The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-07-18
Tas TnUTH ABOUT L1BsnrA-A GEon.

rus, a colored man, better known as
John Swain, native of Hawkinsville.
da., has just returned to Savannah from
an expedition to Liberia, whittier he
went, III company with number of emf.
grants, in one OF the ships of the Anne.
rican Coloniz alton Society. He gives
the following account Of his experience:
In November last, one Coppinger, who
represented himself as au ngent Of the
american Colonization Society, visited
dawklnsville, and OF once commenced
ingratlating himself in the favor of the
colored people. He succeeded in getting
number Of them together, one night,
Ia school-room, and pictured to them
IN glowing language the advantages of
emigratlng TO Liberia, under the auspices
OF the society he represented. He pro-
ouced Tor their inspection specimens OF
products and manufactures. which he
asserted were from that country, and
special Inducements were held out to
severa! OF the moro influential OF the
co!ored men, among them John McBur-
rus or Swain. The latter's occupation
that OF a pilot-being made known, this
feilow Coppinger told him that the
rivers OF Liberia were crowded with
steamboats,, but there was great difficulty
IN obtaining men who understood the
management of them John was pro.
missed that he would realize "a fortune"
IN short time, if he would Join in the
expedition. He consented to do so, and
made provision to send his family of.
with the understanding that he would
follow mt the close OF the boating season
on our river, the latter part of the pre-
sent mouth. Influenced by the same
specious arguments. number OF colored
persons OF all ages and of both sexes
formed colony, and left here as stated.
The following is the story of the re-
turned emigrant, John McBurrus:
l left Savannah on the 10Th November.
on the steamship San Salvador. to see
my vile and children off to Liberia.
upon our arrival in New York, we were
taken directly alongside Of the bark Jas
per, bound for Liberia. Just before
reaching New York, one Of nv children
dled, ana upon our arrival, I requested
permission to stay on shore and have il
deoently buried. This reqnest was re-
fused, and 1 was forced on tho bark with
the others. which left immediately for
sea. was thus compelled to entrust
the lnterment OF my child to strangers:
and although was promised that ali
expenses would be paid from Gcorgia To
Liberia, Sl6 was exacted of me for the
burial expenses Of the child. 1t was not
my Intention to go to Liberia ut that
time, anu those III charge of the nxpe,li.
ton knew it. 1 went to New York 10
see my family of, intending to follow
them IN few months, but was forced
! on board the bark and not allowed to 90
on shore. In fact, taken away against
my will.
MIR. j. ". Lathrop. of Savannah, had
promised me lie would send me out to
Liberia as soon as the senson closed. T
at that time being engaged to him as
pilot of his boat. As it is, however, I
am glad went to Liberia, as NV ewes
have been opened to the great fraud that
has been practiced upon my people, aud
j! shall strenuously oppose emigration
from Georgia. or any other Southern
state. This is our home, and we are
better treated, have more comforts and
privileges for ourselves. are better paid
Tor onr labor, when we act right and
honestly, than we can be in any other
country, Liberia especially. Owing to
an agreements between the vessels run
ming to Cape Palmas aud the Coloniza.
tlon Society, no emigrant is permitted
after he lands to leave the country under
two years. By that time, they are either
dead or deprived Of all means of getting
away. Discovering this. I determined
to leave the place, and saw Captain
Richardson, Of the bark Pope, at
Palmas, and begged him to bring me
back. He refused, for the reason
stated. But showed him my custom
house license as pilot, when lie pro
missed he would do whit lie could for
me "as seafarng man" He told me
to meet him at Monroyia, 300 miles
from Cape faimas, OH the Isl Of Nav.
and he would take me to New York. /
laid hid upon the beach for three weeks.
being supplied with food by my wife,
who had to bring it five miles from the
colony. When the English steamer
Virgo anchored within four miles of the
beach, got native to carry me ont
there. By this means. l reached Mon
rovia. met Captain Richardson, who
brought me to New York This in brief
Is the statement Of this coored man,
who, 1t seems, sold his little property for
500. which lie cannot buy now for
-, 600. He is penniless, his wife and
children are in Liberia, and he now has
to call Oh his white and colored friends
| to assist him in raisnp the n,r,na m