Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

CO

[blocks in formation]

This ship of the Society arrived in Baltimore from Liberia, on the 12th of last month. The late voyage was for trade principally, the Ship having conveyed to Liberia but twenty-six passengers.

The following persons return in her cabin:

Mrs. Margaret Heigard, Abraham Hanson, Chauncey Leonard, Jeremiah Bowan, John Brown.

In the steerage, Caroline Peacher, Joseph Turner, Amy Stewart, Jesse West, Wm. West.

Mr. Hanson, who comes as a passenger in the Stevens, has recently been appointed by our Government, Commissioner and Consul General to Liberia, and will probably return without delay.

We are indebted to our friend, Dr. James Hall, for the following statement of the late voyage of the Stevens:

It may be well to give the reasons for the length of the last voyage of the Colonization Society's ship. Previous to, or soon after her return from her former voyage, K, arrangements had been made with the American Missionary Society for landing several passengers at Sierra Leone. As the time approached for her sailing, it was ascertained that but few of the many emigrants expected would be ready to embark, and but little freight offered. The only alternatives left, were to charter a smaller vessel, or make freight for the ship, for the Society was not only desirous to continue her regularly, but was under contract through its Agent to take the passengers referred to. It was therefore decided by the Executive

Committee to purchase on account of the Society, a quantity of merchandise, for the several ports lying almost directly on way of her voyage to Sierra Leone and Liberia, on account of the Society, thereby saving some freight and in the hope of making a profit thereon, to liquidate in some measure the heavy expenses of the voy age. It was decided also to have the Ship procure at some of the Cape Verd Islands, as many donkeys as practicable to carry, to be disposed of in the Republic, as beasts of draft and burthen-a matter long since urged upon the Society by the farmers of Liberia.

The Ship left the Capes of the Chespeake, May 29th; reached St. Vincent, one of the Cape Verdes, on the 24th of June; took on board some 40 jacks, and after touching at St. Iago and Goree, finding the markets glutted with American produce, she arrived at Sierra Leone on the 18th of July; discharged her passengers, and was forced to sell the cargo destined for that port at cost, and take pay in produce on her return voyage.

The Ship left Sierra Leone, July 30th; arrived at Monrovia, August 8th; discharged emigrants and part of her cargo; took a supercargo on board and proceeded to the leeward settlements. Returning, she left Monrovia, Oct. 3d, arriving at Sierra Leone on the 17th, where receiving her return cargo, she left for home on the 16th, arriving in Baltimore, on the 12th of December.

[ocr errors]

The ship brought as cargo for the Society, and as freight for other parties.

From Liberia, 68 casks of palm Oil, 23 bbls. molasses, 7 hhds. and 18 bbls sugar, 38 bags coffee, and 6 tons camwood, besides sundry small packages.

From Sierra Leone, 140 bags or 13,000 lbs. ginger root, and 1,200 hides.

Four cabin and four steerage passengers came home in the Ship; among the former, Hon. Mr. Hanson of Wis., Commissioner and Consul to the Republic of Liberia for the U. S. Government.

-000

LETTERS FROM LIBERIA.

From President Benson to the Rev. R. R. Gurley, C. S.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MONROVIA, October 2, 1863. Rev. and Dear Sir: I duly received your kind favor of the 7th May, on the arrival of your ship, the Mary Caroline Stevens, in August. It was a matter of regret that she brought so few emigrants. By the last mail, via England, I learned that, at present, (the result of the riot,) there are many persons intending to emigrate for Liberia this fall. Something, I feel sure, will, in the order of Divine Providence, take place, tending to influence the colored people to emigration thither. Great have been the late military and naval successes of your Government.

*

*

*

*

It is not known yet if the measure of punishment or chas

tisement has been meted out by the Almighty. We should hope and pray for its termination.

I have nothing of importance to write. We have written over fully, via England, explanatory of what is said to be a discrepancy in Mr. Sey's certificates of recaptured Africans, &c., &c.

1 am somewhat cheered in the prospect of relief, in a very few months, if life be spared, from public duties and cares. Yet I shall feel the greatest interest in Mr. Warner's success, and will, though in private life, contribute what little I can to secure it. I am, sir, with much respect,

Yours, &c.,

STEPHEN A. BENSON.

From Ex-President Roberts to the same.

MONROVIA, September 25, 1863.

My Dear Sir: I am greatly obliged to you for your esteemed favor of May 8th, per M. C. Stevens; and I beg to thank you for the kind expression of interest it contains in behalf of our college enterprise; and especially do I thank you for the assurance of your willingness to co-operate in promoting its interest among the friends of Afriea in the United States. I am still, and I may say more than ever, impressed with the importance, not only of increasing the facilities, but also of elevating the standard, of education among us. Hence the very deep concern I feel for the success of Liberia College. If liberally sustained and properly conducted, I am satisfied it cannot fail to produce results decidedly favorable to the future welfare of Liberia, not only in respect to Americo-Liberians, but equally beneficial to the thousands of native Africans who are now dependent on Liberia for that kind of training which alone can raise them from their present degradation. Entertaining these feelings, I can but hope that the kind and generous friends of Liberia and of Africa in the United States, and elsewhere, will deem this effort for the elevation of a long-neglected people particularly worthy of their support.

I am gratified in being able to state that, thus far, since its opening, everything relating to the college has progressed satisfactorily; and its present prospects, I think, are as encouraging as could be reasonably expected, though, as yet, we are greatly in need of funds for various purposes - especially a few scholarships, to aid several deserving young men who are anxious to avail themselves of its advantages, but who are not able, entirely, to support themselves in the college while pursuing a course of studies.

At the end of the second term, 15th July last, the students were examined, in presence of the executive committee and a goodly number of citizens, and acquitted themselves well-indeed, quite to the satisfaction of all present-on the following subjects: English

Language and Literature, Scripture History, Elements of Moral Science, Algebra, Greek, Latin and French. The term closed with nine students in the college proper, and twelve in the preparatory department. The third term commenced on the 15th ultimo, with three additional students in the college, and two in the lower department. Three of the students are beneficiaries of the New York State Colonization Society; the others are supported by their parents or relatives.

I can't say, my dear sir, that I am greatly surprised at the small number of emigrants brought by the Stevens; nor, indeed, is it surprising that the minds of the colored people in the United States are so much divided and distracted by events growing out of the present_distressing civil war in which your country is involved. Many, I am aware, have high anticipations that an important change will be wrought by it in their favor-nay, that at its close their political condition will be so much improved as to relieve them from the necessity of seeking a home elsewhere; others, however, are not so sanguine that any material change for the better, in respect to them, is likely to be effected; but, now that the subjeet of colonizing the blacks, and where, is claiming the attention of Government, they prefer to wait awhile and see what new scheme will be proposed. Well, indulging, as they are, such expectations and reflections, I have no disposition to question the soundness of their conclusion to await the results. Though I confess, as regards the first, I see but little prospect of the realization of their hopes; and, as to the latter, I am satisfied in my own mind that no place, "beyond the limits of the United States,' can be selected where the people of color will find a home more agreeable, and replete with advantages-social, civil, political and pecuniary-than Liberia; and I doubt not, that whatever place shall be selected, or plan matured and presented to them, their own good judgment, under the direction of an all-wise Providence, will determine them in favor of "Fatherland," where, I have great reason to believe, Heaven dessigns to build up, in time, a respectable Negro nationality. While, then, the cause of colonization may seem to languish for the present, I perceive no serious grounds for discouragement; on the contrary, I am satisfied that in a few years the work of colonization will be renewed with increased vigor. In the mean time, it strikes me as desirable that no effort on the part of colonizationists should be relaxed to aid Liberia in whatever may be regarded as essential to her progress, and thus make it a still more inviting home for the thousands who will ere long be seeking her shores; as a country offering them the largest freedom, and the widest scope for the development of those faculties of the mind, with which they, in common with all other men, are endowed.

As regards the present condition of public affairs in Liberia, and of matters and things in general, I presume you will be fully ad

vised through other channels. I therefore refrain from trespassing further on your time.

Mrs. Roberts desires to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Gurley, yourself and family; and believe me, my dear sir, with high respect and esteem, Your obedient servant,

J. J. ROBERTS.

Form the Rev. Wm. C. Burke to the same.

MOUNT REST, CLAY ASHLAND,

September 29, 1863.

MY MOST EXCELLENT FRIEND: Yours of the 7th of May was duly received by the M. C. Stevens, which as usual gave me the greatest pleasure to hear from you and your family, and that you were all enjoying the blessing of good health.

* You will please accept our thanks for your kind agency in looking up our relations at Arlington and elsewhere, and causing them to write to us. I was much gratified in receiving a letter from Selina, [his sister.] She writes me that the place abounds with contrabands. I wonder if they could not be persuaded to seek a home in this the land of their fathers; it seems that they must ere long find a home somewhere. We cannot but look forward to a great number of our colored friends seeking a home in this country; but we were rather discouraged in seeing such a small number come out in the last vessel. As regards the contrabands, I suppose they are waiting to hear what the Government thinks they should do. I pray that it may be their own voluntary choice to come to Africa. Many of our old settlements are going down for the want of emigrants; besides it is so necessary to build up new settlements.

The rains, which are now going off, have been very favorable. The growing crops are very promising; the rice crops are just coming in in small quantities; the coffee crop this season promises to be very good. The planting of coffee is now receiving attention from almost every farmer in Liberia. I regret, and it seems to be the regret of almost every farmer, that they had not attended to planting coffee many years ago. Mr. Blackledge seems to be the only man on the St. Paul's river who has a coffee farm sufficiently large to yield him a comfortable support. I have planted a goodly number of trees this season.

The Southern board of missious have entirely abandoned their operations in Liberia. The schools and churches have all suffered in consequence of it; yet we are still going on, trusting in God for the future. There have been some intimations that the Northern board (now in a prosperous condition) will at some future day do something for Africa.

I feel quite anxious to hear of the settlement of the great difficulties now existing in the United States. My prayer is that the

« AnteriorContinuar »