INDEX African Trade-Right of Search, etc. .241 Dr. Parker's speech. African Civilization and Manufactures.270 Africa-The great movements........129 Departure for Africa... PAGE Mr. Morehead's speech.. Most generous and noble purpose. .22, 24, Right of Search... 158 .3 PAGE .107, 158 .38 ....59 Report, Annual, of the American Col- .25 Report on the African Repository......69 S. Massachusetts Colonization Society...298 Society, New Jersey Colonization.. Methodist Mission.... Mr. Mercer's remarks. Mc Lain's, Rev. Wm., visit to N.Orleans 156 Southern Africa. Mr. McLeod's letter.... Memorial to the States. Missionary labors and Scenes in· R. 8 .31, 62, 63 Southern Africa.... .....348, 384 T. Meeting of the African Civilization Society .355 The cause rising.... .232 N. News, fatal... Teage's sermon on Governor Buchan- ..17 Niger Expedition. Negro, dying.. 30 Tracy's, Rev. Joseph, letter. ..369 .266 P. Proceedings of the Convention, cont'd ..193 African trade-right of search. .327 Whittlesey's resolution.. .241 .218 THE AFRICAN REPOSITORY, AND COLONIAL JOURNAL. Published semi-monthly, at $1 50 in advance, when sent by mail, or $200 if not paid till after the expiration of six months, or when delivered to subscribers in cities. VOL. 18 WASHINGTON, JANUARY 1, 1842. DESPATCHES FROM LIBERIA. [No. 1 MONROVIA, October 7, 1841. The general condition of things in the Colony continue the same. Our present relations with the Native Tribes around us are quiet and undisturbed, and the only apprehension that we labor under at the present is -the interference of British Traders with our commerce and the active part taken by them to cut off our communications of trade with the natives and to confine our operations within a very small compass; to do this they are calling to their aid the assistance of British officers by making to them complaints and misrepresentation of the policy pursued by the authorities of the Colony-How this matter will terminate I know not, * * The health of the Colony for the past three months has been very discouraging-represented by the oldest settlers to be more unhealthy than at any former season. And I am sure more so, than at any time during my residence of twelve years in the Colony. The rains have been more incessant this season than formerly-it is to this we attribute the unhealthy state of the people. I am happy however at present to inform you that the health of the community is again returning things are wearing a more favorable aspect. The spirit of farming is increasing and the people generally are inquiring after the best mode to carry on the operation. The trade of the Colony continues the same. We had hoped that the natives in the Interior and in the vicinity of Cape Mount and Gallenas would have turned their attention to gathering Camwood, Ivory &c. And before this carried on quite a large trade with the Colony. This as ye thas not been the case, still we hope the coming dry season will bring with it that event. As perhaps the great quantity of rain, has prevented it before. I am informed that the little settlement of Bexley is coming on finely. The people are all industrious, comfortable and happy. And that a visitor on his first approach to the little village, will be pleased with its fine, healthy and cleanly appearance. The Villages of Bassa Cove and Edina are also improving-the citizens generally are contented and happy. Mr SHERIDAN informs me, he is now ready and can accommodate at Bexley one hundred emigrants; and in a few days will be able to accommodate some fifty or sixty more. I received a few days ago from Mr. HANSON, Superintendent at this place information that the wants of the settlement are various many that they have exhausted all their means in making preparations for emigrants, and has so far succeeded as to be able now to accommodate about one hundred. Immediately on the arrival of the sehooner Regulus from Sierra Leone I shall dispatch to leeward and shall furnish their settlement with goods &c, Mr. HANSON has chosen a location for the anticipated expedition on the Blue Barra side of the river, which he represents as a very healthy prominent site. The Commercial operations of the Colony are evidently, on the advance and should we be able to succeed in securing to the citizens the exclusive right of trade at several points near our settlement we shall see our Colony dvance very rapidly, as it is we are almost hemmed in on every side, and when at any time our interior trade is stopped our Commercial affairs become paralyzed; for British traders have beltme so inveterate against our speculators that they allow them but a small share in the trade along the coast-They effect this, sometimes by order our traders from the spots where they have selected to trade, alleging their exclusive right either by treaty or by purchase, when in most cases they have neither. When this is not resorted to, they effect it by putting a Factory near the colonists and sell their goods at such reduced prices as to entirely unable the colonists to compete with them. This they can do without loss because their goods are bought in England and the poor colonists can only be furnished with goods second-handed and very frequently have to pay higher prices than what the natives pay at those British Factories. And unless the society will take prompt and immediate measures to acquire territory-I fear they will succeed too well in confining us to the limits of Cape Messurado and Bassa Cove. I am fully convinced from late developments, that the British Government is making an effort to secure to themselves the entire trade of this part of the coast, which is becoming quite important. The Regulus has not yet returned from Sierra-Leone for which place she sailed on the 18th September, to refit. At Marshall and Bassa Cove she unfortunately lost all her anchors and chains, which were altogether too light for such a vessel on this coast. These could not be replaced here. On her first return from Bassa Cove, we managed to procure the only anchor and chain in the Colony; the former has not yet been settled for, the latter you will find charged in the schooner's account, rendered from the Col. warehouse for this quarter. On her return from Bassa Cove the second time, this latter anchor was also broken and unfit for use-her main-mast was found to be defective (decayed at the head) and unsafe to trust. These circumstances combined, made it necessary for the schooner to go to Sierra-Leone immediately. I put on board eleven hogsheads of to acco, which if sold to advantage, (as we hope it may be,) will be something in favor of the voyage. Capt. Preston has been down with the African fever, but had quite recovered from his first attack when he left for Sierra-Leone. he will not have a second. * 崇 * * We hope * The operations at the Farm are going on finely. Mr. Jenks, with whom Gov. BUCHANAN made an arrangement some two or three months ago, to carry on the operations at this place, has been most of the time sick with fever. In the mean time he has been able to make such arrangements and to give such general instructions as to have things in a pretty good train. * * * * |