The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-17
Information About Going to Liberia.

We are constantly receiving letters in
which the following questions are, in
substance, asked. We have, therefore,
condensed the facts in the following form:
Questions 1. At what season of the
year is it best to embark for Liberia
AmsCer 1. The spring or fall is the
time the vessels of the Colonization Sc
ciety usually leave this country. There
is very little, if any, choice between
these two seasons of the year, as time
to leave for Liberia.
Q. 2 How long is the voyage, and is
there much danger that we shall be lost
on the way?
A. 2. The length of the voyage is
from thirty to fifty days. The average
is about forty days. The society has
never lost vessel with emigrants on
board The emigrants ought to be at
the port of embarkation one or two days
before the vessel is 20 sail.
Q. 3. What ought we to take with US,
both for use on the voyage and after We
get there?
A. 3. Every emigrant ought to be
well supplied with clothing, both for sum
mer and winter, similar to what he wears
in this country. There is no winter in
Liberia, but during the rainy season,
health is greatly promoted by wearing
flannel, or warm clothing. He ought
also to have a good mattress and bed
clothes. If he is a mechanic, he ought
ITO have the tools of lis trade. If he is
farmer, he ought to be well supplied
with axes, hoes, spades, saws, augers, &c.
And as every family is expected to keep
house and live by themselves, they ought
to have good supply of table furniture
and cooking utensils. 1t is not possible
for them to take chairs, tables, bedsteads,
and other large articles of furniture with
them, as they occupy too much room in
the ship. But whatever is convenient
and necessary in housekeeping and of
small compass, they ought to take. A
keg of nails, bale or two Of domestics,
and some mOney-$5 gold pieces are the
most serviceable-would be of use to
them, in erecting their houses, and pay
ing for any labor they might need, dur
ing the first few months of their residence
in Liberia.
@. 4. How much land is given to each
emigrant?
A. 4. By the laws of Liberia, each
emigrant on his arrival is given town
lot, or fve acres of land. If he is the
head of family, the quantity of land
is increased according to the number of
his family, not exceeding ten acres.---
This allowance may seem small, but it is
abundantly sufficient for all his necessi-
ties until he is able to buy more for him
self, which he can do for 81 an acre.
g. 5, Can / educate my children
there, and what will it cost?
A. 5. By law of Liberia, all pa
rents are required to send their children
to school. In some of the settlements
the schools are very good. A College,
which cost $4,000 to build, is in sue
cessful operation at Monrovia. All the
Professors are colored men. A parent
who wants to educate his children can
do it cheaper in Liberia than in any other
place.
Q. 6. VIII the Colonization Society
pay my expenses in getting there?
"A. 6. The Colonization Society will
give free passage to all who are unable
to pay for themselves, and will support
them during the first six months after
they arrive, by furnishing them with
provisions and medicines and medical at
tendance when they are sick, and by
providing them house to live in. Dur
ing these six months they can become
acclimated, raise a crop for themselves,
build house on their own land, open
and plant piece of land, and have
everything in readiness to live comforta-
bly, thereafter.
Q. 7. How can we make living in
Liberia?
"A. 7. In the same way that you
would make one any where else; that is,
by industry and economy Those who
are competent to teach school, can get
from three to four hundred dollars for
teaching. Good accountants can get
from four to eight hundred dollars as
clerks in the stores and mercantile houses.
Tailors, shoemakers, blacksmiths, carpen-
tiers, masons, brickmakes, cabinet makers,
shipwrights, &c. g., can always find en-
ployment at good wages. The farmer
need fear no want.