Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-11-05

Last Sunday evening, at the Old John
Street Methodist Episcopal church. in New
York, the Hon. Joseph J. Roberts, who was
for eight years President of Liberia, made
some interesting statements in regard to the
history and condition of that republic. He
said that the idea of q colony of emancipated
slaves and free negroes, to be established on
the African coast originated with Robert Fiji
ley and Others early in the present century
Messrs. Mills and Burgess were sent out by
them to fix upon the site. They first went
to London, and after consultation with
Clarkson and Wilberforce, settled upon Sier-
ia Leone. The first ship sailed from New
York in the winter of 1920, and the col
onists first landed in Sierra Leone, but find
ing that they were not cordially received by
those in power there, they established them
selves at Cape Measurable. The objects held
in view by those who projected the enter
prise were four, namely: first, to establish
I'M asylum for the free negroes of the United
States; second, to test the capacity of the
negro for government; third, to check
the slave trade, and fourth, to carry civilza-
ton into Africa
After the i'll success of the colonists in ST.
ezra Leone, they derived much benefit from
the advice of Comm odore Stockton, then d.
naval officer in command of a vessel on the
African coast, who recommended Cape
Mesurado as an eligible seat for their future
republic. AT this place there was large
slave mart The strangers were at first re-
coived with friendship, but the slave traders
soon melted the natives to hostililies against
them. In November, 1920, they were at
tackled by l,500 of these savages. Only rs
strong, they succeeded in repulsing this for
midable band. They afterward successfully
warded OIL the attack of Il still more numer-
GUS force. The Africans, melted by the
slave traders then called on King Bosuu,
the most powerful chief of that region to
come down and assist them. He came
down to the coast, but as they could not
satisfy him that the Americans had done
them any injury, he refused to interfere 1t
may be remarked that the sister of this
monarch was one of the first converts To
Christianity. The colonists did not for sew
eral years .set up an independent govern
mcnt, but. at length, difficulties having
arisen out of the refusal Of British traders TO
pay duties 0 goods imported into the terri
tory, which the colonists had bought, the
connection between Liberia and the Ameri-
ca Colonization Society was severed, and
the Republic Of Liberia established Gov
eminent, which has been recognized by II
Of the nations of the civilized world
The four objects of the originators of the
enterprise have not proved to be visionary.
Liberia did and still does furnish an asylum
for any who choose to avail themselves of
its advantages. 1t has shown the capacity
of the African race for se!fgovernment. 1t
has been efficient in depressing the slave
traffic. Years ago the Government broke
up all the barracoons along its 600 miles OF
coast, and has never allowed any to be es-
tablished there since. II has had at least
some civillzing influences. More than two
thousand slaves taken out of the holds of
slave ships have been taught the arts of civ
ilized life and turned into good citizens
Moreover, the chiefs and head men of the
surrounding tribes are now anxious to send
their children, that they may grow up under
the civilizing influences of the Christian re-
public. Although these chiefs have nothing
to pay, the people of Liberia receive their
children, and hundreds of them are constant
ly residing among their more cultivated
brethren. As to religion, though there are
but two or three white missionaries, there
are between forty and fifty churches, nearly
half of which are Methodist.
In response TO inquiries, President Rob
erts stated that Liberia was deficient in the
means of education. They had some well
educated men among them, but there was
such deficiency of capital as to make ii
impossible for their colleges and schools to
meet all the demands which were made up
on them. AS the richest chief was he who
had the greatest number of wives and slaves,
and the natives were utterly barbarous, the
Liberians were obliged to take the children
! which were sent to them and bring them up
| for nothing, aud he was sorry to say that in
some cases they had been obliged to refuse
applications The college, Of which Mr..
Roberts is now the President, had grand
field, but was hampered by poverty. The
population of Liberia was stated by Presi
dent Roberts to be about 100000, Of which
from $4,000 to $4,000 were American ne
groes. 1t is extremely to be regretted thai
the unfavorable weather prevented full at
tendance at this interesting meeting.
The Rev. John Seis, American Minister
resident and Consul General to Liberia, fol
lowed President Roberts, and gave yer,
interesting account of the progress, of reli
gion among the native Africans OF til,
four Presidents of Liberia, three have beer
Methodist, and two Methodist clergymen
The Methodist Bishop of Liberia is brothe
of President Roberts. Over 400 convert
from the natives have been made by th
Methodist church alone, 800 Of whom are a
y,rocapt full ~, an, harq of t,ot continuation