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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0022 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0022 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| 22 MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. apparel tor Ins person: anil is equally as much in debt us A. He laboured only when cir- cumstances compelled him. Yet this man is satisfied and contented in the colony; is a penceable orderly citizen, but for lack ofenergy ambition, and industry he is good for nothing. C. one of the first settlers, from Cape Mes- snrado, acclimated with a family of four small children, very poor and destitute: has a good house in town, two acres of hind under culti- vation, which would more than doubly supply his family with vegetable food: his family are well clothed and fed, he is nearly free from debt, and contented with his situation. D. a healthy single man, in other respects under exactly similar circumstances with C. and equally industrious, is now without a house or a week's supply of food from his want of prudence, and economy, and capacity to take care of himself. He is discontented, and justly concludes that his labour would pro- cure him better food in America. K. came to the colony at the same time, a single man, has enjoyed good health, and gene- rally been industrious, although not a hard labourer; is a mechanic, and received from one to one dollnr and fifty cents per day, as such, when employed by the agency; has a good house and lot in town, and two acres of farm hind under cultivation. Hi; is indebted to tho Agency near one hundred dollars, Ho is a man of superior sagacity, and possesses a great degree vf inlliiencc over the minds of tlio co- lonists; and like all other demagogues ho exerts this intiuencc tot patriotic purposes, when it can be done without sacrificing hisj popularity. He is an active, efficient, patrio- tic officer, hut a discontented, troublesome citizen. He is as happy a man in Liberia as he could be any where, and as well contented. F. A man seventy years of age, with a wife and seven children,arrived in thecolonyin Feb. 1835. Being naturally feeble, he was much reduced by the fever, and has never been able to perform but little manual labour. His men- tal energies are also very much enfeebled from the same cause, which unfits him for properly managing his family, and enforcing the indus- try or those who are able. He has conse- quently effected but little towards providing for himself and large family, who are almost wholly dependant on the Agency for support. This family of course are unhappy, and of no advantage to the colony. 0. a mechanic, aged about forty-five years, with a wife and seven or eight small children, all under fourteen, arrived in the colony in the Harmony. He died of dysentery three months of his arrival. His family, although very in- dustrious and well bred, are thrown upon the Agency for support ; and a long time must elapse ere they can feel that their condition is improved by a removal to Liberia, 11. a single man, twenty five years of age, arrived in the Jiourne: suffered slightly from the fever, is very industrious and economical. He has now two or three acres under cultiva- tion, which will more than trebly supply him with food; has a good snug house, and gained a prize of a yoke of bullocks for having tho best cultivated farm, and bring at the samo time clear of debt. This man is independent and in moro enviable circumstances than nine-tenths of the young New England far- mers one year after they commence for them- selves without capital; is an orderly, well behaved, moral man, and very capable of managing the business in which he is engaged. Yet he is not fit for a freeman, nor cap;ibje of feeling any change in his situation, save that of diet and temperance. He is determined upon returning to (he United States, and solemnly declares he would rather live a slave in Ame- rica,than a freeman in Africa. This brief sketch of a few individuals taken from the different classes in the colony, will serve to show that industry, prudence, and economy, meet with abundant reward: that indolence and improvidence produce beggary ami wretchedness: that the necessaries, and even some of the luxuries of life, are within the reach of almost every individual, and that the causes of discontent and inquietude, are generally attributable to the individual, rather than the circumstances in which he is placed. The distress and iitilinppiness of some few is caused by circum-tancos beyond human con- trol, and in a great degree irremediable, al- though it can be rendered of less frequent occurrence by a proper selection of emigrants. workman among the natives employed by the English at Fcrnandi To. From the time of my first arrival at Cape I'alinas he has ever been at my service in any undertaking what- ever. At times when it was expected that hostilities would commence with his tribe, he still continued his services unless (orbidden by the king. But in the time of the greatest excitement, I never was able in any manner whatever to shake his fidelity to his people, nor would he ever give the most distant hint of their dispositions or designs. His answer to all interrogatories in Ibis respect, was, 'I am this countryman not an American. I work for vou to get money, not to betray my own people; when I join the Americans 1 shall leave my own people, I can't have a heart for both sides.' This man became more and more attached to us, until finally he concluded to leave his tribe and move to our town, where he now resides, and is regarded by both na- tives and colonists, as a man of enterprise and sagacity, and the most sterling integrity. I have never seen a man whose natural powers of mind 1 should judge transcended his; and few uneducated men in civilized life, who could reason more correctly on subjects of moment. It has boN mainly through his in- fluence and counsel that the recent purchases of territory from the inhabitants have been so successfully effected; and I doubt not but he will ever prove an able, efficient, and patrio- tic counsellor to the authorities of the colony. PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE COLONY. In speaking of the present state of tlio colo- nists, and of their future prospects, it will he unnecessary for mo to touch upon the natu- ral advantages of the country, as, soil, climate and their natural productions; of these I have most fully treated in former communications, and experience hns only served to confirm me in the very favourable opinions heretofore expressed. The public improvements in the colony at this time are as follows, viz : A com- modious Agency House and out buildings. The upper story of the house being occupied by the Agent, and the lower one as a public court room. A two story stone ware-house 26 by 40 feet, a substantial, well finished, handsome, commodious building, used by the Agency as a provision and variety store. A wharf immediately in front of the store, run- ning 10 feet into Hoffman river. A public farm, of which about 10 acres are cleared, en- closed, and partly cultivated. A farm house for the superintendent, 24 by 16 feet, two stories high, the upper part being destined for the use of looms and the like apparatus. A Jail built of the hardest teak timber, hewed ?ix inches thick, and laid up solid of this ma- terial. A house on the public farm for the accommodation of emigrants, one hundred and twenty feet by eighteen, weatherboarded and thatched. Two of a similar construction in the village about 70 feet long each. There has been about four miles of roads opened, and it is now in good condition, and passable for horses and cattle. A commodious meeting house, has also been erected for the use of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. To these might pro- perly be added the buildings belonging to the A. B. C F. M. nil erected and now occupied by their Agent, the Rev. Mr. Wilson, consist- ing of a large dwelling house, out buildings, a large school house, and dormitory for his scho- lars. In the village there are now belonging to private individuals,twenty-five framed dwel- ling houses, and eight of the same material on the farm lots, besides twelve of inferior con- struction. The colony now contains over two hundred and twenty inhabitants; among whom about sixty may be reckoned as adult males, capable of performing the quantum of labour usually allotted to men, and of bearing arms. Of the number of those which arrived in the last expedition, I shall not have occasion fur- ther to speak, as they cannot at this time be considered as settlers. I shall endeavour to convey to you a correct idea of the present situation of those who have been a sufficient time in the colony to enable them to provide for themselves. It will be recollected that but two years have elapsed since the first establishment on the Cupe, by a party of but twenty-four men: to whom was promised ere their embarkation, both a town and farm lot; the former of which was immediately drawn and cleared. All despatch was made in erect- ing dwellings on these lots. Every man I believe, with one exception, was at this time pennyless, and many even ragged. It was considered advisable under such circumstances by the Agent, to assist those who required it, in erecting their houses and furnishing them with materials. This, together with their clothing, involved them in debt to the Agency. In the meantime much public work was re- quired, in order to enable the Agent success- lully to manage his concerns; the colonists thus indebted were called upon to render their services in payment. At this time also the state of our affairs with the natives was not such as would permit us prudently to make as good selections of our farm lands as we could desire; and even had this been practicable, they could not at that time have been wrought to advantage. Owing to the above causes the first settlers were very considerably retarded in their farming operations. This state of things continued until the Oct. of 1834, when they received very valuable farm lots conti- guous to the town; and no bar or obstacle subsequently prevented the full and successful prosecution of their agricultural labours. These people have now fenced and under cul- tivation about twenty-six acres, variously stocked with sweet potatoes, cassadn, corn, beans, plantain,and banana. Many have also ?mall patches of cotton, sufficient to supply their domestic wants, as thread, stockings &c. One individual planted between one and two acres, but unfortunately about a month too lute in the season, consequently little was gathered from the whole. Enough, however, has been done with this article to prove that it may be made a valuable urticle of export. The four- teen adult males who arrived in Feb. li:35, per brig Uoume, were able about the first of April to commence business upon their farms. This the majority of them did with such energy am! success, I lint they have now some- thing like thirty aerosol land under cultivation, containing in addition to the vegetables above mentioned, considerable quantities of tobacco. One individual bus a crop now on the ground from which he expects to realize at least five hundred pounds of good merchantable tobac- co; and this in a country where two pounds will buy a bushel of rice, is quite a fortune. These people are now all well located on their lots, and many in good framed dwellings. Of the five adult males who arrived in Sept. 1835, per schr. Harmony, two unfortunately died. The remaining three and a widow of one of the deceased, are now located on their lofs, having each a good framed dwelling and about one acre under cultivation. Taken in the aggregate there is a larger amount of vegeta- ble food now raised in the colony than is re- quired to supply the inhabitants, (the new emigrants excepted.) The facilities for rais- ing fowls, ducks, goats, and sheep are very great; little or no feeding being requisite. A larjre seine also supplies them all well with fish once a week. The colony may therefore now be considered as being beyond tho reach of want for their supply of food. Inasmuch as no article of export has as yet been raised, every one has been in a greater or less degree dependent on the Agency for a supply of cloth- ing and many other necessaries which they from time to time require. For this, and the assistance which they have received in pro- curing timber and the erection of their houses, they are, as a body of people without capital deeply involved in debt. Thus much for the physical condition of the colony generally, or taken as a whole. MORAL CONDITION OF THE COLONY. Its moral condition is also advantageous, and I trust will not be without its proportion- ale propitious results. Two Sabbath schools have been most constantly in operation, one for the children, and the other for the adults. A good day school also hns been in constant operation since the Sept. of 1834. Mr. Wil- son tho Missionary Agent of the A. B. C.F. M. has made arrangements whereby he will be able to instruct a number of American youths with the children of the natives; a plan which promises much good to both parties. Mr. Thomson is also engaged in the prosecution of a similar plan, under the patronage of the Protestant Episcopul Church of the United States. Tho colony is also supplied with a well educated clergyman, Mr. Burns, by the Mis- sionary Society of the M. E. Church. The colony now possesses and doubtless will con- tinue to. the most desirable facilities for moral and intellectual improvement. GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE COLONISTS. Having thus given you a brief detail of what has been effected in the colony, and the pre- sent situation of its inhabitants, you will doubt- less be led to inquire how such advantages are appreciated; whether the people are con- tented and hnppy in proportion to the blessings they enjoy, and whether they have and do improve in proportion to their improved con- dition ? In other words you would like to know the general character of the people of your newly established colony. This is no desiia- ble task, nor would I attempt it, unless I con- sider myself well prepared, and in duty bound to perforin it. I shall be necessitated to speak in very general terms, which will of cjurse admit of many exceptions. The inhabitantsof Maryland in Liberia, are a mural and religious people. No open vice or profligacy is encouruged. and at least five-sixths of the adults are members of the christian church. I know of but three men who have been reported to use profane language on any occasion. Not an instunee of licentious libidi- nous conduct in any member of the colony, has come to my knowledge, nor in fact has the Conduct of any female member been such as to subject her to scandal of this nature. No case of criminal prosecution has occurred, ex- cept for theft, and in those the articles per- loined were of slight value, and of such a nature, and under such circumstances, that the transactions would not have been noticed in any long established community of people. This trait of character, the disposition to pil- fer, marks tho majority of the lower class of the colonists; and is an exception to the cha- racter here given of them as a body. They are a civil, orderly, people. No properly established law of the colony has ever met with open opposition; no violence has ever been threatened to the lawful authori- ties. No instance of riot or general uncon- trollable excitement has occurred, and no instance of open quarrelling, or fisticuffs has come to my knowledge, directly or indi- rectly, since the first establishment of the colony. They are a temperate people. And for this, they may thank the spirit of the tunes and the wisdom of their legislators. I need not say that no cbbo of intemperance, or of intemperate temperate drinking, has ever been witnessed among them. The letter of the constitution and of the ordinances, has been most strictly observed; and the world may here see a people, a government, an infant nitlon that was formed, nourished, and is supported and kept together without the arti- ficial stimulus of grog. There are men in the colony whom 1 suspect of having clandestinely obtained small quantities, and used it privately; but were the question to be put to-morrow to tho assembled colonists, 'Shall ardent spirits be admitted into the colony, except as a drug to be administered by the physician,' it would be voted down to a man. ' Not an individual would dare propose such a resolution who had the least regard to his reputation, let him be ever so devoid of patriotism. They are an industrious people. I say in comparison with the like people, under like circumstances they are industrious. But com- pared with the New England farmers they are not so: at least but a few of the colonist's perform as much labour, as their strength and constitutions will admit of; say of this class there are ten or twelve. But of the truly lazy drones, loungers, or siin-baskers, we have but three or four. The majority go to regu- lar daily labour, and look to no other means for support. They are n cjntenle/l, happy pccple. This assertion must also be understood in a compa- rative sense. The amount of enjoyment any one is capable of experiencing, must bear some proportion to his moral and intellectual improvement. That even a majority of the inhabitants of Maryland in Liberia are truly happy, or are abundantly supplied with what is generally thought conducive to hnppinessand Conientnieiu; or that they have not trials, dUBeuUU*, nnd hardships to encounter, is not true. Nor is it true that a majority of them so fully appreciate the advantages of their situation, as would men of different early hab- its, superior mental cultivation, and of course superior range of thought. But still they do so highly appreciate these inestimable rights and privileges, that by no worldly considera- tion could they be induced to forego or forfeit them. Independent of the love of liberty, that strong attachment which the pioneers of civilization ever feel for the country of their adoption, would effectually exclude from the breasts of the most intelligent and patriotic, any longings fur their transatlantic home. These feel the high responsibility of their situa- tion: that they have a mighty work in hand, that perhaps tho well-being and.even existence of a nation is dependant on the course nnd conduct of each and every individual. Re- flections like these produce not bare quiet and contentment, but a patriotic enthusiasm, the highest state of mental enjoyment. But this high toned nrdour, I regret to say, is expe- rienced by few, hardly sufficient to keep a good majority up to the mark, and substantiate my declaration. BRIEF HISTORY OF INDIVIDUAL COLONISTS. I have thus endeavoured to sketch the generol character of our colonists, at least the essentials. I have described them as they are, ns they have deported themselves since their first coming together as a people. I have en- deavoured to show you what, they hare done. and what they are collerlirelij. But to these general statements and conclusions, as I be- fore remarked, there are many striking ex- ceptions, exceptions which should be well noted and accounted for, and this cannot be better effected than by delineating to you in a brief manner the character, or rather the his- tory of a few individual colonists. I shall take the extreme cases of the different classes, that you may bo able to judge what causes the prosperity and happiness of some, and the mi-cry and depression of others; and that you may see how much is dependnnt on the colo- nists themselves, and what is irremediable or dependant on circumstances beyond human control. I would mention names,but it would be unjust, inasmuch as hut one or two of each class will be introduced, and the second best and second worst would not receive the approbation, and the'een-ure which they deserve. A. a man of 45, with a wife nnd five female children nil under 12 years of age, was one of the first settlers. Himself and family sutl'ered less from the fever than others of the same ex- pedition, although their attacks were as violent and have been as frequent, yet they implicitly followed advice with regard to diet and gene- ral conduct. He brought about fifty dollars to the colony, which with his own labour, built him a trood dwelling house. He is no mechanic, and never received over seventy- five cents per day for labour. His family are well fed and clothed, and are constantly at- tendant on the school. They are further ad- vanced than others of their ago and former advantages in tho colony. He never works hnrd nor exposes himself to inclement weather, but is always busy about something useful. He minds his own business, and rules his family well. He hns a deed for his town and farm lots, two acres of the latter are under good cultivation, and well secured: the pro- duce of which will doubly supply his family with vegetable food. He is almost entirely free from debt. He declares that ho is very glad he removed to Africa, is better situated than he ever was, or hoped to be in America, and no consideration would induce him to for- sake his newly adupted country. B. a single man 11 years of age arrived in the same expedition; suffered slightly from the fever, was without capital, but in other respects has enjoyed the same advantages as A. In addition to this, he has hail no one but himself to supply with food or clothing. He has not cultivated his farm lot, nor built a I house, has not a fortnight's provisions in the ground, a decent bed for his use, nor decent COLONIZATION JOURNAL. MONDAY, AUGUST I, 1836. HELP NEEDED! What can the friends of Colonization in Maryland do to assist the Colonization Socie- ty to carry into successful operation the great work in which they are engaged } There are doubtless many benevolent persons through- out the state, who would gladly lend their assistance if they were informed in what man- ner their labour might be profitably directed. To such persons we would say, that there arc severol methods by which the friends of Colo- nization might render essential service, at very little cost of time or money. In the first place, the society publishes a Journal once in two months, in which the most recent and important advices from their Colo- ny at Cape Palmas are inserted, and from the character and interest of the intelligence thus received, it is obvious, that, if generally circu. lated through the state, it would aid in o very |