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which may seem, perhaps, to have been partially answered in the course of the preceding remarks.

1st. "Is the expense of travelling to the place of embarkation, and the expense of the passage across the Atlantic, defrayed by the Society, for such free coloured persons as may desire to settle in the Colony?"

In all cases of necessity, it is. Many individuals have, however, defrayed their own expenses to the place of embarkation; and in other instances, the sum requisite has been contributed by their friends. Where slaves have been emancipated, that they might be colonized, their removal to the port of embarkation has been at the expense of their former proprietor.

2d." On their arrival in the Colony, what provision is made for their settlement and subsistence-for what length of time, and through what means?"

Emigrants, immediately on their arrival, are admitted into buildings erected for their temporary accommodation, and derive their support from the public stores, until able to maintain themselves. This term has varied in different cases, according to the various degrees of health, industry, and enterprise, from four to six and twelve months. Some who take with them a small property, may require no assistance. Indeed, such are, at present, the demand and price for labour, that, until emigration shall be much increased, no able-bodied and industrious person can need support from the Society, unless when debilitated by sickness. The price of labour in the Colony, has been $2 a day, for mechanics, and from 75 cts. to $1 25, for common labourers.

3d. Do the Colonists labour for the common benefit, for an indefinite time, or for a limited time, or not at all so, but each one for his exclusive benefit?" &c.

The original rule established by the Society on this subject, was, that those who were deriving a subsistence from the public stores, should while thus supported, if in health, labour two days a week for the public benefit. This regulation, while the Colony was struggling for existence, and there seemed to be little distinction between public and private labour, was found to answer the purpose for which it was intended, but subsequently a new arrangement was judged indispensable, and the following is the present law of the Colony, on this subject.

1st. "All invalids not twelve months in the Colony, and such others as must otherwise suffer, to receive rations, if they have not resources of their own."

2d. "Emigrants are not to be taxed with public labour in the consideration of any benefit or provision, to be derived from the Society, in the first six months of their residence; but at the end of this term, they are to pay for all they receive.”

3d. "Provisions, stuffs, shoes, clothing, and tobacco, are to be held on sale; but only for the present consumption of the buyers: for which all sorts of labour will be taken, a preference to be given to such labourers and mechanics, as are less than 18 months in the Colony."

4th. "Is there individual appropriation of lands?”

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To this I reply in the affirmative. Every adult emigrant receives on his arrival in the Colony, a building lot in one of the settlements, with five acres of plantation land, (if married) two for his wife, and one for each of his children; provided that no single family shall receive in all, more than ten acres. cure a title in fee simple to this land, every occupant is obliged to build within two years a comfortable house, and clear, and put under cultivation two acres of his land. The mechanic is expected only to erect a substantial house on his town lot.Considering the low price of land, every one may, by industry and economy, find the means of enlarging his plantation, if he desire it. Comfortable provision is also made, for minors and

single women.

5th. "Are the Schools free, or do the Colonists pay tuition money?"

The Schools are free, that is, accessible to every child in the Colony. To the credit of the settlers, however, it should be stated, that these schools are in part supported, by the voluntary contributions of the Colonists, the deficiency being supplied by the Society. The teachers, at present, are all men of colour, and the system of education doubtless very limited; but a laudable spirit of improvement prevails in the Colony, which promises advantages of a more important character. Necessity, the mother of invention, is a teacher to which all are more or less subjected, and her instructions, though sometimes hard to learn, are not easily forgotten.

6th. "What are the opportunities for religious instructions?" Few communities, probably, enjoy better. Two convenient and respectable Churches have been erected at Monrovia, by the liberality of the settlers, and the regular services of a pious ministry are enjoyed throughout the Colony. The preachers are, it is true, men of colour, and of course very imperfectly edacated; and some have, perhaps, taken upon themselves the office of religious instructers, who might better have confined their efforts to private stations, yet several are sensible and judicious ministers, whose valuable instructions are enforced by the purity and exemplariness of their lives. Prudent, pious, and well-educated white missionaries, would doubtless render most important services to the Colony; and such are expected shortly to take up their residence within the settlements, or in their immediate vicinity. The beneficial effects of the means of religious improvement already enjoyed, are manifest in the correct morality of the settlers, and their regular attendance on the worship of God.

7th. "What is the system of municipal law, to which the Colonists are subjected?"

Without limiting myself altogether to this question, it may not, perhaps, be undesirable to state, that a Constitution, Form of Government, and Digest of the Laws of Liberia, were confirmed and established by the Board of Managers of the Society, May 23d, 1825, and two thousand copies published under their direction. The Constitution, which all emigrants are expected to take an oath to support, was prepared by the Managers previous to the departure of the first expedition, and the Form of Government was drawn up by the Agents, and went into full and successful operation in August 1824. While the Society, through its Colonial Agent, is regarded as possessing the right to exercise full powers of government, a very important influence in political affairs is allowed to the people, by their annual election of a Vice-Agent and two other officers, who with himself constitute the Council, which election is to be confirmed by the Society's Agent, unless special reasons forbid such an appointment. The Vice-Agent is admitted to the councils of the Colonial Agent, and in case of the absence or sickness of the latter, becomes the General Superintendant of pub

lic affairs. It is likewise the duty of the Vice-Agent, to consult the other members of the Council, on the general interests of the Colony, and to make report to the Colonial Agent whenever he believes the common good to require it. The Judiciary consists of the Colonial Agent, and two justices of the peace created by his appointment. A Court of monthly sessions is held for the trial of all offences above the degree of petit larceny, and this court has appellate jurisdiction in all cases. There are several subordinate officers and committees, most of them elected by the people. The laws peculiar to the Colony are few and simple; the common law, and the usages of the courts of Great Britain and the United States, regulating all judicial proceedings. It should be observed, that all offices, that of the Colonial Agent excepted, devolve on the Colonists themselves, and that the whole system of Government, is well adapted to prepare them at an early period to fulfil the duties of self-gov

ernment.

8th. "Are those who have been liberated from the condition of slaves, obliged to be governed by a more vigilant and arbitrary system than others?"

Their number

Such are subject to no special restrictions. has, however, been few; though about sixty of this character, have recently sailed for Liberia (in the Doris).

9th. "What are the principal employments of the Colonists, and is it at the option of the settlers to choose their employments?” Each one adopts the occupation, which he may judge best suited to advance his interests. Perfect liberty exists in this respect. Trade and agriculture are the principal objects of attention, and it is perhaps to be regretted, that thus far the former has proved the most profitable pursuit. To this, however, the Colony is much indebted for its prosperity; and from it, several individuals have been enabled to place themselves in circumstances of ease and independence.* Agriculture has not been altogether neglected, and I hope it will soon be regarded as the more important interest of the Colony. No country, it is believed, will more amply reward the labours of the husbandman,

* Ivory, camwood, hides, gold dust, constitute, at present, the principal articles of trade.

Rice is raised by the natives in great abundance, and requires but little labour for its cultivation. Coffee, cotton, and the sugar-cane, grow spontaneously; and with due attention, may, doubtless, be advantageously produced for exportation. Oranges, lemons, papaws, pineapples, plantains, bananas, and most other tropical fruits are excellent and abundant. Sweet potatoes, cassada, yams, and various other vegetables are found throughout the Colony.

I trust, Sir, that these statements will not prove wholly unsatisfactory, and that they may aid, in some measure, your generous efforts to advance the cause of our Institution. Public sentiment, and the condition of our Colony, invite us to make all possible exertions, and afford us confidence, that success will amply reward them. That the Society may accomplish a great good for our country and for Africa, without the aid of the States and the National Government, we believe; but of the patronage of both these, we by no means despair. Maryland and Virginia have, in this, nobly set the example: and, if we mistake not the current of opinion, that example will elsewhere shortly be imitated. And we hope that an appeal will not in vain be made to the highest legislature of the country; that a design so closely connected with our most valued political and moral interests, so worthy of a great and free people, so auspiciously commenced by private charity, yet to the magnitude of which, private charirity is so utterly inadequate, will be completed by the counsels and resources of the nation.

Were the Society put in possession of a ship, of from two to three hundred tons burthen, to be constantly employed in conveying emigrants to Liberia, its operations would be more easily and successfully conducted, and advantages hitherto unknown would accrue to the Colony. To obtain and fit out such a vessel, would probably require a fund of ten thousand dollars.— Towards such a fund, the Society of Friends in North Carolina, have contributed $250, and we venture to predict, that the whole amount will shortly be realized.

Sir,

With perfect respect,

Your friend and Servant,

R. R. GURLEY, Sec.

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