The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

AMERICAN COLONY AT LIBERIA.

Extract from a Letter from Capt. Nicolson, of the U. S. Navy. to Hon. H. Clay.

Washington, March 17, 1828.

The soil in possession of the Colonists is rich, and will produce a superabundance for the support of the Colony, as well as for external commerce. Sugar, cotton, coffee, rice, and various trees and plants, yielding valuable dyes, and medicinal gums, can be cultivated with success. The population is now 1,200, and is healthy and thriving. The children born in the country are fine looking, and I presume can be raised as easily as those of the natives. All the Colonists with whom I had any communication in person, or by officers, expressed their decided wish to remain in their present situation, rather than to return again to the U. States. I cannot give you better evidence of the prosperity of the Colony, than by mentioning that eight of my crew, (colored mechanics) after going on shore, two several days, applied for and received their discharge, in order to remain as permanent settlers. These men had been absent from their country upwards of three years, and had, among them, nearly two thousand dollars in clothes and money. Had they not been thoroughly convinced that their happiness and prosperity would be better promoted by remaining among their free brethren in Liberia, they would not have determined on so momentuous a step as quitting the United States, perhaps forever, where they all had left friends and relatives. The appearance of all the Colonists, those of Monrovia as well as those of Caldwell, indicated more than contentment. Their manners were those of freemen, who experienced the blessings of liberty, and appreciated the boon. Many of them had, by trade, accumulated a competency, if the possession of from three to five thousand dollars may be called so. As a proof of the growing importance of the country, more than 100 hhds. of tobacco had been raised during the last year, and the demand was increasing. Ivory and camwood are now the prominent articles received in exchange for foreign imports; other dyewoods, and many medicinal gums and roots will be hereafter brought in, as they are already known to exist in the interior.