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6
MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL.
able to the goodness of his henrt, immediately
prepared a large room for the reception of the
•migrant! and company, collected to witness;
their departure.
All being seated, a refreshing draught of
ice water was headed round, when the inte-
nvliug services of Ihe , 1S3J.
To the President and Managers
of the M. S. C. Society:
CKNTi-rvKM:—My extreme debility, conse-
quent upon nn attack of African fever, but
more especially the sufferings I endured on
my passage heme from the colony, lias pre-
vented me until now from attempting to com-
mit to paper, for your inspection, the result of
iny oliscrvutions made during my residence in
the Maryland Colony at Capo Palmas. Even
now I am under the necessity of employing a
friend to write for me.
As the emigrants per the brig Bourne, were
placed under my particular charge during the
voyage out, it becomes my duty to state, that
their conduct during the passage met my ap-
probation. With a view to their religious im-
provement, 1 preached to them once every
sabbath, when the weather would allow it;
read a printed sermon to them every night;
and occasionally assisted them in their morn-
ing and evening devotional exercises. It gives
me pleasure to state, that they seemed to be
much impressed with a sense of their privi-
leges, and the duties devolving thereby upon
them.
On Hearing Cape Palmas, the scenery was
enchanting beyond description. The emigrants
expressed then- joy iaaall manner of ways, and
when the brig was boarded by some Kroomen,
with specimens of the fruits of the Caps nnd
surrounding country, their joy and gratitude
knew scarcely any bounds.
On binding at the Cape they were most
cordially anil atfeclionntely received by the
colonists, who treated them with a kindness
well calculated to beget strong and mutual at-
tachments.
Dr. Hall, the governor, was also much gra-
tified at their arrival, though he expressed his
regret that the company was not more nume-
rous.
There were but two or three of the old co-
lonists sick at the time of my arrival—several
hi In rs, however, were complaining, though
able to be out.
The third day after our arrival the emigrants
had a meeting, and ilicw up a preamble and
resolutions expressive of their motives fur leav-
ing the land of their nativity: and of their
great joy in finding themselves sufely landed
in the colony. They also expressed their gra-
titude to the Board of Managers of the Mary-
land Slate Colonization Society, for their kind-
ness in furnishing them with the means to cross
the Atlantic and settle in a country so richly
provided with all the means necessary to se-
cure their independence and happiness. 1 re-
gret that it is not in my power to furnish a
copy of this paper:—by some person or per-
sons, unknown to me, my chest was opened
iu New York or on its passage here, and the
paper in question was so mutilated that I am
unable to give more than its substance.
It is propel that I should here remark, that
the preamble and resolutions above referred to,
were drawn up before the emigrants had ex-
perienced the slightest interruption to their
comforts. It unfortunately happened that the
receptaetM in which they were plated (far
shelter from the weather had been so imper-
fectly constructed that the first rains com-
pletely drenched them. The roofs were too
Hat, even if they had been of the proper nui-
ti rial, lo admit the water to pass off as it fell;
i "iioiipiciitly, they were, as above stated, com-
pletely drenched. This being an unexpected
event, and coming upon them nt the beginning
of their skfenete, produced much dis-ntisl'ac-
lioii and some little murmuring. In addition
thereto they had not received their lands, the
immediate cultivation of which they were de-
sirous to commence:—this produced an addi-
tional degree of despondency. They were as-
sured by the governor that their lands should
be allotted al as early a period as possible—
ami I stateil to them that even if I hey were
then ready, it would be highly improper in
them to attempt to work until they had passed
through their seasoning.
They had all, before I left the Cape, (ex-
cept two or three who had not been attacked,)
[lassed through the lever, which claimed not a
single adult victim. It is true, two children
died; but they arrived in the Colony in an ex-
hausted state, having left the United States
Willi Ihe worm fever, which in my judgment
was the cause of their death.
It may be satisfactory to your Hoard to
know, that in every case, except three, the fe-
ver was remarkably light, and did not confine
them to their beds more than a day at the
time:—when it is considered that they wire
several times, while in tho fever, completely
soaked with the rain, and yet had it so light, it
will not be doubted that Ihe climate of Cape
Palmas is well suited to the African constitu-
tion, and that the coloured people of Maryland
may encounter it with almost perfect safety.
Ordinary carefulness, niul prompt attention lo
the means of health will almost invariably se-
cure to them Ibis invaluable blessing,
I remained at the Cape nearly two months,
during which time I was coniined not more
than Ore days with the fever, though almost
continually felt the debilitating effects thereof.
When I left, my health was tolerably fair, and
but for the horrid water I was obliged to use
on my passage home, which lasted nearly sixty
days, I am well satisfied that I should have
returned in good health.
When I was about leaving the Colony I vi-
sited a',1 the emigrants, and asked them if they
wished lo return lo the United Stales with
me—they all. with the exception of three,
promptly answered, ao sir. They had reco-
vered much of their former spirits, as is fully
indicated by their unwillingness to accompany
mo home.
So far as I was able lo ascertain the state
of agriculture in the colony, it did not strike
me that it had been pushed with sufficient
zeal. Not more than six or seven families
were, at the time I left the Cape, preparing
their lands Ibr cultivation—one man only had
cleared and fenced in his lands, anil judging
from tho productiveness of all the gardens on
the Cape, I should suppose that he is doing
very well. The growth of all garden anil field
vegetables, so far as they have been tried, is
very rapid and luxuriant. All the gardens on
the Cape were in a thriving condition. 1
should say that a square, of the size of the
common gardens in this country, would yield
a sufficiency of vegetables to support a family
of from six to eight per.-ons in number.
The articles growing on the Cape are the
following, viz: Soneop, oranges, lemons, limes,
pine apples, gourd, pawpaws, plantains, bana-
na, pepper, figs, okra, Indian corn, sugar cane,
cotton, (both native nnd American.) cabbage,
kale, Virginia greens, lettuce, parsley, beets,
sweet and Irish potatoes, yam--, cassad.i,
parsnips, turnips, radishes, onions, tomatoes,
beans and peas of different kinds, melons,
cantelopes," cucumbers,' quashes, pumpkins,
egg plant and tobacco. There is a continual
growth of all these articles, and some of them
produce for years successively.
A proper attention to the cultivation of the
soil would soon place the colony in a most
flourishing and happy condition, and it is to be
hoped that the emigrants hy the Bourne, who
were, as before remarked, very anxious to
commence forming operations, arc by this
settled on their lands.
The soil, though apparently of the same
quality of the Maryland good lands, seems ne-
vertheless to be much more productive; and
being remarkably easy of cultivation, would
soon return I rich reward to industrious far-
mers.
The introduction of working animals is
highly desirable. With Ihe aid of these, the
colonists would soon rapidly advance, both in
independence and influence over the native
tribes.
. .lack .jennies and mules could be introduced
al u comparatively small cost, being, as 1 am
informed, sold to the windward of the Cape at
from five to ten dollars per beast.
The animals of the country suitable for
food are quite numerous—neat cattle, sheep,
hogs, goats and deer are very plenty. Of the
latter there are two kinds: the one similar in
colour, &c. to the American—and the other
peculiarly African, being black. When nt full
size, I am told that they weigh about tlJO lbs.
Tins fact was .elated to me by a man of the
name of Johnson, who left the United Slates
fifteen years ago, for the British Colony at
Sierra Leone. How long he remained (hero I
cannot tell. From thence ho went to Monro-
via, anil from Monrovia to Cape Palmas, where
he had arrived a few months before I saw him.
lie has settled at the Cape, and when I left,
was clearing a farm.
His extensive travels in Africa have made
him well acquainted With the different kinds
of animals and birds, some of which are pecu-
liar to that country, as well as witn the varie-
ties of sod and climate thereof, lie most
decidedly prefers Capo Palmas to all other
places he has visited,in proof of which he has
settled himself in the Colony.
In addition to the animals already named,
there are antelopes, monkeys, baboons, black,
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