The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-02
Il LITTER FROM A KING.
He Wa. Called Home from Americas
College 10 Lead HIS People In War.

Momolu Massaquoj. King OF Jabasca. part
OF thu Eey territory north of the western part
OF Liberia. writes to Sun reporter about the
war which he found raging in his country on
his return last spring. For some years no
was a student in the Central Tennessee Col
lege In Nashville. where no went under the
name OF Alfred Mono Thompson. Last win
ter he received word from Jabasca that his
mother. tho Queen. had persisted last July in
an invasion Of her city by the Mandingoe and
Panah tribes. very fierce and hostile neigh bors
OF tho Veys.
The letter bringing this information further
said that the war was then raging and there
was danger Of a famine in the land. notwith-
standing which the Jabascans had recaptured
their chief city and were slowly pressing their
enomies back. The Panahs were willing to
make peace and the Maudingoes would fol-
low. but the Jabascans. being without king or
queen. and therefore prevented by their tribal
laws from making treaty Of peace had no
other alternative than to continue the war
when the threatening famine was growing
daily greater danger; therefore. they begged
the King to return at onco.
On receiving this letter the young man. no
longer Alfred Mono Thompson. but Momolu
Massaquoi. started for Africa last December.
waiting only long enough to make arrange
ments for the transportation OF food and farm
ing implements TO his country. lie arrived on
March . to sign n treaty Of peace. and before
his first night in his own Kingdom was over he
was e III 10 All me dnngtri OF t wa h.
across tho lake he, was received with tribal
ceremonies and with cheers, by his subjects.
thousands Of whom gathered at the shore to
stepped ashore. and the cheering lasted Wost
without interruption until niShtfall. The hos
tile Msnhingoes were known 10 be in the VEIN
ity. but in the Joy OF receiving their King back
watchfulncss. They raid dearly for il. Early
on the following morning thore was an attack
The Anndingoe+ poured in in great num-
bers: Hundreds OF Massaquois people awnk-
ened too late to escape. aud were cut to pieces
by the short swords of the enemy. Some fled.
without time for ,arming. to the woods, and
nfterward made their WAY 10 neiShboring VII
direction OF The King. who e IN a hriei time sue.
ceeded in fallying enough war canoes 70 cover
the, retreat OF the other boats: He himself
had narrow escape from Icing captured.
Many OF the Jahascans. unable 10 find their
nnats. were driven into tho lake and drowned
to the utmost impenetrtnle forest, through
which the party made lis way to village somo
which numters in all 100000 people, rallied
a. out the young Ming.
While not predatory tribe. the ;Inbascans
dcence of their homes. Having reorganizcd
they returned 70 the CAPITAL. and, under tho
away What followed the King does S 1 not state
in his letter. but 1t must DO that he has assur.
ancc OF treaty 81 pt ace. for he saws that he
Will return 10 Ms country In n few weeks.
SUDDEN lnvHsOns OF dis nature nrc fr-p uant
in Jnblsca. This last battle is similar to the
on" in which the present Kings mother lost |
her liio about n year ago. The Fnnahs and |
Mhndingoes swept down upon her city. scat |
tered her warriors and killed. many OF tho |
women and children. The Queen. separated |
rom her Dody guard. escaped in the forest |
aud was lost With their city in possession of |
the enemy, their lighting force decreased |
almost third. and u doarth Of arms and pro- |
visions. the bravo JnbascanS formed pRrtlca,
and for eleven days searched tho roads. con- |
stanty attacked and harassed by scouting |
parties OF the Panahs, by whose poisoned |
arrows many Of the searchers died.
On the eleventh day they found their Queen
~ the forest. speeGhless from hunger and |
thirst: She died two days after being found. |
The Jalascans gathered their forces under
the leadership of Menah. "a nephew OF the |
present King, and attacked the invaders,
iriytnE them out OF the city after u battle re-
Sulting In heavy losses on both sides, But the
country had been laid waste to a great extent
and the people have not yet recovered from
ne famine consequent upon the destruction
oi the crops.
Momolu Massaauoi's second visit to this coun-
.ry VIII be devoted TO an effort to get money
or Q ship which will be laden with provisions,
seeds. grain. and agricultural implements and
sent to Jabasca- The King, who will probably
ecture here. is an intelligent looking young
negro. who speaks excellent English and In
manner nnd conversation is Ike any cultivated
md Intelligent young American.