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SKETCHES OF LIBERIA; 
 
 I 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 A BRIEF ACCOUNT 
 
 i 
 
 I GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, 
 
 AND DISEASES, 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 I REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA. 
 
 H 
 
 ! 
 
 BY J. 
 
 Lato Colonial Physician and U. S. Agent in Liberia. 
 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 
 ; > K i: . i' in \ r i ' 
 
 VV^ 
 
 . -- 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA: 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 A BRIEF ACCOUNT 
 
 GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, 
 AND DISEASES, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA. 
 
 BY J. W. LUGENBEEL, 
 
 Late Colonial Physician'knd U. S. Agent in Liberia, 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 
 C. ALEXANDER, PRINTER, 
 1850. 
 
US 
 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 Introduction , 5 
 
 SKETCH NO. I. 
 Geography 6 
 
 SKETCH NO. II. 
 Settlements 9 
 
 SKETCH NO. III. 
 Climate and Seasons ? 12 
 
 SKETCH NO. IV. 
 Productions 16 
 
 SKETCH NO. V. 
 Produttions continued Exportable articles 21 
 
 SKETCH NO. VI. 
 Productions continued Animals . 2G 
 
 SKETCH NO. VII. 
 Diseases Acclimating Fever 3Q 
 
 SKETCH NO. VIII. 
 Diseases continued T 35 
 
 Conclusion B ., r ..., 3D 
 
 M192235 
 

SKETCHES OF LIBERIA, 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 A decided conviction of the necessity of 
 a work in which the earnest inquirer may 
 find the principal topics of information, 
 which he may desire, respecting the Re- 
 public of Liberia, is the motive which has 
 induced the author of these sketches to 
 consent to their publication k His long 
 residence in Liberia, and the great care 
 with which he endeavored to make obser- 
 vations, and to acquire information from 
 the most authentic sources, embolden him 
 to believe that these sketches j presented as 
 they are with the utmost ingenuousness, 
 are worthy the candid consideration of all 
 who desire a knowledge of the truth , respect- 
 ing the condition and prospects of the little 
 African Republic. Though they may possi- 
 bly contain some slight inaccuracies, yet the 
 author believes that a more truthful, com- 
 prehensive, and impartial account of mat- 
 ters and things as they really exist in Li- 
 beria, has not been given to the public. 
 And with no other motive in view than a 
 desire to impart needful and correct infor- 
 mation, he leaves this little work to the 
 candid perusal of the unbiassed reader ; in 
 the hope that some good may result from 
 this part of his labors in the cause of hu- 
 manity. 
 
 It was his design at first to preface these 
 sketches with an outline of the history of 
 Liberia, but fearing that this would too 
 greatly swell the size of this pamphlet, 
 lie has concluded to omit all historical de- 
 
 tails i and to present a simple and concise 
 account of Liberia as it is. It may not be 
 amiss, however, to state briefly, for the 
 information of those persons whose atten- 
 tion has not been particularly directed to 
 the rise and progress of the young Repub- 
 lic) that the first company of emigrants 
 sent from this country under the auspices 
 of the American Colonization Society, em- 
 barked at New York) in February, 1820. 
 They did not) however, succeed in estab- 
 lishing a permanent asylum for themselves 
 and for their followers and descendants, 
 until the early part of the year 1822 ; at 
 which tittle the American flag was first 
 hoisted on Cape Mesurado, the site of the 
 present handsome and flourishing town of 
 Monrovia* From that time, the little co- 
 lony continued to progress, with various 
 trials and discouragements, under the go- 
 vernment of the indefatigable Ashmun, and 
 other white persons sent out from time to 
 time by the Colonization Society, until 
 the early part of 1839, when, under the 
 government of Thomas Buchanan, Esq., 
 the " Commonwealth " was established ; 
 marking a new epoch in the progress as well 
 as in the history of Liberia. Gov. Bu- 
 chanan having died while in the discharge 
 of the arduous and responsible duties of his 
 station, the management of the government, 
 devolved on Gen. Joseph J. Roberts, the 
 Lieutenant Governor, who was appointed 
 Governor cf the Commonwealth by the 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Geography Extent of territory. 
 
 Colonization Society, soon after the melan- 
 choly tidings of the death of Governor 
 Buchanan reached the United States ; and 
 who continued to fill the office, under the 
 auspices of the Society, until the establish- 
 ment of the Republic, and the consequent 
 new organization of the Government. 
 
 In the month of July, 1847, a convention 
 of delegates, elected by the people, met at 
 Monrovia, and formed the Constitution of 
 the REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, which, with a 
 declaration of independence, was given to 
 the people, and published to the world. 
 And in the month of October of that year, 
 Gov. Roberts was elected the first President 
 of the Republic. During the succeeding 
 year, the independence of the Republic of 
 Liberia was formally recognized and ac- 
 knowledged by the Governments of Great 
 Britain and France. And thus, in about 
 
 twenty-six years from the time of the found- 
 ing of a little colony on the western coast 
 of Africa, composed of about one hundred 
 free persons of color from the United States, 
 an independent Republic composed entire- 
 ly of colored persons, has sprung up as it 
 were on that distant coast, recognized by 
 two of the most powerful nations in the 
 world, and standing "self-poised and erect," 
 a monument of American benevolence, 
 under the direction and fostering care of 
 Divine Providence. 
 
 To all who may wish to peruse a very 
 interesting, correct, and strikingly beautiful 
 history of Liberia, the author cordially re- 
 commends a little book which has lately 
 appeared, the " JVeio Republic," written by 
 an American lady, and published by the 1 
 Massachusetts Sabbath School Society. 
 
 SKETCH No. I. 
 
 GEOGRAPHY. That portion of the western 
 coast of Africa which has received the ap- 
 pellation of Liberia, embraces a tract of 
 country included between the parallels of 
 40 20' and 7 north latitude, extending 
 about 400 miles along the coast. All the 
 territory which lies between these two points 
 has been purchased from the original pro- 
 prietors and rightful owners of the soil, ex- 
 cept two or three small tracts, comprising in 
 all about twenty-five miles of sea-coast. 
 Negotiations will be entered into, as early as 
 practicable, for the fair and honorable pur- 
 chase of these remaining tracts ; and also for 
 that important section of country lying be- 
 tween the northern boundary of Liberia and 
 the Colony of Sierra Leone. It is hoped and 
 expected that these purchases will soon be 
 effected; and that the whole line of the sea- 
 coast between the British Colony and the 
 
 south-eastern boundary of "Maryland 
 in Liberia," (about 500 miles.) will soon 
 be under the jurisdiction and government of 
 the Republic and the Maryland Colony. 
 
 The first tract was purchased in the early 
 part of 1822, embracing a small extent of 
 territory in the vicinity of Cape Mesurado. 
 Other portions have, at different times r 
 been purchased the greater part within the 
 last few years. The interior boundaries of 
 the purchased tracts are generally not defi- 
 nitely prescribed. They usually extend 
 from about ten to thirty miles from the 
 coast. 
 
 In no instance, have the natives, from 
 whom the land was purchased, been re- 
 quired to remove their residences, or to 
 abandon their usual customs, except that 
 of trading in slaves, and the practice of 
 such superstitious rites or ceremonies as 
 
 NOTE. Since the above was put in type, information has been received from Liberia of the 
 purchase, except two small tracts of about five miles each, of all the territory above refprred to, in- 
 cluding Gallinas, which, until very lately, was one of the most noted slave-marts on the coast of 
 Africa. 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Appearance of the Country Water Soil and Rivers. 
 
 tend to deprive any of their fellow beings 
 of life. And, in all the written contracts 
 which have been enfered into between the 
 Agents of the Colonization Society and the 
 native chiefs, the latter have invariably ob- 
 ligated themselves, in behalf of the people 
 over whom they preside, to conform to the 
 laws and regulations of the Liberia govern- 
 ment. 
 
 As in most other countries, similarly 
 situated, the land in the immediate vicinity 
 of the ocean in Liberia, is generally low; 
 and, in some places, it is very marshy. 
 There are some elevated spots, however ; 
 such as those on which the villages of Mon- 
 rovia and Harper are located. The land 
 generally becomes more elevated towards 
 the interior; and, in some places, within 
 fifty miles of the coast, it is quite mountain- 
 ous. 
 
 Far as the eye can reach "from the highest 
 points of land in the vicinity of the ocean, 
 the whole country presents the appearance 
 of a deep-, unbroken forest, with hill-top 
 rising above hill-top towards the Vast inte- 
 rior; the country consisting, hot as is sup- 
 posed by some persons, of arid plains and 
 burning sands, but of hills and valleys, 
 covered wkh the verdure of perpetual spring. 
 The country is well watered: many beau- 
 tiful streams may be seen winding their 
 way amidst blooming flowers and wild 
 shrubbery; and many cooling springs of 
 clear, sparkling water invite the weary 
 traveler to linger and quench his thirst. In 
 all the settlements in Liberia, good water 
 can be procured without much difficulty; 
 and though in the 'dry season, as in this 
 country after a long dry spell in summer, 
 some of the springs fail, for a time; yet, as 
 good water can always be obtained by dig- 
 ing wells, and as many of the springs never 
 fail, there need not be any fear about getting 
 plenty of good water at any time in the 
 year. 
 
 Soil. The soil of Liberia, like that of [ 
 
 other countries, varies in appearancft, quali- 
 
 ty, and productiveness. That of the uplands, 
 though generally much inferior to that of 
 the low lands, is better adapted for some 
 articles. The upland soil usually consists 
 of a reddish clay, more or less mixed with 
 soft rocks and stones, containing consider- 
 able quantities of iron. That of the low- 
 lands, in the immediate vicinity of the 
 ocean, consists principally of sand; and it 
 is really astonishing to perceive how well 
 many vegetables will grow in this kind of 
 soil, even within fifty yards of the otfean, 
 in some places. Besides this sandy soil-, 
 there are two other varieties of lowland 
 soil ; one of which is that on the banks of 
 the rivers, within a few miles of the sea: 
 this consists of a loose, deep, black mould; 
 which is peculiarly adapted to the growth 
 of those kinds of vegetables which thrive 
 best during the dry season. The other 
 variety is that which is generally found ex- 
 tending back from the banks of the rivers, 
 farther from the sea than the last named: 
 this consists of a light-colored clay, more 
 or less tempered with sand; and it is well 
 adapted to almost every kind of vegetable 
 which will thrive in tropical climates. 
 
 Rivers. There are no very large livers in 
 Liberia; and, although some of them are 
 from one-fourth to three-fourths of a mile 
 wide, for fifty miles or more from their en- 
 trance into the ocean ; yet, none of them 
 are navigable to a greater distance than 
 twenty miles; the navigation being obstruct- 
 ed by rapids. The St. Paul's, the St. 
 John's, and the Junk are the largest ; and, 
 indeed, they are the only rivers of any 
 considerable length or width. The other 
 principal rivers are the Cape Mount, the 
 Mechlin, the New Cess, the Grand Cess, 
 the Sanguin, the Sinou, and the Grand 
 Sesters. Some of these present a bold ap- 
 pearance at their mouths; but they are all 
 comparatively short ; and none of them are 
 navigable for boats, or even for canoey, 
 more than twenty miles. 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Rivers St. Paul's St. John's and Junk. 
 
 The St. Paul's river is a beautiful stream 
 of water. It is three-fourths of a mile wide 
 at the widest part, (at Caldwell,) and about 
 three-eighths of a mile wide at Miilsburg, 
 about fourteen miles from its mouth. 
 
 The banks of this river rise from ten to 
 twenty feet above the water; and, except 
 in places which have been cleared, they are 
 covered with large forest trees; among which 
 may be seen the graceful palm, rearing aloft 
 its green-tufted head, and standing in all 
 its pride and beauty, the ornament and the 
 glory of its native land. The St. Paul's is 
 perhaps the longest river in Liberia. It 
 is studded with many beautiful islands, 
 abounding in camwood, palm, and many 
 other valuable forest trees ; and its banks 
 furnish many beautiful sites for residences. 
 Many native hamlets may be seen on the 
 banks of this lovely river the homes of 
 the untutored children of the forest the 
 benighted sons and daughters of Africa. 
 The St Paul's bifurcates about three miles 
 from its mouth: the principal stream rolls 
 on towards the ocean, while the other fork 
 flows in a south-easterly direction, almost 
 parallel with the beach, and unites with the 
 little Mesurado river near its mouth; and 
 thus an island is formed, about eight miles 
 long, and from one to two in width, called 
 Bushrod Island. This latter fork of the river 
 is called Stockton Creek, in honor of Com- 
 modore Stockton of the United States Navy. 
 
 The St. John's river is also a beautiful 
 stream. It is about sixty miles south-east 
 of the St. Paul's ; and it flows through that 
 part of Liberia, which is known as the 
 Grand Bassa country. At the widest point, 
 it is nearly or quite a mile wide. Its length, 
 however, is supposed to be less than that 
 of the St. Paul's. The St. John's is also 
 studded with numerous islands ; the largest 
 of which is Factory Island, about three 
 miles from its mouth. The banks of this 
 river also rise considerably above the water ; 
 
 and the land bordering on it is also very 
 productive. 
 
 The Junk river, which is about equidis- 
 tant from the other two named rivers, is the 
 third in size and importance. The main 
 branch is supposed to be equal in length to 
 the St. John's. The northern branch, 
 which is only about forty miles long, is 
 noted as a thoroughfare between Monrovia 
 and Marshall. At the place of embarkation , 
 a few miles below its source, it is not more 
 than five yards wide ; but it gradually ex- 
 [ pands to the width of more than half a 
 mile. 
 
 The appearance of the country along the 
 banks of these rivers, and of the numerous 
 little islands which they form, is highly 
 picturesque. 
 
 The banks of the St. Paul's and the St. 
 John's, in many places, present encourag- 
 ing scenes of agricultural industry ; show- 
 ing the handiwork of a people, whose social 
 condition is vastly superior to that of their 
 aboriginal neighbors; and who are thus 
 placing before the indolent and improvident 
 natives, illustrations of the great superiority 
 of the habits of civilized people to their 
 own degrading customs ; examples which 
 must eventually exert a powerful influence 
 on the minds and practice of the contiguous 
 native tribes, 
 
 And thus, while the mind of the traveler 
 is oppressed by the melancholy considera- 
 tion of the moral and intellectual darkness 
 of the scattered tribes of human beings, 
 whose desolate-looking hamlets frequently 
 meet his view, as he wends his way amidst 
 the dense forests of the uncultivated hills 
 and dales of Africa; he is encouraged to 
 believe that the time will come, when this 
 extensive " wilderness shall be made glad" 
 by the labors of industrious agriculturists, 
 and when this vast desert of intellectual and 
 moral degradation "shall rejoice, and blos- 
 som as the rose." 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Settlements Monrovia. 
 
 SKETCH No. 2. 
 
 SETTLEMENTS. The villages and town- 
 ships in Liberia, are Monrovia, New 
 Georgia, Caldwell, Virginia, Millsburg 
 Marshall, Edina, Bassa Cove, Bexley, 
 Greenville and Readsville. Besides these, 
 there are a few other localities, which are 
 sometimes called by one name and some- 
 times by another. 
 
 Monrovia is the largest and oldest of ali 
 the settlements ; and it is the metropolis, 
 and the seat of government of the Republic. 
 It is located near the mouth of the Mesu- 
 rado river, (a small stream about fifteen 
 miles long,) about four miles southeast of 
 the entrance of the St. Paul's river into the 
 ocean, on an elevated site, immediately in 
 the rear of Cape Mesurado, in latitude 6 
 19' North. The highest point of the hill 
 on which the village stands, and which is 
 near its centre, is about eighty feet above 
 the level of the ocean, and about three- 
 fourths of a mile from the summit of the 
 Cape, which is about two hundred and fifty 
 feet above the sea. Cape Mesurado is a 
 bold promontory, covered with massive 
 forest trees and dense undergrowth ; ex- 
 cept in places which have been cleared. 
 On the summit of the Cape is a light-house 
 and a fort ; and along the sloping declivity, 
 towards the village of Monrovia, there are 
 several cleared lots, on which small houses 
 have been erected ; in some places, afford- 
 ing very pleasant places of residence. The 
 greater part of the promontory, however, 
 is very rocky. The course of the coast 
 north of the Cape, forms a kind of bay, 
 which generally affords safe anchorage for 
 vessels ; and the cove, near the base of the 
 Cape, affords as good a landing on the beach 
 as can be found on almost any other part 
 of the coast. 
 
 The village of Monrovia, although more 
 compact than any of the other settlements 
 in Liberia, occupies a considerable extent 
 
 of ground ; being about three-fourths of a 
 mile in. length. It is laid off with as much 
 regularity as the location will allow ; and 
 the streets, of which there are about fifteen 
 in number, have received regular names. 
 The village is divided into lots of one-fourth 
 of an acre, and most of the dwelling-houses 
 have a lot attached to each of them. Most 
 of the lots, and several of the streets, are 
 adorned with various tropical fruit trees \J 
 and some of the gardens present a hand- 
 some appearance. If the streets were kept 
 entirely clear of weeds and bushes, the 
 village of Monrovia, viewed from the sum- 
 mit of the Cape, or from the mouth of the 
 Mesurado river, would present a beautiful 
 appearance, in contrast with the dense 
 forest, by which it is almost surrounded. 
 The houses are generally one story or a 
 story and a half high : some are two full 
 stories. Many of them are substantially 
 built of stone or brick ; and some of the 
 best houses are built partly of both these 
 materials. The state-house is a large stone 
 building, which was erected in 1843-4, at 
 an expense of nearly five thousand dollars. 
 In the rear of this building, is a substantial 
 stone prison. There are three commodious 
 stone houses for public worship in the 
 village Methodist, Baptist and Presby- 
 terian ; nearly all of the professing Christians 
 in the place being attached to one or the 
 other of these religious denominations. 
 
 At the base of the hill on which stand the 
 principal dwelling houses, there are several 
 large stone buildings, which are occupied 
 as stores and warehouses. The dwellings 
 of many of the citizens of Monrovia are 
 not only comfortably, but elegantly, and 
 some of them richly, furnished ; and some 
 of the residents of this little bustling me- 
 tropolis live in a style of ease and affluence, 
 which does not comport with the contracted 
 views of those persons, who regard a resi- 
 dence in Africa as necessarily associated 
 
10 
 
 SKETCHES OFL1BEKIA. 
 
 New Georgia Caldwoll Virginia Millsburg and Marshall. 
 
 \vith the almost entire privation of the good 
 things of this life. For several years past, 
 there have been two newspapers published 
 regularly at Monrovia ; the " Liberia 
 Herald, "and " Africa's Luminary." The 
 population of Monrovia is about twelve 
 hundred ; exclusive of native children and 
 youths who reside in the families of the 
 citizens. 
 
 New Georgia is a small township, located 
 on the eastern side of Stockton Creek, about 
 five miles from Monrovia. It is occupied 
 principally by native Africans, who were 
 formerly slaves. Upwards of two hundred 
 of the liberated Africans who have been, or 
 who now are, residents of New Georgia, 
 were sent to Liberia by the United States 
 Government, at different times. Many of 
 these have married persons, who were born 
 in the United States ; and have thereby 
 become more strongly identified with the 
 Liberians, as citizens of the Republic. 
 Some of them are partially educated; and, 
 a few years ago, one of them occupied a 
 seat in the Legislature. As most of the 
 citizens of New Georgia have taken the 
 oath of allegiance, they are permitted to 
 enjoy equal immunities with other citizens. 
 A great portion of the vegetables which are 
 used in Monrovia are raised at New 
 Georgia. 
 
 Caldwell is situated on the eastern side 
 of the St. Paul 's river. The whole settle- 
 ment, which is divided for convenience, into 
 Upper and Lower Caldwell, is about six 
 miles in length, extending along the bank 
 of the river ; the nearest part to Monrovia 
 being about nine miles distant. The houses 
 are from one hundred yards to a quarter of 
 a mile, or more, apart ; and, of course, 
 this settlement has not much the appearance 
 of a town. Some of the most enterprising 
 farmers in Liberia reside at this place. 
 The land about Caldwell is generally re- 
 markably productive. 
 
 Virginia, or New Virginia, as it is some- 
 times called, is a new settlement, formed 
 principally in the early part of 184ff. It 
 is also on the St. Paul's river, opposite 
 Caldwell. This is the site of the United 
 States Receptacle for liberated Africans, 
 erected in 1847. 
 
 J\Kllsburg is the farthest settlement from 
 the sea-coast of any in Liberia. It is situ- 
 ated on the northern bank of the St. Paul's 
 river, about fourteen miles from its mouth, 
 and about twenty miles from Monrovia. 
 Like the other farming settlements, the 
 houses generally are separated at a consider- 
 able distance from one another ; so that, 
 the whole township extends about a mile 
 and a half along the bank of the river. 
 Millsburg is perhaps the most beautiful, 
 and one of the most healthy locations in 
 Liberia. The land is remarkably good, 
 and of easy cultivation. A flourishing 
 Female Academy is in operation at this 
 place, under the care of Mrs. Wilkins, 
 missionary of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. And, on the opposite side of the 
 river is "White Plains, a mission station of 
 the same Church, 
 
 Besides these settlements, there are nu- 
 merous other points along the St. Paul's 
 river, which are occupied by farmers ; so 
 that, the banks of this beautiful stream pre- 
 sent, in many places, the appearance of 
 agricultural industry and comfort. 
 
 Marshall is situated at the mouth of the 
 Junk river, about thirty-five miles south of 
 Monrovia. Most of the houses in this 
 place are built along the sea-shore. This 
 place is particularly noted for the manu- 
 facture of lime; which is obtained altogether 
 from oyster and other shells. Most of 
 the lime that is used in Liberia is made in 
 the vicinity of Marshall. The river at 
 this place abounds in oysters. And though 
 they are not quite equal to those procured 
 in some parts of the United States, yet they 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 11 
 
 Edina Bsssa Cove Bexley Greenville and Readsville. 
 
 are quite palatable, when served up as they 
 ought to be. 
 
 Edina is located on the northern bank of 
 the St. John 's river, about half a mile from 
 its mouth. It is handsomely situated ; and, 
 in reference to the healthiness of the location, 
 it is perhaps equal to most others in Liberia. 
 Some of the citizens of Edina are engaged 
 in the cultivation of exportable articles of 
 produce. 
 
 Bassa Cove is located at the junction of 
 the Benson river (a small stream) with the 
 St. John's, nearly opposite Edina. Several 
 of the citizens of this place also have given 
 considerable attention to the cultivation of 
 coffee, arrow-root, and ginger, during the 
 last few years. 
 
 Bexley is situated on the northern side of 
 the St. John's river, about six miles from 
 its mouth. This place, like the settlements 
 on the St. Paul's river, occupies a consider- 
 able extent of territory. It is divided into 
 Upper and Lower Bexley ; both together 
 extending about four miles along the river. 
 Bexley is a fine farming settlement ; the 
 land is excellent ; and the location is com- 
 paratively healthy. Several of the citizens 
 of this place are pretty actively engaged in 
 cultivating articles for exportation. This is 
 certainly one of the most interesting settle- 
 ments in Liberia. The mission of the 
 Baptist Board of Foreign Missions is located 
 at this place ; also the head-quarters of the 
 Southern Baptist Mission, 
 
 Greenville is situated at the mouth of the 
 Sinou river, about one hundred and thirty 
 miles by sea southeast of Monrovia. Like 
 the settlement of Marshall, most of the 
 houses are located along the sea-shore. 
 Greenville presents a handsome appearance 
 from the anchorage. It is one of the most 
 healthy settlements in Liberia, The land 
 in the immediate vicinity of Greenville, and 
 indeed, of all the other settlements near the 
 sea-shore, is much inferior to that on the 
 
 banks of the rivers, several miles from 
 their entrance into the ocean. Conse- 
 quently, those persons who expect to live 
 by " the sweat of their brow," in the culti- 
 vation of the soil, will find it greatly to 
 their advantage to locate beyond the sound 
 of the breaking surf of the ocean. 
 
 Readsville is a small farming settlement, 
 on the Sinou river, about five miles above 
 Greenville. It was formed principally by 
 the people who were manumitted by the 
 late Mrs. Read of Mississippi. 
 
 In every settlement, there is one place, or 
 more, of public worship, in which religious 
 services are regularly held. And, in nearly 
 every settlement, there is one regular day 
 and Sunday school, or more. The princi- 
 pal deficiency in the system of education in 
 Liberia, consists in the inability to procure 
 the services of a sufficient number of com- 
 petent teachers. I trust that the time is not 
 far distant, when a more uniform, per- 
 manent, and effectual system of education 
 will be in operation, in all the settlements 
 in Liberia. Most of the schools are sup- 
 ported by benevolent societies in the United 
 States ; and most of the pulpits are filled by 
 ministers who receive stated salaries from 
 one or other of the. Missionary Societies in 
 the United States. 
 
 As the census has not been taken for 
 several years, I cannot give the exact popu- 
 lation of the different settlements, and the 
 exact aggregate population of the Republic. 
 I think, however, that the whole number of 
 inhabitants of the Republic, exclusive of the 
 aborigines, may be set down at about 4,000. 
 MARYLAND IN LIBERIA. 
 
 The Colony of "Maryland in Liberia," 
 which has always maintained a distinctive 
 haracter, and which has always been under 
 a different government, from the Republic 
 of Liberia, was established in the early 
 part of the year 1834. Ever since that 
 period, it has continued to progress in in 
 
12 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Climate and seasons rainy and dry seasons. 
 
 terest and importance ; and, at present, it 
 occupies a prominent position, as an asylum 
 for the proscribed descendants of Ham ; to 
 whom the siren song of " My native land " 
 loses its mellowing cadence in the thrilling, 
 patriotic sound of " Sweet land of liberty." 
 
 This interesting Colony is located about 
 two hundred and fifty miles by sea south- 
 east from Monrovia. Harper, the principal 
 town or settlement, is situated near the 
 point of the Cape ; (Cape Palmas, a bold 
 projecting promontory, which is one of the 
 most prominent points or land-marks on the 
 western coast of Africa ;) and, from the 
 anchorage, it presents a handsome appear- 
 ance. At the distance of about half a mile 
 from Harper is the town of East Harper; 
 In which are several beautiful sites fo'r 
 residences, commanding a fine view of the 
 Qcean, and of the adjacent hills and vales. 
 Between these two villages, there are two 
 large native towns, comprising several 
 hundred houses, which present a marked 
 contrast with the comfortable looking dwell- 
 ings of the colonists. At the distance of 
 about two and a half miles beyond East 
 Harper is another settlement, called Tub- 
 mantown. Mpst of the land near the road 
 between these two villages is occupied by 
 the colonists ; so that on both sides of this 
 highway, many neat little cottages may be 
 seen, and many handsome gardens and 
 small farms. 
 
 The whole population of Maryland in Li- 
 beria, exclusive of aborigines, is about 900. 
 
 SKETCH No. 3. 
 CLIMATE AND SEASONS. The territory 
 of Liberia being within a few degrees of tlie 
 equator, of course the nature of the climate 
 is essentially different from that of the 
 United States, the vicissitudes of spring, 
 summer, autumn, and winter, not being ex- 
 perienced in the equatorial regions of the 
 earth ; there being continued su mmer weather 
 
 throughout the year; interrupted only by 
 occasional slight variations in {he thermo- 
 metrical state of the atmosphere; caused by 
 the greater strength of the ordinary breezes, 
 and by clouds and rain; which latter pre- 
 vail so much more, during one half of the 
 year, than during the other half, as to give 
 rise to the usually recognized division of 
 the year into two seasons the wet or rainy 
 season, and the dry season; or, in common 
 parlance, "the rains" and 'Uhe dries;" 
 the former of which answers nearly to 
 summer and autumn, and the latter to winter 
 and spring, in temperate latitudes. 
 
 This unqualified and somewhat arbitrary 
 division of the year, however, has led many 
 persons into error, respecting the real state 
 of the weather, during these two seasons; 
 some supposing that during the rainy sea- 
 son, more or less rain falls every day; and, 
 on the other hand, during the dry season, 
 an uninterrupted spell of hot and dry 
 weather prevails for six successive months. 
 This is so far from being the case, that, as 
 a general rule, it may be stated, that some 
 rain falls during every month in the year; 
 and, in every month, there is some fine, 
 clear, pleasant weather. During my resi- 
 dence in Liberia, I seldom observed a de- 
 viation from this general rule. Much more 
 rain, however, falls, during the six months 
 beginning with May, than during the re- 
 maining six months beginning with No- 
 vember. It is difficult, however, to deter- 
 mine at what time each of the two seasons 
 actually commences and closes. As a 
 general rule, I think the middle of May 
 may be set down as the beginning of the 
 rainy season, and the middle of November 
 that of the dry season. In order, however, 
 to give an accurate and comprehensive 
 statement of the character of the climate and 
 seasons of Liberia, it may be the best plan, 
 to note the vicissitudes of each month in 
 the year, as they are usually presented. 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 13 
 
 January harmattan wind February and March. 
 
 January is usually the driest, and one of 
 the warmest months in the year. Some- 
 times, during this month, no rain at all falls; 
 but generally there are occasional slight 
 showers, particularly at night. Were it 
 not for the sea-breeze, which prevails with 
 almost uninterrupted regularity, during the 
 greater part of the day, on almost every 
 day throughout the year, the weather 
 would be exceedingly oppressive, during 
 the first three or four months of the year. 
 As it is, the oppressiveness of the rays of 
 the tropical sun, is greatly mitigated by the 
 cooling breezes from the ocean; which 
 usually blow from about 10 o'clock A. M. 
 to about 10 P. M., the land-breeze occupy- 
 ing the remainder of the night and morning; 
 except for an hour or two about the middle 
 of the night, and about an hour in the fore- 
 noon. During these intervals, the atmo- 
 sphere is sometimes very oppressive. The 
 regularity of the sea-breeze, especially 
 during the month of January, is sometimes 
 interrupted by the longer continuance of the 
 land-breeze, which occasionally does not 
 cease blowing until 2 or 3 o'clock P. M. 
 This is what is called the harmattan wind; 
 about which a great deal has been written; 
 but which does not generally fully accord 
 with the forced descriptions of hasty ob- 
 servers or copyists. 
 
 The principal peculiarity of the harmattan 
 wind consists in its drying properties, and 
 its very sensible coolness, especially early 
 in the morning. It seldom, perhaps never, 
 continues during the whole day; and usual- 
 ly not much longer than the ordinary land- 
 breeze, at other times in the year. When 
 this wind blows pretty strongly, the leaves 
 and covers of books sometimes curl, as if 
 they had been placed near a fire; the seams 
 of furniture, and of wooden vessels, some- 
 times open considerably, and the skin of 
 persons sometimes feels peculiarly dry and 
 unpleasant, in consequence of the rapid 
 evaporation of both the sensible and the in- 
 
 sensible perspiration. But these effects are 
 usually by no means so great as they have 
 been represented to be. What is generally 
 called the harmattan season usually com- 
 mences about the middle of December, and 
 continues until the latter part of February. 
 During this time, especially during the 
 month of January, the atmosphere has a 
 smoky appearance, similar to what is termed 
 Indian summer in the United States, but 
 generally more hazy. 
 
 The average height of the mercury in the 
 thermometer, during the month of January, 
 is about 85, it seldom varies more than 
 10, during the twenty-four hours of the 
 day; and usually it does not vary more 
 than four degrees between the hours of 10 
 A. M. and 10 P. M. During this month, 
 however, I have seen the mercury stand at 
 the lowest mark, at which I ever observed 
 it, in Liberia, that is, at 68. This was 
 early in the morning, during the prevalence 
 of a strong and very cool land-breeze. 
 During this month I have also seen the 
 mercury stand at the highest mark, at which 
 I ever observed it that is, at 90. The 
 air is sometimes uncomfortably cool, before 
 8 o'clock A. M., during this month. 
 
 During the month of February, the weather 
 is generally similar to that of January. 
 There are, however, usually more frequent 
 showers of rain; and sometimes, towards 
 the close of this month, slight tornadoes are 
 experienced , The harmattan haze general- 
 ly disappears about the last of this month; 
 and the atmosphere becomes clear. The 
 range of the thermometer is about the same 
 as in January. 
 
 March is perhaps the most trying month, 
 in the year to the constitutions of new- 
 comers. The atmosphere is usually very 
 oppressive during this month the sun being 
 nearly vertical. The occasional showers 
 of rain, and the slight tornadoes, which oc- 
 cur in this month, do not usually mitigate 
 the oppressiveness of the atmosphere, as 
 
14 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 April Tornadoes May and June. 
 
 might be supposed. The variation in the 
 state of the atmosphere, as indicated by the 
 thermometer, seldom exceeds 6 during the 
 whole of this month. The average height 
 of the mercury is about 85O. 
 
 April is significantly called the " tornado 
 month," the most numerous and most 
 violent tornadoes usually occurring during 
 this month. The ordinary state of the 
 weather, in reference to the degree of heat, 
 and its influence on the system, is not very 
 different from that of the three preceding 
 months. The showers of rain are usually 
 more frequent, however; and the visitations 
 of those peculiar gusts, called tornadoes, 
 are much more common in April, than in 
 any other month. These are sudden, and 
 sometimes violent gusts, which occur much 
 more frequently at night, than during the 
 day. Although they usually approach 
 suddenly and rapidly, yet certain premoni- 
 tory evidences of their approach are almost 
 always presented, which are generally 
 easily recognized by persons who have 
 frequently observed them. They generally 
 commence from northeast, or east-northeast, 
 and rapidly shift around to nearly south- 
 east; by which time the storm is at its 
 height. 
 
 At the commencement of a tornado, dark 
 clouds appear above the eastern horizon, 
 which rapidly ascend, until a dense lurid- 
 looking mass spreads over the whole hemi- 
 sphere. As the heavy mass of clouds 
 ascends and spreads, the roaring sound of 
 the wind becomes stronger and louder, 
 until suddenly it bursts forth in its fury; 
 sometimes seeming as if it would sweep 
 away every opposing object. Very seldom, 
 however, is any material injury sustained 
 from these violent gusts. The scene is 
 sometimes awfully grand, for fifteen or 
 twenty minutes, during the formation and 
 continuance of a heavy tornado. Some- 
 times the whole hemisphere presents a scene 
 of the deepest gloom ; the darkness of which 
 
 is momentarily illuminated by vivid flashes 
 of lightning, in rapid succession; and some- 
 times tremendous peals of thunder burst 
 upon the solemn stillness of the scene. 
 The rain seldom falls, until the violence of 
 the gust begins to subside; when a torrent 
 of rain usually pours down for a short time, 
 seldom more than half an hour; after which, 
 the wind shifts around towards the west; 
 and generally, in about an hour from the 
 commencement of the tornado, the sky be- 
 comes serene, and sometimes almost cloud- 
 less. 
 
 The weather during the month of May is 
 usually more pleasant, than during the two 
 preceding months. The atmosphere is gene- 
 rally not quite so warm and oppressive. 
 Sometimes copious and protracted showers 
 of rain fall, during the latter half of this 
 month; so that the beginning of the rainy 
 season usually occurs in this month. Tor- 
 nadoes also occasionally appear, during the 
 month of May. The average height of the 
 mercury in the thermometer is usually two 
 or three degrees less, than during the four 
 preceding months. 
 
 June is perhaps the most rainy month in 
 the year. More or less rain usually falls 
 nearly every day or night in this month. 
 Although there are sometimes clear and 
 pleasant days in June; yet, there are seldom 
 twenty-four successive hours of entire free- 
 dom from rain. The sun is, however, 
 seldom entirely obscured for a week at a 
 time; and he frequently shines out brightly 
 and pleasantly, in the interstices between 
 the floating clouds, several times during the 
 day; occasionally for several hours at a 
 time. During this month, as during all the 
 other rainy months, more rain always falls 
 at night than in the day time; and, indeed, 
 there are very few days in the year, in 
 which the use of an umbrella may not be 
 dispensed with, sometime during the ordi- 
 nary business hours. In the month of 
 June, the atmosphere is always consider- 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 15 
 
 July August September October November December. Extremes of heat and cold. 
 
 ably cooler than during the preceding 
 months; and I have generally found it ne- 
 cessary to wear woolen outer as well as 
 under garments; and to sleep beneath thick 
 covering at night, in order to be comfortably 
 warm. The sensible perspiration is always 
 much less, during this month, and the five 
 succeeding months, than during the other 
 six months in the year. The mercury in 
 the thermometer seldom rises above 80 in 
 this month, the average height being about 
 750. 
 
 During the months of July and August, 
 a great deal of rain also generally falls; but 
 perhaps less in both these months than in 
 the preceding one. There is always a short 
 season of comparatively dry, and very 
 pleasant weather, in one or both of these 
 months. This season usually continues 
 from three to five weeks; and generally 
 commences about the 20th or 25th of July. 
 Sometimes, for several successive days, the 
 eun shines brilliantly and pleasantly all day; 
 and no rain falls at night. The air, how- 
 ever, is always refreshingly cool and agree- 
 able. This is perhaps the most pleasant 
 time in the year. This is what is commonly 
 called "the middle dries," It seems as if 
 Providence has specially ordered this tempo- 
 rary cessation of the rains, for the purpose of 
 permitting the ripening and gathering of the 
 crops of rice, which are generally harvested 
 in August. 
 
 September and October are also generally 
 very rainy months; especially the former. 
 Sometimes more rain falls in September, 
 than in any other month in the year. To~ 
 wards the close of October, the rains begin 
 to be less copious; and sometimes slight 
 tornadoes appear, indicative of .the cessation 
 of the rainy season. The sea-breezes are 
 usually very strong, during these two 
 months; and the atmosphere is generally 
 uniformly cool, and invigorating to the 
 physical system. 
 
 During the month of November, the 
 
 weather is generally very pleasant, the 
 temperature of the atmosphere being agree- 
 able to the feelings not so cool as during 
 the five preceding months, and not so warm 
 as during the five or six succeeding ones, 
 the average height of the mercury in the 
 thermometer being about 82. Frequent 
 showers of rain usually fall during this, 
 month, both in the day and at night; but 
 generally they are of short duration. Slight 
 tornadoes also generally appear in this, 
 month. The sun may usually be seen, 
 during a part of every day in the month; 
 and frequently he is not obscured by clouds ,. 
 during the whole of the time in which he is 
 above the horizon. The middle of this 
 month may be regarded as the beginning 
 of the dry season. 
 
 December is also generally a very pleasant 
 month. Occasional slight showers of rain 
 fall during this month, sometimes several 
 sprinklings in one day, but seldom for 
 more than a few minutes at a time. The 
 mornings in this month are peculiarly de- 
 lightful. The sun usually rises with bril- 
 liancy and beauty; and the hills and groves, 
 teeming with the verdure of perpetual spring, 
 are enriched by the mingled melody of a 
 thousand cheerful songsters. Nothing that 
 I have ever witnessed in the United States 
 exceeds the loveliness of a December morn- 
 ing in Liberia. 
 
 On the whole, I regard the climate of Li- 
 beria as decidedly pleasant; notwithstanding 
 the scorching rays of the tropical sun, and 
 the " abundance of rain" which falls during 
 the year, especially during the months of 
 June, July, September and October. So 
 far as the pleasantness of the climate and 
 weather is concerned, I would decidedly 
 prefer a residence in Liberia, to one in any 
 part of the United States.. 
 
 The extremes of the thermometrical state 
 of the atmosphere may be set down at 65 
 and 900. I have never heard of the mercury 
 in a good thermometer having sunk below 
 the former, nor arisen above the latter point, 
 
16 
 
 SKETCHES OP LIBERIA. 
 
 Productions Rice Indian corn and Sweei potatoes. 
 
 in the shade. The average height of the 
 mercury, during the rainy season, may be 
 set down at about 76, and, during the dry 
 season at 84. The mean temperature for 
 the year is about 80. 
 
 In regard to the comparative healthiness 
 of the two seasons, I may state, that my 
 observations fully convinced me, that the 
 rainy season is decidedly more conducive 
 to health than the dry season, in both new- 
 comers and old settlers. The oppressive- 
 ness of the atmosphere, and the enervating 
 effects of the weather, during the dry season, 
 tend to debilitate the physical system, and 
 thereby to render it more susceptible of 
 being affected by the local agents of disease. 
 Consequently, those persons who arrive in 
 Liberia during this season, are more liable 
 to frequent attacks of fever, than those are 
 who arrive during the rainy season. In 
 reference, however, to the acclimating pro- 
 cess, I do not think that any great advan- 
 tage can be gained by arriving at any par- 
 ticular time of the year, more than at any 
 other time. Unnecessary exposure to the 
 heat of the sun during the dry season, and 
 to the rain during the wet season, should 
 alike be avoided. Care and prudence 
 should be exercised by new-comers at all 
 .times during the year. 
 
 SKETCH No. 4. 
 
 PROPUCTIONS. Nearly all the different 
 kinds of grain, roots, and fruits, which are 
 peculiar to intertropical climates, thrive well 
 in Liberia ; and many garden vegetables 
 which belong more properly to temperate 
 climates, may be raised, in quality not 
 much inferior to the same kind of articles, 
 produced in climates peculiarly adapted to 
 itheir growth and maturation. 
 
 The only kind of grain, however, 
 which has yet been cultivated to any con- 
 siderable extent, is Rice, which is the great 
 staple of intertropical Africa, and the prin- 
 cipal article of food of th numerous ab- 
 originaj inhabitants. It is .also used exten- 
 
 sively by the Liberians. And it is un- 
 doubtedly the most wholesome article of 
 food which can be used in that country. 
 It is not cultivated very extensively by the 
 Liberians, in consequence of their being able 
 generally to purchase it more cheaply from 
 the natives, than the cultivation of it would 
 cost. In consequence, however, of the in- 
 creasing demand, it has, of late years, 
 commanded a better price than formerly ; 
 which has induced some of the citizens to 
 engage in raising it. Until within the last 
 few years, scarcely any persons attempted 
 to raise it; but, at present, this valuable grain 
 may be seen growing in the neighborhood 
 of several of the settlements in Liberia. 
 Although it grows much better in low, wet 
 land ; yet it thrives very well in land more 
 elevated ; such as will produce most other 
 articles usually cultivated. It is usually 
 sowed in April, and harvested in August. 
 Sometimes two crops may be made in one 
 year ; but generally only one is made. It 
 yields so abundantly, that, notwithstanding 
 the extreme indolence of the natives, who 
 do not work on their farms during three 
 months in the year, they usually raise 
 much more than they require. 
 
 Indian corn, or maize, will grow very 
 well on some lands in Liberia ; and al- 
 though it does not thrive so well as in 
 some parts of the United States ; yet I am 
 quite satisfied that it might be cultivated 
 much more extensively in Liberia than it 
 ever yet has been. I have seen some fine, 
 large ears of corn, which were raised on 
 the St. Paul's river. The small-grained 
 corn, usually called Guinea-corn, no doubt 
 will grow well in Liberia (Guinea, whence 
 its name ;) but strange to say, I have seldom 
 seen it growing there. The natives in the 
 vicinity of the settlements seldom, if ever, 
 raise it. 
 
 A variety of esculent roots may be raised 
 in Liberia ; the most common of which are, 
 the sweet potato, cassada, yam, and tania. 
 
 Sweet potatoes may be raised in great 
 abundance, with very little labor, on al- 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 17 
 
 Cassada Yam Tania Beans and Peas. 
 
 most every kind of land, at any time 
 during the year, I have seen them grow- 
 ing freely in the sandy soil, within fifty 
 yards of the ocean. The poorest persons 
 may easily have a sufficiency of this nu- 
 tritious vegetable. Those raised in some 
 parts of Liberia are very fine. They gen- 
 erally thrive better during the rainy season, 
 especially on the high lands ; but in some 
 places, they thrive very well during the dry 
 season, especially on the flat land bordering 
 on the rivers ; and, in many places, they 
 may be gathered during every month in the 
 year, from the same piece of land . 
 
 The Cassada ( as it is usually called, but 
 perhaps more properly cassava ) is a shrub , 
 which grows from four to eight feet in height, 
 having several white, fleshy roots, covered 
 with a coui'se) rough skin. The stem of 
 the shrub is round and jointed, having nu- 
 merous branches, which are furnished at 
 the upper part with alternate leaves, divi- 
 ded into three, five, or seven acute lobes* 
 The root, which is the only part that is 
 used, arrives at perfection in from nine to 
 fifteen months* The roots vary in size, 
 from six to eighteen inches in length, and 
 from three to eight inches in circumference. 
 In taste, when not cooked, it very much 
 resembles the taste of a fresh chesnut. 
 This vegetable may be raised abundantly, 
 on any kind of soil. It is the only vege- 
 table, except rice which is cultivated to 
 any extent by the natives. It is usually 
 prepared for use, by being boiled, after the 
 skin or rind has been removed, or by 
 being roasted in ashes ; and, when 
 properly cooked, it is very palatable and 
 nutritious. The tapioco of the shops is 
 the fecula of the root of the cassada. 
 
 The Yam is a slender, herbaceous vine, 
 having large tuberous roots, sometimes 
 nearly round, but generally elongated, like 
 the cassada, but much larger. The roots 
 of the yam are sometimes three feet long, 
 and weigh twenty or thirty pounds. They 
 usually arrive at perfection in four or five 
 months; and they yield very abundantly. 
 
 The root of the yam is more farinaceous 
 or mealy, when cooked, than that of the 
 cassada almost as much so as the Irish 
 potato. They are more digestable than 
 the cassada ; and I think more palatable. 
 The yam is one of the most wholesome 
 and nutritious esculent roots of any coun- 
 try ; and it may be produced in any desired 
 quantity in Liberia. 
 
 Tania is a delicate, broad -leafed plant, 
 about two feet in height, having a bulbous 
 root, which, when prepared like Irish po- 
 tatoes, resembles those excellent vegetables 
 very nearly in taste ; and it is a very whole- 
 some and nutritious article of food. It 
 may be raised easily and abundantly. 
 
 There are other esculent roots, peculiar 
 to tropical climates, which have not yet 
 been introduced ; but which, no doubt, 
 would thrive well in Liberia. I have al- 
 luded particularly to those only which 
 have been introduced, and which are cul- 
 tivated there those which I have seen and 
 eaten myself. And, in addition to those 
 articles to which I have alluded, I may 
 name a few other garden vegetables, which 
 I have seen growing in Liberia : the most 
 common of which are, lima or butter beans, 
 snap beans, black-eyed peas, cabbage, 
 tamatoes cucumbers, watermelons, pump- 
 kins, muskmelons, cantelopes, beets, rad- 
 ishes, and carrots. 
 
 Lima beans may k be raised abundantly, 
 at any time during the year. In conse- 
 quence of the absence of frost, the vines 
 live and bear for several years ; and as the 
 beans are being continually reproduced, 
 they may be gathered from the same vines, 
 during every month in the year, and for 
 three, four, five, or more, successive 
 years. The vines yield in a few months 
 after the planting of the bean ; so that, no 
 family ought ever to be without this excel- 
 lent vegetable. They are equal to those 
 raised in any part of the United States. 
 
 Black-eyed peas may be raised in any 
 necessary quantities. They come to ma- 
 turity in about six weeks from the time of 
 
18 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA, 
 
 Cabbages Tomatoes Cucumbers Watermelons, &c. Oranges Limes and Pine-apples. 
 
 planting ; and they may be raised at any I 
 time during the year. 
 
 Cabbages do not thrive so Well in Liberia 
 as they generally do in the United States I 
 that is, they do not produce so fine heads. ] 
 They grow very rapidly ; and sometimes j 
 Ihe stalk attains the height of several feet. 
 They do not go to seed. When, however, 
 good seed can be procured from other 
 countries, and proper attention is given to 
 the cultivation of the cabbage, fine, large, 
 lender heads may sometimes be produced. 
 I have occasionally eaten as good cabbage 
 in Liberia, as I ever ate in the Old Domin- 
 ion, tx 
 
 Tomatoes may be easily raised ; and 
 when the seed are procured from abroad, 
 the fruit is large and well flavored equal 
 to the produce of most other countries. 
 
 Cucumbers will perhaps thrive as well 
 in Liberia, as in most other countries. I 
 have seen as fine cucumbers there as I 
 ever saw in any part of the United States. 
 A sandy soil seems to be best adapted for 
 them. 
 
 Watermelons thrive as well in some parts 
 of Liberia, as in most parts of the United 
 States ; especially when good seed can be 
 procured from abroad. Some as fine 
 watermelons as I ever saw were raised in 
 the vicinity of Monrovia. So far as I could 
 learn, the best time to plant the seed is in 
 March or April. 
 
 All the other articles which I have enu- 
 merated, and several other garden vege- 
 tables, which seem to belong more proper- 
 ly to temperate climates, may be raised in 
 Liberia without much difficulty, if the seed 
 tan be obtained from those countries, to 
 which these vegetables seem to be pecu- 
 liarly adapted. Several of these vegetables 
 do not go to seed at all in Liberia ; conse- 
 quently, they cannot be reproduced. And 
 I believe all the rest which belong more 
 properly to temperate climates, soon de- 
 generate so much in quality, as to become 
 unfit for use. Hence, the necessity of im- 
 porting seeds, if persons wish to have 
 
 American vegetables on African tables. 
 And here I would particularly recommend 
 to persons, who^ intend to emigrate to Li- 
 beria, to take with them a variety of gar- 
 den seeds. And, in order to protect them 
 from being injured by the salt air of the 
 ocean, I would advise that they should be 
 sealed up in vials or bottles ; or wrapped 
 in paper, and packed away in saw dust. 
 
 A great variety of fruits is raised in 
 Liberia; many of which are indigenous. 
 The principal fruits are> the orange, lime, 
 lemon, pine-apple, guava, mango, plan- 
 tain, banana, okra, papaw, cocoanut, 
 tamarind, pomegranate, granadilla, Afri- 
 can cherry, African peach, soursop, sweet- 
 sop, sorrel, cocoa, rose-apple, and chiota. 
 
 The Orange tree thrives as well perhaps, 
 and bears as fine fruit in Liberia as in any 
 other part of the world. The tree, when 
 full-grown, is about the size of ordinary 
 apple trees in the United States ; but much 
 more handsome, One tree usually bears 
 as many oranges, as an apple tree of the 
 same size bears apples. Although ripe 
 oranges may be procured at any time of 
 the year ; yet, there are two seasons, at 
 which they are more plentiful > than at 
 other times. One season is about the mid- 
 dle of the year, and the other about the 
 close of the year. It is not uncommon to 
 see blossoms, buds r young fruit, and full- 
 grown fruit, on the same tree, at the same 
 time ; so that while some of thfe oranges 
 are ripening, others are being produced. 
 In the town of Monrovia, many orange 
 trees may be seen adorning the sides of the 
 streets i as well as in the yards and gardens 
 of the citizens. 
 
 Limes and lemons are in superabundance, 
 in nearly every settlement in Liberia. 
 
 Pine-apples grow wild in the woods, in 
 great abundance ; and when allowed to ri- 
 pen, before being pulled, they are very 
 finely flavored. * The apple grows out of 
 the centre of a small stalk, one or 
 two feet high , and it is surrounded Jjy 
 prickly, pointed leaves or branches. I 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 19 
 
 Guavas Mango Plantain and Banana. 
 
 have seen thousands of them, in half an 
 hour's walk. They are considerably im- 
 p roved by cultivation in good, rich land. 
 They are not, however, a wholesome fruit, 
 although very palatable ; and many per- 
 sons have made themselves sick by eating 
 them too freely. 
 
 Guavas grow very abundantly, on trees 
 about the size of ordinary peach trees. 
 This fruit resembles the apricot in appear- 
 ance, but not in taste. It is not very pal- 
 atable, when uncooked ; though some 
 persons are very fond of it. It, however, 
 makes the best preserves, and the best 
 pies, of any fruit with which I am acquain- 
 ted. The guava jelly, which is almost 
 universally regarded as a very delicious 
 article, is made from this fruit. Though 
 1 believe the guava tree is not indigenous to 
 Liberia ; yet it grows so luxuriantly, as to 
 become a source of much inconvenience, 
 in some places. 
 
 The Mango (or mango-plum, as it is 
 usually called in Liberia) also thrives well. 
 It is the product of a handsome tree, about 
 the size of an ordinary apple-tree. The 
 fruit is about the size of an ordinary apple, 
 but oval, or egg-shaped. In taste, it ap- 
 proaches more nearly to the American 
 peach, than any other tropical fruit I ever 
 ate ; and I regard it as the best fruit which 
 is raised in Liberia. The mango makes 
 very superior preserves. 
 
 The Plantain is a beautiful, broad-leafed, 
 tender, fibrous stalk, which grows to the 
 height of from eight to fourteen feet. The 
 leaves , which are the continuation of the 
 fibrous layers of the soft, herbaceous 
 stalk, are generally about six feet long, 
 and from one to three feet broad. The 
 fruit-stem proceeds from the heart of the 
 stalk ; and, when full-grown, it is about 
 three feet long, and beautifully curved, ex- 
 tending about two feet beyond the cluster 
 of fruit, and terminating in a singular and 
 beautiful purple bulb, formed of numerous 
 tender layers, which can be easily separ- 
 ated. One stalk produces only one cluster 
 
 or bunch of fruit; and, when this is re- 
 moved, by cutting the stem, the stalk dies ; 
 but cions spring up from the original root, 
 around the old stalk ; and in a few months, 
 these also bear fruit ; and then die, giving 
 place to other new stalks. So that, in two 
 or three years frorn the time of the first 
 planting, the number of stalks and bunches 
 of fruit will be increased six-fold, or more. 
 The venerable parent-stalk, as if loth to 
 leave her rising progeny unsheltered from 
 the sweeping tornado, generally continues 
 to spread her broad leaves over them, un- 
 til they shall have attained a sufficient 
 size to stand firmly before the destroying 
 blast of the stornvking ; and then one by 
 one, the expansive leaves or branches 
 wither, and fall to the ground, leaving the 
 aged, worn-out stalk to be prostrated by 
 the passing breeze. The fruit of the 
 plantain is cylindrical and slightly curved, 
 somewhat tapering towards the end. It is 
 usually from six to nine inches long, and 
 about one inch in diameter. At first, 
 it is of a pale green color ; but, when ful- 
 ly ripe, it is yellow. It arrives at maturi- 
 ty in about eight months. Most persons 
 in Liberia cut the bunches before the fruit 
 has ripened ; but, it is much better, when 
 it is allowed to ripen before being separated 
 from the stalk. It is usually prepared for 
 the table, by being boiled, baked, or fried ; 
 and it is perhaps the most luscious and 
 wholesome vegetable of tropical climates, 
 and one of the most valuable fruits in the 
 vegetable kingdom. It may be produced 
 at any time in the year ; and, with a little 
 judicious management, every family may 
 have this excellent and nutritious article, 
 every day in the year. 
 
 The Banana is so much like th e plantain , in 
 every respect, except in the taste, and a 
 slight difference in the appearance of the 
 fruit, that the description of one will answer 
 for both. Indeed, it is difficult to distin- 
 guish one from the other, when they are 
 growing. The fruit of the banana is only 
 about half the length of the plantain ; and 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Okra Papaw Cocoanut Tamarind Pomcgranite and African Cherry. 
 
 is not so much curved. It is also much 
 softer, when ripe, ami is more frequently 
 eaten uncooked ; although it may be pre- 
 pared in the same manner as the plantain. 
 The taste of the plantain very much -resem- 
 bles the taste of apples cooked in the same 
 way ; while that of the banana is sut gen- 
 tris unlike any fruit of the United States. 
 The plantain and banana trees are among 
 the most beautiful vegetable growths of 
 tropical climates. 
 
 Okra is the fruit of a small tree, ten or 
 twelve feet high. It is a soft, pulpy, and 
 very mucilagenous fruit ; which, when 
 boiled, forms a thick, semi-fluid, pleasant, 
 and nutritious article of food an excellent 
 adjuvant to rice. It may be raised easily 
 and abundantly in Liberia. 
 
 The Papaw is a tall, slender, herbaceous 
 tree, of very rapid growth, sometimes at- 
 taining the height of thirty feet. The 
 body of the tree is usually naked to with- 
 in two or three feet of the top, and is 
 marked with the cicatrices of the fallen 
 leaves, which wither and fall as the tree 
 continues to grow, giving place to others 
 above them. Sometimes, however, there 
 are several branches attached to the upper 
 part of the body of the tree ; each of which 
 branches produces a cluster of fruit. The 
 leaves are very large, have long footstalks, 
 and are divided into numerous lobes. 
 The fruit is nearly round, of a pale-green 
 color, becoming yellowish as it ripens, and 
 is about the size of the head of a very 
 young infant. One variety of the papaW, 
 however, bears fruit of an elongated shape 
 somewhat like a pear ; but considerably 
 larger than the other variety. The fruit 
 of the papaw has a sweetish taste. It is 
 very soft ; and, when fully ripe, and stewed, 
 it resembles in both appearance and taste 
 the best pumpkins of the United States ; 
 when it is stewed, before it has ripened, 
 and is made into pie, it so much resembles 
 the green -apple pie, in taste as well as ap- 
 pearance, that the most fastidious epicure 
 
 might be deceived by it ; if he did not stop 
 to think that apples do not grow in Liberia. 
 
 The Cocoanut is perhaps the most 
 beautiful tree of tropical climates. It has 
 long, curved leaves or branches ; which 
 hang gracefully from the upper part of the 
 body, which rises sometimes to the height 
 of thirty feet, or more. The fruit grows in 
 clusters near the base of the stalks of the 
 leaves. The cocoanut tree is seldom raised 
 in Liberia, except as an ornament. A few 
 of these stately arid beautiful trees may be 
 seen in some of the settlements. From 
 having seen it growing in an obscure place , 
 I presume the cocoanut tree is indigenous 
 in Liberia. 
 
 The Tamarind is a large, spreading tree, 
 having very small, deep-green leaves. 
 The fruit grows in elongated pods } similar 
 to the butter-bean. Although the tamarind 
 is indigenous, and thrives as well perhaps in 
 Liberia, as in any other part of the world ; 
 yet the people do not give any attention to 
 the gathering of the fruit, except for their 
 own use ; and, indeed, very few seem to 
 care any thing about it. I think, however, 
 it may be made a profitable article of ex- 
 portation. 
 
 The Pomegranite is a dense, spiny shrub, 
 ten or twelve feet high. It produces 
 beautiful brilliant large red flowers ; and 
 the fruit is about the size of a large apple, 
 and covered with a thick coriaceous rind. 
 It is filled with a multitude of small seeds ; 
 and the pulp is slightly acid and astringent. 
 This fruit is seldom cultivated in Liberia ; 
 although I presume it will thrive as well 
 as in most other parts of the world. 
 
 The African cherry (so called in Liberia) 
 is a very peculiar fruit. It is about the 
 size of the ordinary morrello-cherry of the 
 United States ; but, in taste, it more re- 
 sembles the cranberry. The tree is usually 
 about fifteen feet high. The great pecu- 
 liarity in the growth of this fruit, consists 
 in the manner in which the short stems are 
 attached to the tree not to the twigs of 
 the branches, but to the body and larger 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 21 
 
 African Peach Sour-sop Sweet-sop, &c. Productions continued Coffee. 
 
 limbs of the tree ; the stems of the fruit 
 being about one-third of an inch long. 
 This fruit makes very fine tarts equal to 
 the cranberry. 
 
 The African peach, of which there are 
 three varieties, is a large, round, acid fruit 
 one variety being about twice the size of 
 the largest peaches in the United States. 
 These trees, some of which are very large, 
 grow abundantly in the forests of Liberia. 
 The fruit is used only for making pre- 
 serves ; which, when properly made, are 
 surpassed only by the guava. 
 
 The Sour-sop is a large, pulpy, acidu- 
 lous fruit, which grows on a tree about the 
 size of fin ordinary apple-tree. The fruit 
 is nearly pear-shaped, and is about as 
 large as an ordinary cantelope. It is 
 covered with a thick, knotty rind. When 
 perfectly ripe, it is a very pleasant fruit ; 
 especially when a little sugar is sprinkled 
 over the pulp. It is also very good, when 
 fried in slices ; in which state it somewhat 
 resembles in taste fried sour apples. 
 
 The Sweet-sop is a fruit somewhat simi- 
 lar to the sour-sop; but not so acidulous, nor 
 so pleasant to the taste. It is seldom used. 
 
 The Cocoa, from which chocolate is 
 produced, though not yet extensively cul- 
 tivated, thrives well in Liberia. 
 
 The Rose-apple is a small round fruit, 
 which takes its name from the delightful 
 fragrance which it has. It is not very pal- 
 atable, however ; and it is seldom eaten. 
 
 The Granadilla is a large fruit which 
 grows on a vine. It is about as large as 
 a moderate sized cantelope. No part of 
 the fruit is eaten, except the seeds and the 
 mucilagenous substance by which they are 
 surrounded. These are loosely confined in 
 the centre of the fruit. The taste of this 
 mucilage resembles the American straw- 
 berry more than any other fruit with which 
 I am acquainted. 
 
 The Sorrel is a large shrub, having deep- 
 red blossoms ; which are often used for 
 making tarts. It grows freely in Liberia, 
 
 2 
 
 and it is a very handsome ornament to a 
 yard or garden. 
 
 The Chiota is the fruit of a vine; It is 
 about as large as an ordinary pear. When 
 properly prepared, by stewing, it aflfords a 
 wholesome, palatable, and nutritious article 
 of food ; and it may be easily raised in 
 Liberia. 
 
 The celebrated bread fruit, of the island 
 of Tahiti, which was introduced into the 
 British West-India Islands, by order of 
 the government, will grow well in Liberia. 
 But, as there are so many other articles of a 
 somewhat similar kind, which are prefer- 
 able to it, it is seldom used. 
 
 I have seen several other indigenous fruits 
 in Liberia ; some of which are very palata- 
 ble; some very fragrant, but not very accep- 
 table to the palate ; and others not possess- 
 ing any good qualities to recommend them 
 And there are many other kinds of fruits, 
 peculiar to tropical climates, which, no 
 doubt, would thrive well in Liberia ; but 
 which have not yet been introduced. I 
 have alluded to those only which I have 
 seen growing there, and of which I have 
 eaten. 
 
 SKETCH No. 5 
 
 PRODUCTIONS Continued. In addition 
 to the vegetable productions of Liberia, 
 to which I have alluded, there are some 
 others which are worthy of particular 
 notice ; especially as they are the prin- 
 cipal exportable articles, some of which, 
 may be rendered very profitable articles of 
 commerce. These are, Coffee, Ginger, Pep- 
 per, Sugar, Ground-nuts, Indigo, Cotton, 
 and Arrow-root. 
 
 In reference to Coffee, I am quite satisfied 
 that the soil and climate of Liberia are as 
 well adapted to the cultivation of this arti- 
 cle, as the soil and climate of any other part 
 of the world. I believe that as good coffee 
 can be raised in Liberia as in Mocha or 
 Java ; and I have no doubt that, by proper 
 attention, it may be raised as plentifully as 
 in any other part of the world. These 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Estimates of the quantity and value of coffee. 
 
 opinions are not hastily formed, but are 
 founded on personal observations in some 
 of the West India Islands, as well as in Li- 
 beria, and on frequent conversations with 
 persons who have visited various other parts 
 of the world in which coffee is cultivated. 
 I have frequently seen isolated trees grow- 
 ing in different parts of Liberia, which have 
 yielded from ten to twenty pounds of clean 
 dry coffee at one picking; and, however 
 incredible it may appear, it is a fact, that 
 one tree in Monrovia yielded four and a 
 --phalf bushels of coffee, in the hull, at one 
 time; which, on being shelled and dried, 
 weighed thirty-one pounds. This is the 
 largest quantity of which I ever heard, as 
 having been gathered from one tree ; and 
 it is the largest coffee tree I ever saw, being 
 upwards of twenty feet high, and of propor- 
 tionate dimensions. 
 
 I have given particular attention to obser- 
 vations and investigations, respecting the 
 cultivation of coffee in Liberia; and, I 
 think I may safely set down the average 
 quantity which may be raised, by proper 
 cultivation, at four pounds to each tree 
 that is, each tree of six years old and up- 
 wards. The coffee tree will begin to bear 
 in three years from the time at which the 
 seeds are planted. At the end of the fourth 
 year, the average quantity may be set down 
 at one pound to each tree ; at the end of 
 the fifth year, two and a half pounds ; and, 
 at the end of the sixth year, four pounds. 
 About three hundred trees can be planted 
 in one acre of ground, allowing the trees to 
 be twelve feet apart. Therefore, in four 
 years from the time the seeds are planted 
 in the nursery, 300 pounds of coffee may 
 be gathered, which, at ten cents a pound, (a 
 very moderate rate for Liberia coffee, which 
 has frequently been sold for twenty cents 
 a pound in this country,) would be worth 
 $30. At the end of the fifth year, 750 
 
 pounds may be gathered worth $75 ; and 
 at the end of the sixth year, 1,200 pounds 
 worth $120. So that, in six years from the 
 time of the planting of the seeds, agreeably 
 to this calculation, 2,250 pounds of coffee 
 may be produced on one acre of ground 
 worth $225. And, accordingly, ten acres, 
 properly cultivated, will yield during the 
 first six years, an income of $2,250 ; and 
 at least $1,200 during each succeeding 
 year. 
 
 This calculation I regard as pretty nearly 
 correct ; but even admitting that I have set 
 down the quantities and the value at one 
 fourth more than they should be, it will 
 still appear, that the cultivation of coffee 
 may be rendered a source of wealth in Li- 
 beria, even supposing that nothing else 
 could be raised for exportation, which is 
 by no means the case. I am quite satisfied 
 that at least $100 a year may be realized, 
 by proper management, from the produce 
 of one acre of ground cultivated in coffee, 
 after the sixth year from the time of plant- 
 ing of the grains in the nursery. And, as 
 it does not require much labor, one person 
 may easily cultivate three acres, with a 
 little hired assistance in clearing the land, 
 and may devote one half of his time, or 
 more, to the cultivation of other articles, 
 for the use of himself and family, and for 
 sale ; and he need not work more than five 
 or six hours a day. So that, by industry, 
 prudence, and economy, any man may 
 realize at least $300 a year for his labor, 
 over and above the necessary expenditures 
 of himself and family ; the other articles 
 which he may raise being quite sufficient 
 for the comfortable support of his house- 
 hold. I am aware that the truthfulness of 
 this statement has seldom been exhibited in 
 the agricultural operations of the citizens of 
 Liberia ; but this fact does not necessarily 
 confute the truth of the statement, nor does 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Method of raising coffee Ginger Pepper. 
 
 it sufficiently exhibit the impracticability of 
 its being fully and easily carried out. And 
 I might add, that it does not require the 
 exercise of profound wisdom, even in a cur- 
 sory observer, to discover the real cause 
 why the feasibility of the result of the fore- 
 going calculation is not more frequently ex- 
 hibited. 
 
 Coffee is indigenous in Liberia. It may 
 frequently be seen wild in the woods. It 
 is, however, much improved by cultivation. 
 The most approved method of raising it, is 
 to plant the grains in a nursery, and to 
 transplant when the tree has attained the 
 height of a foot and a half. Some trees 
 arrive at their full growth in five or six 
 years ; while others continue to grow more 
 than double that length of time. The grains 
 grow in pairs, covered with a hull, from 
 which they can be easily separated when 
 dry. The coffee blossom is a beautiful and 
 highly flagrant little white flower, and the 
 berry, when fully ripe, is of a pale red 
 color. The average height of full grown 
 trees is about eight feet. They continue to 
 bear from ten to twenty years. I have seen 
 some fine flourishing trees, which were up- 
 wards of twenty years old. As the coffee 
 tree is easily cultivated, and as the fruit is 
 easily cured, the cultivation of this profita- 
 ble and useful article should occupy a por- 
 tion of the time of every family in Liberia. 
 
 Next to coffee, perhaps Ginger may be 
 made the most profitable article of culture, 
 for exportation. The superior quality of 
 this article, and the peculiar adaptation of 
 almost every kind of soil in Liberia, to its 
 abundant growth, justifies the opinion that 
 it may be rendered a very profitable article 
 of commerce. It will certainly grow as 
 well in Liberia as in any other part of the 
 world ; and. in quality, it is scarcely infe- 
 rior to the best that is produced in any 
 other country. I have no certain data from 
 which I can determine the average quantity 
 
 of ginger which may be raised on a given 
 quantity of land ; but, from what I have 
 seen, I am quite satisfied that it may be 
 raised in great abundance, with very little 
 labor. The average increase is at least 
 twenty-fold, when properly cultivated. 
 From six to eight months is the time usu- 
 ally required for its growth and maturation. 
 Bird pepper, which is known in the 
 United States as "African Cayenne Pep- 
 per," is an indigenous article, which may 
 be found almost every where throughout 
 Liberia. I have frequently seen great quan- 
 tities of it growing wild in the woods. And 
 if a little attention were given to the cultiva- 
 tion of it, thousands of pounds might be 
 annually exported. It grows on bushes 
 about four feet high. The pods are gene- 
 rally about half an inch long, and one third 
 of an inch in circumference. One species, 
 however, is four or five times this size. 
 The smaller kind is generally prefered. In 
 quality, it is perhaps not equalled by that 
 raised in any other country. The cultiva- 
 tion of it requires scarcely any attention ; 
 and the only preparation of it for the market, 
 consists in picking the pods and spreading 
 them out to dry. The shrub grows very 
 rapidly, and the fruit arrives at maturity in 
 six or eight months from the time of plant- 
 ing. It yields more abundantly about the 
 beginning of the year, but as the fruit con- 
 tinues to be reproduced throughout the 
 year, it may be collected at any time. The 
 natives use it very freely. It is not un- 
 common to see them with a bunch of pep- 
 per in one hand and a roasted cassada in 
 the other, taking, with each bite of the 
 latter, one of the pods of the former, one of 
 which pods would serve to pepper a full 
 meal for a person not so accustomed to its 
 use. Perhaps the reader of this may won- 
 der why pepper is not more freely gather- 
 ed and exported, as it grows so abundantly 
 in the wild state, and as it may be so very 
 
SKETCHES OP LIBERIA. 
 
 Sugar-cane Ground-nuts Indigo Cotton. 
 
 easily cultivated. To this I can only re- 
 spond, echo answers, why? 
 
 Sugar-cam will, perhaps, thrive as well in 
 Liberia, as in any other country. I have 
 seen stalks more than fifteen feet high, and 
 two or three inches in diameter. The ave- 
 rage size of the stalks is considerably larger 
 than those which are raised in the island of 
 Barbadoes, and the juice is equally sweet, 
 and proportionably more abundant. This 
 I have tested, by personal observations. 
 Sugar, however, probably will not soon be- 
 come a profitable article of exportation, in 
 consequence of the inability of the Liberians 
 to compete with the West India planters. 
 Liberia, however, may be, and it ought to 
 be, independent of all the rest of the world, 
 for this luxury. Every farmer ought to 
 raise, not only enough of this article for the 
 use of his own family, but some to dispose 
 of to his mercantile, mechanical, and pro- 
 fessional neighbors. And, even if he can- 
 not conveniently manufacture the sugar, in 
 any considerable quantity, he can certainly 
 express enough of the juice in a few hours, 
 with his own hands, in a mill of his own 
 construction, to make several gallons of 
 syrup, (not molasses but a much better ar- 
 ticle,) which answers very well for every 
 practical or necessary purpose. 
 
 Ground-nuts, or pea-nuts, may be raised 
 in great abundance, in Liberia. And, as 
 these nuts generally find a ready market'in 
 the United States, and in Europe ; they 
 certainly will richly repay the Liberian far- 
 mer for the little trouble and labor which 
 their cultivation requires. I do not know 
 what quantity may be raised on a given 
 portion of land, but I do know that they 
 yield very abundantly. 
 
 Although the cultivation of Indigo has 
 not met with much attention in Liberia 
 comparatively few persons having given 
 any attention at all to it yet, as the indigo 
 
 olant grows so luxuriantly, and may be 
 aised so easily, the manufacture of indigo 
 s certainly worthy of particular notice. 
 The plant grows so abundantly in Liberia, 
 that it constitutes one of the most trouble- 
 some weeds in the gardens, and even in 
 the streets of the settlements. And, with a 
 little skill and industry, in preparing the 
 indigo, it may be rendered one of the most 
 profitable crops that can be produced in 
 tropical climates. The plant arrives at ma- 
 turity in three or four months from the time 
 of planting the seed, and as it springs 
 up again, in a few weeks after having been 
 cut, one crop will yield five or six cuttings 
 in the course of the year. Several varieties 
 of the indigo plant may be found growing 
 wild in Liberia, all of which yield very fine 
 indigo, some of which is perhaps equal to 
 that produced in any other part of the world. 
 The preparation of indigo requires a little 
 more patience and industry, than the Li- 
 berians generally are in the habit of bestow- 
 ing on any one article of agriculture; which is 
 the principal cause why it has not been 
 more extensively manufactured. 
 
 Cotton has not yet been cultivated to a 
 sufficient extent, to enable me to determine 
 from observation, whether it may be made a 
 very profitable article of agriculture. Sever 
 ral old cotton planters, who had grown 
 grey in raising cotton in Georgia, Missis- 
 sippi, and other Southern States, before 
 they went to Liberia, have repeatedly told 
 me, that the cotton-tree or shrub will grow 
 as well, and yield as abundantly in Liberia, 
 as in any part of the United States. As I 
 have never seen the cotton-tree growing in 
 the United States, I cannot institute a com- 
 parison, from my own observations. But 
 I have seen some fine trees growing in Li- 
 beria, and yielding cotton equal in quality 
 to the best I ever saw from the valley of the 
 Mississippi, The natives in the interior 
 
SKETCHES OF L I B E H 1 A . 
 
 Arrow-root method of preparing it quantity that may be raised. 
 
 manufacture cotton goods pretty extensive 
 ly from one species of the indigenou 
 growth. There are several species or vari 
 eties of cotton in Liberia. The best grow 
 on trees or shrubs ten or twelve feet high 
 similar to those raised in the United States 
 but perhaps larger in the average size 
 And, as the trees are not injured by frosts 
 of course they continue to bear for severa 
 years. One species grows on trees of im 
 mense dimensions some of them being 
 more than twenty feet in circumference 
 The cotton, however, which is producec 
 by those large trees, is very different from 
 that raised on the small trees. It has a 
 yellowish cast ; and it is more like raw silk 
 in appearance and texture ; but, as it has 
 very little staple, it is seldom gathered for 
 any purpose. 
 
 Jlrrow-root probably thrives as well in 
 Liberia, as in any other part of the world. 
 This is a tender plant, which usually grows 
 to the height of two or three feet. The 
 stems, of which several rise from the same 
 root, are round, branched, jointed, and 
 leafy. The leaves resemble the common 
 sword-grass. They are alternate ; and are 
 from three to six inches in length. The root, 
 which is the only part used, is beautifully 
 cylindrical, straight, and tapering, (hence 
 the name of the plant,) fleshy, scaly, and 
 furnished with numerous long, white fibres ; 
 and is usually from three to eight inches in 
 length. This plant is one of the most 
 luxurious growths in Liberia. It is easily 
 propagated, and it arrives at maturity in 
 about five months. In preparing it for use, 
 the roots are washed, and then beat into a 
 pulp, which is thrown into a tub of water, 
 and agitated, so as to separate the fibres 
 from the amylaceous part; the latter of 
 which remains suspended in the water, 
 while the former is removed. The milky 
 fluid, thus formed, is strained, and allowed 
 
 to stand several hours, until the fecula, or 
 starch, shall have settled at the bottom of 
 the vessel. It is then washed with a fresh 
 portion of water, strained again, and allow- 
 ed to subside again ; this process sometimes 
 being performed three or four times ; after 
 which, it is spread out, and dried in the sun. 
 About eight pounds of the pure powder or 
 flour may be procured from a bushel of the 
 roots. 
 
 As arrow-root may be produced so 
 abundantly in Liberia ; and as it is one of 
 the most important exportable articles ; as 
 well as one of the most valuable articles of 
 food ; it deserves particular notice. The 
 cultivation of the plant requires so little la- 
 bor or attention, and the process of manu- 
 facturing the fecula from the roots is so 
 very simple and so easily performed that 
 I am quite certain this article may be ren- 
 dered a source of wealth by exportation. 
 From having frequently seen it growing, 
 and having seen the quantity which a very 
 small piece of ground produced, I think 
 the average quantity which may be raised, 
 on almost every kind of soil in Liberia, 
 may be safely and truly set down at one- 
 hundred bushels to the acre ; that is, eight 
 hundred pounds of pure manufactured 
 arrow-root, or fecula. An old gentleman 
 at Monrovia, who has raised a considera- 
 ble quantity of it, stated to me, that, from 
 he quantity which he has made from a 
 certain portion of land , he was quite satis- 
 fied that one acre, properly cultivated, will 
 ield two thousand pounds. And a farmer 
 at Caldwell assured me that he made one 
 undred and thirty pounds from the pro- 
 duce of one-sixteenth of an acre of ground. 
 But, as it will be perceived, I have placed 
 he average quantity at less than one-half 
 )f the proportionate quantity which has 
 actually been raised ; and this, I think, is- 
 wt beyond a fair estimate. Assuming 
 
26 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Arrow-root a substitute for flour Productions continued. 
 
 therefore, that one-half an acre will pro- 
 duce four hundred pounds, (a quantity 
 which almost any family may easily raise 
 and manufacture,) and allowing the aver- 
 age net price to be only fifteen cents a 
 pound ; it will appear that $60 may be re- 
 alized from this small quantity of land ; 
 with comparatively little labor. 
 
 During the last year or two arrow-root 
 has been used pretty extensively in Liberia, 
 as a substitute for wheat-flour ; and, as I 
 have frequently eaten it, in various forms 
 of bread, I hesitate not to say, that I be- 
 lieve it to be not only a good substitute for 
 flour, but much more suitable and whole- 
 some for persons residing in tropical cli- 
 mates. It makes very fine biscuits, either 
 alone or when mixed with a small quantity 
 of sweet potatoes. It also makes very 
 good pie-crust ; and I have seen light or 
 leavened bread , made of arrow-root, which 
 so much resembled wheat-flour bread, in 
 both appearance and taste, as to deceive 
 professed judges. Besides these, I have 
 eaten the nicest kind of pound and other 
 sweet cakes, made of this article, instead 
 of flour, with the ordinary adjuvants. And 
 I beg leave to say, that I regard myself as 
 a tolerably good judge of good eating. 
 
 The foregoing named articles constitute 
 the principal exportable articles of agricul- 
 ture, which may be raised in Liberia. 
 And I have endeavored to give faithful and 
 truthful statements, in reference to each of 
 them. And, while I regret that greater at- 
 tention has not yet been given to the culti- 
 vation of these articles ; I cherish the hope 
 that the period will arrive, at which all of 
 them will be cultivated extensively; if not 
 by the present inhabitants, by others who 
 may emigrate thither, having more energy, 
 industry, and perseverance. I candidly 
 believe, that a man may acquire more 
 wealth in Liberia, by judicious manage- 
 
 ment in the cultivation of the soil, than he 
 could acquire in any part of the United 
 States, with double the quantity of land, 
 double the amount of labor, and in double 
 the length of time ; even allowing for all 
 the disadvantages under which he may 
 have to labor in Liberia, and all the facili- 
 ties which he might have in the United 
 States. I am quite certain that by pursu- 
 ing a regular, systematic and persevering 
 course of agricultural industry and frugali- 
 ty, the citizens of Liberia may, with no 
 other means than those which every indi- 
 vidual can readily procure, produce not 
 only enough of those articles which are 
 peculiar to tropical climates, for their own 
 use, but a large surplus, for exportation. 
 And, any man in Liberia, who enjoys a 
 tolerable degree of health, and who does 
 not live comfortably and independently, 
 may, without any violation of the princi- 
 ples of truth or justice, charge the defi- 
 ciency to his own account. 
 
 SKETCHY-NO. 6. 
 
 PRODUCTIONS Continued. One of the 
 most important and valuable indigenous 
 articles of the vegetable kingdom in inter- 
 tropical Africa, is the Palm ; which is one 
 of the most remarkable and useful trees in 
 the world. There are two or three species of 
 the palm in Liberia ; one of which, by its 
 towering height and graceful appearance, 
 attracts particular attention. The tree which 
 yields the nuts from which oil is extracted, 
 seldom grows to the height of more than 
 twenty -five feet. It resembles the cocoanut 
 tree,having,likethat,long leaves or branches, 
 which are attached to the upper part of 
 the body of the tree, and which hang in 
 graceful curves. The fruit grows in clus- 
 ters or branches, near the base of the stalks 
 of the leaves. The nut is oval, about an 
 inch long ; and, when ripe is of a deep red 
 color. The oil is extracted from the pulp 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA 
 
 Palm Camwood Palma-cristi, &c. Animals Elephants Leopards. 
 
 of the nut, which yields very abundantly. 
 It is manufactured by the natives ; and sev- 
 eral hundred thousand gallons are annually 
 exported from Liberia. Palm trees may 
 be seen in every part of Liberia, adorning 
 the hills and valleys ; and furnishing not 
 only great quantities of oil for exportation, 
 as well as for domestic uses, but yielding a 
 variety of other useful substances ; a pe- 
 culiar beverage called "palm wine," which 
 is procured by tapping the tree, and which 
 in taste very much resembles wine-whey ; 
 also a substance which grows at the* top of 
 the tree, called " palm-cabbage" ; and 
 which, when boiled, has an agreeable 
 taste ; and from the fibres of the leaves, 
 the natives get materials for making baskets, 
 hats, &c. Palm oil is extensively used by 
 the Liberians as a substitute for sperm oil 
 and candles ; and also in culinary opera- 
 tions, as a substitute for lard and butter. 
 And, for all needful purposes, to which 
 those articles are applied, it answers very 
 well. The average price of palm oil in 
 Liberia is about thirty-three cents a gallon. 
 
 Another valuable tree, which is indi- 
 genous and peculiar to intertropical Africa, 
 is the Cam wood ; which grows abundantly 
 in the forests, about a hundred miles from 
 the coast. This is one of the most valuable 
 dye-woods in the world ; and hundreds of 
 tons are annually exported from Liberia. 
 
 The Palma-cristi, the seeds of which 
 yield castor oil, is also indigenous in Liberia ; 
 and I have no doubt that the regular culti- 
 vation of this valuable shrub would richly 
 repay the laborer for the little trouble which 
 it would require. 
 
 The tree which yields the medicinal bal- 
 sam, called Copaiva, may also be seen oc- 
 casionally growing wild in the forests of 
 Liberia ; and I doubt not that the juice 
 might be collected in sufficient quantities, to 
 become a valuable article of exportation. 
 
 Several species of the Jlcacia (Gum Ara- 
 bic tree) grow in Liberia ; and some of the 
 gum is of superior quality. 
 
 I have seen some specimens of Olibanum, 
 (Frankincense,) which, as the natives in- 
 formed me, were collected from large trees 
 which grow abundantly in the forest. 
 
 I have frequently seen the Caoutchouc or 
 Gum-elastic tree growing in Liberia ; some 
 of which are forty-feet, or more, in height. 
 
 The forests of Liberia also furnish many 
 different kinds of valuable timber, well 
 suited for ship or boat building, cabinet 
 work, and all the various operations in car- 
 pentry ; the principal of which are Wist- 
 more, Brimstone, Rose-wood, Mulberry, 
 Bastard Mahogany, Saffron, Mangrove, 
 African Oak, Hickory , Poplar, Persimmon 
 and Sassa-wood. Some of these make very 
 beautiful cabinet work. 
 
 A considerable variety of medicinal 
 plants, besides those to which I have al- 
 luded, may be found in Liberia ; among 
 which is the Croton Tiglium, a small tree 
 or shrub, with spreading branches, yielding 
 a capsular fruit, from the seeds of which 
 the Croton oil is extracted. 
 
 ANIMALS. The principal wild animals 
 which infest the forests or rivers of Libe- 
 ria, are the Elephant, Leopard, Hippopota- 
 mus, Crocodile, Porcupine, Wild Hog, 
 Boa Constictor, several species of the Deer, 
 and several species of the Ape. 
 
 Elephants are quite numerous about a 
 hundred miles back in the interior ; and the 
 natives make a regular business of hunting 
 and killing them, for the ivory of which their 
 tusks are composed. These animals were 
 formerly frequently seen in the vicinity of 
 some of the settlements ; but they are now 
 seldom seen within fifty miles of the sea- 
 coast. 
 
 Leopards are occasionally seen prowling 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Hippopotami Crocodiles Deer Monkeys, &c Ants Drivers. 
 
 about the outskirts of some of the settle- 
 ments ; and they sometimes carry away 
 small domesticated animals at night. But 
 they are much less numerous and trouble- 
 some, than formerly. They never attack a 
 person, except after having been wounded. 
 
 Hippopotami are occasionally seen on the 
 banks of the river, some of them of im- 
 mense size weighing a thousand pounds 
 or more. They are sometimes killed by the 
 natives. They are harmless animals ; and 
 they always endeavor to escape, when in- 
 terrupted, by plunging into the water. 
 
 Crocodiles (erroneously called Alligators) 
 are frequently seen basking in (he sunshine 
 on the banks of the rivers, or on the little 
 rocky islands. They always make their 
 escape into the water, when approached by 
 a person on shore, or in a boat or canoe. 
 
 Boa Constrictors are sometimes killed in 
 the forests in Liberia. The largest I ever 
 saw was fifteen feet long, and fifteen inches 
 in circumference. Much larger ones have 
 been killed. I never heard of their attack- 
 ing an individual. Serpents, however, are 
 much less numerous in Liberia than is 
 generally supposed ; and poisonous snakes 
 are perhaps less common than in many 
 parts of the United States. 
 
 Deer are very numerous ; and they af- 
 ford excellent venison. 
 
 Monkeys are found in great numbers in 
 the forests. I have seen a dozen, or more, 
 at one time, jumping from tree to tree, with 
 great dexterity. Several species of the ape 
 tribe are occasionally caught by the natives ; 
 among which is the Chimpanzee, so remark- 
 able for its near approximation in appear- 
 ance to the human race. Some of these 
 " wild men of the woods" have been seen 
 as large as an ordinary sized man. The 
 1 argest that I ever saw was about the size 
 of a child two or three years old. The old 
 ones are never caught, and are seldom kil- 
 
 led. They are very powerful, as well as 
 very active. 
 
 Besides these, the Guana, the Ichneumon, 
 the Sloth, the beautiful and ever-changing 
 Chamelion, many varities of Lizards, and 
 several species of Jints may frequently be 
 seen. 
 
 One variety or species of ants is very re- 
 markable, in consequence of the immense 
 conical mounds of earth which they rear, 
 and in which they make their nests. These 
 mounds are sometimes ten or twelve feet 
 high, and eight or ten feet in diameter at 
 the base. These ants are about the size of 
 the large black ant in the United States. 
 The queen, however, is much larger some 
 of them two inches in length and nearly 
 two inches in circumference. In the in- 
 terior of the mounds, about half-way from 
 the bottom, is a large vaulted chamber, the 
 floor of which is very hard and smooth. In 
 the centre of the floor is the nest, in the in- 
 most recess of which, lives the queen in 
 luxurious ease, accompanied by the king, 
 whose size does not vary much from the 
 ordinary ant, but who is easily recognized 
 by a striking difference in physical confor- 
 mation. Whenever the queen dies, or is 
 captured, all the ants desert the hill ; which 
 is left to "crumble into dust again. '* 
 Many of these deserted mounds may be 
 seen in almost every part of Liberia. 
 
 Another species of ants (familiarly known 
 by the name of Drivers} is still more re- 
 markable. They are about the size of the 
 black ant of America that is, about one 
 fourth to one half of an inch in length. 
 They may frequently be seen marching 
 along, in the most systematic order, and 
 regularity of movement. They move in a 
 solid compact column of great length ; and 
 they appear to be under the direction of 
 able leaders and rigid disciplinarians. No 
 common obstacle turns them out of their 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 29 
 
 Domesticated animals Beeves Cows Sheep Goats, &c. 
 
 course ; and whosoever is so unfortunate 
 as to come in their line of march, will have 
 to pay for his temerity ; and will be re- 
 minded to be more careful in future. Hun- 
 dreds seize fiercely on the intruding foot; and 
 the unwary object of their vengeance is 
 compelled to retreat from the scene of at- 
 tack. These tiny warriors are very trouble- 
 some ; but they are exceedingly useful in 
 expelling noxious vermin from every place 
 into which they may enter in the course 
 of their perambulations. Whenever a 
 battalion of drivers enters a dwelling house, 
 the inmates are obliged, for the time, to 
 yield undisputed possession, at least of that 
 part of the house which the little warriors 
 may be searching. They are not, however, 
 always unwelcome visitors ; for they never 
 fail to expel rats, mice, and every species 
 of vermin ; making a clean sweep as they 
 go. Whenever they come to a small 
 water-course, the larger and stronger ones 
 dexterously form themselves into an arch, 
 by clinging to each other ; thus making a 
 bridge, over which the smaller ones pass 
 dry shod. Even in their ordinary march 
 over level ground, they seem to cling to 
 each other in a solid phalnax ; the stronger 
 ones occupying the flanks, and arching 
 themselves over the weaker ones, who oc- 
 cupy the centre, and who are thus protected 
 by the others. 
 
 All kinds of animals, both large and 
 small, are afraid of drivers ; nor have they 
 any regard to size, in the objects of their 
 warfare. They are very useful in chasing 
 away or killing snakes, lizards, scorpions, 
 centipedes, &c., which, were it not for the 
 drivers, would be exceedingly troublesome, 
 and even dangerous. Whenever they visit 
 a house, they search it all over, and expel 
 every living, moving thing, that they find ; 
 after which, they retire peaceably, and 
 yield possession to the former occupants. 
 
 They make their nests beneath the surface 
 of the ground ; and I presume they sally 
 ibrth from their quarters only in search of 
 bod ; at which times, the line of march is 
 sometimes a hundred yards, or more, in 
 ength. 
 
 The principal domesticated animals in Li- 
 beria, are Bullocks or Beeves, Cows, 
 Sheep, Goats, Swine, Geese, Turkeys, 
 Ducks, and Chickens. 
 
 Beeves are frequently brought into the 
 settlements for sale by the natives, and 
 they are sometimes raised by the citizens. 
 They may be raised easily in any desirable 
 quantity. 
 
 Cows are numerous, but they do not 
 give much milk. Some of the cows which 
 are brought from the interior, one or two 
 hundred miles from the coast, are as large 
 as qrdinary cows in the United States ; but 
 they do not give half so much milk. If 
 properly attended to, however, I think 
 they would afford milk much more plenti- 
 fully. 
 
 Sheep and goats can be very easily raised 
 in Liberia as easily, perhaps, as in any 
 other part of the world ; and they both af- 
 ford good wholesome animal food. The 
 sheep are covered with hair instead of wool.. 
 The goats furnish very good milk. 
 
 Swine do not thrive so well in Liberia as 
 in some parts of the United States ; but 
 they can be raised in sufficient abundance 
 for the wants of the people. 
 
 Geese and Ducks may be raised without 
 any more difficulty than in the United 
 States ; and within a few years past 
 Turkeys have become much more plentiful 
 than they formerly were. 
 
 Perhaps in no other part of the world! 
 can Chickens be raised more easily and 
 more plentifully, than in Liberia. With 
 very little trouble, every family may always 
 have a sufficient supply of chickens. 
 
30 
 
 SKETCHES OP LIBERIA. 
 
 Horses Diseases Acclimating fever. 
 
 Horses are plentiful in the interior, within 
 three hundred miles of the coast, but they 
 do not thrive well in the settlements ; per- 
 haps inconsequence principally of the want 
 of proper management. They are oc- 
 casionally brought down by the natives, 
 and some of them are very beautiful. They 
 are small seldom more than twelve hands 
 high. I am quite satisfied that they never 
 can be used to much advantage, as draft 
 animals, in the present settlements of Libe- 
 ria. But for all necessary purposes, the 
 native oxen can be used as a substitute for 
 horses. I have seen some of the small 
 bullocks broken to the yoke, and working 
 steadily and effectually. The Liberians, 
 however, have not yet given much attention 
 to the breaking and working of oxen by 
 no means as much as they ought to 
 to give. I trust that the time may not be 
 distant, when the plough and the cart will 
 be much more extensively used, than at 
 present. 
 
 SKETCH No. 7. 
 
 DISEASES, The physical system of every 
 individual who removes from a tempe- 
 rate to a tropical climate must undergo 
 some change must experience some pro- 
 cess of acclimation : which may, or may 
 not be attended with much fever, according 
 to circumstances to the constitutional pe- 
 culiarites of the individual, the nature of 
 the surrounding country, the previous ha- 
 bits of life, the situation at the time with 
 respect to regimen, comforts, &c.; and by 
 no means the least, the state of the mind 
 with respect to calmness and patience, or 
 irritability and disquietude ; together with 
 other imaginable circumstances. So that 
 the developments of fever are exceedingly 
 various, requiring various methods of treat- 
 ment each method to be adapted to the 
 individual case, as circumstances may re- 
 quire. Hence, the impossibility of furnish- 
 ing an exact or complete treatise on the 
 
 subject of setting down any characteristic 
 marks of the Acclimating Fever, or of 
 adopting any particular mode of treat- 
 ment. 
 
 Instead of pursuing a systematic course 
 of treatment in all the cases which came 
 under my observation, I was obliged to lay 
 aside all plans, and to modify my treatment 
 in such a manner as necessarily to discoun- 
 tenance, to a considerable extent, all the la- 
 bored theories of medical writers, relative 
 to the diseases of tropical climates. The 
 leading object which I always had in view 
 in the treatment of this and all other dis- 
 eases, and which I regard as of the great- 
 est importance, was, to preserve the natu- 
 ral strength of the patient, as much as pos- 
 sible to avoid the too free use of any 
 means by which the system might be great- 
 ly or unnecessarily debilitated. Conse- 
 quently, I seldom used very active purga- 
 tives, and scarcely ever resorted to the lan- 
 cet ; and consequently, I used very little 
 wine, brandy, or any other kind of stimu- 
 lant, to bring the patient up after he had 
 been brought down by debilitating treat- 
 ment. And, not unfrequently, my patients 
 were able to walk about within a few days, 
 after having experienced what at first was 
 regarded as an unusually violent attack. 
 The rapid convalescence of some of them 
 was indeed astonishing to myself. 
 
 Some persons, in passing through the 
 physical change, or process of acclimation, 
 have so little fever that they do not require 
 medical treatment at all. And I have no 
 doubt that many persons might pass safe- 
 ly through the acclimating process without 
 taking a grain of medicine, if they could or 
 would exercise the necessary precautions in 
 the preservation of health; such as proper 
 attention to their habits, diet and clothing, 
 to the extent of exposure to the heat of the 
 day, as well as to the damp and chilling 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 31 
 
 Character of the acclimating fever. 
 
 night-air, and especially to the avoidance 
 of all sources of mental inquietude. 
 
 In some cases, the physical system be- 
 comes sufficiently adapted to the climate to 
 resist the surrounding deleterious influences, 
 in two or three months. In other cases, a 
 year or more elapses before this desirable 
 point is reached. And in some cases, the 
 physical system and the climate seem to be 
 at variance for several years. 
 
 In the course of my observations in the 
 treatment of the acclimating fever, I fre- 
 quently noticed that persons who had pre- 
 viously suffered from local inflammatory 
 affections were extremely liable to have a 
 recurrence of some or all of the symptoms 
 of the old disorder, in consequence of the 
 previously inflamed organ or tissue being 
 the "weak point" in the system. And 
 in some cases, persons who might have en- 
 joyed tolerable health in the United Stages 
 die very soon after their arrival in Liberia, 
 in consequence of the physical system not 
 being sufficiently vigorous to undergo the 
 necessary change, in order to become adapt- 
 ed to the climate. Hence the impropriety 
 of persons emigrating to Liberia whose 
 constitutions have become much impaired 
 by previous disease, by intemperance, or 
 otherwise. And hence the necessity of 
 Missionary Societies being careful in regard 
 to the physical as well as to the moral quali- 
 fications of those persons who offer them- 
 selves as missionaries to Africa. 
 1 The majority of persons from the United 
 States who take up their residence in Libe- 
 ria have some development of fever, in 
 some form or other, within the first two 
 months after their arrival. The most com- 
 mon form, perhaps, is that which medical 
 writers generally call "Bilious Remitting 
 Fever," which is usually simple in its cha- 
 racter, and which generally yields readily, 
 in a few days, to simple, mild, appropriate 
 treatment. The first attack, however, is 
 
 generally followed, within a few days or 
 weeks, by a second similar, or nearly simi- 
 lar, attack, or, which is more common, 
 by one or other of the varieties of the 
 intermitting form of fever ; and to this lat- 
 ter kind of fever the individual is more or 
 less subject until his system shall have be- 
 come sufficiently adapted to the climate and 
 to the local influences of the country to resist 
 their peculiar effects. Not unfrequently 
 the first attack, as well as the subsequent 
 ones, assumes the intermitting form; in most 
 c^ses, however, attended with considerable 
 biliary derangement. The fever seldom as- 
 sumes a strictly continued form, is seldom in- 
 flammatory, and it seldom terminates in per- 
 manent congestion of any internal organ. 
 The congestive and inflammatory forms are 
 perhaps never exhibited, except incases in 
 which there is some striking constitutional 
 peculiarity. Bilious vomiting frequently oc- 
 curs, in both the remitting and intermitting 
 forms; and sometimes gastric irritability pre- 
 vails to a considerable extent, and renders the 
 proper management of the case rather diffi- 
 cult. In all cases the tongue is considerably 
 furred, and in many cases headach,moreor 
 less violent, continues during the continu- 
 ance of the fever. Temporary delirium is 
 sometimes present, during high febrile ex- 
 citement; but it usually subsides with the re- 
 mission or intermission of the fever. 
 
 In reference to the most successful m"o"tfe" 
 of treatment, it is impossible to furnish any 
 statement which will be sufficiently intelli- 
 gible and comprehensive to justify the* ap- 
 plication of remedial medicinal means, with- 
 out the judicious exercise of an enlightened 
 judgment. I may, however, point out a 
 few land-marks, and a few rocks and shoals, 
 by which the untutored medical mariner 
 may be able to steer his course with 
 more safety than if he were entirely desti- 
 tute of such information. And first, I would 
 remark that there are two points of essen- 
 tial importance, which cannot be too 
 
32 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Treatment of the acclimating fever. 
 
 /''""Strongly impressed on the consideration 
 of all persons who expect to reside in Libe- 
 ria : The first is, the great advantage of 
 mental as well as physical quietude, and 
 patient resignation ; which necessarily im- 
 ply the avoidance, as much as possible, of 
 both mental and physical irritability, of 
 despondency or gloomy forebodings, and 
 of distrust in Divine Providence. 1 Whoever 
 
 """goes to Africa, ought to go with the expect- 
 ation of living, and if he should get sick he 
 ought to try to get well again to avoid all 
 excitement, and to endeavor to be cheer- 
 ful and contented. The greatest difficulty 
 with which I generally had to contend, in 
 the treatment of the acclimating fever, was 
 to prevent mental depression or desponden- 
 cy in my patients. And I have invari- 
 ably found , in cases in which patients ob- 
 stinately and pertinaciously yielded to des- 
 pondency, and abandoned all hope of get- 
 ting well, that, sooner or later, their expec- 
 tations were realized, and death closed the 
 scene. The other point to which I would 
 direct particular attention is, the danger of 
 using medicinal agents too freely of rely- 
 ing too much on the curative virtues of me- 
 dicines, and not giving due attention to aux- 
 iliary means ; which indeed are often of 
 much more importance than all the pills and 
 powders of the doctor or the druggist. I 
 am quite satisfied that the lives of many 
 persons have been sacrificed in .Liberia, by 
 the too free or the injudicious use of medi- 
 cines, especially calomel and drastic cath- 
 artics. 
 
 In reference to the use of calomel, I may 
 state, that although I generally found the 
 necessity for its use in the majority of cases 
 of the acclimating fever which came under 
 my treatment, yet I used it much more 
 cautiously and sparingly than it is general- 
 ly used by medical practitioners in the 
 United States. I never gave more than 
 eight grains at a time, and seldom gave 
 more than fifteen grains during one attack 
 of sickness. Whenever I found the ne- 
 
 cessity for its administration, in any case, 
 J sometimes gave it in about two grain 
 doses, at intervals of about two hours, usu- 
 ally in combination with some diaphoretic 
 or sweating medicine, especially James' 
 Powder. After three or four of these 
 doses had been taken, I usually directed a 
 moderate dose of castor oil to be taken, 
 within ten or twelve hours after the first 
 dose. In the beginning of an attack of fe- 
 ver, especially in those cases in which 
 the tongue was much coated, and the pa- 
 tient complained of nausea, without free 
 vomiting, I frequently gave a dose of ca- 
 lomel and ipecacuanha, in the proportion of 
 six or eight grains of the former to about 
 twenty of the latter. This dose usually 
 produced sufficient action on the bowels, as 
 well as vomiting. If it failed to move the 
 bowels, I always directed some mild laxa- 
 tive afterwards generally castor oil or 
 
 rhubarb. In some cases I had no occasion 
 to give any other medicine, during the at- 
 tack, than the dose of calomel and ipecac ; 
 except generally, in the intermtitent form, 
 quinine to break up the periodicity of the 
 attack. I never gave calomel with the in- 
 tention of producing salivation : this re- 
 sult I always endeavored to guard against; 
 and, of th<? hundreds of cases which I treat- 
 ed, very few ever complained of the slight- 
 est soreness of the mouth. In the few 
 cases, in which salivation resulted from the 
 administration of calomel, in consequence 
 of a strong constitutional tendency in the 
 patients, I always observed that convales- 
 cence was more tedious the patient re- 
 quiring a longer time to regain his health 
 and strength. 
 
 My favorite diaphoretics were, James r 
 powder and sweet spirit of nitre ; both of 
 which I used frequently and freely. I 
 generally found the latter of these two 
 medicines very beneficial, in producing 
 perspiration, when given during the febrile 
 excitement, in the dose of about a teaspoon- 
 
SKETCHES OP LIBERIA. 
 
 33 
 
 Medicines used in treating the acclimating fever. 
 
 ful, at intervals of an hour or two, I 
 sometimes found it necessary to be more 
 cautious in the administration of the for- 
 mer, especially in cases in which much 
 tendency to gastric irritability existed. I 
 seldom used nitrate of potash, (a favorite 
 diaphoretic with some physicians in this 
 country,) in consequence of the tendency, 
 in many cases, to irritability of the sto- 
 mach. 
 
 In reference to the use of opiates, I may 
 state, that, although I frequently found 
 them highly beneficial, under circumstances 
 which peculiarly indicated the necessity of 
 their being administered ; yet, I always 
 endeavored to avoid the use of them as 
 much as possible, in consequence especi- 
 ally of their general astringent and consti- 
 pating effects. Whenever the case seemed 
 to demand the use of any opiate, and the 
 bowels were not constipated , especially if 
 they were looser than desirable, I generally 
 gave free doses seldom less than fifty 
 drops of laudanum, or one-fourth of a 
 grain of Morphine. In some cases, in 
 which the general system was in a highly 
 irritable condition quick and feeble pulse, 
 dry skin, and sometimes violent headach, 
 and sleeplessness, with or without delirium, 
 I sometimes gave about one-third of a grain 
 of morphine, in combination with five or 
 six grains of James' powder, at night ; 
 and generally the patient was decidedly 
 better on the following morning ; after 
 having enjoyed refreshing sleep during the 
 night. A teaspoonful of paregoric, under 
 similar circumstances, sometimes also pro- 
 duces very beneficial effects. But the judi- 
 cious administration of opiate medicines, 
 requires the exercise of more skill and 
 judgment, than most persons possess, who 
 have not given particular attention to the 
 study of the animal economy, and the 
 effects of medicinal agents. 
 
 I would strongly discourage the use of 
 Fpsom salts, as a cathartic : the only way 
 in which it ought to be given, (if at all,) ia 
 in broken doses not more than a teaspoon-* 
 ful at a time : in some cases of eruptive 
 diseases, it may be beneficially used in this 
 way; but it should ftever be given in active 
 purgative doses. This remark is applicar 
 ble to all other hydrogogue and drastic 
 cathartic medicines. A favorite combina- 
 tion with me, was three grains of calomel, 
 one-sixth of a grain of tartar emetic, and 
 six grains of compound extract of colo- 
 cynth, made into two pills : I sometimes 
 added one grain of gamboge ; but I gene-, 
 rally found- the pills sufficiently active with- 
 out the gamboge, if the medicines were 
 good. This dose I used frequently to give, 
 as an anti-bilious cathartic, and as a prepa- 
 rative for the administration of quinine, 
 during an attack of intermittent fever. I 
 have several times taken this combination 
 myself, and always with decided benefit, 
 As a mild, certain, and safe laxative, in 
 cases in which the principal object was, to 
 produce action of the bowels, I never found 
 any thing to answer so well as castor oil, 
 Rhubarb, either alone, or in combination 
 with calcined magnesia, will sometimes 
 answer very well. 
 
 I frequently found great advantage from 
 the application of blistering plasters ; es-> 
 pecially to the pit of the stomach, in cases 
 attended with much irritability of that or- 
 gan. I generally found that the vomiting 
 ceased as soon as the plaster began to pro- 
 duce its peculiar effects. I sometimes also 
 applied a blister plaster to the back of the 
 neck, in violent headach, with decided ad- 
 vantage. In cases attended with marked 
 inflammatory action in the stomach great 
 tenderness to pressure, irritability, and 
 other prominent symptoms, I sometimes 
 resorted to local depletion, by cupping ; and 
 1 sometimes applied cups to the temples, 
 
34 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Leeches Quinine How administered. 
 
 to relieve the head. I, however, more 
 frequently resorted to the free application 
 of leeches in such cases. These little ani- 
 mals are very plentiful in Liberia, and they 
 can be easily procured, at any time. They 
 are about one-third the size of the ordinary 
 foreign leeches, which are used in the Uni- 
 ted States, and they draw much less blood. 
 I have had nearly a hundred of them ap- 
 plied to myself at one time. 
 
 In the intermittent form of fever, Quinine 
 is the remedium mggnum. I seldom failed 
 to break up the attack, in a few days, by 
 the judicious use of this medicine ; which, 
 perhaps, approaches more nearly to a 
 specific, than any other medicinal article. 
 Although I had frequent attacks of inter- 
 mittent fever during my residence in Libe- 
 ria ; yet I never had more than three- 
 paroxysm, during any one attack ; and I 
 was generally able to prevent the third, by 
 the use of this valuable remedy. My usual 
 mode of taking or administering it, was in 
 doses of about two grains, at intervals of 
 two hours, commencing about eight hours 
 before the time of the expected chill or 
 ague ; whenever circumstances would admit 
 its administration in this way. Sometimes, 
 I gave it at intervals of one hour, commen- 
 cing four or five hours before the time of 
 the expected paroxysm. I generally found 
 eight or ten grains to be sufficient. In cases 
 in which the chill or ague came on early 
 in the forenoon say 7 or 8 o'clock I gene- 
 rally gave a single dose of about five grains, 
 within an hour of the time at which the 
 paroxysm was expected. In most cases, 
 I believe one such dose would prevent an 
 ague, if it could be taken within an hour 
 of the expected attack. But, in conse- 
 quence of more or less irregularity respect- 
 ing the time at which a paroxysm might 
 be expected, I generally found it necessary 
 to commence the use of the quinine several 
 hours previous to the time at which the 
 preceding paroxysm made its appearance. 
 
 It is best to continue the use of quinine 
 two or three days after the chill or ague 
 has been stopped, jn two grain doses taken 
 several times during the day. 
 
 I have but little confidence in the habitu- 
 al use of wine, brandy, porter, ale, or any 
 thing else of the kind, either as preventives 
 of fever, or as tonics during convalescence, 
 after an attack. The climate itself is too 
 exciting and stimulating to the systems of 
 new-comers generally; and, consequently, 
 I always found it better to avoid the use of 
 stimulating beverages ; except in cases of 
 great physical prostration by disease ; in 
 which some stimulating draught was im- 
 peratively demanded. During the first six 
 months of my residence in Liberia, I 
 always found the use of wine injurious, at 
 any time, in my own case. And I am 
 decidedly of opinion, that cold water is the 
 best beverage, in Liberia as well as in the 
 United States. The moderate use of wine 
 or porter, or even brandy, may sometimes 
 be advantageous, in those cases in which 
 the system has become greatly enfeebled, 
 by frequent attacks of fever, and by the 
 protracted enervating influences of the cli- 
 mate ; but, in the majority of cases, 1 
 think the use of such beverages ought to 
 be entirely dispensed with. 
 
 I frequently found the use of various 
 domestic remedies highly beneficial in the 
 treatment of fevers in Liberia, particularly 
 herb-teas, and the pepper cataplasm. The 
 latter is almost universally used, instead of 
 mustard ; in consequence of pepper being 
 more convenient, as well as more active in 
 its effects. The pepper pods whether green 
 or red, are cut into small pieces, and mixed 
 with corn or rice meal, or wheat-flour, and 
 water, and made into a poultice or plaster, 
 in the same manner as mustard plasters are 
 usually made. The burning effects of this 
 poultice will be experienced in a few min- 
 utes. I have frequently found it to be very 
 beneficial in relieving nausea or vomiting, 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 35 
 
 Diseases continued Rheumatism Dropsy Cutaneous affections, &c. 
 
 and also colic pains, when applied over the 
 stomach or abdomen. It is also a powerful 
 revulsive agent, when applied to the ankles, 
 wrists, bottom of the feet, or calves of the 
 legs ; and it is peculiarly beneficial in some 
 cases, in which the use of such an agent is 
 indicated. The infusion of an herb called 
 " fever tea," is generally very beneficial, 
 as a diaphoretic, when taken warm, and as 
 an agreeable beverage when taken cold, 
 instead of water. Various other vegetable 
 substances, which abound in Liberia, may 
 be advantageously used, in making inno- 
 cent and useful medicinal infusions'. 
 
 j SKETCH No. 8. 
 DISEASES Continued. In addition to 
 the ordinary remittent and intermittent fev- 
 ers, to which I have particularly alluded, 
 I occasionally met with cases bearing some 
 resemblance to other kinds of fever, which 
 are usually described in medical book 
 but they were generally not sufficiently 
 marked to justify the distinctive appella- 
 tions of nosological arrangement. I never 
 saw a well-marked case of yellow fever in 
 Liberia ; although this disease is frequently 
 experienced at Sierra Leone, especially 
 among European residents. Acute inflam- 
 matory diseases are not common in Liberia. 
 I seldom met with distinctly marked cases 
 of pleurisy, or of any other violent or ac- 
 tive inflammatory disease. It is very fortu- 
 nate that such affections are not common ; 
 for they are generally almost necessarily 
 fatal in their termination. 
 
 Dysentery and diarrhea are by no means 
 so common, as might be supposed. I 
 seldom met with very obstinate cases of 
 either of these diseases. Slight attacks of 
 diarrhoea are occasionally brought on by the 
 intemperate use of some kinds of fruits ; 
 and occasionally, in new-comers, by the 
 too free use of some kinds of animal food, 
 particularly fresh pork, beef, or fish. I 
 met with a few cases of chronic dysentery ; 
 
 and I experienced two or three attacks my- 
 self. Rheumatism, both acute and chronic, 
 occasionally occurs, never very violent, 
 however, in either form. Dropsical affec- 
 tions are rather frequent ; especially local 
 anasarca, or dropsy of the cellular mem- 
 brane beneath the skin a consequence of 
 general debility, produced by frequent at- 
 tacks of fever, inattention to diet and cloth- 
 ing, and undue exposure. It is not uncom- 
 .mon for the feet and legs of persons to swell 
 more or less, during the acclimating pro- 
 cess ; especially white persons, and bright 
 mulattoes. This swelling generally grad- 
 ually subsides, as the system becomes bt- 
 ter adapted to the climate. Ascites, or 
 dropsy of the abdomen, sometimes occurs, 
 as a consequence of chronic affections of the 
 liver or spleen, especially enlargement of 
 one or both of these organs, after a long 
 residence in the country. Such cases, 
 however, are not so common as might be 
 supposed. I never met with more than a 
 dozen cases, during my residence in Libe- 
 ria. No course of treatment which I ever 
 pursued, in such cases, seemed to produce 
 any decidedly beneficial effects. 
 
 Cutaneous affections are quite common ; 
 some of which are peculiar to the country 
 or climate. Among the common eruptive 
 ases, measles and erysiphelas are most 
 frequently observed. The former of these 
 diseases prevailed very extensively through- 
 out Liberia, in the early part of 1845 ; but 
 it was generally milder than it usually is in 
 the United States. The latter, erysiphelas, 
 generally appears in a mild form, with very 
 little or no febrile action in the system. In 
 the early part of 1848, small-pox prevailed 
 pretty extensively in one of the settlements ; 
 but, in nearly every case, it was in the 
 modified form, called varioloid. This form 
 of small -pox has several times prevailed, 
 epidemically, in one or other of the settle- 
 ments ; but it seldom proved fatal. I 
 
36 
 
 SKETCHES OFLIBERIA. 
 
 Leprosy Ulcers Flatulent colic. 
 
 never saw but one case of genuine variola, 
 in Liberia ; although, in some cases, the 
 small-pox contagion results in the exhibition 
 of this form of the disease, during the epi- 
 demical prevalence of varioloid. 
 
 A peculiar endemical pustulous affection, 
 called " craw-craw, " or " kru-kru,"some- 
 , times attacks persons who are not very 
 careful in regard to cleanliness. It is a very 
 common disease among the natives, and 
 it is generally regarded as being contageous. 
 It is sometimes very painful and trouble- 
 some. Another disease of the skin, which 
 is common among the natives, and which 
 is occasionally observed among the Libe- 
 rians, is the yaws ; which consists of ele- 
 vated excrescences, usually appearing in 
 continuous clusters, and discharging a thin 
 corrosive ichor. Sometimes the yaws ap- 
 pear on the soles of the feet, and prevent 
 the patient from walking. Both these dis- 
 eases are tedious and perplexing to both 
 the patient and the doctor. 
 
 Lepra, or leprosy, is occasionally seen in 
 Liberia ; especially* among the aborigines. 
 This distressing disease usually appears 
 in brownish blotches scattered over the 
 body ; from which a corrosive serous fluid 
 is discharged, The toes and fingers fre- 
 quently become ulcerated ; and sometimes 
 the unfortunate invalid looses all the fingers 
 on one hand or both, or all the toes on the 
 feet ; and the soles of the feet are sometimes 
 marked with deep fissures, or scooped out 
 into ugly sores. The blotches on different 
 parts of the body sometimes degenerate 
 into foul and fetid ulcers of an irregular 
 jagged appearance. This miserable disease 
 sometimes continues to harass the individ- 
 ual for years ; and it frequently results in 
 4eath. I have, however, frequently seen 
 native persons who had recovered, with the 
 loss of a portion of their hands or feet, or 
 of both, after having suffered excruciatingly 
 for months or years. I never saw but one 
 
 well-marked case among the Liberians, 
 and that was in a very old man. 
 
 The most common and troublesome cu- 
 taneous affections, (if they may be so clas- 
 sed,) which occur in Liberia, are indolent 
 ulcers ; which sometimes appear spontane- 
 ously ; but which generally result from 
 injuries, by which the skin is broken. The 
 texture of the cutaneous and the muscular 
 fibre seems to be more lax in tropical than 
 in temperate climates ; and slight scratches, 
 or abrasions of the skin, are much more 
 liable to degenerate into ulcers, the degree 
 of liability depending on the constitu- 
 tional temperament of individuals, their 
 habits, mode of living, &c. White persons 
 and mulattoes are more subject to ulcerous 
 affections as well as to most other diseases, 
 than black persons ; in consequence, I pre- 
 sume, of their physical systems being less 
 adapted to the peculiarities of the climate ; 
 a fact which must be admitted by all. These 
 ulcers, though not generally very painful, 
 are exceedingly annoying ; especially when 
 they occur on the feet ; and they do not 
 generally heal readily ; sometimes continu- 
 ing for several months. If persons would 
 be sufficiently careful to avoid injuries of 
 the skin, they would not be very liable to 
 these troublesome affections. 
 
 Chronic nervous diseases are not very 
 common in Liberia. I occasionally met 
 with hysteria in females ; and I saw one 
 or two cases of epilepsy, and one case of 
 tetanus, or locked-jaw. Convulsive affec- 
 tions are very rarely met with, in either in- 
 fants or adults. Paralytic affections are 
 occasionally, though seldom, seen. I 
 never saw a distinctly marked case of 
 whooping-cough in Liberia ; nor did I ever 
 hear of its having prevailed epidemically, 
 
 Flatulent colic frequently demands the 
 the attention of the physician. It is gen- 
 erally the result of the imprudent use of 
 some indigestible article of food ; and i* 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 37 
 
 Intestinal Worms Enlargement of the Spleen Catarrhal Affections, &c. 
 
 occurs more frequently in persons, during 
 the first few months of their residence, than 
 in older settlers. Sometimes the stomach 
 and bowels become greatly distended with 
 gas ; and the patient suffers very violent 
 pain in the abdomen. I had several attacks 
 of this painful affection, during the first 
 year of my residence in Liberia ; the most 
 violent of which was caused by the eating 
 of a small piece of cheese. I was generally 
 able to relieve the patient, afflicted with this 
 disease, by the administration of a tea- 
 spoonful of laudanum, followed by a full 
 dose of castor oil ; the operation of which 
 was sometimes assisted by an active injec- 
 tion ; together with the application of a 
 large pepper poultice over the abdomen. 
 In some cases, especially when attended 
 with a tendency to diarrhea, I gave nothing 
 but the laudanum ; or, what sometimes had 
 a better effect, a pill composed of one-sixth 
 or one-fourth of a grain of morphine and 
 two grains of camphor. Persons cannot be 
 too careful in avoiding the use of such ar- 
 ticles of food, as are not easily digestible. 
 
 A very common affection, especially 
 among children, is that of intestinal worms. 
 The most common kind of worms which 
 infest the alimentary canal, is the ascares 
 lumbricoides, or common round worm. All 
 the other varieties, however, are sometimes 
 observed. I have seen several cases, in 
 which the individuals voided detached por- 
 tions of the tenia, or tape-worm. In pre- 
 scribing for patients having worms, I 
 depended more on the free use of spirits of 
 turpentine, combined with, or followed by, 
 castor oil, than any other vermifuge, in all 
 the varieties. Sometimes I gave a few 
 grains of calomel, followed in three or four 
 hours by a free dose of oil and turpentine. 
 
 In Liberia, as in other malarious countries 
 or districts, cases of enlargement of the 
 spleen vulgarly called "fever-cake" are 
 frequently observed the result of repeated 
 attacks of intermittent fever. This is much 
 3 
 
 more common in white than in colored resi- 
 dents: very few white persons, indeed, are 
 able to live five years in Liberia, without 
 having more or less enlargement of the 
 spleen. It is more frequently met with in 
 mulattoes than in black persons: indeed, I 
 do not remember a single case which came 
 under my observation, in a person of una- 
 dulterated African extraction ; although I 
 have no doubt that such persons are some- 
 times thus affected. The principal difficulty 
 which usually arises from this affection, is, 
 that it predisposes to dropsical affections. 
 In many cases, however, dropsical effusions 
 do not follow enlargement of the spleen ; 
 except occasional swelling of the lower ex- 
 tremities. A protracted sea-voyage, or a 
 change of climate, is the only means with 
 which I am acquainted, which will effect a 
 reduction of this burdensome appendage. 
 
 Slight catarrhal affections, (influenza,) 
 are occasionally experienced in Liberia ; 
 especially during the harmattan season ; 
 but these generally pass off in a few days, 
 without any serious injury. I never knew 
 a case to result in active inflammation of any 
 part of the respiratory apparatus. 
 
 Some other diseases, which are common 
 to most countries, may be occasionally 
 observed in Liberia ; but the variety is 
 much less than in the United States ; and, 
 except in some old chronic affections, in 
 broken-down constitutions, convalescence 
 s generally much more rapid ; in conse- 
 quence of the less violence of the attack. 
 Among the many attacks of fever which I 
 experienced, I never was obliged to remain 
 n my room more than a week, at any one 
 time ; and I very seldom was confined to 
 my bed longer than twenty-four hours at a 
 time. The danger in new-comers generally 
 consists more in the frequency, than in the 
 violence, of the attacks of sickness. And 
 he majority of colored immigrants, who 
 have sufficient prudence to use such means 
 for the preservation of their health in Li- 
 beria, as an enlightened judgment would 
 
38 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 Sleepy Disease.' 
 
 dictate, usually enjoy as good health, after 
 the first year of their residence, as they 
 formerly enjoyed in the United States. In 
 some -cases, indeed, the state of the health 
 of immigrants is decidedly improved by the 
 change of residence from America to Afri- 
 ca. The large majority of cases of sick- 
 ness, which came under my observation, 
 among those persons who had resided a 
 year or more in Liberia, was in indolent, 
 and consequently indigent, persons, whose 
 prudence was commensurate with their im- 
 providence. Indeed, in view of the heed- 
 lessness, carelessness, and indolence of 
 many persons, who were scarcely ever sick, 
 I was astonished at their continued exemp- 
 tion from disease, 
 
 I will conclude this brief medical history 
 of Liberia, with a short notice of a peculiar 
 endemic affection ; which may be termed 
 Lethargus, but which is commonly called 
 the "Sleepy Disease." J have seen eight 
 or ten cases of this somniferous malady; 
 five or six of which were among persons 
 who had emigrated from the United States. 
 It is, however, much more frequently ex- 
 hibited among the aborigines than among 
 the Liberians. The only characteristic 
 mark of this affection, is an irresistible 
 tendency to sleep the patient frequently 
 falling asleep, even while eating. He can 
 generally be easily aroused ; but he almost 
 immediately relapses into a state of pro- 
 found slumber. The patient scarcely ever 
 experiences the slightest pain ; and no feb- 
 rile symptoms are usually exhibited, until 
 near the fatal close of the incurable malady. 
 The appetite is usually voracious, and the 
 bowels obstinately constipated. The food 
 taken does not seem to nourish the system; 
 in consequence of the disordered state of 
 the organs of digestion and nutrition ; the 
 difficulty existing principally, perhaps, in 
 the mesenteric glands. Indeed, the whole 
 glandular system, including the lymphatic 
 and the lacteal glands, seems to be in a 
 
 torpid state, in this affection. No peculiar 
 marks of disease are usually exhibited, on 
 examinations after death. In all cases of 
 which I have heard, the brain especially 
 appeared to be in a healthy condition at 
 least, that organ exhibited no perceptible 
 evidence of disease ; and no other part of 
 the body exhibited any peculiar organical 
 affection ; except some of the lymphatic 
 glands, which presented an enlarged and 
 inflamed appearance. Those about the 
 neck generally appear considerably swelled; 
 and the natives sometimes extirpate those 
 enlarged glands, under the impression that 
 they are the source of the affection ; with 
 what success in removing the disease may 
 be readily imagined by any intelligent 
 person, in whom the bump of credulity is 
 not too largely developed. 
 
 Among the various causes of this strange 
 affection, which have been assigned, per- 
 haps no particular one can be fully relied 
 on. Indolent habits, unwholesome and 
 indigestible vegetable diet, together with 
 some peculiar influence of the climate, 
 associated with the prolonged action of 
 miasmata or malaria, operating on a sys- 
 tem peculiarly predisposed to lethargy, 
 may be regarded as the exi citing cause, by 
 which functional derangement of the ner- 
 vous system is produced, resulting in a 
 lost balance of the circulation, and a gene- 
 ral functional impairment of the whole 
 glandular apparatus of the body. The 
 disease (if disease it may be called,) al- 
 ways approaches gradually; sometimes 
 several months elapsing before it is fully 
 developed. And, although I have had 
 pretty fair opportunities of testing the vir- 
 tues of various medicinal agents, in differ- 
 ent stages of the disease ; yet, I never was 
 able to effect more than a temporary cessa- 
 tion of it, in the beginning, or a temporary 
 mitigation of it, after its full development. 
 
 The most graphic notice of this lazy di- 
 sease, with which I have met, is that given 
 in the "Journal of an American Cruiser ;'* 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 39 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 and, as I saw the patient, in company with 
 the author, I will subjoin an extract from 
 that interesting little book. " We entered 
 the hut without ceremony, and looked 
 about us for old Mamma's beautiful grand- 
 daughter. But, on beholding the object of 
 our search, a kind of remorse or dread 
 came over us ; such as often affects those 
 who intrude upon the awfulness of slum- 
 ber. The girl lay asleep in the adjoining 
 apartment, on a mat that was spread over 
 the hard ground ; and with no pillow be- 
 neath her cheek-. She slept so quietly , and 
 drew such imperceptible breath, that I 
 scarcely thought her alive. With some 
 difficulty, she was aroused, and she awoke 
 with a frightened cry a strange and bro- 
 ken murmur, as if she were looking dimly 
 out of her sleep, and knew not whether our 
 figures were real, or only the phantasies of 
 a dream. Her eyes were wild and glassy, 
 and she seemed to be in pain. While 
 awake, there was a nervous twitching 
 about her mouth and in her fingers ; but, 
 being again extended on the mat, and left 
 to herself, these symptoms of disquietude 
 passed away; and she almost immediately 
 sank again into the deep and heavy sleep, 
 in which we found her. This poor girl 
 had been suffering no, not suffering, for, 
 except when forcibly aroused, there appears 
 to be no uneasiness, but she had been 
 lingering two months in a disease peculiar 
 lo Africa commonly called the ' sleepy 
 disease.' Her aspect was inconceivably 
 affecting. It was strange to behold her so 
 quietly involved in sleep ; from which it 
 might be supposed she would awake so full 
 of youthful life and yet to know that this 
 was no refreshing slumber ; but a spell in 
 which she was fast fading away from the 
 eyes of those that loved her. Whatever 
 might chance, be it grief or joy, the effect 
 would be the same. Whoever should 
 shake her by the arm whether the accents 
 of a friend fell feebly on her ear, or those 
 of strangers, like ourselves, the only re- 
 sponse would be that troubled cry; as of a 
 
 spirit that hovered on the confines of both 
 worlds, and could have sympathy with 
 neither. The peal of the last trumpet only 
 will summon her out of that mysterious 
 sleep." 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Had I not been apprehensive that I might 
 unnecessarily swell the size of this little 
 work, by details which may be easily ob- 
 tained from other sources, I might have 
 dwelt, at considerable length, on the con- 
 sideration of the nature of the civil govern- 
 ment, and of the political institutions of 
 Liberia. 
 
 I might also have made particular allu- 
 sion to the results of missionary operations 
 in Liberia, and its vicinity. But as there 
 are various sources whence information may 
 be derived on this subject ; and as my sit- 
 uation did not afford me opportunities for 
 making those frequent and protracted ob- 
 servations which I regard as necessary, in 
 order to the presentation of strictly impar- 
 tial and truthful statements, respecting the 
 operations and results of the missionary 
 enterprise ; and also as such allusions and 
 details do not come within the scope of the 
 prescribed design of this work, it being in- 
 tended particularly for the information of 
 those persons who may be in search of 
 truth, with the view of making Liberia 
 the place of their future residence ; I do 
 not deem it necessary or proper for me to 
 dwell on the detail of particulars, relative 
 to the operations of missionary societies ; 
 especially as I do not regard myself as al- 
 together competent, as before observed, to 
 present full and faithful statements on this 
 subject ; and as I feel disposed to write 
 only what I do know, and testify what I 
 have seen. 
 
 In reference to the civil government of 
 Liberia, I may here simply state, that it 
 is based on the principles of republicanism; 
 and, in every essential particular, it may 
 be regarded as a miniature representation 
 of the Government of the United States; the 
 
40 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIBERIA 
 
 President Senators Representatives Expenses of the Government, &c. 
 
 only particular point of difference being in 
 the name of the national assembly, which 
 is styled Legislature instead of Congress ; 
 and in the time of service of the principal 
 officers of the Government. The President 
 is elected by the popular vote, for two 
 years, and he is eligible to re-election. 
 The Senators, of whom there are two from 
 each county six in all are elected for 
 four years, and the Representatives, of 
 whom there are eight in all, are elected for 
 two years. The only cabinet officers who 
 have yet been commissioned are, the 
 Secretaries of State and of the Treasury, 
 and the Attorney General. AH the officers 
 of justice are appointed by the President, 
 with the consent of the Senate. The ju- 
 dicial power of the Republic is vested in a 
 supreme court, a court of quarter sessions", 
 in each county, and magistrate's courts, 
 which meet monthly. No white person is 
 allowed to become a citizen; consequently, 
 white residents cannot hold any office in 
 the Government. 
 
 Previous to the establishment of the Re- 
 public the current expenses of the Govern- 
 ment were defrayed by the duties on impor- 
 tations ; the average annual amount of 
 which was about $8,000. But as addi- 
 tional expenses have been incurred by the 
 change in the political relations, the amount 
 derived from that source alone is not suffi- 
 cient for the necessary expenditures in the 
 support of the Government. Hence, the pas- 
 sage of a law at the first session of the Legis- 
 lature of the Republic, in January 1848, by 
 which the Government monopolises the 
 trade in certain articles. It is calculated 
 that the revenue arising from the profits on 
 the sale of these articles, together with the 
 custom duties, will be sufficient to meet 
 the expenses of the Government. I am 
 apprehensive that this governmental mono- 
 poly will not operate so well as some of its 
 sanguine supporters imagine ; and that cir- 
 cumstances will render it expedient for a 
 system of direct taxation to be adopted, 
 
 and carried into operation ; or for a con- 
 siderable increase of the tariff. 
 
 The Government of Liberia is now al- 
 together in the hands, and under the entire 
 management of the citizens of Liberia, no 
 white person, on either side of the Atlantic, 
 being, in any way, connected with its ope- 
 rations. And if the disputed question has 
 not yet been fully settled, whether colored 
 persons are capable of self-government or 
 not, a few years will decide the point. The 
 people of Liberia are now fairly " self- 
 poised," and feeling confident, as I do, of 
 the clemency and forbearance of all fo- 
 reign nations towards that infant Republic, 
 so long as the Government shall be main- 
 tained on the principles of national recti- 
 tude, (without which no government is 
 worthy of encouragement,) I am quite sa- 
 tisfied that if the Republic of Liberia shall 
 ingloriously fall, and her institutions be de- 
 molished, or if those institutions shall be 
 voluntarily transferred to the control and 
 management of any foreign power, the re- 
 sult will indubitably exhibit the melancho- 
 ly fact, that the maintenance of an inde- 
 pendent government by the colored race is 
 at least, a subject of dubious practicability. 
 I confidently hope, however, that the " lone 
 star" of the Republic of Liberia, which is 
 now culminating over a portion of the 
 western coast of benighted Africa, will 
 continue to shine, not like the brilliant me- 
 teor, or the erratic comet, but like the efful- 
 gent orb of day, which sheds his enliven- 
 ing beams with increasing splendor as he 
 ascends above the fleecy clouds which over- 
 hang the eastern sky. 
 
 In addition to the brief reflections which 
 have been thrown out, in the different parts 
 of this work, I would here make a few 
 suggestions which maybe worthy the par- 
 ticular attention of those persons who may 
 emigrate to Liberia. The reader will, no 
 doubt, be fully convinced, if he believes 
 the statements herein exhibited, of the practi- 
 cability of a comfortable competency being 
 realized in Liberia, as the reward of indus- 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 41 
 
 The Cultivation of the Soil the chief source of Wealth and Independence. 
 
 try and frugality. And the intelligent man of 
 color who is accustomed to observation and 
 reflection cannot but be convinced that he 
 may enjoy privileges there the privileges 
 of a freeman in the full import of the term, 
 of which he is virtually deprived in every 
 part of the United States, by the conven- 
 tional rules of society among the domi- 
 nant inheritors of a fairer complexion. But 
 while I do not hesitate, in view of the 
 facts set forth in this work, to recommend 
 Liberia as an inviting field for enterprise, 
 and a desirable place of residence ; I may 
 here state that, during my residence there, 
 my eyes were not too frequently dazzled by 
 captivating sights of agricultural industry, 
 and of mechanical enterprise, to blind me 
 to the conviction that much remains to be 
 done, before the little African Republic can 
 be regarded as an earthly paradise. 
 
 In reference to the cultivation of the soil^ 
 especially, which is the true road to inde-l 
 pendence in any country, I may remark,! 
 that comparatively few of the present citi-i 
 zens of Liberia are regularly and syste-j 
 matically engaged in this branch of practi-j 
 cal industry. Unfortunately for the pros- 
 perity of Liberia, many of the earlier settlers 
 fancied that they had found a more easy 
 and more speedy highway to Wealth, in the 
 wholesale, retail, and demoralizing system 
 of barter with their ignorant aboriginal 
 neighbors ; and many of their successors, 
 lured on by this apparently accommodating j 
 means of ease and comfort, started their' 
 little crafts in the wakes of those of their 
 predecessors ; and not a few of them, in 
 their eagerness to become rich, have failed 
 to be warned by the disasters which attend- 
 ed many of those who preceded them. But 
 happily for Liberia, the traffic incanr-wood 
 and palm oil is becoming so unprofitable 
 in consequence of excess of competition 
 not only among the Liberians themselves 
 but among foreign traders, that it mus 
 soon occupy a station, as a source o 
 
 wealth, inferior to that of the cultivation of V. 
 the soil : the siren song of commercial ex- J 
 periment must give place to the cheerfnl / 
 hum of agricultural industry. I trust that/ 
 the citizens of Liberia are generally be- 
 coming aroused to a consciousness of this 
 important truth, and indeed during the last 
 few years more attention has been given to 
 agriculture than previously. Yet much re- 
 mains to be accomplished, to demonstrate 
 to distant nations the fact that Liberia is one 
 of the most productive countries in the 
 world ; a fact, which I believe may, and I 
 hope will be clearly demonstrated, by the 
 quantity and quality of agricultural pro- 
 ducts which maybe exported, and by the 
 comfort and independence of a respectable 
 yeomanry. 
 
 A more regular, systematic^ and perse- 
 vering course of farming operations must, 
 however, be introduced. Greater attention 
 ought also to bfi given to agricultural ex- 
 periments, to develop the resources of the 
 soil ; and to ascertain the most appropriate 
 periods of the year, for the planting of dif- 
 ferent vegetable substances. Much more \/ 
 attention should also be given to the raising 
 of different kinds of stock ; and to the in- 
 troduction of various mechanical inventions, 
 in carrying on agricultural operations. 
 
 One very important thing 'which has re- 
 ceived very limited attention in Liberia, is 
 that of fencing, or the enclosing of lots and 
 fields; by the neglect of which, many per- 
 sons have frequently lost the principal part 
 of the fruits of their labor, in the tilling of 
 the soil. Undoubtedly, the best fences 
 which can be made in Liberia are those 
 that are commonly called ' ' growing fences , ' ' 
 made by planting certain shrubs closely 
 together, and trimming them occasion- 
 ally. Several different kinds of shrubs 
 may be easily and abundantly procured, 
 for making these fences. And, with proper 
 attention, a piece of land may, in two or 
 three years, be thus securely and substan- 
 
SKETCHES OP LIBfiltlA. 
 
 Concluding Remarks. 
 
 tially enclosed with a fence which will last 
 many years. 
 
 Hitherto, the people of Liberia generally 
 have been too easily intimidated or discour- 
 aged by comparatively small obstacles ; 
 some of which have been more imaginary 
 than real. Difficulties, however, do really 
 exist; but these difficulties are generally 
 far less than those which exist in carrying 
 on farming operations in any part of the 
 United States. And I am quite satisfied 
 that every thing which is really necessary 
 for human subsistence and comfort, to- 
 gether with many luxuries, can be Raised 
 in Liberia, with much less labor than 
 would be required to procure the neces- 
 saries of life in -the United States. 
 
 Let the cultivation of the soil* then> re- 
 ceive that attention which it should receive, 
 us the principal means of wealth let a 
 regular, systematic, and persevering course 
 of agricultural operations be carried on ; 
 and the citizens of Liberia may live in ease 
 and comfort and independence. 
 
 In tracing the various events connected 
 with the rise and progress of the Repub^- 
 lic of Liberia, no unprejudiced individual 
 can for a moment doubt that the smiles of 
 Heaven have rested upon it ; and that the 
 sheltering wings of a kind Providence 
 have been spread over it for good not only 
 to the immigrants from this country, but 
 to the benighted and degraded aborigines 
 of Africa a land which has so long been 
 enveloped in the darkness of heathenism. 
 And, in view of the social and political 
 position and relations of colored persons in 
 the United States, contrasted with the 
 position and relations of the free and inde- 
 pendent citizens of that young Republic, 
 it must be admitted by all candid persons, 
 that the condition of those people in Li- 
 beria who are disposed to use the necessary 
 appliances for making themselves truly in- 
 dependent, is vastly superior to that of free 
 people of color in any part of this country. 
 
 Though many difficulties have been en- 
 
 countered in the progressive exaltation of 
 the infant Colony to the present interesting 
 and flourishing Republic, and though 
 many obstacles will necessarily be presented 
 to its onward progress ; yet, it is clearly 
 evident that the experiment has been fairly 
 tried, the experiment of establishing on the 
 coast of Africa a community and government 
 of colored immigrants from this country, 
 and has been crowned with complete suc- 
 cess ;- a success even beyond the most 
 sanguine expectations of the benevolent 
 founders of the Colonization Society ; who 
 amidst difficulties which Seemed almost in- 
 surmountable, determined to try what 
 could be done towards the establishment on 
 the coast of Africa of an asylum and a home 
 for the people of color of the United States ; 
 who, in the language of a public journal- 
 ist, " are here restricted in the exercise of 
 the very elementary principles of existence 
 best calculated to expand and exalt the 
 heart and mind," and who, in every part 
 of this country, must continue to labor Un- 
 der political and social disadvantages ; from 
 which they can be fully rescued in no other 
 way than by voluntarily emigrating to a 
 country in which the restrictions that are 
 here thrown around them cannot operate 
 a country in which they may enjoy the 
 benefits of free government, with all the 
 blessings of civil and religious liberty. 
 
 In the providence of God, by the efforts of 
 those who have been "laborers together 
 with him," such an asylum has been es- 
 tablished : difficulties which at first appear- 
 ed almost insuperable have been overcome ; 
 and Liberia now presents an inviting 
 field for commercial enterprise and agricul- 
 tural industry, and a desirable home for all 
 persons of color who wish to realize the 
 privileges of freedom and the blessings of* 
 independence. 
 
 But while I would heartily recommend. 
 Liberia as a desirable place of residence 
 for colored persons who are disposed to 
 appreciate the advantages and to improve 
 
SKETCHES OF LIBERIA. 
 
 43 
 
 Concluding Remarks. 
 
 the privileges there afforded, I would not 
 adrise any person to emigrate thither, who 
 will not go cheerfully, and with a deter- 
 mination to try to overcome every obstacle 
 that may be presented. I am decidedly of 
 opinion, that, with a cheerful, contented 
 mind, and industrious habits, colored per- 
 sons may live more easily, more comfortably, 
 and more independently than they can in the 
 United States. In Liberia, however, as in 
 ]/ all other new countries, industry and per- 
 severance are necessary ; and while to the 
 man of enterprise and frugality it affords a 
 desirable home, and promises a rich reward 
 to his labors, it offers no encouragement to 
 those who expect to live in luxurious ease 
 and pampered indolence. 
 
 In conclusion, I would repeat, that I 
 firmly believe that the hand of an overrul- 
 ing Providence has been extended over the 
 progressive course of that little Republic. 
 And, whatever may be said in opposition 
 to the wise and benevolent scheme of 
 Colonization ; and however apparently 
 plausible may be the objections of persons 
 who are unfriendly to the cause ; it is clear- 
 ly evident to any individual whose mind is 
 unprejudiced, especially to those who have 
 had opportunities for personal observation 
 and investigation as to the results of that 
 enterprise, that it is one of the instruments 
 in the hands of the Almighty Ruler of the 
 universe for carrying out his wise designs 
 with reference to Africa. And in view of 
 what has already been accomplished, and of 
 the incalculable amount of good which may 
 yet be accomplished, through the instru- 
 mentality of the Colonization Society, and 
 
 of the Republic of Liberia ; surely no true 
 friend of the colored race can consistently 
 oppose the operations of the former, or 
 withhold the expression or exhibition of a 
 sincere desire for the continued prosperity 
 of the latter. 
 
 Through the instrumentality of the Gov- 
 ernment of Liberia ; much has been done 
 towards the suppression of the nefarious 
 traffic in slaves. Within the jurisdiction of 
 that miniature Republic, whence, a few 
 years ago, hundreds and thousands of 
 miserable beings were transported, like in- 
 animate objects of merchandize, to the 
 western world, the slave-trade has been en- 
 tirely abolished ; and many of the con- 
 tiguous native tribes have laid down their 
 weapons of warfare, and have sought the 
 protection of that Government. And I 
 verily believe that God intends that the 
 mental illumination of the degraded ab- 
 origines of Africa; is to be effected chiefly 
 by her own returning civilized and Chris- 
 tian children by the influence and example 
 of colored immigrants and teachers from 
 this side of the Atlantic; carrying with 
 them and introducing among the ignorant , 
 natives, habits of civilized life, and the 
 blessings of the gospel of peace and salva- 
 tion; and by the missionary labors of en- 
 lightened and converted native inhabitants. 
 Thus shall the belligerant hordes of Africa be 
 induced to convert their instruments of war- 
 fare into agricultural implements ; thus shall 
 the slave-trade be effectually and forever 
 suppressed ; and thus shall Ethiopia be 
 taught to stretch out her hands unto God, 
 
M192235 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 BERKELEY 
 
 Return to desk from 
 
 This boo! 
 
 1 6 1971 3 
 
 on the last 
 
 which borrowed. 
 
 e stamped below. 
 
 CD 
 
 26Mar'57B. 
 REC'D LD 
 
 MAR 12 1957 
 
 REC'D LD 
 
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