wishers of the African race, to extend to us your sympathy and prayers, and grant to us that pecuniary aid which you may spare, and without which all our desires and all our efforts must prove unavailing? "The post office address of the members of the Committee is as follows. JOHN M. DICKEY, Oxford, Pa. ALFRED HAMILTON, Cochranville, Pa. Hopewell Cotton Works, Pa." to your family, and don't forget to write to me by every opportunity; and believe me with the highest consideration, in view of all your kindness to me, your humble servant, WM. C. BURKE. Letter from Wm. C. Burke to Rev. R. R. Gurley. MONROVIA, Jan. 4th, 1854. || pected to have done in the United MR. GURLEY: My Dear Friend-States. Please remember us kindly It is with great pleasure that I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines to inform you of our safe ar rival in Africa. We left the capes on Sunday morning, December 13, and on the 19th we dropped anchor at Monrovia. We did not have a very pleasant voyage in consequence of there being too many on board;but I am very happy to say that we all arrived safely, with the exception of two young children and one old man, who died on the voyage. We have been on shore about two weeks, and both myself and Rose are quite pleased with the country. I went up the St. Paul's river a few days ago and was much pleased with the country on both sides of the River. I have determined to settle at the Kentucky settlement, fifteen miles up the river. They are forming a little town up there, and have given it the name of Clay-Ashland. I think that is going to be a very fine place. If the Lord will bless me with life and health I see no reason why I should not get along after a while better than I could have ex P. S.-I must not forget to say a word of congratulation to the managers of the Society for having so well provided for the support and comfort of the emigrants. The colored people of the United States are under a very great mistake in thinking that they do not provide for them during the six months. To any one who may wish to know all about this country I would advise them to get a copy of Dr. Lugenbeel's Sketches of Liberia," which will tell them everything about this country.-I can only add that they are faithfully given. I have handed your letter of introduction to the President, who has promised to do all he can for me. I wrote to you from the capes, which letter I hope you received. Any books or papers that you may send me will be thankfully received, as I think I shall teach a school after awhile. If my cousin, Hilliard Burke, should come out here, you will confer a great favor on him, and me, by giving him all the instruction you can, as he does not know much about travelling. [From the National Intelligencer.] Letters from Liberia. THE following letters are in reply to communications addressed to President ROBERTS and Judge BENSON (the present Vice President of the Republic) by our friend, the Rev. R. R. GURLEY, during the last summer. Some allusions were made by Mr. GURLEY to the depressing effect produced upon the public mind in this country by cases of unusual mortality among emigrants; and the importance of agricultural improvements and mechanical industry, which might render Liberia independent for the necessaries of life of foreign aid, was suggested. This may explain the course of thought in these letters, which, coming from individuals of long-established reputation and the highest official stations, will be perused with interest. Many letters exceedingly encouraging, and from a great variety of persons in Liberia, have been received by the Secretary of the American Colonization Society, extracts from which will no doubt be soon published. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MONROVIA, SEPTEMBER 15, 1853. MY DEAR SIR-I have seen in the newspapers several encouraging notices of your recent efforts in the South to advance the interests of Colonization; and I should think the impression you have made there, especially in Georgia, is decidedly favorable. There can be no doubt from present appearances that the cause of African Colonization is rapidly growing into public favor throughout the United States. There are many reasons why this might be expected; and, aside from every other consideration, true philanthropy and christian benevolence point out the Colonization enterprise as the only feasible hope of the colored population of your country. And I am glad to observe by your letter of June 2d, that a large number of the respectable free people of color in the Southern States are beginning to view Colonization in its legitimate bearing and their future interests, and the sooner they make up their minds to come to Liberia for come they must-the better. || W. C. B. I can readily imagine the discouraging effects a large mortality among any company of emigrants would have upon colonization; and doubtless emigration has been greatly retarded in consequence. But men can and do live here. To be sure, in years past the people of Liberia have suffered sickness, many fatal sickness, and indeed all the evils and difficulties consequent on the settlement of any new country, but they have suffered in the cause of freedom and uncomplainingly; and who with a single spark of freedom in his breast will not willingly suffer something in the cause of liberty? Un With regard to health, I am happy to say that Liberia is rapidly improving, and is beginning to compare favorably with most places within the tropics. Even now, where immigrants are well provided with comfortable dwellings, suitable food, and nurses, the acclimating fever yields readily to proper medical treatment. der these favorable circumstances but little apprehension is dreaded from the effects of African fever. Some attention must be had certainly to location. Experience has taught us that local causes of malignant fever do exist in some parts of Liberia. It is pretty clear, I believe, that the great mortality among the emigrants by the "Morgan Dix," located at the old settlement of Bassa Cove, may be traced in a great degree to the miasma from a swamp near the centre of that township, and from the use of bad water during the dry season. I fully appreciate your remarks in regard to the importance of producing in Liberia not only the necessaries of life, but also furniture and many other articles we require, and which may be made by our own mechanics. This is certainly an object that ought more and more to claim the attention of the people. I am glad to say, however, that in this respect we are every year becoming less dependent on foreigners. Ah, my dear sir, you are quite right as to the great want of Liberia, labor, especially applied to the cultivation of the soil. When we shall have secured this, Liberia will have but little else to fear. But the means of living in Africa are so easy and the wants of the natives so few that it is a hard matter to draw them into habits of industry; it is a work of time and patience; but happily there are encouraging signs of improvement, and as civilization advances and their Lower Buchanan (the Cove proper) is a promising new settlement; the site was reoccupied on the 11th of October last, since when the progress has been astonishing. It numbers now about 200 settlers, and it is continually attracting old settlers from other settlements. The immigrants by the Banshee, excepting one family, (Taylor's, from Virginia,) have done re wants increase, which is a natural consequence, improvement in this respect will be more rapid. Among the Americo-Li-markably well at that place. They have berian population our agricultural prospects were never more encouraging than at the present time. I thank you for the fi es of Savannah papers you were good enough to send me by the Adeline.' I have communicated to the editor of the Liberia Herald, your suggestion in regard to exchanges, which will be attended to when he shall get his paper going again. Failing to obtain a supply of paper by the Shirley, as was expected, the press is stopped for the time being. Mrs. Roberts requests me to present her kindest regards to yourself and family. I am, my dear sir, very truly, your obedient servant, J. J. ROBERTS. Rev. R. R. Gurley, Washington, D. C. now been here over three months, and excepting the deaths in the family alluded to, we have lost three adults, some of whom were from 70 to 80 years old, and their constitutions broken down, and some children of whooping cough and measles. They have proven to be a very sober and industrious company of immigrants, and have already cleared off and planted considerable lands. This settlement being now formed, we need some method of cORveyance from it to the B-river. I have procured three yokes of oxen this year, and have been using them in this way. I have no doubt that the number will be increased, and a good inland road will be made from here down there sufficient to answer our purpose for some three or four years to come. Right Rev. Bishop Payne is now here; he arrived in the Shirley, from Cape Palmas, last week. He thinks and speaks highly of Lower Buchanan. Having examined some of the land contiguous to it, and found it so superior in several respects to what he had any idea of or had been represented to him, he hesitates not to declare it as destined to be the New York of Liberia. He has selected at that place a site for mission premises; a good school is to be conducted on the manual labor system, and is to go immediately into operation. BUCHANAN, September 14, 1853. REV. AND DEAR SIR-Your highly esteemed favor of the 2d June, reached me safely on the 17th August. Its perusal afforded me no small degree of pleasure. A couple or more years have elapsed since I wrote to you last; but I assure you, sir, that my wonted respect and affectionate regard for you (in view of your past and almost unparalleled services rendered in the Colonization cause, as also personal kindness shown to me) have suffered no abatement. I feel highly honored by and I have for some time been anxious to under many obligations for the notice both see one or more settlements formed up at you in your excellent paper and the re- the Highlands, i. e. near the mountains; pected Editors of the National Intelligen-but the great difficulty is the expense and cer took of the letter addressed to you in trouble of conveyance thither Convey1850. You have long since heard of the ance can be effected by water about half soul-trying difficulties we had with the the distance; but from this terminus a natives and others since your visit to this good road (though at a good expense) country; but I am happy to be able to in- should lead out to the mountains, good form you that those difficulties have sub-cart and wagon roads, and until this is sided, and our relations with the natives and foreign nations have been established upon better basis than ever before. It is our avowed principle never to chastise or Scourge our native brethren unless circumstances render it a dernier resort, and when they are sufficiently humbled, then treat them humanely and justly, so as to win their confidence and affection, and I hope, imitation of us. the case there is no use in commencing a settlement out there. I believe our mountain region may be classed among the best sections of country in the world; and so soon as Lower Buchanan can be strengthened by one more good company of emigrants, I intend to advocate the settling of the banks of the St. John, and from thence out to the mountains. I have sent Mr. McLain a small spe cimen of our iron ore from the interior. Our blacksmiths have tried this virgin ore, and pronounce it 20 per cent. better than trade iron brought to this coast by foreigners. Rev. A. P. Davis has made a spoon of this ore, which he will send by the Shirley to Wm. Coppinger, Esq, of Philadelphia. The proper, and I may say the principal, method designed by Divine Providence for civilizing and christianizing Africa seems sufficiently clearly understood by that wise and noble class of men, the Colonizationists, especially of the United States, and is being prosecuted by them in their advocacy and support of the Republic of Liberia. Yes, they are instrumentally prosecuting this good work as fast as their pecuniary ability will allow. I can but wish that your Government (which is second to none on earth in magnanimity, and perhaps paramount to all others in liberal principles) could see and feel on this very important subject as do many noble souls in the United States and England. I am almost as sanguine as I am of my own existence that there are several nations now in their glory and commendable pride that will heartily regret in the future that they did not earlier secure to themselves more of the honor of, and demonstrate more sound policy in, promo ting this great and noble work, which is just as sure to be most gloriously accomplished as we have a Divine Creator, Redeemer, and Preserver. The Shirley has arrived a fortnight sooner than expected. I am pushed for time, and cannot therefore write half as much as I wish or intended. I must avail myself of an early opportunity to write you more detailingly. All the friends for whom you inquired are alive except Mrs. Donaldson and Dr. Davis; the former died last year, the latter this. There are hundreds of inquiries about you in Bassa county, and do not think that I flatter when I assure you that you occupy no small place in the affections of Liberians generally. Will you please accept a small sack of coffee from my farm, which I send by the Shirley to the care of Dr. Hall, for you? Were it not for the Shirley's unexpected return from Palmas I would have tried to add a few curiosities for you. Mrs. Benson and my oldest son, now about ten years old, desire to be affectionately remembered to you and family; and with my best wishes for your health and prosperity, I am. my dear sir, most affectionately and faithfully, yours, STEPHEN A. BENSON. Rev. R. R. Gurley. [From the N. Y. Spectator.] By the arrival of the barque Isla de Cuba, we have letters from Monrovia to the close of December. The barque brought as passengers, Rev. M. Lacey, and Mrs. Lacey, missionaries at Lagos; Mr. A. Forsyth and Mrs. Forsyth, of Gambia, and Rev. D H. Peterson. Many friends of the colonization cause will remember Mr. Cauldwell, who had made two trips to Liberia as an agent of some of the colored people of this country. He was returning to the United States, via Sierra Leone, where he died. country, its people, &c., in pamphlet form. I want to show that many things I have heard and read against the noble cause of colonization are utterly untrue." Mr. Peterson arrived at Monrovia the last of November, and spent upwards of two months in the country. The Legislature of the Republic was in session, and Mr. Peterson was enabled to gather, from intercourse with the representatives of the more remote districts, ample information pertaining to the condition of their constituents. In Monrovia he was treated with great hospitality, having been entertained by the chief functionaries of the government, and by the principal citizens. To show what is doing for education, we add extracts from a letter to the corres Mr. D. H. Peterson, of Rome, Oneida county, came passenger in the Isla de Cuba. He is a member of the African Methodist Church. He went out to look at the country, on behalf of his colored brethren, and returns fully satisfied with the appear-ponding secretary of the New York State ance of things. He says, "Liberia is the Colonization Society :country for the colored race. I am pleased with the country and with the people. It is my intention to publish some notice of what I have seen, with my views of the MONROVIA, Liberia, W. A., December 26th, 1853. Our little Republic still continues to prosper. The close of another year finds us with renewed and increased cause for tice. In his chapter on schools, he says thankfulness to the Sovereign of Nations,-speaking of young men preparing for who has so wisely and mercifully man- Liberia "If they would possess themaged our affairs. If we except the difficul- selves of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew ties with the Vey tribe in the early part of languages, and other important sciences, the year, nothing has transpired to mar the beyond a common sphere, to get it here, harmony and peace of our infant nation, (in America,) if they can, in Europe if or to retard its progress. It is advancing they must; for in Liberia they cannot rapidly to honor and respectability, in- come it in point of dead langnages one creasing in numercial, agricultural and hair's breadth beyond Mandingo, Guinea, commercial importance, becoming more and Congo-native dialects." Now this is and more interesting and attractive as an a most unpardonable falsehood. If he asylum for the oppressed colored man. pleads ignorance-he was willfully, and if the expression be admissible, knowingly ignorant. In reply to it I would just stare that the dead languages are taught in two schools in Monrovia-the Alexander High School, under Rev. D. A. Wilson, and the Monrovia Seminary, under Rev. Jas. W. Horne. In the former institution the students of the first class have made such proficiency in Latin as to have read a considerable portion of Cæsar's Commentaries on the Gallic War; and are now begining to read Virgil. They also study the Greek Grammar. Well might the author of the poem which Johnson quotes at the end of his pamphlet, exclaim : Although there are many who through malice, traduce and misrepresent us, yet Liberia will ride safely over the angry waves of opposition, while the storms of slander will serve only to waft her on ward to national greatness. Our government is founded on the principle of the Bible-religion, liberty, justice and humanity, and is destined to prosper, and to effect a mighty revolution in the moral, political and social condition of the colored race. I have just been looking over a pamphlet, published in this year, entitled "Liberia as it is," by R. M. Johnson, addressed to the colored citizens of the American Republic." I could not read it through, as I soon became disgusted at the shamelessness of the author in indulging in assertions which (if he has ever been in Liberia, as he alleges he has) he knows to be false. Although I do not think that any one who knows anything of the condition of Liberia, believes or notices what he states, yet there is one remark which I beg to no "My muse has chanted now too long, And spent her breath in vain." Yes, "in vain," and worse than in vain, for despite all oppositions, arising from the slanders of her enemies, Liberia will go ahead. The progress of the glorious work cannot be impeded by such insignificant obstructions. Yours respectfully, EDWARD W. BLYDEN. [From the Maryland Colonization Journal.} THE Committee to whom was referred the subject of African Colonization, beg leave to report-That at no former period, had the friends of this christian enterprise more reason for encouragement, and for gratitude to God, than now. Masters are becoming satisfied that the interests of their manumitted slaves are secure in Liberia ;-Patriots who look with solicitude upon the conflicting opinions of our countrymen upon the subject of slavery, see in colonization the only refuge; and the first minds of our national councils, continue to confide in and to advocate its practicability and necessity. Whether it be the relief of our land from an harassing element; or the redemption of Africa from political and religious night, we hopefully and prayerfully turn to colonization as under God the agent. It is no waning enterprise. More slaves have been set at liberty, with a view to their becoming citizens of Liberia, during the past year; more emigrants have sailed for that Columbia of the colored man ; and more bequests have been made by living philanthropists, and the testaments of its departed friends, than during any year since the organization of the society. We have further, but to note the increased productions of the colony, her commerce, her schools; to observe that the sagacious statesmen of our own and of several of the most powerful countries of Europe, have recognised her claims and given her a seat amongst the nations of the earth; to observe the net work of auxiliary societies among us, and the efficient trustworthy |