Lynchburg Virginian

LIBERIA.

From the Baltimore Gazette.

We have conversed with a very intelligent colored clergyman, who left Baltimore two years ago for Africa. He went to see for himself the situation of affairs at Liberia, and to satisfy many of his friends here, who looked to his opinion, after an inspection of the ground as the guide of theirs. On this account his return has we understand been some time anxiously expected by many very respectable colored people of this place; and we were particularly desirous, from the interest which we take in the schemes of African Colonization to bear his report. His first words were entirely satisfactory. "I have come back [he said] for my wife and children; and I am satisfied that Africa is the place for me and mine, and all others of my color, who will go there with common industry and perseverance. Nothing would induce me to remain in America." In reply to our questions, he then entered into such a detail of circumstances as fully justified his opinions and conduct. The mortality, he said, was comparatively trifling in most voyages—and could be traced very generally to the imprudence of the convalescents, who, anxious to be getting forward, make exertions which bring on a relapse, a second and third, and some times even a fourth time before it carries them off. In most instances, common care, when convalescing, will prevent mortality. Dr. Randall's case as he reported it to us—and he was one who nursed him through his illness—illustrates his idea. Dr. Randall was quite convalescent, weakness being all that he had to contend with after his first attack, and that was rapidly vanishing. In this state, he saw the Government schooner aground on the bar. He boarded her, and remained on deck, with the waves occasionally breaking over him, and exposed to the hottest beams of an African sun, from seven until eleven o'clock, A. M. The consequence was to have been foreseen; he was taken home delirious with a stroke of the sun. He again became convalescent, and was gaining strength rapidly when the Harriet arrived—contrary to the entreaties of all around him he insisted on superintending the debarkation and location of the settlers—and another relapse was the consequence of his unremitted labours—again he became convalescent, and was doing well when the Harriet's emigrants began to be taken down with the sickness. He now broke from his immediate attendants, who would have restrained him within the bounds of common prudence, and, borne on a chair or supported on the arms of two men, insisted upon visiting and prescribing for the sick—a last and fatal attack was the consequence of these reiterations of imprudence. His own enthusiastic zeal destroyed him. The spirit was too restless for the frame which it inhabited. Dr. Mechlen, his Assistant, is in good health—because, altho' more affected, in the first instance, by the fever, he has taken care of himself, avoided unnecessary exposure, and pursued the advice of those who have experience of the climate.

On another day we shall continue our remarks on this subject, and give publicity to more of the information we have received from an eye witness, whose sincerity is so well proved by his returning with his family.