tion of a resolution at a recent convocation: "That in the present condition of the United States, Liberians and Africans are loudly called on to support, as far as practicable, their own teachers and schools." INTELLIGENCE. THE SLAVE TRADE. There can be no doubt that Mr. Buchanan cherished an earnest desire for the suppression of the slave trade. Doubtless some of our public men under his administration were far from entering into his philanthropic views.-ED. It is established, by a report made to the last Congress, that the African slave trade was carried on, during the administration of Mr. Buchanan, almost entirely in American vessels and under the American flag. From the correspondence of our Consuls in Cuban ports and on the African coast, it appears that from 1856 to 1859 a considerable amount of southern capital was embarked in this iniquitous traffic, and many of the most successful vessels were owned in New Orleans and Charleston. These were frequently officered by southern men, chiefly South Carolinians, who were thus, perhaps, preparing themselves to enter vigorously on a branch of commerce which they hoped would be at once opened to them when the destruction of the Union was accomplished, and the nations of Europe had submitted themselves to the rule of the mighty King Cotton. But if the most successful vessels in the trade were sent from southern ports, it is a humiliating fact that of the African fleet many were fitted and owned in New York and other of our northern seaports. It is known that this infamous business was carried on at the North chiefly by foreigners, who found in our busy harbors good opportunities for concealment, and in the officers of Mr. Buchanan too often willing confederates. The present Administration proposes to break up this business entirely; and for this purpose great care has been exercised in the selection of active and experienced men for the post of United States Marshal in the different districts of the seaboard. Marshal Murray, of this city, was for some years Harbor Master in those districts of our port where the slave traders transacted most of their business. He knows the men, and the means they take to keep out of the hands of the authorities. He vouches for it that not a single slaver has been fitted out from this port or sailed hence for the slave coast for the last two months; and he believes it quite possible to put an end to the business in New York. We are informed that the head-quarters of those engaged in the slave trade in this city, are in South street, between Catharine and Pike slips. Here the captains and other officers gather to plan their voyages and discuss expedients for avoiding the laws. In the sailor boarding-houses of the Fourth Ward they have no difficulty in finding a class of men who are indifferent as to the character of their employment, and prepared to take the risks of a slave trip-which have been very slight for them-for the sake of large pay. The merchants who supply the capital for this trade are scattered over the Seventh, First, Second and Fourth Wards. They usually keep men in their pay who attend to the details; and are themselves avowedly engaged in other and legitimate pursuits. But their names are well known; and the peculiar requirements of the trade are such that those in any way engaged in it will find it almost, if not quite, impossible to escape the vigilance of a faithful officer. The United States Marshal has now on his hands five or six slave vessels, and nearly sixty persons are imprisoned in the Tombs charged with being concerned in the business. The witnesses against these prisoners have lately been removed from the Eldridge street jail to the City Prison, to prevent escapes, such as have occurred in past times, by which it was made impossible to convict well known offenders. Hitherto the Marshals of different districts have acted separately; but it is intended that hereafter there shall be combined and organized action between them. For this purpose we learn that the Secretary of the Interior, to whom the United States Marshals report, has determined to call together in New York all those stationed on our seaboard, there to adopt such measures as may enable them to work in concert, and make the knowledge of each instantly and thoroughly available to all. Thus we may hope at last to find our own ports cleared of the disgrace, which has so long been theirs, of harboring the greater part of the African slave fleet. With this blow struck on our shores, if Spain can be induced to take energetic measures to prevent the landing of slaves in Cuba, we might even look for a total and speedy extinction of the traffic in human flesh.-Journal of Commerce. [From the Missionary Advocate.] THE COLLEGE OF LIBERIA. The buildings of this institution being nearly completed, the trustees of donations for additional purposes in Liberia have made the following appointments:-Hon. Joseph J. Roberts, President of the College, is appointed Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law; Rev. Alexander Crummell, of Maryland County, Liberia, Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, and of the English Languages and Literature; Rev. Edward Welmot Blyden, of Monrovia, Liberia, Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages and Literature. Professor Crummell, a native of New York, is now in the United States, collecting books and apparatus. The college buildings are situated on the southwestern slope of Cape Mesurado, facing the Atlantic Ocean, and within the corporate limits of the City of Monrovia. The site was granted by the Legislature of Liberia. -The Colonization Herald, published in Philadelphia, has the following article on the growth of cotton in Liberia LIBERIAN COTTON.-We have received a small lot of cotton grown upon the farm of Mr. Samuel H. G. Sharp, in Bassa County, Liberia. It is very clean and white, of good staple and strength. An experienced manufacturer of this city pronounces it "an excellent article, equal to good Georgia or Florida One of our oldest cotton brokers says: "Such cotton would sell here at seventeen cents per pound readily." Mr. Sharp emigrated a few years since from Haddonfield, N. J., and as it is believed that he has no practical acquaint cotton. ance with its cultivation, the cotton before us is probably produced from the native African seed, and without much, if any, culture or attention. Africa will soon yield a vast supply of cotton. That already grown is reported to be of longer and firmer staple, more like our Sea Island cotton, than any raised in India. Every year sees an increase of arrivals in English ports of West African cotton. Ten years ago but 235 pounds were shipped; in 1859 the quantity exported was 700,000 pounds. The plant is perennial, and consequently the labor and expenses of replanting are saved. Land can be procured almost for nothing, and an abundance of free labor can be had, not exceeding one half the interest per annum upon the average cost of a field hand in the United States. -LIBERIA SUGAR.-The sugar-cane culture has commenced with vigor. In 1853 not a grain of sugar was raised; now extensive plantations of the cane are cultivated. Some farmers have sixty acres, and one last year raised fiftyfive thousand pounds. The Liberian merchants own some thirty small traders, which have been built there. They have purchased several larger vessels in the United States. The imports in 1860, at Monrovia, were valued at about $300,000, and the exports about $400,000. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MONROVIA ACADEMY. MONROVIA ACADEMY, JULY 29, 1861. To the Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society: DEAR SIR:-In compliance with the instructions of the Board in reference to the Monrovia Academy, I herewith send you the report of what has been done during the year. Owing to the want of a suitable building, the primary and higher departments, for several months during our early connection with the institution, recited in the academy building. After a fair trial this was found not to work very well. The resignation of Mr. D. A. Coker, teacher of the primary department, on account of ill health, at the close of the fourth quarter for 1860, brought relief to the higher department. This department was regularly opened on the first of October with eighteen scholars. Having consulted with the principal, Rev. Madison M. Clark, A. B, stating that we were deficient in books, he judged best to have them review Arithmetic and English Grammar, which it was thought would perfect their acquaintance with what they had gone over in schools before, equalize their qualification, and form a good basis for entering upon higher studies, at the same time forward to the United States an order for the books that were needed. These did not come to hand until May last. The sudden departure of Rev. M. M. Clark has thrown upon me all the responsibilities of the work, added to the duties of the principalship. Notwithstanding, his views in reference to the studies, times for giving vacation, and grade of scholars to be admitted, have been fully followed. Since October accessions have been made from eighteen to twenty-seven, thirty being the number for which we have conveniences. Of these twentyseven, (ten of whom are select scholars,) the average standing (making five hundred the maximum,) is four hundred and ten. One, Charles S. Mitchell, a lad of much promise, has died in the triumphs of faith. Another, Anthony T. Ferguson, has withdrawn. Studies.—Arithmetic, Geometry, Physiology, Latin Grammar and Reader, Philosophy, English Grammar, and a weekly rhetorical exercise and declamation alternately. Deportment is good, a majority of the students being professors of religion. Preparatory Department.-The old printing office having been repaired, this department of the academy, in the absence of a suitable teacher, was opened by Bishop Burns on the first of June. The scholars in this department now number thirty-eight. Books, Apparatus, etc.-A new system is being introduced of having students pay for their books. The apparent desire of the parents and guardians to assist in this matter has led us, after consultation with some of the members of the committee of selection, to make it a general rule in the Monrovia Academy. We are sadly in want of a cheap (if no other can be afforded) set of philosophical apparatus. The need for it the Corresponding Secretary will perfectly realize, when I say we have students prosecuting Philosophy, many, in fact all, of whom have never seen the instruments (of whatever description) adopted in illustration. The different subjects are, therefore, liable to be uninteresting, unless by the employment of apparatus we can impart to the series of subjects embraced in the study a more real and lifelike existence. General Remarks.-My health has been good. The duties, however, are onerous; and if, as the Corresponding Secretary stated to me in New York in 1860, the academy is to be placed on the same basis of those in the United States, duty to myself and the intellectual development of the students under my care, require me to ask for an assistant. A simple glance at the work required in an academy on the general basis and grading of American academies, will preclude necessity for enlargement in our remarks, in order to give the statement just made additional force. Examination. The following members of the committee were present: Rev. Bishop Burns, Hons. H. W. Dennis, and Joseph J. Roberts. In addition to these we were favored with the presence of Revs. G. W. Gibson and Thomas Fuller, Hon. S. F. McGill, M. D., and lady, Mrs. Bishop Burns and Mrs. G. C. Dennis, H. R. W. Johnson and lady, Mr. D. A. Coker, former teacher of the primary department, and M. M. Witherspoon, principal of the Alexander High School. The examination began at ten a. m. and continued without intermission unt two p. m. The classes were examined in Thomson's Arithmetic, Latin Grammar and Reader, Hooker's Physiology to chapter vi, Johnston's Natural Philosophy to chapter ii, Composition, and English Grammar. The examination being through with, a few remarks of encouragement were made by Messrs. McGill, Roberts, Gibson, and Witherspoon. Respectfully submitted to the committee for their approbation. I am, reverend and dear sir, yours respectfully, We were present at the first examination of the Monrovia Academy, since it has been resuscitated under its present authorities, and take pleasure in testifying to the gratification we experienced during the exercises. We beg leave to embrace this befitting opportunity and method of expressing our approbation of the studies pursued in the academy and the course of instruction adopted. Permit us to say that the general statements of the report, as above set forth, have our concurrence, and we join most cordially in the opinion that a philosophical apparatus, to aid in imparting interest and effectiveness in the prosecution of those special branches of instruction to which the illustrations they supply properly belong, would be a great addition to the institution in many respects. The number of students, the variety and nature of their studies, together with the requirement, in the necessity of our circumstances, that the principal be well posted in each and prepared for ample illustration, demand an amount of time and strength, which in our judgment make the services of an assistant teacher, to the health of the principal and the continued prosperity of the institution, very desirable. We are, most respectfully, your obedient servants, FRANCIS BURNS, J. J. ROBERTS, An old African negro named Lester, living among the Chickasaws, told Mr. Treat, in 1848, of one of his masters who was so displeased with Lester's praying that he threatened to kill him if he did not give up the practice. The faithful negro replied, “Massa, me muss pray: me can't lib widout pray.” The master raised his gun, took deliberate aim, and fired; but for some reason he failed to accomplish his purpose. He proceeded to load his gun a second time, Lester saying still, "Massa, me muss pray; me can't lib widout pray." A second time the gun was raised, but just as he was about to fire, a son-in-law interposed, and saved the negro's life. "Afterward did your master try to stop your praying?" Mr. Treat inquired. "No, massa, was the answer; "he know do no good. He couldn't make quit." A DYING JEWESS.-A colporteur, employed not long since by a Bible Society in London, was offering Bibles for sale in that metropolis, when he was told that if any of the Jews should purchase his books, and become Christians, they would certainly return to their former belief; "for," said the woman, "they must die in the faith of Abraham " To this he replied: "It certainly is not always so; for I myself have seen a Jewess die who did not forsake her faith in the Redeemer. I was at that time a city missionary, and was desired to call upon her by those who well knew her previous history This visit happened to take place on the day of her death. "She had been brought from affluence to abject poverty for the faith of Christ. She had at one time kept her own carriage. One day she cast her eye on the leaf of a hymn book, which had come into the house covering some butter, and she read upon it these words "Not all the blood of beasts, On Jewish altars slain, Could give the guilty couscience peace, Or wash away the stain." "The verse haunted her; she could not dismiss it, nor forget it; and after a time she went to a box, where she remembered she had a Bible, and, induced by the verse, began to read, and read on till she found Christ Jesus, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.' "She became openly a convert to Christianity. This caused her husband to divorce her. He went to India, where he married again, and died. She lived |