The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-05-10
Affairs OF the Colonization Society---E
,,I Dorado OF tho Colored man. lid.

In Juno laSC, Say Tue OmClalS Ol tue
Colonization Society, means were af-
forded OF reaching Liberia TO Mr.. Hen
Wv, Johnson, a colored resident of
Canandagua, New York, who rose, by
his own cxertion, from the humble po-
sition of "a barber to the honored rank
of apractitioner of the bar of the Su-
preme Court ofthe State of New York.
Hewent to Liberia because he thought
he would be more useful and happy
there than in America. On the 9th of
February last, after residence of over
six months, he wrote, rejoicing in the
country of his adoption, as follows:
o lMoNRovIA, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, |
s,.,us ls1r February 5, 1866.
10, the President and Board of Mana
gers dft the Ner Jersey Colonization So
ciety: ..a.tnE...l
GENTLEMEN: / have the honor to
report that, as undoubtedly many Of
you are aware. my family and myself
left the city of Now York, ip the
barque "Thomas Pope" on the Sd day
of June last, for the Republic of Libe.
riaa After very pleasant voyage Of
thirty-fve days, we arrived at Monro-
via, Saturday, July 9th, about O'Clock
in the afternoon. Monday at noon we
landed safely on tho soil of Africa,
without any serious accident. Our re.
ception at the time, and treatment
sinceIhaye been all that we could de
sire.
l found Monrovia beautifully located
on Cape Measurable, handsomely laid
out; and in time, when she has had the
benefits of population, capital, indus
try, and enterprise, will bo u great and
magnificent city. Nature has fully
contributed her share toward the &C.
complishment of this grand result
True, there are some obstacles to be
removed, but these seem TO have been
placed here only to serve as stimulus
to the industry and enterprise Of tie col,
ored emigraatS from America.
With some improvements the har-
=, Dor of Monrovia could afford a safe
shelter TOR all the navies of the world
All the sea.captains with whom Ivnave
conversed here say that there are but
few harbors in tho world superior tc
Measurable Bay.
So far, | have found the climate
very delightful. 1t is never cold mol
extremely hot. Up to this time tht
lowest l have seen the mercury is &C
and the highest SO. The grass is al
ways green, and the flowers always il
bloom. Fruits and vegetables indi
genous to this climate, and those which
have been transplanted here from 9th
or countries, grow and ripen during
the whole year,
ID, In regard to the face of the country
in word. it is picturesque and granc
beyond all conception. The view o
,Monrovia and the adjacent country
from College Hill-the fort and light
ihouse-is perfectly magnificent N.Y.
opportunity for seeing much of th'
country has been quito limited sine,
my arrival here, because all the OLE
citizens, and also the doctors, advis
me not to travel much until l hav,
become fully acclimated.
Although we have had the fever il
our family during the last six months
and have suffered severely in body
mind, and In purse, yet | have seen NJ
cause to regret that came to Liberia
On the contrary, l return thanks tt
God, that through the influence 0
some friends of colonization, the aic
rendered by your society, and the ia
vorable representations of the Rev. Nh
Grummell, professor in Liberia Col
lege,) my mind ever conceived tn,
Thought and encouraged me to come t
this country. All that has transpireO
since 7 left America, and all hav
witnessed since my arrival here, hav
only con6f:aed me in the belief tha
Africa is the best home fOrthe oppreSSe
black men of America!
While in America I was weighe'
down with the thought that | was con
stantly in the presence Of those VIII
considered me inferior to them for n
other reason than because l wear th
dark skin given me by my Creator! !
The wisdom of Solomon, the virtues o
a saint, nor the wealth Of the Indie
can lift that burden from the soul of
sensitive man who values liberty, in
dependence, self-respect, and manhood
But from the time landed on the sol