waiting in America for us to clear the forest, we wish our rights for our children secured, which we hope you will grant us. As there are mill seats here, we wish you would send to us saw-mill irons and running gear for the same, also ox chains, reaping hooks, grass scythes, and stone hammers, from nine to ten pounds weight, with seed and grains of all kinds. Our rice is now shooting, and in six weeks we hope to be eating it."

4. Another colonist wrote: "There are many fine mill seats in our new territory, and also on the other side of the river. It would be almost incredible if I were to state the many advantages which are here visible to men of research. Nothing appears to be wanting but means and men of industry, and in a short time the whole of the present Colony might be supported by its own inhabitants along the banks of the noble Dey (St. Paul's), and in the adjacent country."

5. Another from Monrovia wrote: 66 I wish you and the Honorable Board of Managers would make some inquiries whether it would be prudent and safe for me to trust a vessel across the Atlantic with our stripes and cross; and whether we would be subject to foreign duties on tonnage? as Mr. and myself are about contracting for a schooner; and we wish to be very particular, and not to move until we shall hear from the Board, as the subject is important, particularly in regard to the duties. The commercial interest of the Colony is increasing."

6. On the 25th of June, the colonists were alarmed by the appearance of three suspicious vessels, which induced them to turn out all their forces, man Fort Norris battery, and put themselves on the alert for the night. The next morning the captain of one of the vessels came ashore, who wished a supply of wood and water. Being convinced that they were all slavers, Mr. Cary refused to supply them, and allowed them but one hour to leave the roadstead. They were punctual to the time. In September, Mr. Cary located those recaptured Africans, whose terms

of service to the colonists had expired, between Stockton Creek and Montserado River. Before the close of the year they had built themselves comfortable houses, inclosed their lots, and had their cassada, plantains, and potatoes growing most luxuriantly.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

DEATH OF THE VICE-AGENT-ELECTION OF WARING. 1. In the fall of this year, the Colony's factory at Digby, a few miles north of Monrovia, was robbed by the natives, probably at the instigation of a slave dealer, as one was allowed immediately to take possession of it. Demands for satisfaction having been refused, Mr. Cary felt himself bound to assert the rights and defend the property of the Colony, and immediately commenced preparations for seeking redress by military force. On the evening of the 8th of November, while he and several others were engaged in making cartridges, in the old agency-house, a candle appears to have been accidentally upset among the powder, which caused an explosion that resulted in the death of eight persons, including the lamented Mr. Cary.

2. This remarkable man was born a slave, near Richmond, Va., and was early hired out as a common laborer in that city. Here, under the power of religion, he reformed his previous profane and vicious habits, and united with the Baptist Church in 1807. A strong desire to read was excited in his mind, on hearing a sermon soon after his conversion, which related to our Lord's interview with Nicodemus, and he commenced learning his letters by trying to read the chapter in which this interview is recorded. Such was his diligence and perseverance that, although he never attended school, he learned both to read and write.

3. By his ability and fidelity in business, he obtained a sum sufficient to ransom himself and family, and became a preacher of the Gospel, in which capacity he was the means of doing great good to the colored people on the plantations around Richmond. He became deeply interested in African missions, and was among the earliest emigrants to Liberia. When the appalling circumstances of the first settlers led to a proposition from the Government agent that they should remove to Sierra Leone, the resolution of Mr. Cary to remain was not to be shaken, and his decision induced others to follow his example. To him was the Colony indebted, more than to any other man, except Ashmun, for its preservation during the memorable defense of 1822.

4. In order to relieve, if possible, the sufferings of the people, Mr. Cary turned his attention to the diseases of the climate, made himself a good practical physician, and devoted his time almost exclusively to the relief of the destitute, the sick, and the afflicted. His services, as physician of the Colony, were invaluable, and for a long time were rendered without hope of reward, while he made liberal sacrifices of his property to the poor and distressed. But amid his multiplied cares and efforts he never neglected to promote the objects of the African Missionary Society.

5. He sought access to the native tribes, instructed them in the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion, and established a school for the education of their children. To found a Christian colony which might prove a blessed asylum to his degraded brethren in America, and enlighten and regenerate Africa, was with him an object with which no temporal good could be compared. In one of his letters he says: "There never has been an hour or a minute, no, not even when the balls were flying around my head, when I could wish myself again in America."

6. The election for a successor to Mr. Cary in the viceagency was warmly contested by the partisans of the two rival candidates, Mr. Waring and Mr. Devany. But on

the election of the former, all submitted willingly to the constituted authorities. On the 22d of December, Richard Randall arrived as the Society's agent for the Colony, accompanied by Dr. Mecklin as the colonial surgeon. They found the Colony prosperous, and were struck with the inviting appearance of the settlements and the country. As no further hostility had been manifested on the part of the natives, and the slave factory, which was the original cause of difficulty, had been broken up, the colonists were inclined to pursue an amicable course toward their offending neighbors.

7. The system of education, commenced the preceding year, had been pursued through this. The teachers were attentive and faithful, and every child in the Colony enjoyed the benefit of their instructions; but these instructions, owing to the limited ability of the teachers, were confined to the simplest branches of knowledge, and were insufficient to form that intellectual character which the condition of the Colony required. The attention to morals and religion, which had for years characterized the settlers, was still maintained, and was exerting a salutary influence over the natives. Sabbath-schools had been established throughout the colonies-two of which were for native children.

8. An enlightened ministry was, however, greatly needed, and the well-timed purpose of several missionary associations to make establishments in Liberia added much to the encouraging prospects of the Colony, though they failed in a great measure of being realized. Of five missionaries destined to this field from the Evangelical Missionary Society of Switzerland, one arrived in December of 1827, and the others during the following year. They all remained at Monrovia a few months for acclimation, and were about commencing their mission at Grand Bassa, when they were interrupted by sickness, which caused the death of one, and obliged another to quit the Colony.

CHAPTER XXXV.

EXPLORATIONS-MORE EMIGRANTS.

1. THE early part of 1829 was marked by no extraordi nary events in the Colony. Health prevailed, the inhabit ants were prosecuting their various improvements, the agent was zealously engaged in the duties of his office, preparing for the reception of a large party of emigrants which was soon expected, exploring the country, and examining into its various relations and resources. He made an excursion up the St. Paul's, ten or fifteen miles farther than it had yet been explored by any white man. As far as he proceeded he found this river unobstructed, its waters clear and limpid, its banks and the surrounding country rich and beautiful.

2. As the underbrush is here the most dense that can be imagined, the exploring party could only proceed through the paths made by the wild cattle, or have one cleared by sending forward two or three of the natives, who, with their short cutlasses, rapidly removed the underbrush, and thus formed a perfect alcove entirely protected from the action of the sun, which was only now and then visible through an opening in the trees.

3. Though much had been done by Mr. Ashmun to banish the slave trade from the territory under colonial jurisdiction, it was this year carried on very actively at the Gallinas, and to the leeward of Monrovia, in consequence of which some of the native tribes in the vicinity were involved in war with each other; and at one time approached so near the Colony in pursuit of their victims that the inhabitants were alarmed and prepared for defense. They were, however, soon relieved by the departure of the hostile party, with their complement of slaves to the interior. It is impossible to imagine, says the agent,