Page:A Chapter on Slavery.djvu/90

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76
A CHAPTER ON SLAVERY.

purchased a territory and commenced a colony. The Louisiana Society propose the settlement of a colony on the opposite side of the same river. Virginia, too, by her State Colonization Society has resolved to plant a colony upon the African coast, within the Liberian territory, to bear the name of New Virginia. Kentucky also has a prosperous colony there. And, indeed, many of the States have in Liberia distinct colonies, lining the coast of Western Africa, for many hundred miles, — thus furnishing a barrier to the approach of the slaver on the one side, whilst on the other they pour the light of civilization and Christianity upon benighted millions."[1]

Dr. Rainey, surgeon of the U. S. steam-frigate Niagara, which in 1858 was sent to Liberia to convey the slaves taken in the brig Echo, thus describes the country: — "No one can enter any part of the Republic of Liberia without being forcibly impressed with the mighty changes which this little voluntary society has made in that benighted land, and without blessing its founders and supporters, for having effectually redeemed six hundred miles of coast from the curse of the slave-trade. — Monrovia is a city of 3,000 inhabitants, a population as virtuous, orderly, and well conducted, as can be found in any country. The city is not healthily located, and hence bears but little of that impress of prosperity which is everywhere discernible throughout other portions of the Republic. I made a short visit up the St. Paul's river. The first few miles the banks are low and unhealthy, with malaria producing fever, though not worse than in

  1. Plea for Africa, Conversation XXI.