The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-07-23
AMERICA VERSUS LIBERIA.

the cold-blooded treatment, that of the
American Government towards the Gov
ernment of Liberia sarpasses anything
that has yet come within the range of our
observation. If it was matter between
two private individuals, we should have
no hesitancy in pronouncing it an act of
double-distilled villainy; but as it is, we
must run no such risk, but simply state the
main features of the case, and let the CON-
munity judge for themselves. The Libe-
rian Colony, be it known, the American
people claim as a vine of its own right
hand planting; vine planted and nur-
tured for the especial benefit of the colored
man; an asylum reared to enable him to
escape from degradation; place in which
he may rise from his low and dependent
condition to one of respectability and hon
or. In word, by being freed from the
shackIes that hamper him here, and a re-
moval from the inequalities and prejudices
that meet him on every hand, to this land
of promise, he may become man.
All this is claimed by the promoters Of
African colonization here. Yea, more:
they say in Liberia, or in all his mutual
relations with that Government, he (the
colored mani has our well-wishes and our
sympathies, and even our pecuniary aid"
Well, this colony of Blacks has become
real regular government, acknowledged by
England, France, and other European gov
ernments, as such But does the Ameri-
can Government, in common with the rest,
so acknowledge it Oh, mol This very
Government and people, who have made
such pretences about the welfare of the
Blacks in that land, would not so much as
listen to proposal to form treaty, or even
receive an agent from that Government for
such purpose. Let us look little further
in this matter. Mr.. E. j. Roy, man of
color, emigrated few years ago from Ohio
to Liberia, and by enterprise, industry, and
much perseverance, became successful
merchant there. Well, Mr.. Roy, not will
linz to eonfne his mercantile operations to
one or two continents, arrived the other
day at our ports, in his own brig Eusibia
n Roy, fast sailer Of over 800 tons, car
rying Liberan register and colors, and with
a cargo of African produce valued at $780,
900. On this cargo Mr.. Roy was CON-
PEELED to pay duty, and tonnage duty of
80 cents per ton upon his vessel. Why
was this Simply because he was a col
ored man, hailing. from a colored govern
ment. Who planted that Liberian colony,
now government Why, this same Amer
can people, whose government now thus
ruthlessly robs her sable sons of their hard
earned and honest gain without even the
shadow Of justice.
But, says our American Government,
therA 10 reciprocity +roaty between us
and Liberia. And why not2 Simply be-
cause we Americans refuse to form one
with them, and then force our goods upon
the Liberian people on the same terms as
other governments, who have formed just
and equitable treaties, taking care, at the
same time, to impose the heaviest possible
duties that the absence of treaty will al
low. The American Government has new
er paid the first cent to Liberia in the way
of tonnage duties since she has been col
ony.
If we could, with as little expense, man
ufacture few hundred more black mer-
chants, like Mr.. Roy, having them arrive
in port every day or so, freighted with Af-
rican produce, Uncle Sam might derive
quite handsome revenue-one sufficient,
certainly, to grease the wheels of not only
that part Of the political machinery in the
New York Custom House, but even in
Washington.
The Press that have at all ventured to
mention the subject, have, with character
istic meanness, spoken not of the injustice
of the act, but with reference only to the
probable pecuniary losses likely to ensue
if such a course be insisted on by our Gov
ernment. Verify, we are magnanimous
people-a model for the rest of the world !!
The GOLDEN RULE. We call attention
to the advertisement of this valuable peri
odical, found in another column. A be-
loved Minister of the Gospel, alluding to
this reformatory sheet, says DO you
want good little monthly paper, full of
pointed, stirring exhortations and whole
some instructions something for the chill
dren as we'll as the old folks2 Do You
want it Well, if you do, send fifty cents
to David F. Newton, Box 1912, New York
City Post-Ofice, and get the "Golden
RrloD Co.. N x,oor Vo,, nil J;I-o - L':a.