By Rev. S. Cornelius: Hartford (In addition to former amount) $5. Norwich-Mrs. N. C. Reynold, a gold watch valued at $30, From various persons, $73. New London-$98. Stonington Borough-$20. 226 00 NEW YORK.

Owego-Wm. Platt, Wm. Pumpelley, Alanson Dean, James Wright, each $10, and J. M. Parker, $5, towards constituting themselves life-members, other friends of the cause, $42 30... New York City-Messrs. Hale & Hallock....

12.50

12 75 90 75

51 35

75.00

92 00

30 00

Governor Roberts' Annual Message.

We have the pleasure of laying before our readers the Annual Message of Governor Roberts to the Colonial Council, which assembled in Monrovia on the 6th of January, and closed its sessions on the 18th. It

other session of the Legislature, it affords me great pleasure to congratumonwealth are, in all important relate you, that the affairs of the comspects, in a prosperous condition, and the most devout acknowledgments are due to our Divine Benefactor, for the bounties of Provi

is an exceedingly interesting docu- dence, and the general health and ment, giving, as it does, a clear and tranquility which at present prevail full exhibition of the present internal thoughout the commonwealth. It and external condition of the colony, that through the interposition of this is also a subject for grateful remark, and making known several facts in government, the cruel and inhuman connection with the operations of wars that have existed for the last the British government in relation to five years, and furnished so many the authority of the colony to exer- cargoes of human beings to be transported across the Atlantic into percise jurisdiction over its own terri-petual slavery, and which have altory, of which our readers have not yet been put in possession. After giving this message a careful perusal, we hope they will take up our last number and read again the article on the "Sovereignty of Liberia," as it contains some reasoning which is important in its bearing on this question.

To the Honorable, the Legislative Council: GENTLEMEN:- In meeting you again, at the commencement of an

most annihilated the trade of these colonies with the northeast section brought to a close-and we are perof the interior, have happily been. mitted to rejoice in the prospect of returning intercourse with the tribes of that section of country.

Whilst we have abundant reason

to rejoice and return thanks to the great Governor of the Universe, for the general prosperity that seems to pervade every department of the government, we have cause to regret

that our position as a people, strug- || sloop " Ferrit," in July, 1842, in regling to establish for ourselves and ply to a communication in which the our children, on this secluded and colonial authorities endeavored to sickly coast, an asylum that is de- establish, in the clearest possible nied us elsewhere, cannot be proper- manner, the right of this government ly defined or understood. The time to exercise jurisdiction over the terhas arrived for the people of these ritory of Grand Bassa, remarks—“ I colonies to give this subject their se- beg to state that, as the matter will rious consideration; it should be no have to be submitted to the considerlonger a matter of indifference: ques- ation of Her Majesty's Government, tions are daily arising that should it is desirable that the most satisfaccause us to reflect, and if possible tory proof of the territorial right acunderstand our present, and what is quired by the Liberia settlers over likely to be our future position. the country of Bassa Cove should be It is no doubt fresh in your me- shown, and as it appears to me by mory, gentlemen, that the seizure of your Excellency's letter of the 7th certain property, alledged to be own- inst., that it was not until 1839 that ed by Captain Dring, of the British the kings and chiefs of the Grand brig "Ranger," landed in Grand Bas- Bassa territory, including Black Will sa county, contrary to the maritime and Grando, Fishmen, resident at regulations of these colonies, gave the Cove, concluded a treaty with rise to a correspondence between the the settlers, ceding to them the right Colonial authorities and British na- to exercise political power and conval officers on this coast, involving trol over the persons and property questions of considerable importance, within the territorial limits of Grand relative to the right of jurisdiction Bassa; for, of course, the transacover certain territory in the county tions of Prince John and Yellow of Grand Bassa, commonly known Will, in 1836, relinquishing their as Grand Bassa Point. Captain Den- right and title to the country of Basman, in a correspondence on the sub- sa Cove, could give the settlers no ject, in 1841, controverts the right of claims over the country of the prince the colony to extend its jurisdiction of Grand Bassa,"-I would remark and laws over the country on which here, that Captain Oake does not apthe seizure was made, and assumes pear to be aware that Prince John, two positions as the basis of oppo- mentioned above, is the identical sition to the validity of the law of prince of Grand Bassa spoken of the commonwealth under which the above:-"where our merchants had seizure was justifiable. The first is, for a long time been in the habit of that "Factories have been maintain- trading with the natives, and it aped by British subjects at various pe- pears that they had been doing so riods, and, for a long series of years, for some time prior to the natives British vessels have been in the con- formally granting to the late Captain stant habit of prosecuting a free and Spence, on the 18th September, 1836, uninterrupted commerce with the na- permission to establish a Palm-Oil tives of Bassa Cove, subject only to Factory at Grand Bassa Point."the customary presents to the native More recently, September 9th, 1844, chiefs." Secondly, "That more re- Commodore Jones, of H. M. ship cently a purchase of the country for "Penelope," in a communication adthe purposes of trade and of forming dressed to the Governor of Liberia factories, was effected by a British on the same subject, assumes a posubject." Captain Oake, of H. M.sition more complicated, involving

questions of the greatest importance, || to the dispute at Grand Bassa, which your Excellency will now be pleased to receive as well-considered and final."

I propose, gentlemen, to examine one or two of the most prominent points connected with this subject, and feel that I shall be able to estab

of this government to exercise jurisdiction over the territory of Grand Bassa, and that the position assumed by British officers, in regard to this question, is untenable. Before I pro

that the position assumed-"That British subjects have, for a long series of years, been in the habit of prosecuting a trade with the natives of Bassa Cove"-is not questioned, but that Captain Dring, or any other British subject, has, at any time, purchased the territory, or any part of it, in the Bassa country, we do question; having repeatedly asked for documents to establish the fact, which have not been furnished, and, according to the testimony of the natives, cannot be produced.

in respect to the future hope and welfare of the people of these colonies. Captain Jones says, "The complaints of certain British subjects who had, under agreements and according to the customs on the coast, formed settlements and acquired property, have brought to the know-lish, in the clearest light, the right ledge of the British government the unpleasant fact that the Liberia settlers have asserted rights over the British subjects alluded to, which appear to be unjust, as relating to prior rights of others, and inadmis-ceed, I wish it distinctly understood. sible on the grounds on which the Liberia settlers endeavor to found them: For the rights in question, those of imposing custom duties, and limiting the trade of foreigners by restrictions, are sovereign rights, which can only be lawfully exercised by sovereign and independent states, within their own recognized borders and dominions. I need not remind your Excellency that this description does not yet apply to 'Liberia,' which is not recognized as a subsisting state, even by the government of the country from which its settlers have emigrated; still less is it necessary to remind you that no associations of private individuals, however respectable, in any country, can delegate an authority which they do not possess themselves, or depute their agents to exercise power affecting the rights of persons not their subjects, and established in prior possession of property to which they can have no claim. The rights of property on this coast, as they may appear to be acquired by purchase, will be fully recognized by us; but we cannot admit that property so acquired can confer sovereign rights upon private associations, or justify the imposition of state duties, or the exclusion of British commerce from its accustomed resorts. These observations have a particular reference

But conceding all that has been asserted, can the length of time during which British traders may have prosecuted a free and uninterrupted commerce with the natives of Bassa Cove, "subject only to the customary presents to the native chiefs," by any construction, operate in behalf of Captain Dring, or any other British subject landing goods in the territory of Bassa Cove, after its cession to this government, in violation of its laws? It is known that the natives along this coast, have long tolerated the subjects of civilized nations to carry on a free trade with them. But I presume it cannot be maintained that they can never alter the existing state of things without the consent of those with whom they have carried on, " for a long series of years," a free trade and uninterrupted inter