Liberia 



<^ 



of Christianity^ Islam, and the Negro Race, and he has 

 taken a position of his own as a writer on African subjects. 



During 1851 there were serious troubles in the interior 

 of Liberia, which caused considerable damage to commerce on 

 the coast. The Boporo people ^ had practically stopped all trade 

 between the Mandingo countries and the Liberian settlements 

 by their exactions on caravans. This was the more exasperating 

 because President Roberts, by skilful diplomacy, had for a time 

 negotiated peace between the Vai, Gora, and Buzi people at 

 the end of 1850, and had attempted by this action to clear 

 the way for a great development of commerce. At Grand Basa 

 everything was thrown into confusion by an attack on the 

 part of a chief named Grando. He practically destroyed the 

 new settlement at Lower Buchanan, and killed ten Liberians. 

 But the rest of the settlers at Basa Cove, fighting for their lives, 

 managed to drive off Grando with considerable loss to his 

 following. In the adjoining State of Maryland troubles with 

 the natives quite disorganised the community of American 

 settlers, and the Governor, John B. Russwurm, died of over- 

 work and worry. 



President Roberts, having completed his purchases of 

 territory between Cape Mount and the vicinity of the Bulom 

 country, at the back of Sherbro Island, left on another trip to 

 Europe in 1852. In October of that year he had an interview 

 with the Prince-President of the French Republic, Louis 

 Napoleon, who was not yet Emperor. One reason of Roberts's 

 visit to England was to secure recognition from the British 

 Government of Liberian sovereignty over the Gallinhas country. 

 He was sent back to Liberia on a British warship. 



In 1853 Roberts declared the civilised population of 



^ A congeries and mixture of African races- -Des, Vais, Goras, Buzis, etc., 

 permeated and ruled by Mandingos. 



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