The influence of the United States squadron on the African coast has been of vast advantage to Liberia. It has given the native tribes a better idea of the American character and resources, and has tended to quell their turbulent feelings and cause them to seek a more intimate acquaintance, and a closer connection, with the commonwealth of Liberia. Lieutenant Governor Benedict, in a letter under date of September 10, says: us. and was happily settled, and the two tribes have continued to live in peace and harmony ever since. That the influence of the colony is extending rapidly into the interior and along the coast, there cannot be a doubt. The commerce and trade of the colony have been steadily on the increase. According to the official returns, the imports for a single quarter, exceeded $40,000, and the exports were about the same. The country has immense resources. only requires industry and indomitable perseverance to develope them. It is worthy of remark in this connection, that the receipts into the co It "The United States squadron has been of much benefit to us: the officers generally seem to manifest the most friendly feelings and social disposition towards Commodore Perry, together with Captains Mayo, Tatnall, Abbott, and Craven, will ever be gratefully remembered in Liberia."lonial treasury, chiefly from import The relations of the colony with the native tribes have been of the most friendly character, during the year. Peace has been steadily maintained. This has resulted, as Governor Roberts remarks: "Generally from a conviction that we consider them almost a part of ourselves, and cherish with sincerity their rights and interests. The attachment of the natives is gaining strength daily, and will amply requite us for the justice and friendship practiced towards them. They continue to refer to the authorities of the colony, for the adjustment of all their important disputes; and I believe in every instance, we have succeeded in settling them amicably; thereby preventing wars, and the great calamities that would necessarily follow." A very remarkable instance in proof of the powerful influence exerted over the most warlike tribes by the government of Liberia, is cited in the case of a dispute which threatened duties, were sufficient to meet the current expenses of the commonwealth. These receipts would be vastly increased if all the sea coast was under the jurisdiction of the colony, by which smuggling and the introduction of goods free of duty would be prevented. While we have these assurances of the growing interests of the commerce of the colony, we are happy in being able to state that the spirit of trade, which has been so rife, is subsiding, and that a growing interest is felt in agriculture. Dr. Lugenbeel, in whose statements the fullest confi dence may be reposed, alluding to this subject remarks: "You need not be apprehensive that a 'thirst for trade' will induce any of them (the last company of emigrants) to take up their residence in the Metropolis; for I am happy in being able to assure you, that the trading mania is vastly on the decline. Some who are now engaged in trading, have already found out that fortunes are not now so easily acquired, as formerly, in that way. I rejoice that the citizens of Liberia, generally, are convinced that the true source of wealth is in the soil-that in order to the maintenance of themselves and families, and the preservation of their standing as a free and independent community of people, endowed with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' they must cultivate the land; and to a greater extent than formerly, live on the fruit of their own planting." that our trade, our strength, and our popalation are all on the advance." The meetings of the Legislature were all marked with great decorum, and their proceedings would do honor to many similiar assemblies in much older countries. Increasing attention has been given to the education of the rising generation. The colonial council are con general system of public schools, in which efficient and competent teachers shall be employed, and a thorough course of instruction be given. In his last annual message to the Legislature, Governor Roberts, says: "I feel particular satisfaction in remark-certing measures for establishing a ing that an interior view of our country presents us with grateful proofs of its substantial and increasing prosperity. Agriculture is in a steadily progressive state, and continues to be a subject of much interest to many of our citizens. It is calling up in a greater degree than formerly the attention of men of capital; and when such improvements have been introduced, as the present system requires, it will doubtless become a general source of affluence." The spirit of improvement has been abroad in the colony. The Liberia Herald says: "The number of buildings at present going up in the colony, as well as those undergoing repairs, is truly cheering." A large stone jail has been erected in Monrovia. Also a most substantial, well constructed and commodious Court House has been completed. This edi This important and able document (the message of Governor Roberts) makes a most satisfactory exhibition of the present condition and prosperity of Liberia. The laws are respected-peace prevails-plenty is in all their borders-religion is in a healthful state, education is increas-fice is built of the stone with which ing, agriculture is advancing, and con- Cape Mesurado abounds. It stands tentment and happiness every where prevail. It exhibits most conspicuously the beneficial tendencies and the happy results of colonization. The LIBERIA HERALD, speaking of this message, says: "The Colonial Council assembled on the 4th March, in the neat and commodious room prepared as a permanent place of meeting of the Legislature, over the court room in the new Court House. From the spirit manifested by some, and the known ability of others of the members, we argue something beneficial. "Governor Roberts delivered the Annual Message. It is an able and interesting document, and does great credit to its author. It is to be published. It will manifest what every Liberian must be proud of, on a site which commands a beau tiful view of the lower part of the town-overlooks the bay and anchoring ground, the bar and entrance into the river, Stockton creek, Mesurado river, and a vast extent of the interior country. It is thirty feet by forty in the clear. The first story which is occupied as the court room is twelve feet four inches high, from the floor, which is brick, to the ceiling. of easy ascent and good workmanship. The Legislature met there last March. The third story is divided into jury rooms, offices, &c. The windows of this substantial building are all arched, with shutters made of durable wood, and well painted. The building cost $4,500, and has been, paid for entirely by the commonwealth. The light house on the top of the Cape has also been completed. This is a substantial building, two stories high, with a cupola sufficiently elevated to be seen from any direction, and in any weather, at a distance of ten or twelve miles, unless when a thick fog covers the very Cape itself. Dr. Lugenbeel says of Monrovia: "In visiting this place, a stranger is at once struck with the remarkably neat ap. pearance of every thing around him, and the air of cheerfulness which seems to be depicted on every countenance." Of the country, and other towns, he says: "The other settlements are in a flourish. ing condition. I have visited those on the St. Paul's river. In ascending this noble stream, many neat little houses may be seen scattered along its banks, surrounded by cleared lots or small farms, on which may be seen a variety of fimt trees and vege tables." An officer in the United States squadron says: The colony must advance and succeed under all cucumstances. It is idee to say that all are prosperous or happy. Indus. try, economy, patience and temperance, are as indispensable here as elsewhere. Without them httle can be done; but with them I do solemnly believe that the colored ntan is far, very fai, better situated in At ca than in any part of America, I am much mistaken if one in twenty of the colonists who have been here two years, could be induced, in any way, to relinquish Africa, and return, to spend their lives in America. Here they are the equals of the whites, and they feel the advantage of it." Captain Wm. M. Hanbury, of New Orleans, says: "That the present colonies of Liberia are destined to become a great, flourishing and powerful nation, I am fully convinced. I have dined frequently with the inhabitants in company with the officers of the American Navy, the Governor of the Colony, and other respectable citizens of Monrovia. They live well, and have plenty of every thing around thein." Commodore Perry, in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Navy about a year since, says: "It is gratifying to witness the comforts that most of these people have gathered about them; many of them are familiar with luxuries which were unknown to the early settlers of America. Want would seem to be a stranger among them. If any do suffer, it must be the consequence of their own idleness. "At all the settlements the established laws are faithfully administered, the morals of the people are good, and the houses of religion are well attended; in truth, the settlers as a community, appear to be strongly imbued with religious feelings. "On the whole, sir, I cannot but think most favorably of these settlements. The experiment of establishing the free colored people of the United States upon this coast many of the warmest friends of colonization, has succeeded beyond the expectations of and I may venture to predict that the descendants of the parent settlers are destined to become an intelligent and a thriving people." These facts, and this testimony of disinterested persons, which might be extended indefinitely, certainly show that Liberia is in a healthful and prosperous condition at present, and that it promises well for the future. We actually behold what Pitt thought would come to pass, when thirty years ago, in his great speech in Parliament on the slave trade, he said: “We may live to behold de natives of Ifrica engaged in the only occupation of industry, in the pursuis of just and lecitimate came. We may did the beams of science and philosowas dressing in upon that and, which at some happy period, in still later times, may blaze with full lustre, and joining their indaeace to that of pure reli gion, may illuminate and invigorate the || other live stock, with an estimate of the most distant extremities of that immense continent." the We have received in the course of year a census of the colony-also a statistical history from the arrival of the first emigrants in 1820 down to September, 1843, which is full, minute, and definite, and contains nearly all the information that can be desired on all important points. Governor Roberts, in his letter accompanying it, gives the following description of its contents: "It is in two parts: The first contains a roll of all emigrants that have been sent to the colony by the American Colonization Society, and its auxiliaries; showing their ages-state from which they emigratedwhether free born, purchased their freedom, or emancipated in view of their emigrating to Liberia, and by whom-where locatedextent of education-profession-if dead, time and cause-if removed, to what place -showing of course, the number still living in the colony. "A recapitulation, showing the number of emigrants from each state-the number of recaptured Africans that have been sent to the colony by the United States government, &c., &c. "Recapitulation-showing the total num. ber of emigrants that were free born, number that purchased their freedom, number emancipated in view of emigrating to Liberia, cause and number of deaths in each year, number of removals from the colony, &c., &c. "The second part contains a census of the colony, showing the age, time of arrival, connections, profession, extent of education, health, &c. "Recapitulation-showing the number in the colony this day, that have arrived in each year since 1820; number of children now living, born of American parents, number born of American and native parents, and number of native children adopted into the families of colonists. "Recapitulation-names of heads of families, occupations, classification of age and sex, number of idiots and paupers in the colony. "Agriculture-names of farmers, description and number of buildings on each farm, description of crops, quantity of land owned and number of acres under cultivation, where located, number of cattle and value of each estate. "Commerce-names of merchants and traders, description of buildings they own, number of vessels owned in the colony, their tonnage, whether colonial or foreign acted in the colony for the year ending 30th built, amount of commission business transAugust, 1813, amount of stock employed perty owned by merchants. in trade, an estimate of the value of pro A table showing the number of foreign vessels that have visited the different set tlements during the two years, ending 30th September, 1843. The kind and amount of merchandise imported into the colony by each vessel. Amount of imports and exports of each port of entry. "Schools-names of teachers, where located, number of children of each sex, distinguishing between American and native, by whom supported, &c., &c. "Institutions for religious improvement, the number of churches in the colony, location, description of buildings, number of communicants, distinguishing between American and native. "Statement of crime, names of culprits, whether Americans, captured Africans, or natives belonging to some of the contiguous tribes, number of convictions for murder, kidnapping, burglary, grand larceny, petit larceny, &c., date of trial, court and punishment awarded, and lastly a map of Liberia. The principal object of this map, is to give you some idea of the course of the rivers between Cape Mount and Cape Palmas; particularly the rivers St. Paul and Junk, as explored last season, and to fix the location of a number of native towns visited during that time, and others that have not appeared on any map, to my knowledge, before. There are still a number of native towns and villages in the vicinity of the American settlements, that could not be entered for want of space. At some future time I will try to send you one on a larger scale, embracing all." We forbear in this place and time, making any extracts from this interesting document, believing that the whole of it ought to be printed and laid before the country as an irrefragable, unanswerable argument in favor of colonization, and hoping that means will be furnished to print and publish it as an appendix to this report, the estimated cost of which is $1,166. gentleman who are apt to be deceived in such matters. They are cool and dispassionate observers of men and things, who always examine the reasons and found their opinions on the most substantial evidence. The fullest confidence may therefore be placed in their deductions. "COLONIZATION OFFICE, The cause of colonization is believed to be in a healthful and flourishing condition in this country. The number of its friends has greatly increased during the past year. The number of subscribers to, and readers of the African Repository, has been considerably enlarged. Many of the daily and weekly newspapers of the country, that formerly were silent on the subject, have opened their columns to communications, and have come out themselves strongly in favor of the Society. A number of new auxiliary societies have been formed, and old ones which had been Dr. Tenney sends me a list of twentytwo parishes, where he has lectured, or has suffered to languish, have been reviv-made arrangements to lecture at some fu ed. Many clergymen who for years had been silent on the subject for various reasons, have come to the conclusion that they would be doing wrong longer to conceal " their light under a bushel," and have delivered discourses in favor of the cause, which have met a hearty response in the breasts of their people. Many churches, long shut, have been opened for a presentation of the claims of the Society. Ecclesiastical bodies that have for years thought it unadvisable to have the cause mentioned among them, for prudential reasons, are now anxious that the Society should come and take rank with the other great benevolent institutions of the day, and share in the contributions of the churches. As a specimen of the changes that are taking place in favor of the Society, we insert the following letter. Dr. Tenney and Mr. Tracy are not Boston, October 11, 1844. "REV. AND DEAR SIR:-You are aware that the Rev. C. J. Tenney, D. D., has for some months past, been acting as agent for the Massachusetts Colonization Society, in different parts of the state. I have just received a letter from him, containing some evidence of a change in public sentiment, which may be interesting to you, and perhaps to your readers. lectures have been delivered, and one is to be delivered, in pulpits which have always been open for our use, even in times of the most excited opposition. He has lectured in six pulpits, and has obtained the use, at ture time, on colonization. Two of these a future time, of thirteen others, into which admission could not have been obtained three years ago. He has also obtained, for other persons to lecture, the use of three pulpits, at least, formerly inaccessible, which I do not find in his list. "In some of these parishes, the pastors have formerly thought unfavorably of our en terprise. In others, and probably in a majority of cases, they have shut their pulpits against the agents of all societies which have any bearing on slavery, from the conviction that by opening them, they should only involve their people in bitter and hurtful quarrels, without any good result. Both in closing and opening the pulpits, the pastors have very generally been sustained by their peo ple; or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, it has been done by the united voice of pastor and people. There are still many parishes where nothing can be done but by calling on individuals, without any public movement. "Dr. Tenney remarks: "The bitterness of opposition from the abolitionists has greatly abated since they have adopted political action. There is much less sensitiveness in our churches on the subject of slavery. The facts, showing the influence of the colony on Christian missions, and the general prosperity of the colony, are carrying conviction to the can |