The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-22

Harris has for many years been virtually the
ruler of our northwestern territory and he
controls the tribes around him with an iror
will Twelve years ago he sent the Veys,
powerful tribe, against u.s. and during the
which ensued he induced the Carsors, n
tribe of plunderers and murderers, to join his
forces When the war was over and the rebel
lious tribes had been subdued Harris cOOlly
sent in to our government bill of $30,00G
for alleged damages demo to his property and.
as he was backed by the English government.
we had to pay. Harris is a king in that portion
OF our country, having gained power by marry
ing the daughters OF the most powerful kings
around him. He now has six wives and would
doubtless take as many more if he thought it
were necessary to strengthen his influence with
the natives. We have been compelled at last
to cede to Harris and the English government
all of that portion Of our fine country which
stretches more than hundred and fifty miles
along the coast. and are expecting at any time
that the English will take possession of ouI
government buildings and hoist their flag on oui
Capitol.
england has already threatened to do this.
In fact, we have only few days left in which to
raise the eleven hundred thousand dollar debt
which has been imposed Upon US and as we are
utterly unable to raise that amount in the allot-
ted time, England will doubtless take possess
sion. England knows our helpless condition.
and she is taking advantage of it We have no
money, no forts and no army. The United
States have Withdrawn their protection. The
native tribes of the interior have been set against
us GOnUlcal ulSSenSlOnS have arisen IN our
midst and from all this the Lone Star Of West
ern Africa is about to go down.
Only three months ago four gunboats were
sent from Sierra Leone, an English colony, and
they paraded for days in front of Blonrovia, the
capital of Liberia for the purpose of terroriZing
our citizens We protested against this treat
ment, but no attention paid to Us. and the
English commander of the men-of- war left our
waters only after he thought we were thoroughly
inundated.
Have we a rich country! Yes the finest in
the world. Our land is fertile and every tropi-
cal fruit and vegetable grows in abundance
Broad rivers cross our country. Our hills and
miles from the coast, are full of precious miner
iron is easily obtained, and the Mandingoer a
wild tribe who inhabit the mountains, bring into
our towns rolls of gold as thick as YOUR finger
which they secure by the most primitive means.
Their women often come down from their noun
tain huts wearing broad bands of gold around
their arms. Ivory and palm oil Is brought to us
in abundance From these things you can easily
see why the English want our country
Have you appealed to the United States for
aid and protection!
mo. We have felt that such an appeal would
be useless, and we have folded our hands and
awaited our fate. l propose while here to ask
the conference to aid us in establishing few
industrial schools among the natives, as we'll as
to push with renewed vgor the Christian work
which he have been carrying on there In this
way we hope to be able to break up the system
of slavery which exists among the native tribes,
as well as to make their young men industrious
and intelligent