The New York herald., 1861-12-30
Important from the West Coast OF Afrtca.
OUR MoNRovIA CORRESPONDENCE.

tuc " "cbI OOaAL VI AAIAC&s
OUR MoNRovIA CORRESPONDENCE.
MoNRovrA, LIBERIA, Oct. 16, 1861.
War Excitement in the Rtpublic-1atiag vp arms
Against Spain, and Her Naral TAreas-Acousation of
the Coored Esecaire Being Engaged in the Slars Trade
The Militia Called Out and their Oriers-I,esident Ben.
son the Court Of Tenus as eH as the Camp of Mars
de-, dc.
We had almost forgotten the Spanish excitement, and
settled down in accustomed case until the return Of
Judge Washington from Sierra Leono, few days ago.
who brought intelligence which has revived the prspara
tons for the defence Of this city upon the largest scale
within the ability OF the government. The Judge, al
though he not introduced as Liberan, was accom-
panied by friend, who called upon the Spanish
Consul where he net the captain Of the Spanish Of
war that attempted to sink tho gunboat Quail.
The naval officer informed the Consul that he had or
ders from the Governor General OF Fernando 20 to cap
ture sink the Quail, tho Lberian vessel of war and
after accomplishing either he wasodemand indemniGca
ton from tho for the spanish schooner which
the Quail captured for being engaged in the slave
within the political jurisdiction of LIBERIA and which
an English of war--the Torch-burned having been
satisfied that she engaged in the forbidden traffic
The Torch destroyed her the ground that she
in neutral waters, so her captain alleged.
The Spanish captain also informed the Consul that
when he arrived here he found the Quail the guns
of the fort that he could neither capture her sink
her without greatly hazardng the destruction OF his
vessel tnat he nreu into ner TWICE. cutting away her
rigging (ths is a mistake; she received very little
damags), and that shot passed. through his cabin
and pantry and lodged in his bread basket, or,
more literally his bread barrel Another shot, learn
was found in her water cask. Judge Washington has
formed the government OF all he could learn Sierra
Leone the Spanards, which has been deemed suf-
fcient to prepare for vigorous defence. More
have been mounted.
President Benson called out the militia of this city on
on the 18th inst. and divided it into three companies
Tho st-on tho signal being given that the Spaniards
approaching-wth the volunteer companies and
those citizens ordinarily exempt from military duties, is
20 repair to the Government square, i'll front OF the
executive mansion, and there await orders The
brow Of the cape prevent the enemy from landing and
tho third to rush to the fort upon the summit Of tho CAPE
and assist IN manning the cannon.
The commanders or these companies are young and n-
experienced and wholly incapable of inspiring the
men with that zeal and enthusiasm that is essential
entering into engagement With the exception Of the
President there ia Officer command around
whom the would ardeny rally in closely contested
conflict with the Spanards So far does his Excetancy
carry his political preudces that he has not rendered
any command or solicited the services of such ex
President Roberts and Colonel Yates whose presence
would inspire the with such confidence would in
the defeat of the Spanards In anything like equal
contest.
Mornonoh Son, powerful king OF one OF the native
tribes announced his intention to attack thu settle
ments along the river upon the return Of the Spanards
At Careysburg, the settlement furthest in tho interior
the citizens keeping watch night and day. to prevent
a surprise from the natives.
President Benson who Is now wdower, is paying
marked attentions Miss Annie Poston accomplished
young lady, recently from Brooklyn, MY.