Every grown man in the nation, || well known to be sinful, it will condoubtless, knows that duelling is tinue to be committed, and to be sinful; and yet there are multitudes who have no thought of abstaining from it on that account. The testimonies of the pious against sin, pass by such men "as the idle wind!" We may rest assured, therefore, that the pious cannot, with their present strength, change the position of the colored man in American society, however great the sin of denying him social equality, and however sanctioned by public sentiment, till the amount of religious principle is increased at least three-fold. Meanwhile shall he not be allowed, if he desires it, to escape to a land where no such prejudice shall obstruct his elevation, where his talents and his virtues may have free scope, and where, by showing that he is in the best and highest sense, a man, he may shame the world for treating him like a beast of burden! [From the National Intelligencer.] The Colony at Liberia. scheme of colonizing the free people of color of the United States in the land of their forefathers. That portion of the peninsula of Africa which has received the appellation of Liberia, embraces a tract of land on the western coast, extending from the Gallinas river on the north to Cape Palmas on the south, between the latitudes of 4 and 7 degrees north. Only about one-third of this territory, however, has been purchased by the Colonization Society; consequently, the colonial government does not extend as far as might be inferred from an examination of the usual maps of Africa. There are nine settlements in the colony. Of these Monrovia is the largest, con MONROVIA, Liberia, December 20, 1844. Messrs. EDITORS: -Notwithstanding enough may have already been written by different persons who have visited or resided in the colony of Liberia, relative to the condition and apparent prospects of those who emigrated from the United States to this part of the world, and who have adopted this as the place of their future residence, yet I have thought that a plain, unvarnished statement of facts from one who has resided upwards of a year in the colony, and who, during that time, has had good opportunities to become conversant with the state of public affairs, and with the situations of nearly all the colo-taining a population of about one nists, may be acceptable to many of your readers, and may tend to shed some additional light on subjects which may be interesting to those especially who are desirous to receive information, from various sources, respecting the success of the great thousand. On the St. Paul's river there are two settlements, Caldwell and Millsburg; the first about ten miles and the second about twenty miles from Monrovia. On an arm of the St. Paul's river, called Stockton creek, is New Georgia, the settle ment of those recaptured Africans who were restored to the land of their nativity by the United States Government, and who have taken up their residence in the colony, and have adopted the forms and habits of their civilized neighbors and become identified with them as members of the commonwealth. At the mouth of the Junk river is the settlement of Marshall, about thirty-five miles by sea south of Monrovia. On the St. John's river are the settlements of Bassa Cove, Edina, and Bexley, about seventy miles from Monrovia. Further down the coast, at the distance of about one hundred and thirty miles by sea, is the settlement of Greenville, at the mouth of the Sinou river. Besides these, two other points have lately been settled; one on the St. Paul's river, above Caldwell, and the other on the Sinou river. The former was settled principally by those persons who formerly belonged to Mr. McDonogh, near New Orleans; and the latter by those who were liberated by the late Mrs. Read, of Mississippi. These settlements are not compact, although they have received particular names. The houses are generally separated by intervening lots or small farms; so that the towns generally occupy a space of from one to five or six miles in extent. Monrovia, which has more the appearance of a town than any of the others, is the metropolis and seat of government, at which place the legislature, composed of ten representatives, elected by the people, meets annually. The form of government, is similar to that of the state governments in the United States. The colony is divided into two counties-Montserado and Grand Bassa; in each of which courts are regularly held, as in counties in the United States. In visiting the legislature and the different courts during their sessions, any unprejudiced individual cannot fail to be impressed with feelings of respect for the authorities of the colony, and with a conviction of the fact that in a country in which the mind as well as the body is unfettered, the power of self-government does not depend on the color of the skin. And when we take into consideration the fact that the majority of the colonists were brought up in slavery and came to Liberia without any education, our surprise will not be that the colony has not advanced more rapidly, but that it continues to exist at all. The soil of Liberia is generally very good, and it will produce freely most of the productions of tropical climates. It is different in different parts of the colony. Near the sea coast the soil is light and sandy, and yields sweet potatoes, cassadas, and most of the garden vegetables that are usually raised in the United States. On the banks of some of the streams, the soil consists of clay more or less mingled with dark loam. In more elevated positions we find a reddish clayey soil, producing a luxuriant growth of forest trees and shrubbery. || This last is the most favorable for the cultivation of coffee. The richest and most productive soil, however, is a deep, loose, dark mould, extending back from the banks of the rivers, and free from stones and gravel. And Most of the usual productions of tropical climates thrive well in Liberia. The coffee tree will grow as freely and yield as abundantly as perhaps in any other part of the world. I am glad to see that the colonists are beginning to appreciate the advantages that may result from attention to the cultivation of this useful and profitable article. At some future period no doubt coffee will be the principal staple production of Liberia, and the most profitable article of exportation. The trees attain a much larger size than those in the West Indies, and they bear much more abundantly. They do not require much cultivation; indeed they frequently grow wild in the woods on this part of the coast. The sugar cane grows luxuriantly; but, at present, sugar cannot be made as cheaply in the colony as it can be purchased from abroad; and I am apprehensive that the colonists never will be able to compete with some other countries in the production of this article. If they had the necessary apparatus, however, they could easily produce enough for home consumption at less expense than it now costs when purchased from trading vessels. At present very little rice is raised by the colonists, as it can be bought from the natives for less than the cultivation of it would cost. Indian corn can be raised in the colony, not very plentifully, however; but in sufficient quantities, I think, to supply the families of those who will take the trouble to cultivate it. Sweet potatoes can be raised in the greatest abundance during any season of the year, and on almost every kind of soil; I have seen them growing freely in the sand within sixty vards of the ocean. I have scarceİy ever dined in Liberia without having this excellent vegetable on the table. Cassadas and yams can be produced in almost any quantities; and when properly prepared for the table they are very good and nutritious vegetables. Plantains, bananas, and all other fruits peculiar to tropical climates, thrive well in Liberia. Tomatoes, egg-plants, okra, beans, and nearly all the other usual garden vegetables can be raised easily. Irish potatoes are, however, out of the question; nor do cabbages thrive well. We have plenty of greens, but few cabbage heads. Although very little cotton has yet been produced in the colony, yet it has been clearly ascertained that, with proper cultivation, the cotton tree will grow well and yield abundantly. Several kinds of cotton trees grow wild in the forests. In regard to the climate, I may say that it is altogether very pleasant. The temperature is exceedingly uniform; and the warmth of the atmosphere is generally much less than I have frequently experienced it in the District of Columbia. I have scarcely ever known the mercury in the thermometer to rise above 86 degrees. The extreme limits may be set down at 72 and 87 degrees of Fahrenheit. I have never known the mercury to sink below the former nor to rise above the latter number. The variation in the heat, as indicated by the thermometer, is seldom more than four or five degrees, during the twen ty-four hours of a day. There is properly no real distinction in regard to seasons. But as more rain falls during the half of the year beginning with May than during the other half beginning with November, the former is usually called the wet or rainy season, and the latter the dry season. There is not, however, any month during the whole year in which we do not have more or less rain; nor is there any month in which we do not have some fine clear weather. I have seen garden vegetables perishing for the want of rain during the months of July and August, and I have seen pretty copious showers of rain during the months of January and February. During what is called the rainy season,the temperature of the atmosphere is generally five or six degrees less than during the dry season: the thermometer usually standing at from 76 to 80 degrees during the day in the rainy season, and from 80 to 86 degrees in the dry season. too lengthy letter, I cannot forbear an expression of my feelings relative to the kind of immigrants who are best calculated to build up and sustain this interesting little republic; which, if properly sustained and fostered, will no doubt become a mighty nation, shedding the lights of civilization and Christianity far into the interior of this land of ignorance and superstition. The Colonization Society should exercise greater discrimination in the kind of people whom they send to Liberia, or the advancement of the interests and blessings of the colony will bear but a faint comparison to the number of immigrants. The great scheme of colonization, as I understand it, is not designed simp The rivers in Liberia are comparatively small; and although some of them are of sufficient size to admit vessels of eighty or a hundred tons, yet, in consequence of the difficulty presented by the bars at their mouths, they are seldom entered except by the small crafts belonging to the colony. The land bordering on the rivers in the vicinity of the ocean is generally low, and in some places very swampy; but towards the headwaters of the rivers the land is elevated and covered with large forest trees. In regard to the influences of the climate on the physical system, I may remark that my experience and observations in reference to myself and many others, have confirmed me in the opinion that the climaterial in-ly to rid the United States of the colorfluences are less deleterious to human health than is generally supposed in the United States. Every person who emigrates from a temperate climate to this country must experience some acclimating process, which may or may not be attended with much fever, according to circumstances to constitutional predisposition, previous habits of life, &c. In some cases the acclimating fever is violent and fatal in its effects, but in the large majority of cases it is mild in its form and yields readily to appropriate treatment. Very few persons die during the first attack of fever; the principal danger is in consequence of relapses, which, in nineteen cases in twenty, are the results of personal imprudence, and not the effects of the continued injurious influences of the climate. I find that those persons who have resided in the colony one year or more, and who are able to live comfortably, generally enjoy very good health. The principal cases of sickness are among those who are in indigent circumstances, and in whom poverty and indolence are often associated. In concluding this perhaps already ed population, but to establish in the land of their ancestors a colony of free colored persons, for the two-fold purpose of promoting their own happiness and of extending the benign influence of civilization and Christianity to those who are grovelling in the darkness of heathenism. I think that the colony has not yet arrived at that point which renders it a fit receptacle for all kinds of characters-a place of refuge for all kinds of slaves who may be "manumitted for Liberia,"—or an asylum for those whose constitutions have been broken down by hard labor or old age. It is important that men of sterling integrity, of industrious habits, and of some degree of intelligence at least, should combine their efforts to overcome the many obstacles that may be presented to the accomplishment of any grand design-to the achievement of any bold and hazardous enterprise. This is equally true in regard to the maintenance of a republican form of government in any country, especially in a new country, the aborigines of which are in a state of barbarism, and the subjugation of whom depends in a great measure on the introduction of habits of civiliza- | ual additions of rubbish which are tion among them. being heaped upon it. I would not write disparagingly of the present condition and prospects of the colony; for, although much re It is true that the colony of Liberia has already been established on a basis which is impregnable to the assaults of a savage foe; yet it is essen-mains to be done, yet a great deal has tial that men of intelligence, of up- been accomplished; and, taking every right moral character, and of habits thing into consideration, the colony of industry, should unite in adding ad- of Liberia is justly entitled to the ditional strength to the foundation, respect as well as to the sympathy and or I am fearful that the beautiful fab- admiration of the world. ric which is now being erected, will totter beneath its own weight, and perhaps finally fall from the contin J. W. LUGENBEEL, He went to We found him Journal of Messrs. Teage and Brown. "HAVING been joined with friended why he had gone. James Brown in a commission to settle some matters with the kings and chiefs of Little Bassa, from which place we returned on the 17th ult., we give below an extract from our journal: 666 Wednesday, 13th, made arrangements with Mr. Jonas Carey for his canoe and six boys to accompany us to' Bah Gay's, and having furnished ourselves with supplies as far as Messrs. Jones and Carey's stores would enable us to do so, we left at 8 A. M. for the king's residence. Our route was along a beautiful river studded near the coast by numerous islets mantled in the deepest green. The river here is exceedingly beautiful, and expands itself almost into a bay. Bah Gay lives about seven miles from the embouchre. Reached there about 10 o'clock. He appeared much pleased to see us, and granted us a gracious reception with-eh, how doo my friend! and a loud and sonorous snap of the finger. After mutual enquirings about old friends, his majesty retired, rather unceremoniously we thought. He returned soon after, and we discover adjust his wardrobe. "We announced to him at once the object of our visit, and enquired where we should hold the palaver. He said the chiefs would not come to his town, and he would not go to theirs. We must (continued he) have de palaver for beach at you (Teage's) factory. We saw at once there was jealousy and suspicion among them. In fact Bah Gay showed symptoms of apprehension unworthy of a personage of so high standing. He has for two or three years suffered with some mesenteric disorder, which no gregree has been able to correct; and, as usual in such cases, the dottor has concealed his ignorance by assuring his majesty that he is witched. This important fact having transpired, it was sustained by evidence in the Harem. Two of his majesty's wives voluntarily came forward and assured their lord that they had witched him by putting the |