ground for a factory at this point. The jealous and warlike chiefs, suspicious of all intruders, and eagerly addicted to the slave-trade, rejected every overture for the surrender of any portion of their territory. On the present occasion, the paramount chief, King Peter, would at first have nothing to do with the American negotiators; and he at length only consented to receive them on condition that the interview should take place in his own capital, situate far in the interior, and separated from the coast by marshes, rivers, and jungles, which made the journey both difficult and dangerous. Captain Stockton and the agent, Dr. Ayres, however, resolved to go. The remarkable result of their enterprise is thus told in an interesting account of Liberia, recently published in America:

The peril of the negotiators is probably some-" what exaggerated in this dramatic narrative; but it is likely enough that but for the prompt and resolute action of Captain Stockton, the mission would not have been so successful as it finally proved. The result was, that King Peter, with three conjoint sovereigns, bearing the respective names of King George, King Zoda, and King Long Peter, consented to sell to the agents of the Colonisation Society a tract of land on Mesurado Bay, receiving in return a miscellaneous assortment of goods, sufficient to stock a country shop in the general line.

A more promising site for the colony being thus secured, the settlers of Sherbro, who had been removed for a time to Sierra Leone, were transferred to the place which was to be their future home. "In order to convince the natives that their But owing to the many disasters and delays which object was a peaceable one, they determined to go had previously occurred, it was not till the 25th unarmed, with the exception of a small pair of of April, 1822-more than five years after the pocket-pistols, which Captain Stockton usually society was formed-that the new settlement was wore in his coat. Wild beasts, and savages armed commenced and the American flag hoisted on with muskets, roamed through the forests, but Cape Mesurado, to be replaced, a quarter of a they reached the capital in safety, when troops of century afterwards, by the "lone star" of the innaked barbarians came out to meet them, gaping dependent Republic of Liberia. The troubles of with wonder. Having been conducted to the the colony, however, were by no means at an end. palaver hall, which was spread with mats for their It had yet to pass through the various stages of reception, a head man came forward and shook misfortune which the early history of almost every them by the hands, announcing the arrival of his colony has to recount. Before the ground could majesty. When the king entered, he took no be cleared and comfortable habitations erected, the notice of the strangers, but went to the farthest coast fever recommenced its ravages. While the corner of the hut, where he sat down, with an little settlement was thus enfeebled, the native tribes angry frown upon his brow, and a glance of defi- again evinced an unfriendly disposition. "The ance in his eye. On their being introduced by chiefs and head men of the country," we are told, one of the chiefs, he asked, in a surly tone, what "had by no means relished King Peter's sale of the they wanted, and what business they had in his land, and they began in various ways to threaten dominions. The plan of the colonists was care- the new-comers with hostilities." Thus it appears fully and minutely explained to him. Meanwhile that the source of strife between the Liberian large bodies of the natives began to darken around settlers and the native Africans was exactly that them; but everything wore a peaceable aspect which has produced Indian wars in America, until, on the arrival of a fresh band, an unusual Maori wars in New Zealand, and Kaffir wars at excitement began to agitate the crowd. Affairs the Cape-namely, the sale of land by the natives looked dark and threatening. Captain Stockton arose and took his seat near the king. Presently a mulatto rushed forward, and, doubling up his fist, charged Captain Stockton with capturing slave-vessels. This is a man trying to ruin the slave-trade,' he cried, in a loud and angry tone. These are the people who are quarrelling at Sherbro,' shouted another. A horrid war-yell broke from the multitude; everyone sprang upon his feet, scowling vengeance upon the agents. Captain Stockton, fully conscious of the extreme peril of their position, instantly arose, and, drawing out one of his pistols, pointed it at the head of the king, while, raising his other hand to heaven, he solemnly appealed to the God of heaven for protection in this fearful crisis. King Peter flinched before the calm courage of the white man, and the barbarians fell flat on their faces at the apparent danger of their chief. The captain then withdrew his pistol; their savage rage was hushed; Awed and subdued by the fearless energy of their visitors, some crept away, while their chief began to listen with respect to the advances and proposals now made to them."

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to the colonists, and their subsequent dissatisfaction with the result. Those who believe that the conflicts in America, in South Africa, and in New Zealand have originated in antipathies of race, may perhaps see in this fact some reason for reconsidering their opinion. The Liberian settlers and their African neighbours were of the same race, and yet the hostility between them was as bitter and as inveterate as it has been in any one of the other instances. Before the colonists had been six months settled at Mesurado, they received notice that the natives were mustering their forces to attack them. An attempt was made to propitiate the hostile chiefs by gifts, but without success. Fortunately, the society's agent, Mr. Ashmun, who then superintended the affairs of the colony, was a man of great energy, and well qualified for the position in which he was now placed. He had the settlement surrounded by a stockade, mustered together all the arms which the colony possessed

being only forty muskets and six pieces of artillery-had all the healthy men in the settlement (who were only thirty-five in number) enrolled and daily exercised, and made various other

doubted the expediency of yielding to the colonists so large a share in the management of their political affairs; but his fears proved groundless, and he frankly declared, a year afterwards, in relation to the annual election of officers," that it was distinguished by an intelligent selection of the most suitable men, which afforded the best pledge of the kind yet given of the increasing competency of the people for self-government."

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judicious preparations for defence. When at last | The Society's agent had absolute sway in the the attack was made, it was repulsed after some colony, and the settlers did not possess even their desperate fighting, but not till a party of the lands by freehold tenure. This state of things assailants had penetrated into the settlement, killed naturally led to dissatisfaction and almost to mutiny. several of the defenders, and carried off some Mr. Ashmun's resolute assertion of the Society's women and children as captives. A few weeks authority repressed the discontent for a time; but later a second furious attack was made upon the it was only removed entirely by a new constitution, post by nearly a thousand savage warriors, and granted by the Society, by which the colonists again they were driven back with great slaughter. were, for the first time, admitted to a share in the But the colonists were now in a perilous condi- government. Mr. Ashmun, like many another tion, as they had been for six weeks on an allowable and energetic colonial governor, is said to have ance of bread and meat, and their provisions were nearly exhausted. Their ammunition was also running short; they had but two rounds of shot left for their guns. From this almost desperate situation they were delivered in a remarkable manner. During the night which followed the second attack, a false alarm was given, and a cannon was fired by one of the sentries. This waste of ammunition was, at the moment, greatly regretted. But the sound of that signal gun, borne at midnight Then followed fresh wars with the natives, and over the sea, reached a vessel which was then much more hard fighting, with some compassing near the promontory. It was a British mardoes" quite in the South African style. But schooner, laden with supplies for Cape Coast as the Liberian colonists had no troops from the Castle, and having on board Major Laing, the dis-"mother-country" to cripple their energies and tinguished African traveller. No one on board the vessel knew of the existence of this settlement; and the report of cannon on that savage coast excited much astonishment. The ship was hove to, and a boat was sent on shore to make inquiries. When the character and condition of the colony was known, great sympathy was excited on behalf of the settlers. The officers of the schooner gave them all the aid in their power, and Major Laing used his influence with the hostile chiefs, to secure a treaty of peace. In their humbled condition, after two severe defeats, the chiefs were disposed for an accommodation; and Major Laing had the satisfaction of restoring amity between the settlers and the native tribes. Some of the warm-hearted British seamen, unfortunately for themselves, were not satisfied with rendering this merely temporary assistance. Doubting the intentions of the native chiefs, "Midshipman Gordon and twelve British sailors," adds the American narrator already mentioned, "signified their wish to remain at the Cape, in order to witness the sincerity of their new professions, and help the settlers to repair their buildings. Alas! their generous self-devotion proved their death. Through toil and exposure they were speedily attacked with fever, and in a few weeks, amid the tears and grief of their new-made friends, Gordon and eight of his men were borne to their last home."

prevent them from defending themselves, they made short work of their hostilities. A quick muster of volunteers, a sudden march into the enemy's territories, a vigorous dash at his strongest fortress or his principal town, led in every case to a speedy triumph and an immediate settlement of difficulties. The Liberians did not make conquests; but it naturally happened that, as they waxed in strength, and became at last the dominant power in that region, the weak tribes about them became desirous of being received under their protection. This was invariably granted, on the sole condition that they exchanged their own laws for those of the colony, and became Liberian citizens. Partly by this mode of annexation, and partly by the occasional purchase of small portions of territory, the boundaries of the settlement have been gradually extended, until, as has been already stated, they embrace a coast-line of about four hundred miles. Taking into account, indeed, the sister colony of "Maryland, in Liberia," at Cape Palmas, which will, no doubt, in time be incorporated with the larger settlement, not less than five hundred miles of the African coast are at present under the control of these colonists from America.

Liberia, however, is now an independent state. It was never, in fact, regarded by the American Government as a dependency, in the political sense of the term. Its establishment was a private undertaking of the members of the Colonisation Society. Five years ago, the circumstances of the colony seemed to render it desirable that the connexion between its Government and that society, which had for some time been little more than nominal, should cease altogether, and that an attempt should

Such was the dismal and unpromising commencement of Liberian history, only thirty years ago. From that time, the condition of the colony gradually, though at first but slowly, improved. New settlers arrived from America. Better houses were erected, more land was cleared, and cultivation was gradually extended. The colony, how-be made to secure for the infant state the recogni ever, had still many difficulties to surmount. Although the settlers had been sent to the coast of Africa solely in order that they might enjoy there all the privileges of freemen; yet, strange to say, their Government was at first a pure despotism.

tion of the principal foreign powers. This object was happily accomplished. The independence of the colony was formally declared; a republican constitution was adopted; a "national flag," consisting of six red and five white stripes, with “one

lone white star" in the upper and inner angle, was | frage, but have actually leavened with their own hoisted-and a few weeks afterwards it was formally civilisation and their attachment to freedom, order saluted, as the ensign of an independent state, by and industry, a huge mass of barbarism, twentythe American squadron and a British sloop-of-war. five times larger than their own community. That The British and French Governments promptly which millions of intelligent and enlightened recognised the new republic, and formed liberal Frenchmen confess themselves unable to do in their treaties with it. President Roberts, in 1848, visited own country, these poor, ignorant sons of Africa, the United States, England, France, and Belgium, trained only in the school of American bondage, and was everywhere well received by the authori- have accomplished without the slightest difficulty. ties and the most eminent men of the three But this view of the subject is not that which is countries. The English Government presented to at present most interesting to us. The question him, for the service of his republic, a fine cutter, recurs, "What is likely to be the future progress mounting four guns; and he returned to Liberia of this remarkable state, and what influence will it in her Majesty's ship Amazon, a passage in exercise in the commonwealth of nations?" It which was tendered to him, as a mark of respect should be mentioned, as a fact which may enable for his office. The Liberian president is elected us to reply to this question, that a lively interest every two years. Mr. Roberts has this year in Liberia is just beginning to be felt among the entered on his third term of office, and his in- free people of colour in the United States. Emiaugural address on the occasion has lately been gration to it is gradually increasing, and is largely received in this country. In it he describes the aided by donations and bequests of wealthy and steady progress of the republic in its internal benevolent Americans. There are frequent anindustry and general commerce. He announces nouncements in the American papers of the departhe success of the efforts which had been made to ture of emigrant vessels for the African republic; adjust by arbitration the disputes of neighbouring and every one knows that the stream of emigrachiefs. He states that Prussia had recognised the tion, when it has once begun to set steadily towards republic, and that two or three other European a new country, tends constantly to renew and exGovernments had promised to follow the example. pand itself, so long as the original attraction conHe acknowledges a present from the British tinues to exist. In this case, the great attraction Government of the hull and part of the machinery is the hope of escape from oppression and contempt of the British steam-vessel, Flamer; and mentions the receipt of a despatch from Lord Palmerston, which notified that, owing to the desire felt in this country to encourage the growth of Liberian cotton, five of the best kinds of cleaningmachines would be prepared and sent out. The revenue of the colony for the year 1851 is stated at 32,039 dollars, and the expenditure at 34,039 dollars. The excess of expenditure was occasioned by the outlay required for protective purposes, in consequence of an attack recently made by a slave-trading chief upon the new settlement at Bassa Cove. In 1846, the revenue of the colony was only 8,525 dollars. The fact that this amount has been nearly quadrupled in five years is a striking evidence of the rapid progress of the new republic.

to freedom and the highest condition of a citizen; and this attraction will not cease so long as Liberia and America remain what they are at present.

It was at one time considered preposterous to expect that the whole or the greater part of the negro population of the United States would ever be transported back to the land of their ancestors. The notion that it would be possible thus to convey three millions of persons across the Atlantic was scouted as ridiculous. But we have seen, within the last ten years, nearly two millions of human beings escape from famine and evictions in Ireland to plenty and ease in America. This Irish emigration towards the west, moreover, is something more than a mere instance to prove the possibility of a negro emigration in the contrary direction; it offers, strange to say, an urgent motive for the latter The present population of Liberia is estimated movement. The Irish emigrants, spreading through at 250,000 souls. But of this number only about the southern states of America, are everywhere 10,000 are emigrants from America. The re-taking the place of the free coloured labourers, mainder are native Africans, who have voluntarily who find themselves deprived of what were forunited themselves to the original colonists. Many merly their most valuable sources of livelihood. of these have been educated in the schools of the Twenty years ago the draymen, porters, and colony, and are in all respects civilised men. One other out-door labourers in the city of Baltimore, of them was lately elected a member of the Libe- were nearly all men of colour; they are now nearly rian Council. Still the remarkable fact remains, all white men, and mostly Irishmen. The same that only the twenty-fifth part of the present inha-substitution is gradually taking place in all the bitants of Liberia were originally natives of a civi- southern towns. The coloured labourers, thus lised country; and even of this small number two-displaced, must either sink lower in poverty and thirds were uneducated slaves, and the remaining degradation, or betake themselves across the Atthird were members of a degraded caste-the Ame-lantic, to their own "land of promise;" to that rican "free people of colour." Yet these ten country, indeed, which is to them exactly what thousand freedmen and pariahs, most of them wholly, and all of them in some degree of African descent, have been able not only to establish an orderly and well-governed republic, with a perfectly free constitution, based upon universal suf

America is to the poverty-stricken Celts of Ireland.

But from the rapid increase which will thus take place in the population of Liberia, another effect is likely to follow, which will re-act powerfully both on America and on this country. There

is no part of the world in which the chief tropical necessity, not only in the United States but in products can be reared so abundantly and so cheaply Brazil and throughout the civilised world. Judgas in central Africa. Cotton, coffee, and the ing from the recent progress of African colonisation, sugar-cane, all of the best quality, are found to it seems highly probable that another half-century grow luxuriantly, not only in Liberia but along will not pass away before this great consummation the whole coast, from the mouth of the Senegal to will be attained. the mouth of the Niger. If this coast and the vast interior should be hereafter in the possession of a civilised nation of freemen, there can hardly be a doubt that they would be able to supply all the markets of the globe with those products cheaper than they could be furnished by high-priced slavelabour from any other country. Whenever this result is achieved, slavery will be abolished of

If this reasoning be correct, it will perhaps be admitted that the remarkable expansion of the Black Republic of Africa is a matter quite as important, in its bearings upon the welfare of the human race, as the equally remarkable extinction of that parti-coloured republic whose ephemeral life was trampled out under the ruthless heels of its own soldiery in the coup d'état of December.

LUCK AND NO-LUCK.

FROM THE FRENCH OF THE AUTHOR OF "LA PICCIOLA."

ONE evening towards the end of the year 1749 two carriages rattled noisily along the road leading from Paris to Versailles; the first was the public stage, carrying but a single passenger, M. Pigafet, a man of talent, but unknown to public report; the second a brilliant equipage, drawn by a pair of spirited horses, rolled rapidly towards the residence of royalty, bearing the Count de M—, renowned throughout Europe for his genius, his opulence, and his singular adventures. His noble coursers were in the act of dashing past the miserable hacks of the stage-coach, when the two axles came in contact: the shock was so violent that the crazy stager, its conductor, its two horses and single passenger rolled pell-mell in the middle of the road. M. Pigafet, in the fall, sprained his right hand; the Count, naturally kind and courteous, made a thousand apologies, and insisted upon his accepting a seat in his own carriage; the coachman was indemnified for the misadventure, and upon their arrival at Versailles the Count sent for a surgeon, who administered to the necessities of M. Pigafet.

This gentleman, touched with the attentions of his new host, and with the evident chagrin which he suffered at being the cause of his trifling accident, endeavoured to restore his self-complacency, and assured him that the shock of the two vehicles ought not to be attributed to the speed of the horses, or the carelessness of the driver, but rather to the tenacity of his, M. Pigafet's, bad destiny, which, through his whole career, had invariably supplied a stumbling-block near the goal, a rock near the port.

My journey to Versailles," said he, "was destined to destroy or realise a hope long entertained; I was upon the point of success when I am overthrown and disabled in the public road; it is what I might have expected; all is in order; and it is really too much honour for me to see a noble Count among the causes of my thousand and one catastrophes. Hitherto trifles have been my overthrow; a bon-mot closed the doors of the Institute

against me for ever; a paltry insect has hurled me from a throne."

The curiosity of the Count was highly excited by these words; he professed much interest in the fate of the speaker, sought to dissuade him from drawing any sad presages from this last accident; and prayed him to communicate at least a part of the surprising adventures of which he seemed to have been the victim.

M. Pigafet complied with the request in the following words :

"I was born in Paris. My father, a man of system, and possessed of a moderate fortune, having discovered in me some aptitude for study, provided me with a pretty liberal education, hoping that the practice of scientific pursuits would lead me to the choice of a profession in accordance with my talents and inclination.

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The progress of nations from barbarism to civilisation, and the guiding power of legislation throughout the whole process, struck my imagination with considerable force. I made choice of the law for a profession―studied with ardour and enthusiasm, and, passing my examination with éclat, became an advocate.

"I had already acquired some reputation among my brethren when I was called into court to plead a cause of the justice of which there could not be the shadow of a doubt. My antagonist, a man of the name of Bernard, an impostor, if ever there was one, veiling his ignorance and stupidity under a false air of modesty, blundered through an abominable speech which nobody could hear on account of his croaking voice, or would have understood had they heard it. So little attention was paid him that private conversation was audible through the court, and even on the tribunal itself. My turn came: I soon commanded the attention of the court and the commendation of the president; but in the heat of argument a vehement gesture deranged my wig, and gave me an appearance so completely grotesque that an universal laugh resounded on all sides; the mirth was fur

ther increased by my awkward attempts to repair | after some delay, I established myself at the the mischief. I not only lost my cause, but when-Antilles, whither I transported the productions of ever afterwards I reappeared at the bar the same the French manufactories, and sent in return to my laughter was ready for my reception so soon as I countrymen those of the Antilles. My commercial ascended the tribune. I became disgusted with speculations succeeded beyond my expectations; the perversity of the public, and renounced a in a few years my funds, increased tenfold, enabled profession in which an equivocal gesture was me, in the possession of an ample fortune, to redeemed sufficient to compromise the rights of the visit my native land (which was still dear to my widow and the orphan. remembrance), with no further fear of the gibes and slanders of my ancient rivals. Hoping yet to increase my fortune, I expended nearly the whole of it in a rich cargo of stuffs then much in request at Paris, and stepping on board with the precious freight, enjoyed in anticipation a thousand projects of happiness. The voyage was prosperous; but on disembarking at the port, I found the whole of my merchandise eaten through and through by voracious worms that swarmed in every bale. I was ruined. The next day a new vessel, consigned by the identical Bernard, who was fated to pursue me at every turn, arrived, bearing the same stuffs; he had no competition to fear; and, for the third time, he profited by my disaster.

"Having some acquaintance with the natural sciences, and an opportunity offering for the study of medicine, I resolved to make that my future profession. I again studied with earnestness, and read with untiring industry. I made myself master of the writings of Hippocrates, Galen, and the other authors of note who flourished among the ancients, and compared them diligently with the theories and practice of the moderns. In due time I obtained my degree, and commenced practice. Conceiving that the system in vogue was capable of important improvements, I did not hesitate to adopt such as were dictated by reason and experience. I used active agents, and set my face against all nostrums. I denounced lotions and elixirs, and repudiated imaginary diseases. I attacked inflammation with water, diet, and depletion; and I had the hardihood to decry Peruvian bark, which was then in its apogee. I made a thousand enemies among the apothecaries, the wine-merchants, and my fellow-practitioners; but overjoyed at the success I obtained in several desperate cases, I boldly pursued my plan.

"I was now in desperation; a Russian general, who had been the companion of my voyage, advised me to travel for the distraction of my thoughts, and proposed that I should accompany him to his own country, 'where,' said he, 'considering your scientific knowledge, and the protection which our Government willingly accords to the French, you will not fail of obtaining advantageous employment." I accepted his proposal, and set out for St. Petersburgh, where I was soon in intimate relation with the most influential men

"Called one day to a consultation with a newmade medicus, I recognised in him the ex-advocate Bernard, my old antagonist. He was again op-at court. posed to me as a doctor; hearing my opinion with "I demanded a professorship; but all ideas were regard to the treatment of the patient, he declared then running on a war with Sweden, and the him a dead man if his life were confided to me. reply was, 'We want soldiers, and not professors.' The sick man gave me his confidence, and profited I asked for a post in the judicature; but they reby so doing, for his health was all but re-estab-turned for answer that they wanted soldiers and lished, when one day, while eating some grapes by not judges. Nothing daunted, I requested a place my order, a single grain stuck in his throat, and in the administration; and was told, for the third excited such a fit of coughing that he was struck time, that they wanted soldiers and not secretaries. with apoplexy, and died upon the spot, to the "I returned to my friend the general, who engreat joy of Bernard, who published his predic-gaged me as aide-de-camp. The war broke out. tion everywhere, coupled with what he called the I had the good fortune to distinguish myself in fatal consequences of my system. Of course my several sharp actions, and was so happy as to save reputation suffered, while his own increased. the life of Marshal Lascy in the affair of WilmanClamours arose against me on every side; in vain strand. In him I secured a patron, and began to I explained the circumstances; the public would encourage the hope of acquiring a military reputanot understand. To increase my misfortune, the tion. I commanded the corps which was the first 'Gil Blas' of Le Sage now made its appearance to force a landing in the isle of Aland, and, peace in Paris; all thought they recognised in me the being concluded, the empress Elizabeth condeSangrado of the novel; the soubriquet was attached scended to write to me, informing me of her apto my name, and at length ridicule completed that probation, and announcing my nomination to the ruin which an untoward chance had begun. In government of Astrakan. France a nickname is more fatal than a vile action; a wound from the shafts of ridicule never heals, save in other climates and under other skies. I turned all I was worth into cash, and, resolving to make my value known by my absence, I voluntarily exiled myself from my jeering country.

"I now resolved to devote myself and my energies to the pursuits of commerce. With this view,

Anacreon died from the same cause. VOL. XIX.-NO. CCXXVII.

"Fortune appeared now to surround me with favourable auspices; I desired nothing more than the honour of commanding in chief in an action sufficiently important to prove my capacity, to win myself a place among the illustrious warriors of the north. The occasion was not long in coming. The famous Kouli-Khan, the usurper of the throne of Persia, then covered with his hordes the shores of the Caspian. A considerable body of independent Tartars, organised by him, menaced the

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