New-York daily tribune., 1859-05-31
CIVILIZATION OF AFRICA.
EERNANDO pO.

To fe Editor ef The " Y TribsHe
SIR: VIII Won permit me to say few words in THs
TRIBUNE concerning Africa In looking over the
reports Of the religious societies. meeting in New
thi Spring notice great increase Of nteres, in behs
Of the African race. The morning star Of hope fo'
Africa is rising indicating the dawn Of day near when
her sons and daughters too shall arise and shake oi
their thraldom.
Having been r missionary in Afdca, it is with lively
emotions that contemplate the future prospects Of that
country The time is not far distant when Africa will
be the center Of attraction both to the commercial and
christian world. To the commercial. because Of her
neNhers,ibe treasures surprising all other portions Of
the globe in their variety, eXtent and richness. En-
gish merchant. understand this far better than the
Amercans aud for years have been accumulang large
fortunes IN the African trade.
II would be great benefit to our commerce ii Gov
emmett wonld send an exploring expedition to the
Niger. Especially should they examine Fernando 70.
II i said 10 contain the only good harhor on the African
cca.t. Il is 10 Africa wha, Cuba il to America, and
the Niger is the Mississippi Of Africa. Fernando Po
il about eight miles vide and twenty long. IL IS 700
feet high and is covered with vegetation from the
waters edge to the summit and is healthy. Ii Is said
to contain population Of ~ 000 Inhabitants spe ikng
twenty different laugusges from as many different
tribes OF the ccntinent-Some OF them from the very
heart cf Africa Situated in the Gull cf Guinea. where
several lnrge uAvigabe rivers empty, draining the
vas, regions e the interior, il affords unparalleled
facilitier TO the merchant in carrying on legitimate
trade ond to the missionary in scattering, all up add
down those majestic ryers, the leaves Of the tree Of
life, which soon must be plonted there, as
A sovereign bern for 81 thciI wounds
ccrdia. fer their iear..'
Fernsrdo Po is destined to he the great African
depot. Ii viii be go commercially. Ii will be SO
morally. if Christians do their duty. And this will
II nder il so politically
with our Government would purchase the island
for on African Republic. and make provision TO send
cut a.. the coorcd people from the States who might
choose to make it teir future home. Bot Il this Gao
not be dore will not Christians and pailabthropiSts
combine their efforts in the great work o evangelziug
Africa By sending out missionary colonies To Fernando
Po and at various points up the rivers in the interior
Missionary colonies Of dozen OF more Christian ainl
lies organized into Il church, Consisting Of farmers,
mechanics teacher, physician and minister, should
be sent to Fernando Pc and cferent places up the
Niger and its tributaries. Every such settlement will
be tie nucleus of Christian influence, which will soon
become powerful radiator 10 the surrounding dark
Bess
Two days labor tiere Is worth much as four or
five here. Hence, such a mission would soon sustain
it.ef and leave at least half of the time to devote
to missionary labor anorg the natives. This would
relieve the Society and enable them TO send ont new
companies often. Can such Society be formed And
viii not our cOorcd brethren take into consideration
thi, subject and be ready to organize missionary cole
nies aud go out to aid in the redemption of Africa
I.a'op street May D. 1850. A. CONSTANTINE.