ing emigrants to Liberia. We landed at this place on the 11th of June. Since being here, we have been visited by that Monster, as it is called, (the African fever,) but it has not as yet thrown us so hard, but that we are able at this time to stand upon our feet. The emigration is getting along quite well thus far. We have been a little disappointed since we have come here, from some expressions made by some of the agents in America, but I firmly believe that those interested here do all that lays in their power to make emigrants comfortable; and as for Stephen A. Benson, the So ciety's agent, I think his equal cannot be found in Liberia-he has proved himself to us to be a gentleman and a man that has some feeling for his fellow man. I understand that he talks of vacating his place in the Society, but I hope that he will have some suitable person placed in his stead, but I feel confident that he will recommend no other. I like the country much, particularly the climate, land and location; as to the location I cannot express myself to you in reference to it, I will only say if there is such a place as an Eden now-adays, this must be a part of the garden. I have got considerable land cleared and a good deal of produce planted; indeed, there is a good deal planted by this last emigration at Fishtown, which looks flourishing, indeed, and now there is beginning to be a loud call for mechanics; already there is brick engaged to be made in this vicinity, and two good houses to be erected next days. Any kind of mechanics will do well here. The inhabitants, generally, are determined to encourage any and all mechanics that will favor us by settling among us. We have already one tanner, who has commenced business and is likely to do well; his name is Jeremiah Holly-I think he is from Winchester, Virginia. Now come all ye shoemakers to Grand Bassa county, and don't forget to bring your tools with you-there is work to do here-I will not forget laborers. Come one-come all-for this is the country for the colored man-and what is more consoling, when he comes here he is free, and can be free soul and body. There is Methodist church now here in erection, and I think it will not be long before there will be a good school for children. The weather is quite cool here, and has been ever since we landed. Heavy clothes are by no means a burden. I have purchased a plough, which I expect to begin to use next week. I should have been ploughing before this, but one of my oxen has been sick for a couple of weeks. I find that horned cattle is troubled with the hollow horn here as well as in the States. I wish you to do me the favor of sending an extract of this letter to Zip Mitchel, in Greens. borough, Guilford Co., to peruse, as I promised him before I left. He is a brickmason by trade, and I would just add, that the day the mechanics of Greensborough start to Liberia, they will have accomplished the best day's work they ever did do. I wish to be understood as being candid in this matter. I hope all my friends in the above named place to hear from me and see this; there is many of them that are waiting anxiously to hear from me;-when they come, tell them to provide as well for themselves as they can, for as yet there is a scarcity of tools, &c., in this country, and were I in the States, and wanted to come out, I would prefer leaving the U. S. A. in the spring of the year. I would . our crops. Some of us preparing to build boats and skiffs, and then we may be able to say a word about the fish and oysters asked after. This is truly and emphatically the land of liberty for the black man. If he is poor he is free; if he is rich he is free; the industrious are free, and thank kind Providence we have many men of the right stamp; the idle are free, and we have, you know, for me a few too many of that class. Freedom in laziness, and freedom to sin, are the only two kinds of liberty I am opposed to. But we are free to serve God. Under our own plantain, orange, mango and lemon trees, we can sing, and pray, and shout, and preach and hear whenever we please, and heaven is as close to Africa as any where else. I think, as this is the Eastern country, we will enter into the city through the gates on the East. This is a new country, and it would be wrong for us to expect to make money by our old craft as we did at home We must learn the country, try one plan, and then another, if one does not succeed the other may. And when I see one, or ten, or twenty men prospering, my faith says: God giving health, and strength and resolution, I will prosper too. One man is making money on ginger, another on coffee, another on sugar, then another getting lumber. One this way, and another that, and I reason in my own mind, if that man does this or that and lives, I am a man and will live too. In going down these rivers I see thousands of young oysters growing on the mangroves-they grow large and fall off; and where so many children are, there must be old folks. I see boys have fish, caught with hooks-surely where there is one there are more. Our woods are full of game, from the elephant to the gazel; from the eagle to the humming bird; turkeys, chickens, ducks, &c., grow and can be raised in abundance, so can hogs, and sheep, and goats, and our natives prefer dog meat to all. Horses and cows are come-atable. But we must learn Africa; we must struggle, and work and strive. Very often sick, weak and feverish, we feel gloomy; we think of the flesh pots and dainties of an old country; we are tempted to regret our coming, until we think we are black men-" the love of liberty," &c., brings us up, and we resolve to die struggling up, where many are now who were once worse off in Liberia than we are. We are yet in first principles, inducting ourselves, taking what is called here Liberia Education," and we hope to graduate with honor, if industry can accomplish it. And let me say to you, still tell the people not to expect to come here and sit down. Who can go to any country and settle well under three years? I think Liberia, according to its means, is getting along amazingly well. Laborious industry is our only hope; we have good land if we will only improve it. Neither must we expect to live on beefsteak, oysters, custards, pies, ice creams, &c., for breakfast, dinner and supper either; but must expect to eat a roasted potato or cassada; a wild bird; and some people don't kill themselves running from African squirrels, (monkeys) well cooked. Tell them to come and do the best they can until they get enough around them to do better. Come to make a home, a happy rest if they will, and I begin to think they can. Yours truly and ever, [From the Colonization Herald.] Sentiments on Colonization in Liberia. the United States. DEAR BRETHREN:-When I have noticed the prohibitory and oppressive laws enacted in many of the have wept and wondered whether every manly aspiration of soul had been crushed in the colored man, or does he pander to the notion that he belongs to an inferior race, and that he must hew wood, draw water, and crouch to every indignity, contempt, and oppression which others may impose on him. Or does he not be It has often been said by many ill- To the free people of color of disposed towards the colonization enterprise, that the inhabitants of Liberia are dissatisfied and discontented. Even some who have returned from that country have join-states in special reference to you, I ed in the cry. We are gratified to have it in our power to give the sentiments of one of its most worthy, intelligent, and reliable citizens, that of the Rev. John Day, who has resided at Bexley for several years, being connected with the Baptist Mission which is located at that place. No one can read this letter without being satisfied that the unfavor-lieve that God has planted a paraable reports which have been circulated have originated either in ignorance or unfriendly feeling, for here is a voluntary expression of views and feelings, made on the spot, without any design to misrepresent the state of things, or give to the world an expression of sentiments which are not honestly entertained. This address calls loudly upon the friends of the colored man to stay all opposition to this benevolent enterprise, and to come forward and give a reality to their fond anticipations. To the people of color it requests a hearing, coming from one of their own race well prepared to advise. BEXLEY, Liberia, Aug 26, 1853. Editor of the Colonization Herald-SIR: I have long been an observer of movements in the United States in reference to the free colored people, and have also noticed with much interest, the feelings and views of my colored brethren in reference to colonization and to this Republic; and feel to rejoice that the Republic is attracting more attention and consideration among them. And desire through your columns to address a letter to them. dise on the western coast of Africa, where the soul of the colored man expands, and imbibes all that is ennobling to human nature. Do they believe that this country is congenial to them, its institutions favorable to development and improvementthat here the colored man stands erect in all that dignifies man; that he knows nor acknowledges a superior. Why then cling to a land which, whatever it may be to others, to you is a land of oppression? I have heard objections to emigrating to Liberia urged on the ground of benevolence to the poor suffering slaves--of a tenderness towards them which forbid leaving them in chains. This is an old doctrine preached more than twenty years ago, before I left the United States. What good has your continuance there done them? None; nor ever will. And besides, are not the poor heathen of this country our brethren? And are not they in chains more galling than than those of American slavery? And cannot that benevolence which binds you to the interest of enslaved brethren in America, expand to a desire to unshackle the many thousands to whom here you can have access. Liberia presents a larger field and surer pros pects for the exercise of that noble principle, which seeks the benefit of others. But, brethren, are you not mistaken in the object of your continuance in America? Is there not some incongruity in the existence of so noble a principle with a spirit so servile as to stoop to the most menial and degrading service? I hope I shall not offend. In America we had nothing to incite us to proper application of mind, nothing to aspire to.-We read superficially, we knew superficially many things known to our white neighbors. We knew the passing occurrences of the day, &c., &c., but not having any interest in those things, that knowledge was lost on us. But in Liberia we found ourselves an embryo nation, but incapable of filling many of the various important stations requiring real knowledge. Superficiality would not do. We applied ourselves to study, closely and intensely, and acquired, in many instances, profound knowledge; that sort which gives power. Many who have thus made themselves are superior men. on Some in the northern States boast of all the privileges they desire. And what are those privileges? Just what the Liberians disdain to call by that name. Nothing will satisfy Liberians short of equality. Equal, politically, socially, and religiously Point to one act of any of our of with all men. And will soon be ficials, since this has been a Repubmentally, morally, and in every other lic, which would not do credit to way, equal to any people on earth. any people. Now, if I understand Visit our legislative halls, and the logic taught by these circumhear discussions on principles of po- stances, it is, that colored men who litical economy, diplomacy, laws, breathe a proper atmosphere, surnational and international, and won- rounded by proper influences, inder where those men were raised. cited by proper objects, will become View the militia, and witness the of- as learned, as noble, and as great ficer-like conduct of those in com- every way, as any other men mand, the regular movements in earth, and will stand on a level, and every department, and say, if you gain equal footing with any people. ever saw us excelled. Go into the The past history, and present proscourts of justice, and see the distri-pects of our people justify the antibution of justice as well adminis- cipation. Did not Africa once blaze tered as in America. Visit the in the light of civilization and the churches, and hear the word of God || arts? In what state was Europe expounded in its beauty and gran- then? As deeply sunken in headeur, and you will be led to ask, thenism as Ethiopia is now. And what raised this people to this since Africa gave letters, and height? Canaan gave religion to Europe, has no dark cloud overbrooded it! What did Romanism do there?Romanism is not dead! Is it not in America, on the wings of a friendly toleration, receiving what it never gave, spreading its baneful influence over that apparent garden of the Lord, waiting your exit to fill My dear brethren, you do not know what Liberians are, nor what Liberia is. My brother in America has asked me how it is that colored men in America are so insignificant, and here are so great? My brother and his dear children may read this letter if they choose, and see. |