National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-22

Snon6' ~ ioi % VIC Cdu JUICY heA WV
information before US the Libeiian Gov
eminent seems to have shown q most
trustworthy desire to avoid bloodshed.
Mr.. Payne, the President-elect, was sent to
Cape Palmas to hold parley with the in
subordinate aborigines, show them the
deed of sale Of land to the colonization So
ciety, executed by their forefathers, and
convince them at the same time of the
absurdity of their pretentions and the i'm
possibility of their being allowed by the
Republic. The interview proved not to
have had the desired effect and the
Grebos murderously rushed on the defense
less settlements. The prompt and de-
cisive measure adopted and carried out to
meet and punish the aggressors again
demonstrates the capacity, power and in
fluence of the American settlers, and in
sures such ample punishment as must dis
courage all other natives whose ancestors
may have sold their lands now in occupa-
ton from an armed attempt to regain
them.
The Maryland State Colonization Society
was incorporated at the session of 1888
of the Legislature. At the same session an
appropriation was made of $500, 900 for the
passage and reception of emigrants in
Africa. 1t was determined to establish an
independent settlement, and after careful
elaboration Cape Palmas was selected as
the site for the new colony, its position
promising to make it most important COM
mercial depot. November %, 1888, the
brig Ann sailed from Baltimore with goods
and eighteen emigrants. The expedition
was under the charge of DR.. James Hall,
gentleman whose experience on the Afri-
can coast admirably qualified him for his
position. The Ann touched at Monroyia
and Bassa, where she receiveda number of
old settlers, and February II arrived at
Cape Palmas. DR.. Hall found the kings
prepared to treat with him, and the only
difficulty that presented itself grew out of
bis refusal to make rum part of the con-
sideration of the proposed purchase. The
desire of the sborigines that Americans
should be one people with them overcame
their demand for rum, and certain land,
fully described, was sold by the kings to
the Maryland State Colonization Society
for quantity of trade goods entirely salts.
factory to them. The deed of cession is
dated February 10, 1884, and is signed by
Parmah, King of Cape Palmas; Weak b.
leo. King of Grahway, and Baphro, King
of Grand Cavally. 1t is to recover this
very land that the attacks mentioned seem
to have been Instigated and directed by
young men who, but for its sale, and which
they have now moved the ignorant savages
of their tribe to repudiate, would have been
depnyed and degraded heathens.
As soon as the purchase was completed,
DR.. Hall commenced clearing the land on
the Cape, buildings were erected, and soon
the place began to wear the appearance of
a compact and comfortable village. 1t con-
tinued to expand and new towns arise, and
March 8, 1857, the State Of Maryland, in
Liberia, was annexed to the Republic of
Liberia. 1t is the most southern portion of
Liberia, being some three hundred miles
from Monrovia, the capital of the Republic
and seat of government. We strongly sus-
pect that the intrigue of European d.
plomacy is behind this uprising of the
Grebos. A second petition from Suira
Leone advocates the acquisition, by Great
Britain of all Portuguese rights in the
Bsjugas, Bulama and Rio Nuncy. 1t is
that Marshal MacMahon, as
arbitrator between the two Powers just
named in the matter of Delagoa bay, has
decided in favor of Portugal. England
lately carried war into the Ashantee coun-
try, and she is now stated to be negotiating
with France for the exchange of the Gam
bia for Assinee, Grand Bassam, the Gaboon,
Mellicouri and other French possessions on
the West African seaboard. This traffic in
territory consummated, England will have
in subsection all that extensive line of
coast from the Mellicouri to the Congee,
except the Republic of Liberia and the
Spanish islands of Corisco and Elsby, with
some few miles of coast in Corisco bay.
And Earl Carnarson, secretary of the Colo
MES, in the House of Lords, on the 3D. of
August, referring to these very mat
ters, used the following pregnant words Z:
20 The main difficulty which does exist is
" one that has existed for some time past,
" namely, a conflict of Jurisdictions on the
coast. As the House is aware, the French
" have stations along the coast and these
" stations are intermixed with ours. The
" consequence is considerable difficulty in
" administration and very great loss in all
" our fiscal arrangements. frankly say
" that hope the time may come, and come
before long, when this anomalous state
" of things may be removed, and some
" arrangement may be come to with the
:" French Government by which, on fair
" and even terms, an interchange may be
" made which will enable US to carry out
"the process of development or improus-
:" Essnt on uhieh zoe haze entered" Doss
he policy thus avowed include the subjec-
ion of the independent republic of Liberia
% the English flag and to English influ-
snce? If SO, are we prepared to surrender
Dur affections and interests in that impor-
ant and growing State to any foreign
power, and even in the present crisis to
succor and protection to our
laughter republic and the white missiona-
-ies from this country laboring at Cape
Palmas2 Were q war steamer sent out by
,ur Government Immediately, with judi
,ious commissioner or agent of Govern
nent on board, either in the person of a
naval commander or civil officer, giving all |
RIDES along the Liberian coast to under |
'tand that the claims of American citizens
,r emigrants, however feeble, would be |
and satisfaction, even to blood, |
be demanded for any warlike aggression on
heir part and at the same time guaran-
eeing all their civil rights agreeable to the
Ieaties with them on the part of the agents
If the Colonization Society or by the Re-
public; also with the assurance that naval
Tessel would annually or even occasionally
visit the coast to see these measures en-
orced, all would 60 on well. Let US hope
hat 80 small service as this will be
promptly and faithfully rendered.
THE PEAsANrRY OF BENGAL.