a recourse to such steps,) still, it must be remembered that such matters are purely domestic, and can by no parity of reasoning be placed in juxtaposition to the vast military preparations now going on in Europe. Nor do the people of Liberia ever find it necessary to resort to warlike measures to add a mile to their legally acquired territory. The natives by whom they are surrounded are always willing for a proper consideration to sell them any land that may be required. In a word, the people of Liberia, if they properly appreciate their position, are the most happy of any in the world. They have no fears, their country is at peace with the civilized world, their trade is courted by all nations, and increases at the ratio of a hundred per cent. per annum.-May 3. GOLD MEDAL. We are requested to inform the Literati of Liberia that the gold medal proposed to be given for the encouragement of literature and science in Liberia, by Martin F. Tupper, Esq., a distinguished English poet, and friend of Liberia, is now ready to be awarded to the author of the best literary production, in verse or prose. It has been suggested that Mr. Tupper shall, himself, make the first award. Only two or three manuscripts as yet have been forwarded to Mr. Tupper. Another parcel, the last, will be sent by the mail of June next. We hope that many competitors for the prize will enter the field, and that a large package of Liberian poetry, national lyrics Mr. Tupper prefers, will be made up, on the merits whereof Mr. Tupper will decide and communicate the result in due course. We would suggest a few subjects in which we think genius would find great scope for producing something that would be a good sample of Liberian national literature, viz: songs expressive of joy in Liberia's freedom-of gratitude to God and man for this open door of hope and good to the children of Africa. The flig, motto and history of the Republic, with allusion to its founders and its martyrs, with local reference to any sites of interest, and also anticipations of the future of Liberia. We some time since adverted to Mr. Tupper's kind and liberal proposition; and were present at a meeting of a literary association of this town, when the following letter was read, which we take great pleasure in laying before our readers even at this late date. It clearly manifests the deep interest Mr. Tupper feels in the liter ary advancement of the people of this Republic, and his desire to speed them on to literary fame by the spurs of honor and emulation. In a letter to President Roberts of a subsequent date Mr. Tupper remarks, "I can imagine nothing better calculated than a wholesome competition in national literature, to elevate the people of Liberia, and to bind up in one patriotism the mixed multitude whereof they must consist." ALBURY SURREY, August 11th. MY DEAR SIR:-In the course of our pleasant talk yesterday, we agreed how good and wise it would be to encourage a national literature among the people of Liberia, and a good thought has just occured to me in reference thereto, which I take leave thus simply to lay before you. If then it may please your Excellency, lend a willing ear to my proposal-I offer, on certain proper conditions, to give a gold medal for the encouragement of literature and science in Liberia. I mean a medal, one medal, appropriately inscribed, to go, year by year, from one to another, to the best poet or prose writer of his year in your Republic-to be worn upon all literary occasions, and to be held honorable. The matters of detail are easy to be arranged, as that 1st. The medal should only be conferred for some national literary effort; some work whether long or short, in verse or prose, written by a Liberian on any subject connected with the past, present or future of the colored race. 2d. That its honorable tenure should continue one year, inducing thereby a certain amount of literary competition of a strictly national character every year. 3d. That the same person may hold it year after year if he should be judged within the year to distance all other competitors. 4th. That the President appoint judges of merit, unless he himself happen to have been an author within the year, in which case the Vice President or some other officer could name them. 5th. If given in succession to proper persons, for proper works, it is manifest that this idea might be productive of very considerable advantage to your people. 1 would propose therefore that, if within the year, no such national poem or essay happened to appear, the medal be held in abeyance until gained by some deserving champion. Other details would follow. RISE IN PRICE OF AFRICAN PRODUCE. From the late advices from England our merchants are advised of the continued advance in the price of camwood and palmoil. We believe the prices for these articles are higher now than they ever were known to be, and it is probable that the price will continue to advance as long as the difficulties with Russia continue. lt need not be supposed that our merchants and traders are unmindful of this favorable change in their favor, as the subject of an advance on the prices to these valuable products is under consideration, and it is thought that palm-oil will be advanced to forty-five cents per gallon, and camwood from $75 to $85 per ton of 2240 lbs. May 3. LOSSES OF Liberia. MR. HERALD:-It is with emotions of grief that I attempt to write a few lines for your columns. My mind, for the last two or three days, has rested with peculiar solemnity upon the losses which Liberia has sustained within a year past. The Sovereign Ruler of nations has seen proper to afflict us in the removal, one after another, of some of our most distinguished friends and supporters, at home and abroad. The strokes, coming in immediate succession, have fallen heavily upon us; and it were well for the people of Liberia generally could they "bear the rod," and be profited by its solemn admonition. On the 23d of May, 1853, Hon. HILARY TEAGE, whose name for several years has been intimately associated with the literary and political history of Liberia, and who had taken an active and eminently conspicuous part in promoting the interests and protecting the rights of his country, left the scenes of earth, a traveller to "That undiscovered bourn Whence no traveller returns." Scarcely had the shock occasioned by his decease passed away, when intelligence of the death of Dr. JAMES BROWN, of Sinoe County, reached us. Dr. B. had also for many years taken an active and prominent part in the political affairs of Liberia, and had been in other respects a highly useful and valuable citizen. Soon after his demise, Dr. W. W. DAVIS, mem ber elect of the House of Representatives for the County of Grand Bassa, departed this life. The Doctor had been, during a number of years, a successful and useful medical and legal practitioner in that county. His loss was severely felt. A few months after (February 25, 1854) the people of Liberia were called to mourn the loss of Hon. Chief Justice BENEDICTa name very generally known at home and abroad. The Judge was, undoubtedly, one of the most enterprising public spirited and useful citizens of the Republic-exceedingly benevolent, even perhaps to a failing. He was highly respected by his fellow citizens as a jurist and politician. When the memorable convention of colonists met in the year 1847, for the purpose of drafting a Constitution for the new form of Government, Hon. Samuel Benedict, being considered the most suitable of their number, was chosen President-which place he filled with a dignity and wisdom not unbecoming his position. He was twice a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, but fortune did not favor his election:-notwithstanding, in his death Liberia has unquestionably sustained a very serious loss. On the 26th ultimo, by a solemn dispensation of Providence, Hon. SION HARRIS, elected to the House of Representatives for this County during the last election campaign, died at his residence on the St. Paul's. Mr. Harris emigrated from Tennessee to this country in 1830, and is well known to the people of Liberia and to many abroad as one of the most industrious and energetic farmers in the Republic. He is also known as the distinguished Liberian hunter-and his name is honor. ably associated with the Gatomba war, in which he took a very active and effective part. Thus within the last twelve months has Liberia lost five of her most valuable and useful citizens; and during the same space of time her loss of friends abroad has been equally serious. Among the most distinguished of these we may mention, Hon. SIMON GREENLEAF, of Massachusetts, for five years Vice President of the American Colonization Society, and one of its most strenuous advocates. He died October 5th, 1853.-ANSON G. PHELPS, Esq., for many years President of the New York State Colonization Society, who died Nov. 20th, 1853. Mr. Phelps was emphatically a friend of Liberia, and not only of Liberia, but of the colored race in general-in fact he was an extensive christian philanthrop ist, which his bequests, made to various benevolent institutions, will show. His loss will be very much felt by the people of Liberia. ELLIOT CRESSON, Esq., of Philadelphia, "a veteran friend of Colonization," who departed this life on the 21st of February, 1854. Mr. Cresson is well known as an unwavering friend of our country; and it has been truly said that "few men have done more towards building up the Republic of Liberia to its present stature than he." But he is no more. The loss of such men as we have enu merated cannot but be felt by the people of Liberia. They were firm and constant supporters of our infant Republic-but they are gone to the world of spirits," and their works do follow them." In view of these heavy losses we can give vent to our feelings only in the language of the Prophet: "O that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the deceased of the friends of Liberia!" But He who has thus bereaved us is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind;" and it is consoling to reflect that, "Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face." And it may be that, "The clouds we so much dread Are big with mercy." But these bereavements are not without instruction to the people of Liberia. The aged are warned of approaching dissolution, and are admonished to work earnestly and faithfully while they are permitted to work -to do all they can toward the establishment, perpetuity and success of the institutions of Liberia while time is allotted to them, ere the shades of darkness gather around them, when no man can workere death approach with his withering influences and paralyze their energies. The young are also most loudly and solemnly called upon to consider the duties and responsibilities that must soon devolve upon them as citizens of this rising Republic O that they would be admonished! How painful is the reflection that there are but comparatively few of the young of Liberia who seem to give the future of their country a moment's thought! They seem to live and act as though the present upholders of the Government were to live forever, notwithstanding the many solemn evidences they have to the contrary. O young men and young women of Liberia, arise from your lethargy, shake off your puerile notions and practices. It is high time to bestir yourselves, to be men and women. Let the brave achievements and noble deeds of your fathers rouse you to effort. Let the future glory that awaits your country kindle within you an honorable ambition and urge you onward. Independence, happiness and respectability lie before Liberia, and are obviously within her reach, but their attainment will depend upon your intelligence and exertions. What say you? Shall she attain to them? Remember, all depends upon you-prepare yourselves, then, mentally and morally, for the arduous duties and solemn responsibilities connected with the glorious future. Yours respectfully, MONROVIA, May 2, 1854. CAPE MOUNT. E. W. B. [May 17 It is, we presume, quite fresh in the recollection of our Liberian readers that Prince George Cain has not yet, according to his promise, explained to the government the reasons which influenced him to violate the many solemn obligations he is under to refrain from indulging in predatory wars. But a little more than a year has passed since Cain was a prisoner in the hands of legal authority. At his earnest solicitation to be permitted to return to Grand Cape Mount to arrange some very important matters, which he said required his personal attention, and which would eventuate in a final and amicable adjustment of all the difficulties which kept the country in a state of warfare; he was released under the distinct understanding that he would be in this city at a time he himself specified; and to facilitate his journey the Government sent a chartered vessel to Cape Mount, on board of which he was at liberty to take passage. The vessel remained at Cape Mount several days expecting that Cain and his suite would come on board; but having understood that Cain had no intention of coming down, the master of the vessel weighed anchor and came home. Cain, in a letter to the President, tried to excuse himself by tales which almost every body who have had anything to do with the Veys knew to be false. Very soon after the circumstances we have related, Cain was engaged with an interior chieftain in a destructive warjourneyings became unsafe-trade was interrupted, and every wind which blew from that direction bore the sad tale of towns sacked and destroyed, and hundreds of inoffensive men, women and children cruelly butchered. Under these circumstances what course should be adopted?|| Several of the prominent headmen at and about Cape Mount are loud in their complaints against Cain. They are tired of wars, and are willing to make any concessions that would guarantee to the country peace and quietude. But it is not prudent for them to make pacific overtures, unless coincided in by Cain. If he does not, before long, restore peace to the country, no one need be surprised to hear that his followers have taken the law into their own hands and dealt with him as they did with his brother. Most certainly we should deprecate such an act; but what care these wild men of the forest how they act when the time comes. The most honest and popular headmen in that country would be glad if our Government would plant a settlement there; and we hope the day is not far distant when the thing will be found practicable.May 17. By the Government Schooner "Lark" we are in receipt of late advices from our leeward counties, and we are gratified to record that quietness prevailed, and that the attention of the people was being given to their farms. The oil season had commenced, and the natives having completed their rice farms, are now hard at work in the manufacture of oil. It is supposed ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW CITY The members elect of the corporation of Monrovia assembled on the 29th ultimo, and organized as follows: H. B. Matthews, Esq., was chosen President; Armsted Miller, Secretary; and G. R. Ellis, Treasurer. After which the council elected F. P. David, street commissioner ; and J. L. Baxter, tax collector and superintendent of the market. The present city fathers are all new hands. If they accomplish what they have promised, our city will be greatly improved during the current year. Go ahead, gentlemen, we wish you much success ; let the people see what is what.-May 17. Liberia. United States. The more intelligent and enterprising begin to see that under Liberiar institutions they have the opportunity to advance in wealth, and even to honorable station. They may become rulers among their brethren. WE yesterday published a gratifying || vor with the colored population of the statement of the progress and prosperous condition of the Liberian Republic. For many years the cause of Liberian Colonization excited very slight interest on the part of the American public, but during the past two or three years the interest has been revived, and the efforts of the American Colonization Society and its auxiliaries promise to lead to important results in the future of Africa and of the African race. Already, Liberian Colonization has struck a more effective blow to the slave trade than any fleet of cruisers sent to the African Coast; and Liberia's achievements will be permanent because they are won by moral rather than physical force. Out of this small beginning-this infant African Republic-a mighty power may arise. The colored race begin to feel a pride in it. It is the evidence of what they may become, by means of education and the teachings of Christianity. Emigration to Liberia is yearly growing in fa We do think our Government has not acted magnanimously towards Liberia.It has never officially recognized it as an independent Government, or aided it by encouraging its commerce and stimulating its industry At a very small annual expense, the United States Government could sustain regular mail communications with Liberia, and with intermediate but important places in the West India Islands. A couple of staunch steamers, under control of the Navy Department, might not only keep up a most desirable line of mail communication, but serve to cheapen the expenses of emigration to Liberia, and clear the African coast of the visits of slavers. In no other direction would such mail and general service interfere so little with private commercial interests; while it would be laying the basis of a profitable commerce with the Liberian Republic, at a future day, when its population would be increased tens of thousands, and its products and its wants be greatly multiplied.-—Sun, Jan. 12. carrying emigrants and freight. I have no doubt this would facilitate emigration to Liberia. "My father, departed this life in August last, in his 84th year. He was a contributor to the Colonization Society. He left his servants to be sent to Liberia, and money to purchase the men's wives and children. We sent the men last Fall by the ship Banshee to prepare a home, and in two years one of them is to return for the women and children at our expense. [From the National Intelligencer, July 10.] A dying Bequest carried out by the Heirs. WE are often called upon to record instances where Wills are set aside, the intentions of testators defeated, and funds designed for benevolent societies appropriated by distant heirs. Those having the management of the Colonization Society have become so accustomed to trials from this cause, that we dare say it is quite refreshing to them to meet with a case of an opposite character, like the one alluded to in the following extracts from a letter lately received at the office of the Colonization Society in this city, from a reliable gentleman, who speaks for himself and brothers. 'My father in his will left certain legaThe case is one of so pleasant and promis-cies for us to carry out, and then said to us ing a nature as to deserve special notice. he wished that we would appropriate the It is proper, however, to withhold for the balance of his estate to benevolent purposes, present the name of the writer and the and not by division among ourselves, as he place of date of the letter. The facts comsaid we had a plenty. municated will speak for themselves, and we trust will excite others to do likewise. We doubt not that the sum of money to be received from this source is quite large, and the name proposed to be given to one of the contemplated ships, will be, in all respects, appropriate. Extract from the letter referred to. "I take the liberty to address you on a matter which I suppose comes up in your official station. I see in the last number of the Repository a proposition to raise $100,000 independent of all other contributions to the American Colonization Society, for building either steam or sail vessels for the purpose of regularly sailing from the ports of the United States to Liberia, for "I see in the proposal that, for a donation of $1,000, the donor is entitled to the privilege of appointing a life director, which we do not wish. We ask the privilege, if it meets the approval of the Board, when the vessel or vessels are built, that we should be allowed to give a name to her, or to one of them, if sailing vessels in place of a steamer. "The money we donate to the building will be ready at any time it shall be wanted for construction. You will please answer this letter, and say what success is being given to the enterprise. "The sum we donate we have not proposed in this letter.' Receipts of the American Colonization Society, |