The New York herald., 1875-10-23
WAR IN AFRICA.
Liberia Attacked by the DiScon1
tented Natives.
A SURRENDER OF TERRITORY DEMANDED
Assaults Upon Several Towns
Repulsed.

OF Washington Corresponding Secretary OF the Ameri-
can Colonization Society and Consul General OF that
Republic in tho United States:-
MoSRovIA, Sept. Is, 1875.
For the last four weeks have been burdened with
anxiety about the perlous condition OF the people OF
Maryland county. Letters from the superintendent
and others Of that county, dated August IA and Is
reached the government here the nth, giving In
formation that all the tribes om the River Cavala on
tho south to Fshtown the north OF Cape Pamas In
cudng the Cape Palmas natives had combined TO make
war on the settlers and to extermnatc them. II was
also stated that an attack expected daily that tho
natives had stopped all communication and intercourse
with the Settlers and that there were not over 200
men able to bear and TO defend the settlement
against what might prove to be several thousand
savages Urgent appeals were addressed the govern
ment TO send relief and succor a once
Vice and Acting President Gardner
CONVENED THE CABINET
the 18TH and invited General Yates Colonel sher-
man and Lieutenant Colonel Williams to attend which
they did After the letters had been read the opinion
or each was invited and given. advocated the de-
spatch forthwith of 100 armed men, equipped and pro-
vsioned, until the government could send force OF
several hundred men to suppress the insurrection.
Others said this unnecessary trouble and
pense, and IT was decided TO wait further advices.
On Sunday, 29th, steamer brought communications
from Cape Palmas to the government announcing that
the natives were gathering In large numbers and
threatening early attack that the settlers very
much fatigued, and were sick from exposure in
keeping guard day and nght entreating that pro-
visions, men and ammunition De sent to their assist
ance and defence On tho following day the acting
President convened council of several prominent
gentlemen in addition to the Cabinet officers ank -
concluded to raise an
ARMED ToRcE SEVERAL HUNDRED MEN,
and that they be sent TO Cape Palmas speedily
possible was directed to the necessary stores
for them, and also money for a months advance pay
the troops Excepting about ST. 600 specie apart
toward expenses OF the American Centennial Exhibition
and other special objects there was money In the
treasury. 1 estimated the amount required for the
military expedition to be not less than $2 O00 1t was
determined the specie hand buy provsionsv
and to borrow whatever might be necessary The Pres-
dent left here the I'd inst in the cutter Emmy To
raise troops at Bassa and send them to Cape Pal
mas, and he has not yet returned.
Our last letter from England informs that Pres-,
dent Roberts had somewhat improved in health, but
that he had been dangerously i'll since he had been in
London He Is expected to come home in November. ]
glad to learn that emigrants will be In
the fall
Though sick and wearied out had to perform much
labor In getting together stores, munitions OF and
money for the troops OF this county We have raised
hero force of 400 On Saturday, 11th inst,
the schooner Randall and cutter scbawn were dc.
spatchcd for Cape Pamas with eightyfour volunteers
provisions and ammunition and to-day shipped $50
men, with ammunition and two brass field pieces, by
the mail steamer Gambia Wo have about 1fty men
waiting to go ON board the cutter Emmy, her way
from Bassa with the President for Cape Palmas
SECRETARY STATE,
Hon. James L. Moore, being captain Of the Newport
volunteers left here to-day with tho
mand for tho OF action Two OF my sons James
and Henry, have gone the former captain OF OF
the companies and the latter lieutenant In another
company. Nearly all tho of the leading families OF
this city and many Of the prominent citizens have gone
We did lack for the quota of wanted from thia
county had reject number that had volunteered
aud not wanted.
II that the natives In that portion OF the Re-
public already named have for time past been
importing cannon, muskets powder and ball under the
lead and at the nstgaton of several native graduates
Of the Protestant Episcopal mission schools at Cape
Palmas, Of whom desire to become British SUBJ
jects The English authorities declined to accede TO
their Wishes but 1t is ntmated that some Engshrnsn
have given these educated but ambitious natives "a
understand that IL they drive tho Liberians from
the their government would then make treaty
with them and give them position.
In June last President Roberts commissioned PresL
dent elect Payne proceed to Cape Palmas with in
structioas
TO ASSEMBLE cHIEYs
and bandmen Of that region, with view to settle all
difficulties and palavers in fair and just He
ceedcd after much and effort in getting few only
OF them to meet him. and from those others 1t was
learned that their grievance about lands Indeed
II was demanded that the public domain in Maryland
county be renquished In their favor by the Liberlan
government except that portion leading from Harper
to Tubnantown, they alleging that had right 70
any other.
or course this demand could not be entertained or
allowed and being informed they forthwith stop
ped all negotiation and with the settlers
and commenced arnSng and assembling their allies for
conflict II is said that 1t not their intention to
make attack until they had gathered their crops
and dry weather had set It, Mr. Payne's presence
seems have had other than to bring matters
issue earlier than they intended and delay In not
attacking the settlers before the 9th instant
they required timo to make preparations TO
get their allies together from other tribes.
regard this difficulty very grave. If shall for
any reason fail to subdue the natives the result would
be most disastrous to the entire Republic. wish thAs
we had the services of an
AMERICAN WAR VESSEL
at this time to shell the native towns from River
Cavala to Fishtown, which would go great way in
ssting bring these people to terms The peculiar
circumstances OF our position this coast appear
clearly to me to enttle the sympathy Of thu
United States government Shall wo have 1t in thls
day or emergency and sorc trials
r. s-soptcmber l6-Acting President Gardner
rived hero in the Emmy from Bassa, late last
Tuesday night lie reports having sent from that
- hund To
Palmas Yesterday We wero engaged in shipping
STORES AMMUMTIoS
on the Emmy, and to-day the remaining company hors
embarked on her The President went on board about
four O'Clock r NJ, and she ut once proceeded direct
for Cape Pamas.
September 1S-we learn by steamer from the lee
ward that our troops by tho Randall Schawn and