-^ Recent History 



In 1904 and the following year negotiations were entered 

 into with France to effect a more accurate definition in words 

 of the Franco-Liberian frontier, inasmuch as the definition of 

 1892 was incompatible with geographical facts. The frontier 

 which Liberia proposed in 1905 is illustrated on the accom- 

 panying sketch-map. The counter-proposals of the French 

 Government involved the loss to Liberia of a portion of the 

 Makona basin in the north-west, though securing to her the 

 entire western basin of the Cavalla, and all the basin of the 

 St. Paul's River. Liberia loses territory on the north-east and 

 on the north-west, but secures a more easily marked frontier — 

 the course of the Cavalla from source to mouth, the line of water- 

 parting between the systems of the Niger and the St. Paul's, 

 and the main course of the Makona River as far as the British 

 frontier. It is probable that the Liberian frontier will be definitely 

 drawn in accordance with these principles (see p. 317). 



I cannot do better in concluding this sketch of Liberian 

 history than quote extracts from a recent presidential address 

 of the Hon. Arthur Barclay : 



Message of the President of Liberia, communicated 



TO the Second Session of the Twenty-ninth Legislature, 



December 15TH, 1904 



Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House of Repre- 

 sentatives — 



In accordance with the provisions of the Organic Statute of 

 our State we are here to-day to review the progress of our affairs 

 during the past year, as well as to give and to take such counsel 

 as may upon mature consideration and reflection appear most fit 

 and proper for the further guidance and direction of the business 

 and interests of the Republic. 



It seems proper in the first place to direct attention to internal 

 conditions. 



During your recess death has deprived the State of an able, 



3" 



