Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

not rendered secure, and the tornado of last summer overturned and broke it. As a temporary substitute, the flag has been raised on a branch of the high tree on the Cape, but I hope in a few days to see a new staff erected. The delay hitherto has been caused by the difficulty of procuring suitable timber. The expenses of these repairs I intend to charge upon the Colonial treasury, and if it is found too poor, I trust your future legislation will replenish it by a more general tariff and heavier taxes. Indeed the time when the colonists should begin to support themselves, has arrived; and a new jail, court house, buildings for schools and public offices, they ought at once to erect at their own expense.

These constitute the main sources of expenditure hitherto; they are necessarily large, owing to the circumstance before alluded to; but there is one consideration, that they are only temporary, and may not occur again; at least not so many at the same moment. The final accounts relative to them, I have concluded to delay until the period of quarterly reports.

In relation to other transactions, the situation of the Eboes and Congoes early attracted my attention. They were in a state approaching to war, from disputes and jealousies relative to their officers. It was apprehended that I should find considerable difficulty in reconciling them again; however, by permitting each tribe to have a set of officers, as had been done always previously to the last election, all parties seemed satisfied. Concerning their location, I have had more perplexity. By a law made by Mr. Ashmun, they were to have been located three miles from any other settlement. Lott Carey placed them, or rather attempted to place them, immediately back of some lands given the colonists on Stockton, about half way. from Monrovia to Caldwell, hence called the "Half Way Farms," a location very inexpedient, both to the colonists and themselves; however, by mistake, they were actually placed upon lands belonging to individuals.— By some neglect they have never been removed by my predecessor, and now it would be cruel and unjust to do so. They certainly are the most enterprising labourers in the Colony, and are making the most rapid advances of any. Last year they left their old town of thatch houses, and have laid out another near the river, containing many frame buildings; and not less than twenty such are now under way.

I could not reconcile it to my sense of duty, to leave them at the mercy of the colonists, on whose lands they had built, and some of whom were already boasting of their advantage; I have therefore determined to make exchanges, even at the expense of parting with town lots of considerable value. By this means, I hope to obtain lands there of sufficient extent to lay them out a town on the Stockton, that the experiment there may have a full trial. When informed of this plan, their joy seemed to know no bounds; and in their efforts to evidence it, by firing a great gun, three were very severely burned. The value of town lots and lands given in exchange for the farms, will be communicated at a future period.

The state of colonial surveys in general, and the disposition of lands, as in the preceding case, may evidence the great confusion that is likely to arise at a future period. At Millsburg, there is at present, no difficulty; and after visiting it, I have ordered deeds to be given to several individuals, whose improvements legally permitted it. At Edina, in Bassa, there is no difficulty as to the present surveys, except their paucity, compared with the number of farms wanted. But at Caldwell, and on the Cape, the confusion is complete. Neither the number nor location of a large part are known, even of town lots; and as to farms, the case is still worse. The confusion began in the loss of the copy and records (if any were ever made) of Mr. Ashmun's survey, and was continued by the death of Mr. Shepherd, and the consequent loss of his drafts, and since his time, by the

Agent much trouble. I trust this subject will occupy a large attention of the Board, and that, too, speedily.

Your Agent has left no means unemployed to excite, if pos for agricultural improvement, and may hope not entirely wi As an auxiliary to these efforts, and to ease the burthen of sup poor, whose labours, under proper directions, might support t has commenced a small farm near Caldwell; and nothing bu suitable implements, the poorest kind of which are with dif ed, prevents rapid progress. To reap the full benefit of suc require the erection of a Poor House. In it we could employ old women, widows, &c. who are now eating, from the Age bread of idleness. They might be employed in picking oal and spinning cotton, weaving and making up their own ap the colonial largesses, instead of encouraging the idleness, w to the industry of the Colony. The importance of such a me upon my mind with peculiar weight. The growth of the yes, must be greatly retarded if it is neglected. Cotton m dantly raised on the farm, though perhaps two or three bales out profitably at first. Cards, I mean hand cards and wheels, plied from America.

I do trust, that in this matter, the views of the Board m with those just expressed, and that the succeeding Agent ma ed and enabled to proceed to its accomplishment at once. naturally introduces another, of which it is only a branch. I ral and complete code of laws. It is utterly impossible for never had the experience, to imagine, much less realize the our Courts.

The Colonial Laws do not touch on one point in a hundred before us, and the single direction to be guided by the commo land and the United States, leads to endless difficulties. In estates of intestates, the rules of administrators, the courts of provision and government, &c. &c. of the poor, we are in ut So also in relation to the port regulations, the tariff for the s treasury, and many other points of vital importance to the in Colony. On some of these points, with the advice of the Co attempted some amendment, until a regular system of laws c and sent out by the Board. They are drawn out in docume nected with the subject also, is the erection of a light, perhaps Its importance on the coast is very great both to strangers and all no doubt would cheerfully submit to pay a "Light dut the expense. An ordinance has been passed, but its action or a time, till the light is or shall be erected. The old hous ering the laws, is now in a ruinous situation, and it is greatl he people will unite their energies to build another and large In order that no excuse may arise on the part of the coloni

ders or acceptances be received there; and have even proceeded to draw out the money of that kind now in the treasury, by taking up old accep tances paid out by the Treasurer on treasury drafts, and giving orders, which will become drafts on the Board at a future period.

If you will bear with me, I would offer a few remarks upon the mode of support at present allowed to Officers in the Colony. It appears to me a radical defect to allow any thing in addition to a stated and specific salary. Though delicacy might seem to urge my desisting, conscience will not permit me to be silent. The allowance of a support over and above the salary, has been, I verily believe, the prolific source of abuses and difficulties heretofore, and must continue to be while the system lasts. The Agent may not have the inclination to check extravagance, either in himself or others; but if the will exists, he is powerless as to the latter. The least interference will be construed into an infringement of privileges, and therefore he may be compelled to witness the most wasteful expenditure of monies, which, when their source is regarded, may be considered holy, and the act appear a sacrilege. These sentiments are not entirely new to me, but my brief experience has indelibly impressed them on my mind. I have been led to dwell on them by having experienced some of the unpleasant effects of such interference. Economy in expenditure is never so thoroughly practised, as when joined with personal interest, and it is notoriously the case, that men, unless guided by an uncommon sense of future accountability, will be more prodigal of expenditure when the payments come from public bodies, than if their own pockets were to be made to bear them. The Board cannot expect all of their Agents to be immaculate, and therefore, in my opinion, the economy of conducting their affairs demands that every officer have his certain fixed salary, and provide for himself. But independent of this, the consideration of difficulties to which Agents will be liable on the present plan, is sufficient, and every member of the Board would be convinced of it by one month's experience.

When Dr. Hall and the Baltimore expedition were here, application was made for permission to obtain some of the acclimated citizens of Liberia to assist them. I replied, that the people might go or stay, as they were freemen. Mr. McGill, the Vice-Agent, accompanied the expedition, as did also Mr. Thompson, the Book-keeper; the latter, I believe, intends to remain. Besides these, about twenty of the poorer class from this place, and some from Bassa, left us. The Rev. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wyncoope, whom I presume you will see shortly, as they have engaged a passage home in the Jupiter, proceeded with Dr. Hall as far as Cape Palmas, and returned here in the Elgar. They report quite favorably of the place, and that Dr. Hall was completely successful in making a large purchase. There is not, so far as my information extends, any considerable prepossession in this place towards the enterprise: most consider it too hazardous and uncertain to justify them in foregoing the certain advantages of their present situation. There is, however, to a considerable extent, a desire to settle both at Junk and Cape Mount. So importunate have been the solici ations in relation to the former place, and so favorable the disposition of the natives toward it, according to uniform report, that your Agent has felt it a duty to accede so far to the united desire, as to appoint Messrs. E. Johnson and H. Teage Commissioners to treat for the territory, and thus secure at this favorable moment, a right, which, if not immediately beneficial, must be of great service eventually in the future operations of your Society, while it will secure an indisputable right of jurisdiction to the Colony and fully open an inland communication with Grand Bassa. They proceeded to the Junk according to their iustructions, and, after an absence of six days, returned, having met with complete success. A territory of nearly twenty miles

The title secured to six acres of land at Bendoo, back of ( from King Gray and others, is becoming quite a subject of dispu purpose of allaying difficulties, I visited Cape Mount soon after but had poor success in the object of the mission: as I found the whose names are signed to the deed obtained by Dr. Mechl to deny the transaction and charge us with fraud.

I have firmly asserted our right and the determination of th enforce it if necessary, and thus the matter rests for the presen thier or a more delightful country could not be desired. Th grandeur and beauty of the scenery from Bendoo is thrilling, a ing visiter feels strongly urged to take up his abode on the bo beautiful Pissou. Bendoo is a high bluff at the emboucheur ver into the lake of the same name. It is the point of land bet ver and lake, which was given to the Society. Before it, sprea of surpassing beauty, across which, to the side directly opposite, of 10 or 12 miles. Standing upon the bluff, the outline of th farthest extremity inland, and thence all around, can be more or ly seen. Its interior, or south-eastern extremity, is an unbrol water, whose edges are covered with a rank luxuriant growth o here and there interspersed with villages; this is on the left ha from Bendoo. On the right and in front, westward, a multit slands stud its mouth, as if to relieve the sudden boldness of which completes the back ground, with an elevation of eight one thousand feet. The scene is one which painters would On the high bluff, with a fine lake and river abounding in fish ing a free circulation of air at all times, I cannot believe an ent would have to endure half the difficulties from climate, een elsewhere encountered; at least, it is worth the trial. Thus far in relation to pecuniary and political concerus. al police of the Colony, and the state of public offices, there reater need of energetic action. The number of commonwea een truly alarming, bringing the treasury not less than three red dollars annually. To remedy this, I have reproved the o ally Justices of the Peace, many of whom were placed in co y predecessor, utterly ignorant of law, while old and experien ere left out. I have been compelled to put some of the latte The neglect of several Committees, which receive no rvices, was prominent and hurtful, especially the Committee

.מכ

re.

As

These have been directed to act efficiently, in seeing th and various nuisances removed, but have hitherto done no port of this Committee I have called for, but have not yet o - contents I can readily anticipate: and with the exception of milies, twelve acres of coffee trees planted by Rev. C. M. War nture the assertion, that not fifty acres are cultivated in the

though the process may be painful, cannot doubt but the result will be beneficial. The commission merchants, who, by their lavish credits, have been the panders to this depraved appetite for gain, are now reaping the bitter fruits. Their employers come for pay, and behold half of those to whom they trusted goods are bankrupt, and they are themselves unable in some instances to meet their engagements. The consequence is, that in a short time, Captains of vessels will entirely stop credits, and of course hundreds of strong men now in the country, must return to the long deserted farms. To assist this result, the council have lately laid many discouragements in the way of vessels trusting their goods on long credits.

But this has not been the principal cause of agricultural neglect. I am convinced the evil has its source farther back, and is deeper seated in the system. A colonist arrives in Monrovia at any time during the year. He is entitled to support six months. If anxious to do well, he looks forward to the day when this aid is to cease, and is prompted to make efforts to provide against it. If he gives way to these promptings, the result is generally severe illness and greater and longer continued weakness. If, as all experiences prove is most prudent, he sits down to await and escape the fever; the six months are soon gone, and he is cast upon his own resources. If in health, which is not often the case, he starts under the most favorable circumstances; but what are they? A penny less stranger, without house or food!! What is he to do under such circumstances? If his land is ready at the moment, he cannot wait to plant a crop and have it grow; his own wants and his family's, if he have any, demand immediate relief. Sawing timber has heretofore been the dernier resort. The new emigrant hires or borrows a saw, and with a companion proceeds to the woods to earn his bread. A tree is selected in the swamp, and having no oxen to draw it out, they are under the necessity of pitting it on the spot. Here, alternately standing in the water from knee to waist deep, and sawing four days, they are enabled, after carrying their wood to market, (which occupies the other two) to purchase enough to support themselves, and possibly he may be enabled to secure a lot in two years by building a plain frame house. In the mean time his system has become, in most cases, deeply injured or diseased, an aversion to farming contracted, and the man's usefulness to himself and the Colony almost ruined.

So far as my power extends, I have attempted a remedy by erecting a saw-mill, which will render lumber so cheap that any other labor will be more profitable than sawing. The mill is not finished, but under way, and with the Divine blessing, we may hope to complete it this dry season; this, however, can only partially remedy the evil. The true remedy, I think, will be found in allowing the emigrants one year's support, and if the Society thinks proper, to exact two days labor from them, per week, in return, according to the original plan of Mr. Ashmun. This is not too long in a vast majority of cases for the confirmation of their health: it will afford them time to select more eligible sites for their farms, and also enable them to have a crop planted and growing to their hands.

Connected with this, I would again call the attention of the Board to the importance of ever having on hand a supply of utensils of every kind, without which nothing can proceed with ease. Hoes, axes, shovels, spades, cutlasses, scythes, pickaxes, crow bars, &c. &c. should be kept ready for sale, and the public store never be without a supply.

In relation to the moral and religious state of the Colony, I cannot compare it with former years, not having had experience. There is, as in all other communities, so here, a larger portion of vice than the good would wish to see: yet I am persuaded that a large portion of the community is virtuous and inclined to favor a severe construction of the laws.

There

« AnteriorContinuar »