The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-03-15
Our Africa Letter.
MoSRovIA, AFRICA, Dec. %, 1859.
Enron Carmen.

MoSRoyrA, AFRICA, Dec. %, 1859.
EDIToR CoURIER:-
We left Cape Mount at
noon on the 10Th and anchored of this place
next morning. There is not a place in Ii.
IBERIA where there is harbor that can bl
used. Vessels have to anchor on The open
sea. This makes it slow work to diSc,largo
or take in cargo. At Cape Mount it has IT,
be handed through the surf on the beach
At this place there is river up which good
are talien to the town, in boats, This wou''
answer god purpose were it not for tn
difficulty of crossing the bar at tie mouth oi
the river, there being nothing to break the
force of the waves, they roll in with tremen-
dous force when there, is any sea on, this
meeting the cuner.t Of the river on the ba,
where tire water is shallow. makes an ugly
place to cross with boat, it is much worse
in the wet season than it is nowhere is
generally strong wind blowing on shore
whereas now it is quite calm all the time.
was running with the river. carrent, this
made it rough enough to give us shower
bath by the-waves breaking over the boat
1t woaiA he almost imnossble to discharge
or take ina cargo here if it were not for the
Natives. The hroo tribe are the ones that
do all Of this work; they are perfectly at
nome eitheron or in the water, when not
eng loyedby ships, thsir business is fishing.
This ship has 2l OF them emoloyrd- took
them at Cape Mount, andwill discharge them
there again when really to,lcave for bong.
They 10 III the boatin;;, the, sailors stay on
board shin. Tho paw Of tirs Krooman is %
cents day, with pint of rice and two
nrackeref per ctoD as they call it. Their
usual dress consists of q hfcnch cloth and a
straw hat The women wear only a narrow
piece Of cloth tied around the waist, this
reaches part way down to the knee. Moth
ING at all on the head The other tribes OF
Natives that have seen, dress sm;la-less
the s1s,w h;rt. @Ther skin looks bright and
glossy, rs they keep themselves well rubbed
with palm. oil. A Nrooman can always be
distinguished by the tattoo, which is alike in
ala strip, about lalf an inch wide, from
the top of the forehead to the end of the
nose, and a triangular patch Oh each temple.
Many of IN N, il addition to this, are tat
tooed on different parts of the body to suit
lheir~hncy. The Native houses are bull. of
splits, of Bamboo, braided together, and COW
cred with thatcll. Their towns have very
neat appearance, rs they keep everything
neat and clean inland around their houses.
Cape Measurable is a point of high land,
with bold front to the sea. Fronthe land.
ward side of the Cape, ridge of high land
runs back towards the interior. On this
ridge the city of M9nrovia is built. 1t is
shut out from the sea in froct by the high
point tt,la Cape; but is in sight oft above
AMI be.ow. The ,ity contains about 2ooo
Inhabitants, and is thu Capitol ofthc Liberian
Republic, and, ofcourse, the headquarters oil
politics AMI fashion. Many of the buildings
are brick, and present a good appearance -
The business houses are mostly built
Of stone. Fhc Presidential mansion at which
had the honor to be presented, by the
American Consul, is a fine building, and
very well furnished, so is the residence OF
Ev-President Roberts. | WAS very politely
received by President Benson. | found
aim a man of much intelligence and good
sound sense, lie has recently been re-elect-
ell to the Office, think for the fourth time
L shall miss the inaugural ceremony, which
cones OFF lst Monday in january, as we sinai!
leave for the Cunard Coast before that Ex-
President Roberts served four terms. He is
man that would bean honor to any station
in life or any country. His history is toe
well known to need a word from me-
( 3eioreE leave here | shall visit both
branches Of the Legislature, which is now in
session. .... X.
| The Republicans of Chicago propose erect
ing an immense Hall for campaign purposes
and for accommodating the masses in attend.