This state paper deals with the projected policy of the President in relation
to the aboriginal inhabitants of the country, to ports of entry, to the
consolidation of the public debt, to education, and to a resolution of
thanks to the United States for the services rendered the Government of
Liberia by Commodore Shufeldt “in the adjustment of the northwest boundary
question.”
Recently I informed the Department of the arrival at this port of the Dutch
man-of-war Alkmaar, with instructions from the Hague to urge upon the
Liberian Government the wisdom of opening additional ports of entry, having
joined with the Netherlands commander Doermann, in advising such course in
the interest of our commerce.
Attention is next called to the Barline, Pessa, Mar, Sorake, and Mandingo
peoples—all interior nations. After speaking of the wealth of the country
occupied by them, the designation of a commission to consist of Dr. Ely den,
Dr. Priest, and the Hon. B. J. K. Anderson, the enforcement of a law
creating an interior department by an appropriation for the same, the
discussion of the interior question is concluded by a correct appreciation
of the course to be pursued by Liberia, if a stable Christian Negro state is
to exist here:
The consolidation of the public debt is recommended by calling in all
evidences of the government’s indebtedness, and the issuance to creditors of
bonds paying an annual interest of 6 per cent. in gold and silver. Should
the citizen creditors and foreign creditors assent to such course it might
be the means of relieving the government of its financial embarrassment.
A renewed interest is asked to be taken by the legislature in the subject of
education, and attention is directed to Liberian colleges and to the public
schools. Should wise legislation follow these recommendations, should the
Liberians fraternize with the native inhabitants, and should the laws be
faithfully enforced, I am persuaded that the success of the republic would
be assured.
The earnestness of tone and correctness of conclusions which characterize
this message must commend it to Liberians and foreigners.
The message was read to Congress by the secretary of state, the President
being present in the hall of the house of representatives, at twelve
o’clock, December 10, 1879, the senate and lower house having met in
convention for the purpose of hearing the message.
[Inclosure in No. 58.]
Message of the President of the Republic of Liberia
to the first session of the nineteenth legislature.
Monrovia, December 10,
1879.
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and
House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia:
Gentlemen: In keeping with the constitution,
and through the blessings of a kind and beneficent Providence, we have,
after the lapse of another twelve months, met again for the purpose of
enacting such laws as will, I trust, enhance the highest interest of our
common country.
We have abundant reasons to be thankful to the Great Arbiter of all human
events for the privileges and for the blessings of the past year, in
that our several communities have enjoyed a reasonable portion of good
health, and prosperity has attended our labors. Notwithstanding the
abundance of rain, the farming season has been generally good, and
coffee-planting largely increased throughout the republic. And it is to
be hoped that our citizens will see the propriety of continuing to plant
this important article of produce, as the most reliable source of
revenue to the country, and of individual wealth to the nation. Owing to
the unusually low prices of palm oil and camwood in foreign markets the
trade in these articles with Liberian merchants is somewhat
discouraging, and no less so to the government, as the revenue is
derived chiefly from this source. And unless some other avenue be opened
which will supply the deficiency growing out of this cause, the current
expenses of the fiscal year cannot be met.
And just here I would remark that it is neither the depreciation nor the
burning of the currency that has brought about our financial depression.
The cause in my opinion is to be sought for in another direction, viz,
the inadequacy of the revenue to meet the demands of the government.
If the expenses can be curtailed, or in any way brought within the
receipts at the custom-house, matters and things will work easily, and
no doubt satisfactorily to the laboring class. Otherwise we must expect
to endure hardships and privations, as well as the inconvenience growing
out of a gradual increase of the public debt.
And I would further remark that the very slow and uncertain process by
which the revenue is obtained, owing to the want of a large and inviting
commerce, is another cause of our present monetary difficulties. Our
commerce to a good extent is locked up, impeded, and rendered
inaccessible to the great commercial world by restrictions the most
detrimental to free trade and suicidal to the well-being and happiness
of the nation.
It is fully evident that we have not the capital to develop and utilize
the vast resources of the country, and yet we appear unwilling to allow
others to do so, or even to assist us in an enterprise so very desirable
and upbuilding to a nation favored with a domain of such unbounded
wealth.
We have an extent of sea-coast of about 600 miles, teeming with hundreds
of thousands of aborigines who might by their commercial operations pay
hundreds of thousands of dollars into the public treasury. But owing to
a circumscribed trade, and living at too great a distance from the ports
of entry, their industrial pursuits are paralyzed, and they are made to
suffer the want of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the
government a loss of a large amount of revenue.
Now, unless we change our policy and give a greater latitude to trade and
the interchange of commerce, as well as afford encouragement to a
division of labor, we must be content to suffer the charge of
indiscretion and the want of political sagacity, to say nothing of the
great lack of economy which such a course indicates. We have not only
failed to utilize and enlarge the coast trade as we ought, but have also
neglected to give encouragement to our interior traffic, which is far
more advantageous in every respect than that on the sea-board and should
claim the fostering care of the Government and people of Liberia, which
care should be demonstrated in the full protection given to its
development, even though it may possibly at times render the resort to
an armed force necessary. These of course should always only be adopted
when all other methods prove unavailing and when it becomes an absolute
necessity.
I am glad to be able to inform your honorable body that the chiefs and
head men of the Barline country have made an application through Mr.
Rose to the government for assistance to enable them to bring down their
trade to the sea-board and also to protect them on the road against the
intermediate tribes who are accustomed to rob and maltreat them with
impunity. They allege that when thus treated by marauders from the
border tribes, they get no redress except by resorting to predatory
wars, in which, to use the language of the chiefs, both parties suffer
most seriously and without reparation. But they allege that if the
government, which commands the respect and fear of all the tribes, will
interpose, the highway to the interior will be rendered free and safe to
all who may travel to and fro with their articles of trade. The King of
[Page 696]
Barline, through his son,
represents the country as abounding in cattle, rice, cotton, country
cloths, palm oil, palm kernels, and camwood. He also assures the
government that laborers can be supplied in large numbers from this
populous section of country.
The Passas are said to be a hardy and industrious tribe, capable of
enduring great fatigue and labor like the Kroomen. And what is
especially gratifying is their great inclination to civilization and
Christianity—more so perhaps than any other tribe about us. Such a
people, then, should have special encouragement, not only by the
government, but also by the bold and enterprising merchants, in offering
every inducement to bring them and their trade among us. I have also to
state further in this connection, that I have had the pleasure of
receiving recently a messenger from Ibrahim a Sissi, sovereign ruler and
commander of the faithful of the Kingdom of Medina, requesting the
Liberian Government to assist in opening the roads for trade from this
wealthy commercial emporium to Monrovia. He represents the road to be
infested with robbers, which he advises must be removed in order to
secure a free egress and ingress to trade. Ibrahima Sissi is of the
opinion, however, that the chiefs residing on the road may be
conciliated and easily controlled by the payment of a yearly stipend;
but adds, in case of the failure of this method, he is prepared to join
the government in a military force of horsemen and foot soldiers, to
co-operate with the Liberian troops in removing the obstructions. He
states that he sent a thousand horsemen to Musardú to escort the
government commissioner, Hon. B. J. K. Anderson, to Medina, in the year
1868, but Mr. Anderson, for some reason unknown to him, declined the
invitation. Medina is represented as abounding in cattle, hides, goats,
sheep, horses, asses, rice, pease, corn, ground-nuts, cotton country
cloths, butter, rock salt, and gold in great abundance. All he wants is
free and uninterrupted intercourse between Medina and Monrovia, in order
that the wealth of this interior region may pour down into our
markets.
In reply to this message I have dispatched a communication to him in the
Arabic language, prepared by Dr. Blyden, with the view of arriving at a
full and definite understanding with him. This letter was sent by his
messenger, Vumbah Sissi, who left here on the seventh day of October,
hoping to return by the middle of January or the first of February next.
Should he return at the time mentioned, I purpose with your permission
to send three commissioners, viz, Dr. Blyden, Dr. Priest, and Hon. B. J.
K. Anderson, to have an interview with the King, and arrange the
preliminaries for opening up the roads for trade and other important
interests of the government. Vumbah Sissi, the King’s messenger, having
read my letter and noted in his book some important points therein
contained, is of the opinion that it will be cordially received and
entertained by the King and people of Medina.
And permit me to remark to you, gentlemen, constituting this honorable
body, our duty to our brethren of the interior is
providentially plain before us. Let us heed the Macedonian call
now, lest we have cause when too kite to regret it. God in his
overruling providence has inclined and predisposed the hearts of our
aboriginal brethren toward us for good. Let me urge upon you the
importance of heeding the divine monition and of engaging in the work of
enlarging our borders and making strong our bands, by uniting with this
intelligent people, who, like ourselves, can read and write (though in a
different language) and who occupy no mean rank in mathematical and
classical literature—a people who for many generations have been free
from the destructive effects of intoxicating drinks, and are therefore
in the happy enjoyment of an unimpaired body and mind, an undwarfed
manhood, and a soul that delights in the free worship and adoration of
the great God, the merciful and the compassionate.
I have also to state that the honorable superintendent of Grand Bassa
County has received a deputation from the “Mar” people, asking the
intervention of the government to protect them and their property in
their passage to and from that place to Buchanan. And shall we,
gentlemen, be indifferent to the interest of these people, so intimately
connected with our own? Surely not.
The “Mar” Country, lying in the northeastern part of Grand Bassa County,
and about twelve days’ journey from Buchanan, was ceded to this republic
in 1874, under the administration of President Roberts, and is entitled
to the protection for which the chiefs ask. I have directed
Superintendent Smith to assure the King’s messenger that the government
will do all within its power to protect person and property on the
highway as well as to foster interior commerce. This we must do if we
would have a revenue with which to support the government. I believe in
the doctrine of Rev. Elijah Johnson, “Protect your commerce and it will
protect you.”
The aboriginal tribes also in and about Cape Palmas, with the exception
of the Bereby section, present a most encouraging and gratifying aspect.
The honorable superintendent, under date of November 11, writes:
“Several of the interior tribes have recently sent in their chiefs and
other representatives to enter into more intimate terms of friendship
with the government.”
Several quasi treaties have been made, and more friendly relations never
existed than at the present time. The Sorake people, now an important
tribe, who remained friendly during the Grebo war, have engaged to
assist the government in keeping the
[Page 697]
roads open for eighteen miles interior-wise. “The
Grebos,” he writes further, “are on the most friendly terms with the
government.
“The educated young men, some eighteen or twenty in number, have recently
taken the oath of allegiance. The natives far and near seem to be
becoming awake to an important fact, viz, that God intends them to
become one with us, a part and parcel of Liberia in all her interests.
And the interior tribes particularly are very anxious for the opening of
schools among them.”
From these references, gentlemen, your honorable body will be able to
form some idea of the vast and favorable opportunities presented to
government for uniting our brethren of the tribes around and beyond with
ourselves, and thus laying the foundation of a powerful future state.
And I fondly cherish the hope, gentlemen, that in view of the gigantic
proportions of the work before us, and the important bearing it has upon
the vital interests of the nation, the Executive shall have your hearty
cooperation in all judicious measures tending to carry out and perfect
an enlightened and wise domestic and interior policy. I believe that
there is sufficient tact and experience in this honorable body to seize
hold of these favorable opportunities and render them subservient to the
best interests of all concerned. I believe that, with me, you will
invite the friends of Africa in foreign lands to come with their
railroads and other appliances and join us in our efforts to reach the
kingdom of Soudan, the garden spot of our country, and open its rich
treasures to the commercial world. I am willing, gentlemen, and I
believe you are, to follow the indications of the Great Arbiter of all
events in the work of civilizing and evangelizing Africa.
Who can divine the motive that induced the Mohammedan King Ibrahima Sissi
to seek the co-operation of the Liberian Government? Who can foresee the
sublime results that may hang upon the appeals echoing from the Barline,
Mar, Sorake, and Grebo tribes for a more intimate connection with
Liberia in all her interests? Admit that their motives are wholly
selfish and mercenary. Admit that their object is only for gain. Even in
that case they will compare favorably with other nations and people on
the globe who make a much louder boast of having higher aims in view
than the mammon of this world. But can you positively assert that there
may not be a background of the most thrilling events, pregnant with the
highest interests of African elevation and redemption, behind the
scenes! You cannot; you dare not. It seems to me that I can see in the
call of the Mohammedan chief the fall or the bowing of the Crescent
before the Cross, at least in Africa. And who can tell the part that
Christian Liberia is to play in this great drama?
Gentlemen, allow me to repeat, we have a great work before us, and it is
our duty as a Christian government to go forward and do all we can in
our day and generation to bring about the grand result, not only of the
unification, but the civilization and Christianization of the thousands
of heathens now sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of
death. And in order that these important matters may receive due
attention, I would most respectfully recommend that the act creating and
regulating the Interior Department be enforced, and that a suitable
appropriation be made by you for carrying out the same. I sincerely
trust that no considerations of economy or retrenchment will prevent you
from making provision in the appropriation bill for a salary for the
officer to be put in charge of this department; for I beg to assure you
that this division of national concern, always important, is to us, now
more than ever, a matter of absolute necessity, in view of the leading
policy of the government at this time, viz, interior
development and the incorporation of the
native tribes into the Liberian body-politic.
To put this department in proper working order, with an able, discreet
man at its head; one who can comprehend and appreciate the vast
responsibilities it involves; one who has experience in and respect for
the character, opinions, prejudices, and even customs of our aboriginal
population, will be setting in motion a machinery fraught with the
highest interest to this nation.
This department, properly managed, will do more to build up the nation,
to consolidate the Americo-Liberian and native citizens, to enlarge our
borders, to multiply our inhabitants, to put us in a condition to defend
and protect our national institutions, and to develop the manifold
resources of our country than can be easily imagined. It will give to
the republic of Liberia an impetus forward which will result in growth,
strength, and development far beyond the expectations of the most
sanguine among us.
I am aware that the act regulating the highway gives the Executive great
discretionary power as well as eight thousand dollars annually to carry
into effect that law; but the President personally cannot attend to the
duties prescribed in said act.
In fact, the several requirements therein set forth are matters of
record, and a proper person should have the entire management of the
interior department, under the direction of the President. The
government has nothing to lose, but everything to gain, by the immediate
revival of this office.
Recurring to the subject of the coast trade, while I would not be
understood as advocating the doctrine of throwing open our coasts
indiscriminately, I do say we need
[Page 698]
more ports of entry to command a larger trade and
an increased revenue. The greater the commerce of any country, the more
advantage to the public exchequer; and the government should, by all
possible means, adopt such a policy from time to time as will conduce to
the national progress. Commerce and agriculture are the ordinary sources
from which most governments derive their support.
The time has fully come, in the history of the republic, when we should
adopt more liberal laws for the admission of foreign capital. In view of
our peculiar circumstances, it is our duty to avail ourselves of every
means by which we may enhance our material as well as moral prosperity,
and thus increase our usefulness on this continent.
We have applications from various quarters urging the opening of our
coast more extensively to foreign intercourse; and I am persuaded that
under certain restrictions we may, with safety and advantage, accord
larger privileges to foreigners, admitting them not only to more
numerous points of our coast, but to our various rivers, where they may
be permitted to lease lands for a term of years for carrying on their
operations with some degree of responsibility to the local chiefs,
conforming at the same time to the revenue laws of the republic and
being solely responsible for any disorder arising from their own
conduct.
We have also applications to lease portions of the public domain along
our extensive sea-coast. If the legislature would authorize the
Executive to carry out such concessions as may be deemed advisable, this
would be a source of large income to the government.
With regard to our deranged finances, I would recommend the consolidation
of the public debt; that is to say, the enactment of a law calling in
all papers and scrip, whether paper currency, debenture, or checks,
which represent any claims against the government. These obligations
should be received into the treasury, not to be reissued, and bonds
given to their holders as receipts for the amount deposited, upon, which
an interest of 6 per cent. per annum shall accrue to the depositor, in
gold or silver coin, to take effect after the 30th day of June, 1880.
The government must have money, and it is for your honorable body to
devise ways and means or to adopt those suggested to you for relieving
us from the constant financial pressure which hampers all our
operations.
I call upon all merchants, mechanics, and farmers—upon all patriotic
citizens—to assist the government to place itself in a position to
enforce the laws of the republic and to command respect.
In the progress of events, the demands made upon us, both from the
interior and from abroad, are increasing in importance and urgency; and
we should be recreant to our trust and unfaithful to our
responsibilities if we do not come up to the reasonable expectations
both of foreign observers and our aboriginal brethern. We have great
opportunities for enlarging the area of Liberia’s usefulness at home and
her influence abroad, but we cannot avail ourselves of these
opportunities without money. I trust that no local prejudice or fancied
personal interests will make us indifferent to the great question. We
should all seriously consider of adopting ways and means for relieving
the government and the mass of the citizens from the pressure now so
generally felt.
Our common-school interest is one of paramount importance to the country,
and should claim far more of our attention. We should be willing to pay
for the education of our children, in such money as the teacher can make
available in supplying the necessaries of life. Teachers are hot
prepared at all times to wait for their salary longer than the close of
the quarter; and if then they are paid in irredeemable checks, they are
prevented from paying their quarterly bills, and are therefore made to
suffer privation and want during the succeeding term. This often causes
worthy and faithful teachers to engage in other occupations, and thus
the public schools are neglected. I would recommend that the law
regulating common schools be so amended as to bring about results more
favorable to the educational demands of the country. I beg to recommend
also a large appropriation for common schools, in order to supply in
some measure the increasing number of applications for schools on the
part of the native tribes around us. Funds to meet the support of these
schools can be raised from taxes as soon as there shall be a proper
circulating medium established.
It is worthy of note in this connection that many of the aborigines are
willingly paying taxes to aid in the maintenance of the schools
accessible to them. To meet the requirements for a higher education, I
most earnestly recommend that the Liberia College—a national
institution, the benevolent gift of good men in America, men who were
true friends to negro elevation in this country—be more highly
appreciated and sustained by the government and people of Liberia.
The support of this important institution should not be left solely to
the trustees, of donations. The government should not stop at supporting
the preparatory department, but should appropriate at least $3,000
annually for ten years to aid in keeping up repairs and the payment of
professors. And I have to request that you will, at your present
session, pass a resolution to that effect.
[Page 699]
The time has fully come, fellow citizens, when we should address
ourselves to the work of maintaining our literary institutions. As a
government we cannot he too careful in looking after and guarding the
educational training of the youth of the nation. Not only should we know
that they are under instruction, hut we should also know what is the
character of the instruction they are imbibing; whether it is such as
will inspire them with sentiments of personal and national self respect,
loyalty, love of race, patriotism, and virtue, or the reverse of all
these. To provide in some measure for this kind of supervision, the
government has already directed that no books shall be used in any of
the public schools except such as shall have the approval of the
government through the secretary of state and school commissioners. And
plans are in progress for the securing of a series of approved school
books to be used in all the state schools. Other measures are in
contemplation with the view of obtaining such a course of early training
for our children and youth as will tend to implant in their minds
sentiments of love for and appreciation of their race and country.
Too much of the indiscriminate training, recklessly lavished upon
Liberian youth heretofore, has had just the opposite tendency.
The time has come, fellow citizens, when we should look these matters
squarely in the face, and take the necessary precautions to guard
against the disastrous effects that they will naturally produce.
It is gratifying to know that there are considerable funds held by the
trustees of donations in Boston, and the New York State Colonization
Society, the bequests of benevolent Mends of Liberia, to be used in
maintaining the Liberia College, and if you will supplement these
amounts by the appropriations above recommended, the institution can
soon be put on a career of further, and more extensive usefulness to our
growing republic.
I am happy to inform your honorable body that our public buildings have
not failed to claim the attention of government during the past year,
notwithstanding the monetary pressure under which we have been laboring.
In fact so urgent was the demand for these edifices that their supply
had become a positive necessity. And while much remains yet to be done
in this respect throughout the different counties, I am glad to be able
to say that something has been accomplished.
The court-house and Senate chamber, a structure of this city, has
undergone a thorough repair, and is now, as you see, completed and ready
for use. This building, erected in the early stage of the colony by
Governor Buchanan, is a relic of the past that should be sacredly
preserved, especially as it was in this building that the constitution
was framed and the declaration of independence made in the memorable
year of 1847. Would that I had the means not only to repair, hut to
enlarge and rear up here on the original foundation a stately edifice of
exquisite beauty and worth, to hand down to future generations as a
monument to the self-sacrificing zeal, energy, and patriotism of our
fathers.
Permit me, gentlemen, just at this point, to make honorable mention of
the credit that is due to our enterprising fellow citizen and master
workman Mr. Bacchus Matthews, for the faithful and persevering manner in
which he followed up the labor assigned him in this building, at much
sacrifice, and in the face of great difficulties and formidable
obstacles, to its present stage of completion.
The erection of a court-house and prison in Grand Bassa County, for which
your honorable body was pleased to make an appropriation, has been
retarded, I regret to say, to the great inconvenience of the citizens as
well as the government. I had reasons to suppose from preliminary
arrangements made by the honorable superintendent that ere this an iron
building would have adorned and beautified Buchanan Hill, but this is
not the case. I shall endeavor, however, during the ensuing year to urge
forward this operation with as much dispatch as possible.
A custom-house is being erected in this county at Lower Buchanan, by the
superintendent, with commendable diligence. Such a building has been
much needed at that port for many years.
In the county of Sinoe, the new court-house is completed. It is a fine
wooden edifice of the most durable timber, and reflects much credit upon
the zeal and energy of Messrs. Harris and Ross, the contractors. The
jail-house is in progress. At Cape Palmas, Maryland County, the
honorable superintendent has nearly completed the fortifications that
were deemed necessary to put certain frontier settlements at that point
in a proper state of defense. The block house at Jacksonville has been
erected; and the stone wall of the fortress at Mount Tubman is nearly
completed also. These military precautions were deemed expedient at the
time they were ordered, for the purpose of keeping down disturbances and
disorder in that vicinity, and for affording peace and security to the
agricultural districts of that county. From present indications,
however, we have every reason to believe that they will not soon, if
ever, be called into requisition for any warlike purposes.
The northwest boundary question, owing to a difference of opinion that
arose between the English and Liberian commissioners, is, I regret to
say, still unsettled.
For your further information, I shall have the honor to lay before you
the papers connected with this important matter.
[Page 700]
Our foreign relations are of a peaceful and friendly character. I have
every reason to believe from consular correspondence that the Christian
governments of Europe and America desire to see a prosperous and happy
negro state, capable of exerting a beneficial influence upon this
continent, firmly established here.
I have to recommend to you the passage of a resolution thanking the
United States Government for having so generously sent Commodore
Schufeldt, in the flag-ship Ticonderoga, to aid in the adjustment of the
northwest boundary question.
The remarkable patience with which the commodore and his gallant officers
waited upon the movements of the commission to its adjournment cannot
soon be forgotten by the government and people of this republic.
It would be a grave omission on my part, gentlemen, should I close this
communication without recording an expression of appreciation by the
government of the service of the Liberian commissioners, the patriotic
citizens who accompanied them as witnesses, and the honorable Liberian
consul at Sierra Leone, in their efforts to facilitate the termination
of the boundary question.
The honorable secretary of the treasury will, at an early day of your
session, lay before you the public accounts, with such recommendations
as he may deem necessary to improve the financial condition of the
republic.
Relying, fellow citizens, upon your patriotism and hearty co-operation in
all measures that may be laid before you tending to advance the welfare
of the state, and trusting that your session will be harmonious in
character and beneficial in its results, I must close by asking
appropriations for the following objects, viz:
- Civil and legislative service.
- Public buildings.
- Internal improvement generally.
- Naval service, special and general.
- Internal department, including the mission to Medina.
- Military service, including pensions.
- General contingent, including diplomatic service.
- Public schools, including Liberia College.
In all the above, gentlemen, you shall have my hearty co-operation.
And may the Great Arbiter of all human events bless you in your efforts
for the good of the nation.
ANTHONY W. GARDNER.
Monrovia, December 10,
1879.
