in order to reach that consummation, which is to produce the expected revolation in the popular mind. These funds must be derived from individual munificence. Government will very soon have so far fulfilled the purposes of the African agency, as to satisfy itself with a very limited annual appropriation for the purpose of keeping up that slight establishment on the coast, which alone was contemplated by the Act under which it was founded. It is indeed doubtful, whether the President will feel himself authorized to pay the expense of transporting more than one or two hundred additional settlers. The heavy expense of freighting ships for the purpose, will then fall upon the Society-an expense which they have never yet been obliged to sustain, and which has been anticipated with more serious apprehensions, than any other attending, or likely to attend the prosecution of their work. After the present year, it is desirable that four large ships should annually arrive in the colony with settlers from the United States. The charter and expense of these ships, alone would cost 24,000 dollars. A conditional agreement has been entered into with a commercial house in Baltimore, by which two or more ships of the first order, are to be fitted out, to run constantly between the United States and the coast; provided a sufficient inducement can be presented in the trade of that part of Africa, over which the Society may be expected to have some control. It is believed that, in consequence of the cessation of the slave trade, at Cape Montserado, the mouth of the river will naturally become a depot for many valuable productions of the country, and may be made the mart of an honorable trade with the natives, which in a short time will admit of extension to a degree rendering it an object of very considerable importance. The native tribes bordering on the banks of that river, for hundreds of miles in the interior, must shortly be able, with encouragement, to procure, and furnish at its mouth, an abundance of Camwood, and other dye woods, bees-wax, Palm-oil, and a smaller quantity of hides, elephants' teeth, and gold-dust. They have been from time immemorial, accustomed to the use of European and Indian fabrics, obtained in barter for slaves. Of this means of supplying their wants they are now, it is hoped, forever, and effectually deprived. Their industry must be aroused, and directed to other pursuits. They will be, very soon, both able and willing to furnish many articles of value in the American market, and over the whole of this trade, the Society ought to exercise the most entire control, and if possible, turn it to the advantage of the natives, and of their own designs. It is believed that a treaty of commerce may be established by the Society, with some of these tribes, immediately—and with all, eventually. Let it be to this effect, The Society agree to furnish the natives, at the mouth of the river, with every article which they shall require, and to the amount for which they can furnish camwood, &c. to pay, and at a fair price. No frauds shall be practised on either hand. The trade is to be carried on wholly, through an Agent residing, with the consent and concurrence of the Society, at Cape Montserado. The natives to sell their produce to no foreigner, and to trade with no vessels not recognized as in the interest of the Society. Similar arrangements it is believed may be entered into with the natives inhabiting Cape Mount, and the interior. Another depot may be established both there, and at the mouth of the St. Paul's, under the same Agency. It is very desirable, likewise, to engross all the trade of the coast, extending and connecting it as far as possible, interior, and to the southward as far as Cape Palmas; where another mart may be established; and if practicable, even to Cape Coast. This trade, if not monopolized by the Society, will be occupied by others, probably by foreigners. The Society will not only thus lose the pecuniary advantages which it might derive from it; but, what is a still greater evil, will inevitably see the natives alienated by degrees from their interests, and possibly excited at no very distant period, to a state of hostility to the Colony. It is, therefore, a dictate, not of mercantile cupidity, but of the soundest policy, and of benevolence to the natives themselves, to endeavor if practicable, at the earliest period, to convert into one honorable and profitable channel, the whole trade of the coast for several degrees, both to the north and south of Montserado. Except in their own territory, the Society have not, perhaps, the right or the power of enforcing any regulation of the trade. But here, it certainly has the right; it ought to possess the power, and must, as a measure of selfpreservation, make the attempt. What right have the English to control the trade of all that part of the coast, extending from the Sound of Sherbro, to the Rio Grande? But they assume it. This fact, though it proves nothing about the right, yet will silence all objections which they may urge against an imitation of their example, by the Society, in the neighborhood of their settlement. The right itself is to be founded on a fair and honorable treaty of commerce concluded with the natives. To avoid the odium of a monopoly, it is purposed by the regulations of the Society, adopted at the Cape, in addition to the absolute prohibition of the trade of the Cape to all foreign vessels and subjects whatever, to lay a duty on American vessels,* which by absorbing the profits, will amount to a prohibition. Thus leaving the trade open to a single house in America, the whole advantage of it, will be secured to the Society. That already alluded to, stipulates, on these conditions, to furnish a sufficient quantity and variety of goods most in esteem with the natives, to pay for all the produce they bring to the coast; and, after deducting a reasonable profit, to devote the proceeds to the advancement of the Colony. Their agent on the coast, is to be nominated by the Society, who is to furnish the latter with a statement of all the * Not proceeding under commission of the Society. shipments and other operations connected with the trade, in order that the most accurate knowledge may be ever possessed by the Institution of its actual profits. The advantages of such an arrangement, have been already presented. It will aid and relieve the funds of the Society. It will secure the attachment of the natives. It will wean them from the slave trade and reconcile them to its abandonment. It will give an impulse to their laudable industry; and supply their wants. It will accustom them to an observance of the principles of honesty and justice in their commercial transactions; and by all these efforts, help, in an important degree, to civilize, and prepare them for the reception of the richer blessings of Christianity. It will establish a regular intercourse and communication betwen the United States and the Colony. The Society will be exactly and regularly informed of the state of the settlement, and can, at any time, send such supplies as the latter may require. It will enable black people possessing property, to emigrate at option. Masters of slaves, desirous to liberate and transport them to the Colony, can do it at a trifling expense. It will furnish, in the productions of Africa thus brought regularly to the United States, ocular testimony of the fertility of the African soil, and the resources of that country. This circumstance will do more towards silencing one class of objectors, and rousing some of the friends of the cause to redoubled zeal and activity, than a volume of arguments derived from less equivocal sources. Finally, it will accelerate the desirable period when all parties are to be united in the advancement of this great national object, and Congress take it under its efficient patronage. No. 5. Mr. Ashmun considered too little, we believe, at this crisis, the particular causes productive of insubordination. He regarded the spirit of revolt, as a development of general character brought out by new circumstances, rather than the result, principally, of misapprehension, and that irritability which trials and afflictions in minds not thoroughly disciplined, too frequently excite. Some of those who were ungovernable at this period, became afterwards, firm supporters of the Government, and enjoyed the unqualified confidence of the Colonial Agent. No. 6. These heads were, 1st. The extension of the Town beyond the original limits. 2d. The claim of some of the old emigrants under the drawing for lots which took place at Fourah Bay, in 1821. 3d. The plan of Government proposed. 4th. The digest of the Laws. 5th. The salaries and rations of the proposed officers. 6th. The prices of articles to be sold. All these subects had been deliberately considered by the Agents, and on all, had our decisions (subject to the judgment of the Board,) been announced to the Colonists, who with an unexpected unanimity expressed their approbation of them. The Managers, who, for their long and arduous and uncompensated labors in the African cause, deserve respect and thanks from all men, acted on these subjects, with desire to know and do their duty, yet the result proved how slowly good men admit evidence going to overthrow their long established opinions. We here insert a few pages extracted from the Colonial Journal, to serve as a specimen of the record made by him of events, and to show the state of things immediately after the reorganization of the Government: also his remarks on the most economical mode of subsisting the Colony. Also a paper on the subject of ardent spirits. MONROVIA, AUGUST 22d, 1824. The new civil organization went into effect. The prices of labor accepted in compensation for provisions, are fixed at the following rates: Common Laborers in general, 50 cts. or 2.3 Bar. Lime-Burners, Coal Makers, and others requiring some skill, &c., Proper Mechanics, 75 cts. or 1 Bar. 100 cts. or 1 1-3 Bar. The United States' Agent, the Rev. Mr. Gurley, sailed in the United States' Schooner Porpoise, for America, by way of the West Indies. The weather, till to-day, had been remarkably fine, since the arrival of the Porpoise, on the 17th inst.: but owing to the thickness of the rain for 24 hours past, the Schooner has, with difficulty, been able to communicate with the shore in that time. Our people are divided into two religious sects—the Methodist and Baptist; each of which has its separate Preachers, and places of worship. The Methodists are also divided into the Wesleyans, and the followers of Bishop Allen. The Preachers of the latter, act under his license, and ordination. Each has its separate discipline, but occupy alternately the same place of worship. [Since the date of the foregoing, the two parties in the Methodist Church have divided from each other entirely, and established separate places of worship.] Monday, August 24. The Council was convened by the Agent. Resolved, 1. That the town-lots and plantations remaining to be assigned, be surveyed and appropriated immediately. 2. That a road, ten feet wide, be immediately opened and formed, along the centre of the Main Avenue, to the summit of the Mountain; and that the labour of the captured Africans and Colonists, be directed to that object. 3. That the Colonists interested in the plantation-survey, proceed to open paths along the lines of the plantations; and while so occupied, be exempt from any other public labor. 4. That all public tools be charged to the receivers; and if not produced when required, be paid for, and the amount collected by the proper officer. David White appeared, and offered to support himself. Twenty-seven Bill Hooks, and seventeen Axes, were distributed to the settlers and Superintendent Captured Afrcians, and charged to the receivers. Every proprietor of lands is required to set two substantial land-marks, and replace them when decayed, at the two diagonal angles of his lot. N. Butler is engaged to labor constantly on the new Agency-house. The conductor of ordnance is directed to place the arms, ammunition, and military stores, in a state of order and security, or report to the Agent the necessary repairs requiring the aid of some other workman. W. W. Barbour is engaged to open a Town School for Boys on Tuesday the 25th of August, and promised a compensation of 9 Bars and his rations per month. This school is to be held in the Methodist Meeting-House. The rations are fixed for an adult at 4 pounds pork, 3 pounds flour, 1 pound bread, 1-2 pint molasses, and 1 gill of vinegar-val. 95 per week. It is to-day decided, that the legal value of the Bar, compared with the dollar, shall, in all transactions originating after this date, be 75-100ths, or three quarters of a dollar. August 25. The object of the accommodation offered to settlers by supplying them with provisions, on sale, being to encourage a spirit of industry and independence, and the prices being regulated with a view only to supply the place of provisions thus taken from the store, it is decided that when provisions are taken agreeably to the foregoing regulation, by the barrel, &c., and the payment made in cash, or other produce not liable to a diminution of value; the retail price be abated 12 1-2 per centum. This day, Wm. Steward commenced his school: also, John S. Mill en |