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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0069 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0069 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. 75 Despatches. The recent arrival of the ship Emperor at New York, has furnished advices from Cape Palmas, down to the 28th April. We make extracts from the despatches of governor Russwurm, and the letters of others in this number ol the Journal. The intelligence is satisfactory and gratifying. The colonists, now numbering lour hundred and fifty, are gradually advancing in their concerns. Their progress however, is in many cases, slow, and the agent has to contend with indilf'erence and idleness in too many instances. No one case is known, however, ot an industrious emigrant who is not well satisfied and happy. The diffi- culty here suggested, is one which the society must expect to meet with; and notwithstanding their ellorts to select emigrants, there are many who get to the colony, Without any appreciation of the benefits that it offers them, and who seek it as the home of idleness. These persons add no- thing to the moral or physical strength of the colo- ny, and constitute the class of complainers—one of whom recently declared, she would not remain in Africa, because 'she could get nothing better than chickens to eat.' In time this will remedy itself; and in the meanwhile, the society must still more closely inspect those who oiler for emigration, and as far as practicable, send to their colony none but the worthiest objects. Harper, Cape Palmas, April 26, 1838. Dear Sir:—I had the honour of addressing you by the brig Susan Elizabeth, which left here for United States, via Monrovia, December 27. Since then, the brig Niobe, with the expedition, 8tc. has arrived and landed every body and every thing in safety. Tubman people.—My late advices informed you that there were seven frames erected oir their lands; you will he pleased to know, that they are all of them so far completed as to be inhabited. Two other frames have been sirrce erected They are busied in preparing their grounds for planting. Considerable cotton seed has beeir distributed to them, aird they have pledged themselves to give it a fair trial; and I believe they will. I have also given theiu some cotfec seed. Every day they remain here, I believe, strengthens their attach- ment to their new country. Should they keep together as they have commenced, they must, in two or three years, with ordinary industry, be considerably ahead of the older colonists. No land in the colony is eipial to theirs, ami so well aware arc the colonists generally of this tact, that 1 have daily applications for exchange of lauds, but it is my policy to keep them by themselves. They are mueft in want ol some jacks or horses. As no garden seeds were sent out in the Niobe, 1 am unable to supply them with any, of which they stand in much need. Would it not be well to send out an assortment of seeds by every expedition, Schools, &c.—We are glad to perceive among the passengers in the Niobe, Mr. B. Alleyne and lady, who are to be employed as teachers for the Ladies' school. Our present schools are as full as they ought to be, and as children enough to fill another school have come in the Niobe, there will be no lack of scholars. Our free school, No. one, under the care of O. A. Chambers, averages 4.5, and the subject of education, has perhaps never excited so deep an interest on old or young, as at present. The same teacher is also at the head of a very flourishing Sunday school, and adults from every section of the colony, can be seen early on Sabbath mornings plodding many a weary mile to school. The other school in town, under the care of the Methodist mission, is at present kept by Mr, Burns, the stationed minister,—it averages eighteen. 1 have chosen a fine site, between the native town and Mr. Wilson's, for the Ladies' school- liouse. I have also considerable rocks hauled ready for the masons. The lime is also ready, but 1 am completely nonplussed for want of suita- ble lumber for the door and window frames. In the interval, I have two houses close by nearly completed; one intended as a dwelling, and the other as a school-house for Mr. Alleyne. Alter considering the subject maturely, I have concluded to put up the Ladies' school-house of rock, alter the plan of that erected at Monrovia, by the ladies of Richmond and Manchester. My instructions were, that something creditable should be put up, which could answer also as a church on the Sabbath. Now wood is so perishable in this climate, that a house erected entirely of Afri- can materials would not last over eight or ten years at most; so that I hope you will approve of rock, the difference of expense is very trifling; at present, Mr. Alleyne is comfortably situated in one,,of Mr. Wilson's houses. New Code of Laws, and Currency.—We arealll much pleased with the new code of laws. We consider ourselves peculiarly fortunate in being the first colony for whose welfare and good order, so much labour has been undertaken and accom- plished. Thus far, we have a standard to appeal to, instead of being bewildered in doubts ami per- plexities, and though some things are novel, we trust that a little experience will make them familiar to all. The powers of the judges are well defined, and will save, among an ignorant community, much contention. I have not heard even a murmur against the code, though it strikes at the root of many pre-conceived opinions. There are a few of us, old residents in Africa, who can prize the labour of the committee. The want of such a code we have long felt, ami our belief is, that our sister colonies will be for adopting it, if their parent societies do not give them one soon. The currency answers all our fond expectations. Its direct tendency is, to draw all business to the Society's store; not the least difficulty exists in circulating it among the natives; frequently they inquire for it, when goods are tendered in pay- ment; and as for the colonists, they are now unwilling to take all their pay in goods, without some currency. Its tendency on their minds, has been to put by a part, instead of taking up, as for- merly, every cent of their earnings. I tliiuk our next step will he, the establishment of a savings bank, or a benefit society, for mutual relief in cases of sickness. I have not lost sight of a mar- ket. Here in Africa, time is essential to cll'ect the least object, more particularly, a revolution in the habits and feelings of the natives. Selfish as man is, he must be first convinced, it will be for his advantage to change; and ignorant as our natives arc, still their minds must undergo some process, before they can arrive at the truth. Health of the Colonists.—The degree of hcallh enjoyed by the older colonists is as good as usual, though several of them are still tioubled with chills and fevers. All the new emigrants have passed through their lirst and second attacks of the lever, but a majority of them are daily down with chills. I am sorry to say, that the single men do not dis- play half the resolution of the married, but gene- rally give up whenever attacked, and take their beds. All advice from physician or friends is in vain ; they put no restraint on their appetites, and it will not astonish me, if my next letter should report the deaths of two or three from over-eating and want of exercise. They are a lazy and dis- contented set. Agriculture.—We have been unable to do much on the public farm lately, (rom the scarcity of help. Natives are not to be procured, because all are engaged at their rice farms. It is my inten- tion to give the cotton seed a fair trial again, after breaking up, and well manuring the ground. Corn 1 am satisfied, will grow finely if the land is strong enough. Roads.—You must be pleased to hear, that our roads have never been in so tine a slate as at present; but I have been obliged to take the part near Mount Vaughan into my own hands, and expend upwards of one hundred and fifty dollars, in making a causeway, bridges, and cross-ditches. The least rain made it impassable for foot pas- sengers, and as in duty bound to give the mis- sionaries a good road into town, I concluded to make it good at once. The ellect has been a happy one on our selectmen, as the Mount Vau- ghan causeway is quoted as the McAdani stand- ard for road making. Hence the repairs on the road have been more substantial, and the physical force spent is, perhaps, greater than in the three preceding years. Holmes' road has been extend- ed; and Mr. McCjill, is now opening another back of Mount Vaughan, running parallel with Maryland Avenue. Kvery one who passes over the causeway, exclaims, that it looks like civiliza- tion if nothing else in the colony does. Had the light wagon arrived, something like confer! might now be taken in driving in different directions. Ammunition.—We were glad to receive the new field piece by (he Niobe, but it is entirely too heavy as light artillery, A piece light enough to be pulled by six men over a common road, is what we want. I suppose, 'en militaire,' it is called flying artillery. The cases of guns, mentioned as being on board, have not come to hand. If the society will send out one hundred United States muskets and cartridge boxes, for the use of the military, I will see that proper care is taken of them. A few kegs of buck-shot ought to be sent out, partly for the military ; and also, to retail at the store, as game is veiy plenty around. Jacks.—Since our last advices, we have lost four jacks, not from fever, but from old age and debility. The seller at Cape de Verde, imposed very much on Mr. Payne, by putting oil' such animals upon him. They cheated him also in (wo horses which he bought for the mission, both of which are now dead. Do send lis some more jennies and some mares, as our present stock is too limited to meet present wants. Those sent out have not been strong enough yet, to be of much service. Summary.—The fourth anniversary of the colony was celebrated in due form on February No. Big guns, as the natives say, Indicating the age of the colony, were discharged at sunrise ; the num- ber of the states of the A. Union, at noon, and one at sunset, upon lowering the flag. The order of the day was, a procession of the civil and military officer*, fee. of DM colony, escorted by the Latrohe artillery and Howard volunteers, from the govern- ment house to the Methodist church, where a very appropriate oration was delivered by the colonial secretary, before a crowded auditory. It was replete with good sense. Alterwards, the mis- sionaries, and civil, and military officers dined with me. The day passed oil' very pleasantly. I am sorry to see from the extracts published from despatches by Dr. Holmes, no notice taken of R. A. H. Oldfield's subscription as life member of the society; nor of the thermometrical journal and communications by Mr. Revey. Yours, &c. John B. Russwurm, A. Md. S. C. S. To John H. B. Latrohe, Esq. Pres't. The society owns about 512,0(10 acres. Should every coloured man then, in Maryland be sent here, so far from producing famine it would, with tolerable skill and industry on their part, render the necessaries and conveniences of life far more abundant than at present. Rice is rather scarce just now in the colony, and such must necessarily be often the case, so long as they depend lor a staple article on a fickle and barbarous people. The colonists might raise rice for themselves if they had a little more energy. If this is not done the next best thing will be to establish trading forts in the interior in order to insure as far as possible, a constant supply of tfiat necessary article. A fort, with a garrison of three or four men at the mouth of the Cavally river, and a simi- lar one at the falls, with a small steamboat plying between them would answer every purpose. I say a steamboat, as canoes are constantly liable to be stopped and insulted. Your friend, L. B. Minor. To Messrs. Latrobe and Easter. on account of my own and the afflictions of my children. But gradually these feelings and the circumstances which produced them, passed away, and now I am fixed as described above, contented and happy : and if she can make up her mind to come, I should be glad to see my sister here ; if she does come let her bring as many comforts as possible. Africa is not a land flowing with milk and honey until the hand of industry has made it so; or let her bring out with her the usual trade goods, such as tea cups, 8tc. ike, some hard money : for this is current here, and silver will procure many little comforts from vessels on the coast, which otherwise could not be cot. With fervent prayers for your welfare, I am, dear old master, yours truly, Fanny Davenport. Letters from Africa. extracts from a letter of rev. l. b. minor. Gentlemen : Cape Palmas, West Africa. In accordance with the promise made you ere leaving Baltimore, a letter giving my opinion of the situation, condition, and future prospects of your colony, is by this time due. You must not expect me to launch into unqualified phrases, regardless of the facts of the case, which I am sorry to say, is too oflen the fault of writers on this subject. Not that they make an erroneous statement of facts, but the general tone of their correspondence is such, as to convey a false impression to the mind of the reader. Now you have no cause whatever to be ashamed of your colony. It does you credit, and with proper management will, in my opinion, answer well the end m view. That the truth be accurate- ly told is all that is necessary to insure its popu- larity. The soil cannot be called rich. The geo- logical character of the country forbids the idea. Red sandstone resting on a strata of sienite, can hardly afford a rich soil. But productiveness and richness are by no means synonymous terms. For instance, take what is called in the colony, indifferent land, and it will, setteris paribus, pro- duce in twelve months a much larger amount of edible matter, than the same quantity of the very best land in America. Humboldt estimated that the product of tropical soil exceeded that of the temperate latitudes in the ratio of twenty-five to one, and if he erred it was not very greatly. The products are different, but equally nutri- tious. But you must not suppose that there is no good land. Within three miles of the cape there is a quantity of really good. Northward of the cape, about six miles, I have crossed a large body of land, which would be called rich in any part of the world. Certain persons of my acquaintance, have en- tered into a series of calculations to prove that this country is incapable of supporting more than the native population, but my calculations lead to an entirely different result. The island of Barhadoes contains 106,470 acres of land, not very fertil.-, yet besides an immense quantity of sugar, ginger, and cotton, it produces, not only food enough to sup- port 110,000 inhabitants, but exports in conside- rable quantities to the neighbouring islands. Now the country belonging to the Cape Palmas people, contains about 60,000 acres, and consequently, is capable of supporting in comfort, at least 50,000 inhabitants; whereas, its present number falls far short of 4,000 LETTER FROM F. DAVENPORT TO MR. ADAM WEVER, OF FREDERICK. Cape Palmas, West Africa, March 27, 1838. My dear old Master:—I cannot express to you the pleasure it gives me to write to you at all times. We all feel that we have received many and great favours at your hands—that you have been our best friend, and therefore I am always glad to tender you my most hearty thanks. But now that you feel sensibly the infirmities of age, ami need every comfort which can be afforded you, it gives me peculiar pleasure, my dear mas- ter, to be able to inform you how I and all my family are getting along. It has long been your anxious wish and prayer, that we might be com- fortably fixed in a land of freedom ; and although you knew the dilficulties, you thought for liberty's sake we ought to encounter them. I confess that when our trials came, they were almost too much for us to bear. Sickness long and tedious came upon us—then the loss of one and another of the children and grand-children. Though you had provided much for us, still, in a new country, we wanted, we needed very much—we suffered for much. Under these circumstances our hearts were sorrowful, we thought our old master meant well, but had not acted for the best; we Were dis- satislied, we wished ourselves at home. But my dear sir, I rejoice to tell you, that these feelings have passed away. We have suil'ered, but our sulferiugs are in a great measure over, wc begin to accumulate some of the comforts of life, to en- joy pretty good health, wo are satislied with our home. We thank, from our hearts, our dear old master, through whose kindness we enjoy it. Your son wrote that you wished to hear parti- cularly how we all are situated, what we are doing, and what are our prospects. I will endea- vour to inform you. as accurately as I can, upon all these points. We are living, as I wrote you, about tuo miles from Cape Pahnas, and one mile from Mount Vaughan, the site of the Episcopal mission. Our house has three rooms on the lower floor, with a piazza in front. The back rooms are small, being shed-rooms. We have lately white-washed it inside and outside. We have altogether, including Emanuel's lot, ten acres of land around our house. Two acres are cleared and under cultivation, producing cassada, pota- toes, plantains, bananas, and papaws, so that we live in part upon our own productions. We have also, some other productions, two sweet orange trees, and a great many sour oranges and water- melons. Water-melons are ripe here about Christ- mas ; all kinds of beans flourish here, the Lima beau bears all the year. Cabbages also grow finely, but do not head. Apples, I am inclined to think, will not grow in this climate. We have however no reason to complain of the fewness of its productions, as nearly all American vegetables grow here, in addition to those that are native. The situation of my children is as follows: Randolph, who you knuw is married, is settled in a .small, but tolerably comfortable house, about half a mile fiom me, and immediately on Mary- land avenue. He is, and has been for sometime engaged in getting shingles. These sell at six dollars per thousand, and as the demand for them is great, I think he ought to make money. Adam is associated with him, and manifests great steadi- ness and attention to business. He has grown very much, and is almost as large as Emanuel. Emanuel has grown also very much, being now quite a large man. He still lives with us, and I have given him permission to get a wife, and come to live with me, as I now begin to need some one to assist me in house-keeping. John is quite a stout lad, and progresses in learning as tast as can reasonably be expected. Dinah is quite a young woman. Easter, is also, much grown—goes to school, and reads tolerably well. Louisa has made the most rapid progress, being now able to lead in the Bible, and thus renders inc much assistance in finding the treasures in that blessed book : she will soon enter the Epis- copal Mission school, to remain until she is eighteen, that she may be qualified to teach colo- nists, and the poor ignorant natives around us. Little Caspar is now too, doing well, being in good health and able to lisp a few words in read- ing. Indeed, I am thankful to be able to state that all my children are now enjoying as good health as they did in America. Ood, in this re- spect, is very good, and for it, I desire to be very thankful. You wish to know the particulars of my children and grand children's deaths. Ange- lina died passing through the fever, I have some- times thought, that could she have received more attention slie might have lived: But I do not know. Joseph died of cholic, having eaten some- thing which disagreed with him. Angelina's two children died of dianhoj.i or worms, l'erhaps— can I doubt, that it was goodness of God thus to remove these motherless children and to take them to himself. You wish to know whether I would advise my sister to come out now that I have lived heie long enough to know by expe- rience something of African life. I dislike to take upon myself the responsibility of advising any to come to Liberia, or in passing through the sickness and trials to which all must be subjected, lest 1 should be blamed. I think it is better to lay hefore my sister my own experience, and then in view of the whole, if she comes, she will not be disappointed. On arriving here, I was put with those who came with me in the long house, to spend ill months and pass through the fever. During this period we were supported tolerably well by the society. I took the fever, six weeks after my arrival, and liom this time for fifteen months 1 could do hut very little During this time I was very much troubled with low sriii's LETTER FROM B. ALLEYNE TO MR. I.ATROBE. Fair Hope, January 18, 1838. Sir—With the greatest respect I address you these lines, sincerely hoping they may find you in the perfect enjoyment of good health, wtth'cvery other blessing you could expect to enjoy while in this state of probation. I feel pleasure in having the honour to inform you of the safe arrival of the brig Niobe, alter a pleasant passage of forty-five days to Cape Palmas, that the emigrants were all well on the passage and landed in perfect health and good spirits. There were two births on the passage, both fine boys. The captain paid every attention as it regarded the comfort of the emi- grants, and good order and decorum was observed by all on board. Agreeably to your direction I herewith enclose a copy of the gtores used on the pasage, and also what was delivered to the agent. The house intended for my school or residence not being finished, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have kindly welcomed myself and wile under their hospitable root, wherp we have received from them every mat k of attention and kindness far exceeding our most sanguine expectations. I shall use all possi- ble exertion in conjunction with the direction of governor Uusswurui to get my school-house com- pleted, and commence my duties as soon as pos- sible. Respectfully, your obedient servant, 7b J. II. B. L.vtrobe. Esq. Benj. Aleeyne. LETTER FROM M. APPLEBY TO MR. EASTER. Mount Vaughan, Jan. 18, 1338. Dear Brother Easter:—I take pleasure to inform you that we arrived in Africa alter forty- two days sail from Baltimore, five days on the bay, 17 from Cape Henry to Cape de Verds, twenty from thence to Cape Palmas. We left Baltimore, 1 believe, with 85 emigrants, increase of two on the passage, all arrived in good health, and with- out any particular occurrence on the passage ; and all I have conversed with appear to be satisfied. As to myself I had no sickness on the passage worth mentioning, and I am at present in very good health. I have been employed by Messrs. Payne and Minor to assist in teaching the native children ; but in consequence of the fever they have advised me to remain quite inactive for the first six months. I was much struck with the appearance of this country at my fust arrival, and have no doubt many persons are apt to write extravagantly after being confined on the water for many days. I was received with many joyful expressions, both from the natives and colonists, and was fre- quently taken for Dr. Holmes. I was also received very cordially by the Rev. Mr. Wilson on my first arrival in the colony. I am not prepaied at present to speak of the merits of colonization; and as to the missionary cause I can only say that I have not language to express any part of its merits, and have been con- strained to say, if the people of the United States who have received the light of the gospel knew the real condition of the native Africans, there is not one surelv but would contribute to their relief. Capt. James Corner, certainly deserves great praise for bis kindness and attention to the emi- grants. We had every privilege that we could have desired. I am compelled to close forwant of time. May the blessing of God attend you and yours, is tine prayer of yours, &c. Matthias Appleby. (From the Missionary Herald ) LETTER FROM MR. WILSON, DATED AT CAPE PALMAS, AUG. 16, 1837. Opening for a Mission in the Interior. The desirableness of establishing a mission at some point in the interior of West Africa, re- moved from the unhealthy climate and the unfa- vourable moral influences which prevail on the coast, has often been mentioned in the commuiii- nications of Mr. Wilson. The providence of God seems now to be opening the way and furnishing facilities for such an undertaking, by means of some commercial arrangements which are ex- pected to be carried into effect on the river Niger, by the West Africa company of London. The mouth of the Niger, it will be remembered, the course and termination of which were first disco- vered by Messrs. Richard and John Lander, in the year ltS30, is near Cape Formosa, in north latitude about 4 deg. 20 min., and near the sixth degree of east longitude, Rabba, the large inte- rior town mentioned by Mr. Wilson as being pro- bably a favourable location for a mission, is on the east bank of the Niger, near the ninth parallel of north latitude, and about six and a half degrees of east longitude, being situated north of that ex- tensive range of highlands called the Kong moun- tains. Considering its distance Awn the coast, as ttaiad by Mr. Wilson below, and the intercourse which it must readily have with a wide and popu- lous country around, a mission there must, of course, be of great importance in its bearings on the tribes in the heart of that continent. Reporting the opening now presented, Mr. Wilson remarks— In prepjring the last communication which was forwarded to you, it escaped mv recollection to mention that we were visited about four months ago by Doct. O.. the superintendent of the affairs of the company that was organized in London for navigating the Niger. He resides at Fernando Po, and had charge of the steamboat at the time that Lander was murdered. Doct. O , spent seve- ral months in the boat at Rabba, and had a favour- able opportunity to become acquainted with the country and people. Rabba is situated more than one thousand miles from the sea-coast, and has a pleasant and healthful climate. The inhabi- tants are also represented as much more humane and kind than the maritime tribes; and it is the opinion of Doct. O. that the people would receive christian teachers and preachers with much rrrdialin' It will b» the policy of the |