The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-04-23
Ho. For Liberia ]


Much has been said within the last
few months in reference TO the emigra-
ton of the colored people from the South
to Liberia. The movement has actually
begun, the FIRST ship left Charleston on
Sunday last. Concerning the load
ing of the vessel, the Ne,cs and cou' 'er
of the 18th, say:
All DAY yesterday Atlantic wharf
presented scene we'll worthy Of repro
duction by an artist. From early IN the
morning until late at night crowds OF
colored people occupied the space about
the Azor, and the streets leading to her
dock were filled with streams OF them,
going and returning. A large number
Of white persons. also, assembled at the
head of the wharf watching with curl.
Gus eyes the crowd and the vessel. The
excitement seemed to reach its height
when it was gradually spread about that
early this morning the Azor would drop
out into the stream, and would sail this
evening or tonight, "certain."
Tn the immediate neighborhood OF
the bark the jam was fearful. Dozens
of people stood packed like herr'ngs'
many of them for hours, apparently
contented to look at the vessel and
watch the operation of completing her
loading. At the gangway plank there
was constant and eager crowd OF sp-
plicants for permission to go abroad
and the two colored men and the police
men. who acted as ushers, had their
hands full in helping visitors on and
off.
Mixed up in the crowd were piles oi
bedding. common trunks and other
luggage. Nearly every emigrant's bun
die had attached to it an old gun, some
having several.
The emigrants themselves stood about
and watched their effects. Most OF
them are, as previously described. ct
the better order of farmers, dressed al
most invariably in stout homespun
clothing. with woollen shirts and pants
stuffed into their boots. The women
and children were dressed in keeplag
with their husbands. brothers and
fathers. All looked serious-some
troubled. The nearness Of their depar-
ture is evidently giving them an appre-
citation Of the important nature Of their
undertaking, and its stupendous results
for good or evil to themselves and their
race.
Carts containing wood and meal and
other provisions were backed M, un-
loaded and their contents transferred 10
the hold as rapidly as possible. By IL
o'clock the baggage had all been safely
slowed away, and by about 3 o'clock
the cargo was completed. and the lower
matches were closed. Then the emi-
grants began going aboard. All who
went aboard last evening were steerage
passengers, and they displayed an I'M
plcit trust in the officers Of the vessel,
and an unqucstioning obedience to the
directions given them that Was plaintlve.
They seated themselves in long rows
upon the benches stretched alongside
the berths. and sat quistly with their
baggage piled at their feet until night
Then most of thsm arranged rude beds
and went to sleep, passing their first
night on shipboard sereuely enough.
The cabin passengers will not &c
aboard until this morning. when the
remaining steeragc passengers will alsa
60.
About 8 o clock Il vessel will droI
into the stream. and the roll Of passen'
gess will be called and things made a.
snug as possible. There will also be Q
thorough overhauling for stosavays
There seems now no reason whatever te
doubt that she will do what the raan.
ayers, directors and Capt. Holmes unite
in saying that she will-spread he'
sails and cross the bar some time this
evsniug. There will doubtless be an
immense crowd on the wharf, and the
steamer which will rus between s bore and
ship to carry belated passengers and
baggage will probably be crowded with
excursionists. A steamer will also &C
company the Azor to the bar, and see
the last Of her, for this voyage.