The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-18
TIE NEGRO COLONY OF LIBERIA
AFRICA.
CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY, DIFFICUL-
TIES OF SETTLEMENT, ETC.

Washington, November 6.-The Depart
ment of State ia in receipt of information
from Liberia on the subject of the condi=
tion- of that-couutry and its adaptabiiity
for colonization. IG is represented that the
frequently repeated statements as to the
fertility of the soil and tho beauty of the
country are correct, but that the climate of
the sea coast is very dangerous to all but
the natives. Horses, mules and donkey
cannot live there. Horses are found in the
interior, but when brought to the sea coast
scken and die. Although as to tempera-
tare, constant summer prevails, yet the
mias N attic influence caused by heavy rains
alternating with hot sunshine causes sick
ness during six months of the year, and
during the remaining six months the power
of the sun is such that it s almost impossi bic
for any but natives to work. The mean
temperature is about IS degrees, but on ac-
count of the dampness of the climate the
heat is sultry, depressing and weakening.
There fs still very little civilization and
very little agricultural enterprise. Liberia
has never produced sufficient. food for her
own consumption, and although she should
ported from England and other countries
and sold at "a bushel-twice the cost at
which better rice could be grown and sold
there. Flour ia $l4 barrel, butter 81 per
pound, and hams from S. to SO. Other
provie5ous are proportionatly high. There
~ nOI u IN use IN LiOerlS, anu the
agricultural implements are of the most
primitive character, such as cutlasses, hoes,
bill hooks, etc. There are no public
schools. The immigrant has to compete
with the native labor. The natives are
strong aud hardy, and one of them will do
the work of horse at so cents a day. The
settlers wanted in Liberia, as thoughtful
and prominent Liberians recognize, are
these who can afford and would prefer to
pay their expenses of voyage and settle
ment.
The back billy country is said to beRfine
and healthy, but iS is penetrabfe oniy by
the foot-paths which have been cut by the
natives through the most impenetrable for
ests, aud everything must be borne on the
heads or backs of native carriers, as there
are no roads. The fact is, that the settlers
cannot go the high hills and updulating
plains said to be in the interior of Africa
without means TO provide themselves with
roads and without treaties of commerce
and friendship with the numerous petty
kings, who are in many instances either
openly or covertly hostile. IL would fire.
quently be necessary to enforce such trea-
ties by means of an armed force, as Eng
land and other European powers which
have African possessions have found from
experience.
An interesting account of the plan of
African development carried out by the Brit
}sh at Sierra Leone is given. At first young
Africans from the colony were educated in
Europe with the view of qualifying them
TO train aud lead their countrymep, but it
was found that such education some8h hat
untitled them for their life ia Africa, aud
therefore schools AID college were estab
lished at Sierra Leone for the education of
young Africans, hundreds of whom are
now educated yearly and prepared to take
an active part In the development of their
So far as yet eeen this plan of
the evangelization and civilization of
Africa by the indigenous people with the
aid of foreign nations seems practicable
and likely to sncceed. The establishment
Of manual-labor schools in Liberia is sug-
yested. Some of the native tribes, espec.
ALLY the Vel tribe, forty miles from Mon
'ovia. are of remarkable intelligence, and
could be made use of ir the development Of
Liberia.