I received a few days ago from Mr. HANSON, superintendent at this place information that the wants of the settlement are various many that they have exhausted all their means in making preparations for emigrants, and has so far succeeded as to be able now to accommodate about one hundred. Immediately on the arrival of the schooner Kegulus from Sierra Leone I shall dispatch to leeward and shall furnish their settlement with goods &c, Mr. Hanson has chosen a location for the anticipated expedition on the Blue Barra side of the river, which he represents as a very healthy prominent site. The Commercial operations of the Colony are evidently, on the advance and should we be able to succeed in securing to the citizens the exclusive right of trade at several points near oursettlement we shall see our Colony dvance very rapidly, as it is we are almost hemmed in on every side, and when at any time our interior trade is stopped our Commercial affairs become paralyzed; for British traders have become so inveterate against our speculators that they allow them but a small share in the trade along the coast-They effect this, sometimes by ordering our traders from the spots where they have selected to trade, alleging their exclusive right either by treaty or by purchase, when in most cases they have neither. When this is not resorted to, they effect it by putting a Factory near the colonists and sell their goods at such reduced prices as to entirely unable the colonists to compete with them. This they can do without loss because their goods are bought in England and the poor colonists can only be furnished with goods second-handed and very frequently have to pay higher prices than what the natives pay at those British Factories. And unless the society will take prompt and immediate measures to acquire territory-I fear they will succeed too well in confining us to the limits of Cape Messurado and Bassa Cove. I am fully convinced from late developments, that the British Government is making an effort to secure to themselves the entire trade of this part of the coast, which is becoming quite important. The Regulus has not yet returned from Sierra-Leone for which place she sailed on the 18th September, to refit. At Marshall and Bassa Cove she unfortunately lost all her anchors and chains, which were altogether too light for such a vessel on this coast. These could not be replaced here. On her first return from Bassa Cove, we managed to procure the only anchor and chain in the Colony; the former has not yet been settled for, the latter you will find charged in the schooner's account, rendered from the Col. warehouse for this quarter. On her return from Bassa Cove the second time, this latter anchor was also broken and unfit for use-her main-mast was found to be defective (decayed at the head) and unsafe to trust. These circumstances combined, made it necessary for the schooner to go to Sierra-Leone immediately. I put on board eleven hogsheads of tobacco, which if sold to advantage, (as we hope it may be,) will be something in favor of the voyage. * * Capt. Preston has been down with the African fever, but had quite recovered from his first attack when he left for Sierra-Leone. We hope he will not have a second. * * * * The operations at the Farm are going on finely. Mr. Jenks, with whom Gov. BUCHANAN made an arrangement some two or three months ago, to carry on the operations at this place, has been most of the time sick with fever. In the mean time he has been able to make such arrangements and to give such general instructions as to have things in a pretty good train. * * The emigrants by the barque Union, from New Orleans are, for the present located at Monrovia. This was done to place them in a situation convenient for the physician, as there were vacant houses at Millsburg, and he could better attend them here than at any other settlement, Millsburg excepted, where the other emigrants were located. They are doing well, and have passed through the first attack of fever with but little difficulty. Yours, &c. J. J. ROBERTS. Extract of a letter from Dr. M'GILL, of Cape Palmas, in Africa, to Mr. MOSES SHEPPARD, of Baltimore. NATIVE DOCTORS. THESE form a class of individuals of whom very slight accounts have been written by persons residing here, yet they hold a very important and influential rank in every community. The skill with which they manage all classes with whom they come in contact, evinces superior shrewdness and intelligence. From the king to the beggar, they sway all; that individual is truly unfortunate who draws on himself the anger of the doctors. These are not isolated individuals, but a regular organized body, every one of whom must have passed through a regular two years' study-bearing the token of his engagements in the shape of a wooden bowl and monkey skin continually on his person, and must show to the world that he has a deadly hatred to the pure element water, for ablutions. Having done all these things, searched for his chicken's head and found it, he finally receives permission direct from the devil to go forth and kill or cure with impunity. This devil, by whom the degree is conferred, leads a wandering kind of life, but when at home, is securely ensconced in a solid bed of rock, somewhere near the head of the Cavally river. He is said to possess extraordinary powers of locomotion, he is everywhere when wanting, but always invisible. The title assumed by this potent dignitary is that of "grand devil," to distinguish him from devils of inferior grade, for it is admitted by the natives, and may be believed, that the emissaries of his highness are as numerous as the sand on the sea shore. Pilgrimages to his shrine up the river Cavally are made by the natives residing on the windward and leeward coasts, all of whom are required to bring some acceptable offering, as an expiation of some offence or to insure his favor. The gift is deposited, and the individual returns the next day to receive an answer to whatever interrogatories he may have made; of course his gift has been by some process or other converted into the same material of which the rock is composed, otherwise the old gentleman must have flown off with it. Very often the pilgrim is advised to retrace his steps homeward, and add a trifle to the value of his offering, before the devil can find his tongue. If the doctors consult him, and are received favorably, they depart loaded with his choicest gifts, consisting principally of pieces of bark, claws of animals, pieces of rock, snakes' teeth, &c. "Eye of newt, and toe of frog, * A fowl is killed, the head cut off and hid beneath some stone; the candidate for medical honors having had eyes well rubbed with Cayenne pepper, is required to seek for and find it-the poor fellow with eyes and nostrils streaming, gropes about, to the amusement of hundreds of spectators. every article of which is a potent charm, having an important bearing on certain casualties and diseases. In assuming the name of doctors, we are not to suppose that these individuals possess any extensive knowledge of remedies, applicable to diseases; they practice on quite a different plan, and depend more on their calculations and unmeaning ceremonies. All diseases are referred to witchcraft, and the first duty of the physician is to remove the spell, or ascertain the origin of it, which he is not long in doing. Some one is charged with causing the illness, when he is required either to confess his guilt, restore the patient to health, and pay a heavy fine, or prove his innocence by drinking sausey-wood water. It is not admitted that natural causes produce disease, nor do they suppose that a man can accidentally receive an injury or come to his death by any accident as drowning, &c. One would think that they would live for ever were it not for the malice of their fellow-creatures. They are acquainted with but few plants possessing medical virues. Among their remedies we may enumerate cathartics, diaphoretics, emetics, rubefacients, and astringents. The first class, cathartics, are in most general use. Cayenne pepper is used in all diseases. Even in inflamations of the eyes, the pure juice of this fiery substance is dropped into them. Cupping is sometimes used but it is not very common. Among the Vey people there exists a singular mode of administering disagreeable remedies to the sick. This is by laying the individual on his back, seating a young lad on his chest, and compelling the youngster to swallow the preparation intended to benefit the invalid. This equals animal magnetism, and perhaps operates in the same way. When such a plan is resorted to, a most instantaneous relief has been obtained from the most severe complaints. To the power of curing disease our Cape Palmas doctors add the art of raising the wind, or subduing the storm; can command rain or sunshine, give all applicants success in hunting, fishing, robbing, or in battle. They undertake to accomplish any thing with the greatest impudence, and should they fail, it is owing to the neglect to perform some rite adapted to the occasion. Of course every undertaking of the kind requires a fee in advance; this once pocketed, they care for nothing else. In their daily avocations they are occasionally sorely pestered by the devil, which throws them into convulsions, and after performing divers feats, much to the amusement of spectators, they go about their regular duties again. I may close this account by pronouncing them the greatest set of knaves and scoundrels in the world, perfect drones, and real pests in the community. They may be distinguished here from ordinary individuals by their monkey skins, profusion of horns, and other materials about their neck and waist, and their superior filthiness. Ablutions are prohibited, their matted wool is never cut nor touched with a comb, and if it was possiblə for one to mistake them at first sight, a nearer approach would satisfy him by a strong impression on another of our senses, that he had fallen in with a son of Esculapius. Sometimes not content with the natural filthiness, the accumulation of entire months, they resort to artificial means, and rub themselves with the juice of plants mixed with soot, or red and white clay, which gives them a truly disgusting and frightful appearance. 1842.] LIBERIA. COLONY OF LIBERIA. 5 THE following is the substance of an Address made at a Colonization meeting held in Hartford in September, 1841, by Doctor BROWN, a colored colonist from Liberia, who has resided there seven years. "He had hoped that the multitude of reports from gentlemen of all professions who had visited their Colony-Officers of the Navy-Missionaries-Commanders of vessels, and the reports too, of the regularly constituted colonial authorities, would have spared him the necessity of thus publicly exposing his ignorance. He did not expect to satisfy every one, but it was for the purpose of putting the matter at rest in some points that he appeared in this occasion. The Colonization Society had its origin in the spirit of benevolence and philanthropy of a few honored individuals, whose desire it was to benefit a hitherto degraded race, and in spite of all gainsaying, it will, it must succeed. He did not believe the good men engaged in the cause in this country were actuated by any other than benevolent motives, for the wise and good of all sects and from all portions of the country were engaged in the glorious work of elevating the condition of the African race, (and as proof of the fact he referred his audience to Ashmun's life of Bacon and Gurley's life of Ashmun.) The great question appeared to be, are we contented and happy, as colonists? We reply we are both contented and happy. The soil is rich and very productive, and the climate as good as that of the Southern States in this country. Some imagine "it is sure death" to land upon that soil. Now, said he, I find men as healthy and robust with us as with you, and the children are as healthy as they are in this town, and we moreover believe that Liberia, more than all other parts of the known world, affords the best opportunity for the colored man to enjoy the blessing of freedom and independence. It is the only spot on the face of the earth, where the colored man is a citizen; all others are aliens. The motive that induces the colored man to become a citizen of Africa is high and ennobling, and should "warm his very soul;" it is no less than that of bestowing upon poor degraded and benighted Africa the lights of civilization and Christianity, for of that degradation the half had not been told us. We have been told that we would not succeed and therefore emigration has by some in this country, been strongly opposed. But we shall succeed, whether emigration continue or not; the seeds of civilization have taken too deep root, to be easily eradicated, and to save ourselves from elapsing into barbarism, and to protect ourselves from the savage bands by which we are surrounded, we must go on. He had been led to think in view of all the opposition that had been raised to their progress, that "all the world was against us." They had to contend with the opposition 'of friends at home, as well as with the savage tribes. They had also to contend with the opposition of the British, who beheld their little Colony with looks of disapprobation, and were not slow in inflicting injuries upon them which they were illy prepared to resent. Their vessels are frequently upon our little boats, and they frequently land and destroy our palm oil. In addition to all this, our house is divided against itself. Our colored brethren in this country are " up in arms" against us. They too have been operated upon, and made to believe that ours is a country of exiles. And if a man comes home from Liberia he must come ragged, and tearful, and pouring his dissatisfaction upon all around; and if he does, he tells the truth, and they immediately fall upon his neck and bring the best robe and put it upon him. Twenty years ago, the first colonists landed upon Cape Messurado, and after contending manfully with the savage natives, they succeeded in planting a Colony. They then unfurled the gospel banner, and now from twenty churches goes up the incense of praise to the living God; and shall we leave the work? Ask ELIJAH JOHNSON, the man who sat with his musket in one hand, and his child in the other, while he dispensed the Word of Life to the colonists, if he would leave it. No! We should indeed be worthy the imputation that we were incapable of improvement and moral elevation. And if we cannot live there after being so long in that country, we can't live here; it would not agree with our notions of republicanism. Neither can we live in Great Britain. No! here have we raised our Ebenezer, and here must we remain to shed a light though feeble it may be, upon our benighted brethren around us. The Colony at Liberia was established ten years before a missionary was sent out, and then some would perform six days hard work, and perhaps be the best joiner in raising the house of worship, and preach on Sunday "without money and without price." They had discouragements and disappointments to contend with in the outset, and what new Colony has not? He had heard new doctrines advanced since he had been in this country. Africa must have missionaries, but they must not go near the colonies. Why? He knew of no other reason than the prejudice against the Colonization Society. Their missionaries, say they, must go into the interior. Well, go. He did not wish to dictate; but, said he, you know nothing of the African character, and I doubt the expediency of sending missionaries immediately into the interior. In the first place, you cannot out-talk them. [Here the speaker illustrated his position in a most amusing manner, by giving specimens of their logic.] Secondly. The Colonial jurisdiction, which is a protection within its bounds, is inoperative beyond. And, Thirdly. The missionary will turn trader in spite of himself. For he goes among the natives with the avowed object of benefiting them. This must be done as they understand it. They care nothing for books, and if the missionary who comes to benefit them cannot give them something in exchange for their rice, camwood and ivory, they "no sabe" how he benefits them, unless he can gratifiy their wants. The natives, said he, are in the habit of sending their boys 30 and 40 miles, to a settlement to find employment, after the business of rice planting is over, so many have seven or eight supernumerary hands, at one time. And the parent will take no denial. He reasons thus-you say you come here to do us good-what way? you going to send the boy back into the bush to do him good.-No, you must take him. I have been out, said he, to see the Mendians, and it is astonishing to me, after all the travels in Africa that have been published, and all the charts in your possession, and a the captains of vessels in the ports of the U. States who have visited the coast of Africa, that people should be so troubled to know were they came from. I conversed with some of them and found that I knew many persons with whom they were acquainted. Now there is sometalk of sending acolored missionary out with these Mendians when they return. This I should not think advisable these persons have been taught by experience to respect the white teachers-they know their superiority and would not be likely to respect their colored teacher as much. These colored teachers after becoming acquainted with the African character, may be of benefit to the natives. They call all foreigners who came among them "white men, however black they may be. By this term they mean civilized. The influence exerted by the colonies upon the natives around them has been in the highest degree beneficial. From them the light of civilization is spreading to numerous tribes of the |