tion was responded to with great cheerfulness, to the amount of 60. Mr. Plumer now announced a proposition from a lady of the congregation to be one of 50 to give $5 each, which was responded to in the same handsome style. The baskets were then handed around, to "gather up the fragments, that nothing might be lost," and it was found that the nett proceeds of the meeting amounted to FIFTEEN HUN DRED AND FIVE DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-TWO CENTS. What was still more interesting to a devout mind and worthy to be noticed here, was the very solemn and pious character of the meeting throughout. There was a strong indication of contemplative interest, in the countenance of every hearer, and a vein of deep and prayerful feeling pervading the assembly.-This meeting, held at the time it was, and in the presence of so many strangers, cannot fail to give a new impulse to the spirit of Missionary enterprise within the bounds of our Conference. C. Richmond, February 28, 1837. EXPEDITION TO LIBERIA. We have heretofore omitted to notice the sailing of the Brig RoNDOUT, Capt. Howland, for Liberia. She left Wilmington, on the 30th of December last, with thirty four emigrants, among whom were William Taylor, a young coloured physician who has received his medical education at Washington under the care of the Board, and the emancipated slaves of Dr. SHUMAN of North Carolina, whose case was noticed in Vol. 12, p. 317 of this Journal, and in Vol. 13, p. 4. It was expected that Louis Sheridan and his connexions, (see African Repository, Vol. 13, p. 4,) about 40 in number, would have been among the emigrants of this Expedition; but, much to the regret and disappointment of the Managers, it was found that the vessel chartered was too small for the accommodation and conveyance of their property. They were thereupon necessarily obliged to defer their departure till another opportunity should offer. This we hope will soon be the case, as Mr. Sheridan is a man of great respectability, telligence and information, besides being the owner of considerable property, and would on every account be a most important accession to the Colony. in Dr. David Francis Bacon sailed in the Rondout, as principal Colonial Physician. LIBERIA. Extract of a letter from a Colonist, received by the Rev. Wm. F. Broaddus, dated BASSA COVE, September 21, 1836. We are surrounded by an opposing people, to whom we believe God intends by us to send the gospel. They are beginning to inquire why God makes such a difference between them and the Americans, and whether they cannot become like the Americans; which furnishes to my mind the evidence that the work will be done, though I should not live to see it. Our settlement is quite healthy. We have not lost a single person, save those who fell in the massacre at Bassa Cove. We have here houses built, some log, some framed-town lots cleared-streets laid off-a church built, 30 by 24; we have twenty-six or twenty-seven members of the church, of which little flock your servant has the responsible charge. Two have been baptized this year, one who came with us restored, others received by letter, among which are two ministers of the gospel, Crocker and Mylne. They are missionaries, but the seat of their mem~ bership is in our church. I have the honor to remain, Your affectionate Brother, in labors and in Christian love, The author of the above letter formerly belonged to Dr. Hawes, of Rappahannock, and was baptized and admitted to the church by the Rev. Mr. Broaddus, who had the highest confidence in his Christian character, and rejoices greatly to learn that he is now preaching the gospel in Africa. The number killed in the massacre to which the letter refers, was seventeen, four adults and thirteen children. This letter furnishes additional proof that nothing is to be apprehended from the climate of Africa,by the coloured emigrant, except those, perhaps, from the mountainous parts of Virginia, who settle upon the rivers or low situations upon the coast. X. CONTRIBUTIONS To the American Col. Society, from Jan. 25, to Feb. 25, 1837. Gerrit Smith's Plan of Subscription. Judge Burnett, Ohio, E. F. Backus, Philadelphia, Collections in Churches, &c. Dayton, Ohio, in the Church of the Rev. Ethan Allen, Delaware, Rev. Wm. Matchet, Agent, Freehold, N. Jersey, 1st Presbyterian Church, by D. V. M'Lean, Donations. Essex County, Va. Alexander Somervail, by Hon. F. Mercer, A Friend, by T. Donoho, New Albany, Indiana, by the Ladies, remitted by Martha Beal, A Friend in Knoxville, by Capt. Holcomb, Lynchburg, Life Subscription. Robert Carter Page, Illinois, by Rev. W. M. Atkinson, Rutland, Ohio, Female Society, from Jesse Hubbell, Virginia Col. Society, by B. Brand, Tr'r. Do Do Do from Carter Braxton, Richmond, Collected at Prince Edward C. House by Rev. R. Mrs. Lee, for passage, &c. of Negro Paine, African Repository. John Marshall, Fauquier County, Va. per Rev. Geo. Lemmon, James D. Johnson, Norfolk, Va. Mrs. W. H. Fitzhugh, Ravensworth, Garriet Meriwether, Oak Grove, Kentucky, Cyrus Williams, Stockbridge, Mass. Rev. Jonathan Fisher, Blue Hill, Me. D. W. Naill and J. Landes, Sam's Creek, Md. $2 each to Dec. 1837, inclusive, Samuel Fletcher, Concord, N. H. Anson Ashley, Asaph Whittlesey, R. P. Treat, Tallmadge, Ohio, $5 each, per Hon. Jonathan Sloan, Hon. Jonathan Sloan, Ravenna, Ohio, Rev. John Cannon, New Alexandria, Pa. Lyman Patchin, Bennington, Vt. per Hon. Mr. Hall, Rev. Wm. Matchet, Agent, Christopher Waldrop, Richmond, Va. per. B. Brand, Dr. Carr Bowers, Southampton, Va. per Jesse Lankford, Charles S. Cary, Chelsea, Mass. Nicholas Mills, Richmond, Liberia Herald. 5 CAPT. NICHOLSON'S REPORT. THE politeness of the Secretary of the Navy enables us present to our readers the following interesting letter from Capt. J. I. NICHOLSON of the U. S. Navy, giving the result of his observations during a recent visit to the several American Colonial Settlements in Africa. The view which it exhibits of their condition is, on the whole, highly encouraging, and cannot fail to confirm the confidence and animate the exertions of the friends of African Colonization. Capt. NICHOLSON, it will be seen, is of opinion that the prosperity of Monrovia has been impaired by a neglect of Agriculture for the pursuit of trade. This is an evil which has long been apparent to the Managers of the Parent Institution; and they have endeavoured to arrest its progress by such regulations and moral influences as could be brought to bear on the object. The expediency of the means employed is visible in an increased attention to agriculture among the citizens of Monrovia ; though the period has not yet arrived when full success can be expected to attend those means. The beneficial results already experienced from the visit of the ship Potomac will highly gratify the enemies of the Slave Trade, and especially such of them as are friendly to Colonization. The obvious and proved tendency of periodical visits from our National Vessels of War to the Western Coast of Africa, to restrain that detestable traffic, will, it is hoped, induce the Government to direct such visits to be made as often as the interest of the public service may permit. U. S. SHIP POTOMAC, RIO DE JANEIRO, 8th January, 1837. SIR, I have the honour to inform you that we arrived at Cape Messurado on the 20th November, whence we sailed for Bassa Cove on the 27th, and to make the following report of its state as far as I could ascertain from my own observation, the reports of the authorities at Monrovia, and the information derived from the officers of the ship. Its elevated location was selected with judgment; it may be effectually fortified, and the anchorage is good. The population is about one thousand, and their exports amount to seventy-five thousand dollars annually, in camwood, ivory, palm oil, and a few hides; but at present their trade is much depressed in consequence of the wars among the natives. The forests abound with medicinal herbs, gums, and valuable wood of almost every description. About seventy-five vessels touch there annually, of which one-third are Americans.Their agriculture appears to have been neglected, owing they say to the pecuniary embarrassment of the people and the want of cattle and agricultural instruments. Cotton, coffee, indigo, and the richest sugar-cane are indigenous to the soil, and with encouragement and industry, could be produced in any quantities. The salubrity of the climate is found to increase, as the forests are cleared away. Vegetables of many kinds may be raised in plenty; and hogs, sheep, goats and cows, appear to thrive. Fish in abundance are found in the streams, and it is generally admitted that a very comfortable subsistence can be procured by any man of moderately industrious habits. But they complain that the want of capital prevents the farmer from raising a surplus. The slave trade within the three last years has seriously injured the colony. Not only has it diverted the industry of the natives in the vicinity from agriculture and trade, but it has effectually cut off the communication with the interior; the war parties being in the habit of plundering and kidnapping for slaves all whom they meet, whether parties to the war or not. The daring of the slaver increases with the demand for slaves, which could not of late be supplied by the usual means. The slavers have, therefore, excited the natives to war, by the distribution of their goods, an appeal to their avarice which is but too successful, and within a year four slave factories have been established almost within sight of the colony. But the colonists say they are deterred from marching to destroy them, by the certain revenge to which their helpless trading vessels are exposed. If the slavers were kept from the coast, which, I am informed, could be effected, if the colony possessed an armed vessel, to be manned by their own people, this cause of four-fifths of the wars would be removed, and the natives would return to their peaceful pursuits. It is complained, that many of the emigrants are forced to expend what little capital they may have in erecting their buildings, &c., and to resort to petty traffic for immediate subsistence, to the neglect of the slower returns of agriculture; and that the drain of the inhabitants of Monrovia to form the other settlements, has been a serious obstacle to its growth. Some of the officers who have been here before, tell me that it is evidently not so prosperous as it was at their former visit, which I would ascribe to the neglect of agriculture for the pursuit of trade, which being now cut off by the native wars, has left them without resources. The traders, too, who arrive upon the coast, fearing no competition, and knowing their necessities, demand exorbitant profits, which are again increased by the traders on shore before the articles reach the customers, whose earnings are thus absorbed. It appears to me that it would be advantageous to all parties, if the Society should place their public store on such a footing as would enable the agent to issue at a moderate profit to the colonists, the groceries and clothing for which they now pay so dearly, without, however, prejudicing the interests of the fair tra der. The monopolist could not then take advantage of their necessities, and their earnings might be saved to them for the improvement of their lands. It is important that a greater proportion of farmers be sent among them, for on the product of the soil by their own labour must the settlers mainly depend. Doctor Dodd, the Surgeon of the ship, who ascended the river, informs me, that about four miles from Monrovia on the Stockton river is the settlement of New Georgia; it contains about two hundred and fifty inhabitants, re-captured Africans, who are devoted to agriculture. The soil is good, easily cultivated, and amply repays the labourer.This settlement is certainly in advance of the others in agriculture.Caldwell, another of the settlements, is about three miles above New Georgia; it extends about four miles along the south bank of the St. Paul river, and contains about four hundred inhabitants. The soil is good and in a tolerably good state of cultivation. Thirteen miles above Caldwell is Millsburg, finely located on the same river, and flourishing, the soil equally fertile and the climate more salubrious than the others; it contains about three hundred well contented inhabitants. The schools at the settlements are generally well attended; the children make very good progress. The morals of the upper settlements generally stand fair. We arrived at Bassa Cove on the 29th of November, and I have great pleasure in saying, that those who visited the shore were agreeably surprised at the progress that had been made in clearing away the land, laying out streets, draining a piece of low ground, and building houses, as well for the actual settlers, as for those who are expected. The present inhabitants are most of the re-united remains of the first settlers, whose defenceless situation had been taken advantage of by the natives, to pillage and burn their houses, and murder a number of men, women and children. The Commissioner, Mr. Buchanan, deserves more praise than my report may confer upon him for having re-established them. Eleven months only have elapsed since Bassa Cove was a dense wilderness, and it now exhibits the evidence of a thriving village, and of an industrious people, obedient to the laws, and understanding their interest in maintaining them. The schools appear to be well attended by the adults and children, of which the necessary good effects will be felt in their moral influence over the natives. The town is beautifully situated on the southern side of the St. John river, at its mouth, about fifty-five miles S. E. of Monrovia, enjoying the sea breeze every day. The Benson river is in its rear, abounding with fish and oysters, and the land in the neighborhood is favourable to agriculture. The population is about one hundred and fifty souls, occupying forty dwelling houses, effectually defended by the well placed pieces of artillery. The good understanding with the natives had been occasionally interrupted by the influence of the slavers: but on the appearance of this ship, all differences were settled by a treaty between Mr. Buchanan and the neighboring Princes, or head men, obliging themselves to renounce the slave trade forever, and to be obedient to the laws of the Colony, as far as applicable to their condition. |