The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-11-22
The Truth About Liberia.

WAsH1NGroN, Nov. 6.
The department of State has received
information from Liberia on the subject
of the condition of that country and
its adaptability for colonization. 1t is
represented that the frequently repeated
statements as to the fertility of the soil
and the beauty of the country are correct,
but that the climate on the seacoast is
very dangerous to all but the natives.
Horses, mules and donkeys cannot live
there. Horses are found in the interior,
but when brought to the seacoast sicken
and die. Although as to temperature
constant summer prevails, yet the mias-
matte inAunce caused by the heavy rains
alternating with hot sunshine causes
sickness during six month of the year,
and during the remaining six mouths the
power of the sun is such that it is almost
impossible for any but natives to work.
The mean temperature is about eigty-five
degrees, but on account Of the dampness
of the climate the heat is sultry, depress.
ing and weakening. There is still very
little civilization, and very little agricul-
tural enterprise.
Liberia has never produced sufficient
food for her own consumption, and al
though she should be great rice-grow-
ing country, rice is imported from Eng.
land and other countries, and sold at four
dollars bushel-twice the cost at which
better rice could be grown and sold there.
Flour is fourteen dollars barrel, butter
one dollar a pound, and hams from FIVE
dollars to eight dollars each. Other pro-
visions are proportionately high. There
is not plow in use in Liberia, and the
agricultural implements are Of the most
primitive character, such as cutlasses, hoes,
bill-hooks, &c. There are no public
schools. The immigrant has to compete
with the native labor. The natives are
strong and hardy, and one of them will
do the work of horse at fifty cents a
day;
thoughtful and prominent Liberians re.
cognize, are those who can afford and
would prefer to pay their expenses of
voyage and settlement.
The back hilly country is said to be
fine and healthy, but it is penetrable only
by the foot-paths which have been cut
by the natives through the almost i'm
penetrable forests, and everything must
be borne on the heads or backs of native
carriers, as there are no roads. The fact
is that the settlers cannot 60 to the "high
hills and undulating plains" said to be in
the interior of Africa without means to
provide themselves with roads, and with
out treaties of commerce and friendship
with the numerous petty kings, who are
in many instances either openly or
coyertIy hostile. 1t would frequently
be necessary to enforce such treaties by
means of an armed force, as England and
other European powers which have
African possessions have found from ex-
perience.
An Interesting account of the plan Of
African development carried out by the
British at Sierra Leone is given. At
first young Africans from the colony were
educated in Europe, with the view OF
qualifying them to train and lead their
countrymen, but it was found that such
education somewhat untitled them for
their life in Africa, and, therefore,
schools and college were established at
Sierra Leone for the education of young
Africans, hundreds of whom are now ed
ucated yearly and prepared to take an
active part in the development of their
country. So far as yet seen this plan of
the evangelization and civilization of
Africa by the indigenous peoples with
the aid Of foreign nations seems practi-
cable and likely to succeed. The estab-
lishment of manual labor schools in Lii
IBERIA is suggested. Some of the native
tribes, especially the Vel tribe, forty
miles from Monrovia, are of remarkable
intelligence, and could be made use ofin
the development of Liberia.