Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-25
Intelligence from Liberia.

MoyRoyIA, Liberia, Feb. %, lS5S.-With
the exception of i slight financial embarrass-
ment, the affairs Of government arc moving
on prosperously. The President, S. 4. Ben
son, possesses in an eminent degree the abil-
ity and qualification to administer public af.
fairs. lie encourages, by every advisable
means the development of the country's re.
sources, and by precept aud exampIe--belng
himself a practical farmer-he excites the
people to generous rivalry in agricultural
pursuits, so that this branch Of Industry has
received an impetus greater than has ever
been experienced previously.
The St. Paui's river exhibits tho appear
ance of unusual activity; several large farms
of sugar cane are being cut, keeping one
email steam and three OK mills in constant
operation. About one-half the cane cut
from the farm of the late Mr.. Richardson, has
been ground, yielding 1000 lbs. of sugar,
and about the same number of gallons Of
syrup. This estate, the most important 10
Liberia, is now conducted by an enterpris-
ing young man from Wilmington, Del, nam
ed Anderson, who has proved to possess the
qualifications, necessary to conduct 1t sue
cessfully. He expects soon t oerect the large
steam sugar mill ordered by Mr.. Richardson
lust previous to his decease; after this is &C
complished, Anderson expects to furnish
large quantities of sugar and syrup for ex.
portation, which he has heretofore been una
bic to do in consequence of limited facilities
for grinding cane.
Coffee is now picked in abundance, bat it
is painful to witness the vast amount of this
valuable product that is lost and left to
rot upon the reed; but 1t cannot be avoided
at present; the expense of preparing 1t for
market is great, tho labor being performed
by hand, with the occasional assistance OF
such rough machinery as individual ingenul-
ty can devise. 1t remains for some OF our
enterprising agriculturalists to introduce
suitable machinery, which may obviate dlit-
c%ultiss, and encourage the cultivation CT this
important commodity, which vii! tend to IN
crease the revenue of the government and
also enrich the prclucer.
A cotton farm has Just been started on the
Junk river by d. B. Warner; should it be
successful there will be a large yield, which
will doubtless induce others to make similar
experiments. ,
The corner stone OF Liberia College" was
laid January 2jth, with the assistance OF the
Masonic Grand Lodge Of Liberia and its sub
ordinates.
The Legislature adjourned January 23d,
after a session Of six weeks. One OF the
most important bills passed during the ses-
sion. related to the French plan OF p:ocur-
;nr emigrauts from this coast. The restrlc-
tons which it imposes will have the tenden-
cy to abolish the system from that part ol the
. - - - 49,, ,.ye-p1I-T maintains
Jurisdiction. The course VIC have pursued
in regard to this system has 50 affected the
French government towards us, that she mas
retracted the gift of q siook-ot-war made
some time since, although we had sent an
agent to France to receive 1t according 70
agreement. ,
The Methodist denomination OF Liberia,
heretofore under the jurisdiction ct the Amer
lean Bishop, has increased in prosperity and
importance to such an extent, that 1t was
deemed expedient to have a Bishop especial
" for this country, one who was n citizen OF
the Republic and identified with the interests
Of the people; accordingly the Conference
which has Just adjourned elected TO that pc
sition the Rev. Francis Burns. 1t is a judi
a;ous selection, as Mr.. Burns has been Super
;ntepdept Of the Methodist Mission in Libe.
ria for a lopg time, ard no one is better ac-
ouain,ed than be with the condition and
wants of this people. He expects to visit the
United States during the ensuing summer for
the purpose of being ordained.
The United States sloop-of-war Fincennes,
Captain Gotten arrived here January 10Th,
and left for the leeward January 26;h. She
was two months out from America, having
stopped at Port Praya and Sierra Leone; all
hands on board were well.
Trade on the coast is very dull, with no
prospect of a speedy revival, but provisions
are plentiful, both foreign aud domestic,
hence we have but little apprehension OF
scarcity during this season.