
and sold very cheap. Save slight inter
change with others Of the group, it has no
trade Of consequence, and the appearance OF
one of our ships-of-wsr, is an occasion Uf
great jubilee, and the signal for the approach
of innumerable "Bamb Boats" which for
the benefit of your unenightened readers, are
boats craumed, jsmmed with Heterogeneous
supplies, wherewith to entertain the digss.
tive organs OF Jack Tar. A weeks stay sna-
bled Us to gorge ourselves with fruit, the ship
WITH provisions, and to be heartily tired of the
few dirty white washed colUred houses, form.
irr the ~ n; 50 we star;cd for MonroVia, oc.
cupying two weeks in reschiDgit. 10 answer
TO great deal Of speculative enquiry. con-
corning this settlement, would say It ls built
upon promont ~ overlook ing ON the one side
the AtlantiJ aud the other 40 unDavlgabls riV-
er running at the base of the bill upon which
the town is built There is no sheltered bar
bor for commercial or other purposes, vessels
of large tonnage being compelled to lie out
considerable distance at sea. from whence
the town is obscured from sight by the dense
foliage surrOuodipg it. The soil upon which
it is burlt is Il 6leck sand, light. and possess,
ius but little depth, iU many places hardly
! covering il stratum D! rock, resembling rou
| ore, aud capable OF only stuntrd productions
la approaching the place, (Which you do in
row -b)ats by ascending the river short
| distance) it presents curious and very
interesting appearance, with It's variety Of
srchlte ctural display peeping out from among
the green lesved pslmsstoes, 10, an coca.
sional unfinished building, with It's ivy clad
walls and grey mould, looking like the rnlni
of some old ieudal castle. Landing Of wha,
in geography is termed wharf, (simplJ few
stones huddIed together with On uohnisbed
covering &C earth it requires an abrupt as.
cent to reach it's main street. the principal
portion 81 tue town, which, 10 the Presidents,
Ex-Plesident Roberts, The Seminary, and a
few O;htr buildings, presents quite al array
OF arcniiectura. display. In rambling over
it, oae is reminded Of the remains If an an-
tiqnated settlement, being re-occupled as tenn
p,rary residences, and this impression pre-
ceeis from many Of i,s buildings remaining
unfioished and they being constructed OF
stone and brick, are, with those Inhabited,
coated with dingy grey mould, produced BY
the atmospheric humidity. The streets re-
main unpaved, but coated With green bed Of
grass. The public square, which boasts .
monument to some coiored bero, who distin-
gulshed himself in getting extinguished 10
some OF the predatory lncurslons by the ma
tives is ornamcnted prOiusely with ~eeds,
;.ud answers the purpose Of 4 lizard deo,
much to the sgreeaGilIty Of those who desire
10 make Ou' toe inscription OF this wonderful
hero's brilliant achievements.
It's inhabitants principally are mulattoes,
though there is q considerable intermixture
of Natives, termed kroomen whose settlement,
consisting Of reed huts, are pitched ct the
base of Monrovia. 10 conversation with
many of the townsmeu, found desrsh Of
intell gance, which does not 80 conspicuous
Iy display itself when confined to subjects re.
latve to their domestic policy, for irou its
continued recurrence as u theme OF converse
tion it is lee rned by ro,e, and repeated with
voluhii'y; remove them from this topic, and
with few EXCEPTIONS, they are only the old
Virginia Oakley with bis broad "guthaw'
or Interpolation of yes, indeed, dats Tact
-ir." | did not fnd many evidences OF pro-
gre-s, aud saw no work Of any description
(save in the culinary Department. going on.
They appear to have not much revenue, no
currency in present circulation, and very lit
tie commerce or trade. do not believe in
the probability of self government BY
the negro race. "Ds Lord bress dem indi.
,iiuals," tut | was glad. as we all were. to
weigh anchor, though | regret the conclusion
forced upon me, that the Africans as de-
pendeut, is properly accorded his sphere IN
the map If human destiny.
After leaving M0DrJvia our reGl business
commenced. huntit Slarers, or As some OF our
romantic yellow back, would ha7eit, sharp
look Out Tor dark, raklsh looking barges."
Bat as yet our acquaintance on the coast has
hoar, Epa mol h.