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having so lightly determined myself to quit even for a season the important post of duty, assigned to me. My friends, I fear, will do little justice to these motives; but I shall apologize to them in the best way I can-and put up with the accusation. I know they will accuse me of having trifled with their feelings, by exciting expectations which my present determination is obliged bitterly to disappoint."

Much as he wished again to see the loved scenes of his youth, private enjoyments, in this, as in every other instance, were sacrificed for the public duties of his high mission. About this time, a friendly schooner was blown ashore, and almost completely wrecked. The provisions with which she was laden, were much needed by the colonists. Their loss reduced them to the necessity of purchasing, at a high price, such articles as they were obliged to have. Nor was this the only loss. Ashmun was exposed to a four hours rain, while trying to save the vessel, which resulted in a severe fever, and rheumatism that brought him to death's door. For three weeks he suffered the most acute, agonizing pains and burning fevers. Soon after his recovery, a treaty of peace was concluded with the refractory chiefs, at Trade Town, by which mutual protection and encouragement were guaranteed by both parties. Hostilities now began between two of the native tribes, which Ashmun vainly tried to reconcile. His efforts, however, kept both of the belligerent parties on good terms with the colonists, which was the prime object of his mediation in the matter.

At this time, he established an infirmary for the benefit of the sick and disabled, which went into operation under happy auspices, that insured the best results. The public schools, also, were re-organized, and put more efficiently to work. To secure that economy among the emigrants so essential to success and prosperity, he also recommended that such goods and commodities, as were shipped by the United States, should be exchanged for the native products, as being much the cheapest, and easier procured. To internal improvements, too, he gave considerable attention, and put a good force to clearing the Montserado River, so as to render it more navigable and better adapted to faciliate the operations of commerce. In this way, his genius and devotion were always actively on the aiert for the benefit of the colony. Nothing conducive to a spirit of industrious enterprise, and progressive refinement was neglected. Several military companies were also organized, as a defense against any depredations or unforseen emergencies that might occur. The stations had increased to eight in number, and each was more efficiently organized than before. While all this had been accomplished, remarkable as it may seem, such were the administrative talents of Ashmun, that nearly all the expenses had been defrayed by the internal workings of the colony, independent of exterior aid. In fact, the last year's operations developed a profit of several thousand dollars. Elated at his success, Ashmun left no means untried to maintain his hard-earned fame, and ascendant advantages. Industrial pursuits and education he looked upon as subjects of primary interest, in the enlightenment of Africa. Farms were opened, and the natives incited to their tillage. To the subject of schools, he continued his earnest attention. This he looked upon as being one of the most important objects of his mission. "Whether," says he, “we regard such schools as a cheap means of extending the power of the colony

as the most effectual instruments of civilizing the continent-as a noble exercise of Christian philanthropy, or the best expression of Christian piety(and the object, I think, is susceptible of either of these views)—no work connected with the rearing of the colony, is, in my opinion, more desirable. I think it nearly capable of moral demonstration, that the African tribes may be civilized without expulsion from their chosen settlements and villages, and without that fearful diminution of their population, which has, from causes that do not exist here, as in regard to the Indians of America, accompanied the march of civilization in that hemisphere." By this time, through the active exertions of the colonists, not only were all things working well immediately at home, but the interior of the country was explored with reference to enlarging the colonial boundaries. The population they found was of an active, enterprising sort, and had made considerable progress in agriculture.

Early in the year 1828, a United States vessel reached Liberia, with over one hundred more emigrants. This arrival found Ashmun in the midst of perplexing engagements. Several vessels were in port, the affairs of which demanded his personal consideration. Such an accumulation of labor, he said, "I never felt pressing on me before. Days and nights were too short. But I dispatched, previous to the 25th, three of the vessels, when another arrived from Sierra Leone, with special claims on my attention." In addition to this, a piratical Spanish vessel menaced the coast in a threatening manner, that required of Ashmun the necessity of keeping a sharp look-out upon her movements.

Soon after this, he visited, in person, all the principal native chiefs of the. vicinity, giving assurance of his good will to them. From excessive fatigue incident to this combination of arduous duties, he was attacked by a severe fever, from the effects of which he suffered for some time. His embarrassments were magnified also, by the sickness of the recently-arrived emigrants, among whom there was not a single well man. After awhile, however, things began to mend, and prospects to materially brighten up again. In February, he thus wrote: "For the last four days, my strength has returned almost as rapidly as it went. But I hope the event will advertise the board, that the constitution of their agent here is not to be depended on—and that a most probable item of intelligence may very shortly be, that he too is numbered with the departed. May provision be made accordingly. For myself, alone, the event has no appalling features-but to leave the colony, to quit a field of labor forever, in which so little is yet done and so much ought to be done-here I fear will be the distressing pang of dying. But the colony depends, I am persuaded, on the life of no one or ten individuals; and it is a vanity I do not indulge, that it has any such dependence on my own. But it is a field of labor in which if better workmen are not employed, I wish to be myself so long as with the Divine blessing I can do any good."

These thoughts, that he was approaching his final rest, were verified. He soon became so much enfeebled, that his physician gave his written opinion that the only hope for his life was in his return to the United States. On the 28th of March, he embarked on board of a vessel, and left Africa forever. Never were greater tokens of respect shown by any community ou

taking leave of their head. Nearly the whole of the inhabitants of Monrovia, men, women and children, were out on the occasion, and nearly all of them parted from him in tears. He suffered so intensely on the voyage, that it was doubtful if he should survive to reach his native land. He arrived at New Haven, Connecticut, where he continued to sink until he expired, August 25, 1828, in the thirty-fifth year of his age.

On the next day, a large concourse of the citizens of New Haven, and of the neighboring towns, united in a solemn tribute of respect to his memory, and attended his remains to the grave. The assembly had already filled tho Central Church, to which the body of the deceased was conveyed, and the minister of Christ just concluded his humble supplications to the God of all mercy and consolation, when a venerable, solitary female entered the congregation, and with a look which told what her tongue might in vain have essayed to speak, approached the corpse. It was the mother of Ashmun! Every heart in that vast assembly beat fainter, as they beheld this aged matron, who had traveled for several days and nights from a remote part of the country, in the hope of embracing her living son, pressing her lips, and her heart upon the coffin which concealed all that remained of that son in death, forever from her sight.

The discourse of the Rev. Leonard Bacon, on this occasion, was a just and eloquent defense of the spirit that animates the martyrs to a great and good cause, and under the power of which Ashmun had sacrificed his life in the service of Africa. "His example (said the preacher) shall speak. There have been men whose names are as way-marks; whose examples, through successive ages, stir the spirits of their fellow-men with noble emulation. What has been done for God, and for the souls of men, and for the cause of wretched human nature, by the luster which gathers around the name of David Brainerd. How many lofty spirits has the simple history of his toils and sorrows kindled and roused to kindred enterprise. Other names there are, which beam from age to age with the same glory. Howard, Clarkson, Swartz, Mills,-what meaning is there in such names as these. Our departed friend will add another to that brilliant catalogue. He takes his place

'Amid th' august and never dying light

Of constellated spirits who have gained

A name in heaven by power of heavenly deeds.

Let us praise God for the light of his example, which shall never be extinguished, and which, as it beams on us, shall also beam on our children, moving them to deeds of godlike benevolence.

Praise for yet one more name with power endowed,

To cheer and guide us, onward as we press;

Yet one more image, on the heart bestowed,

To dwell there, beautiful in holiness.'

We have come to his grave. A simple, but beautiful monument, erected by the managers of the American Colonization Society, in the church-yard of New Haven, bears the name of Ashmun. This monument may perish, but that name never. It is engraven on the heart of Africa. In his person, Mr. Ashmun was tall-his hair and eyes light-his features regular and cast in the finest mould-his manners mild, yet dignified-and in his counte

nance an expression of the gentlest affections softened the lineaments of lofty, firm, and fearless minu.”

Liberia, since having been placed on a firm basis through the exertions of Mr. Ashmun, has prospered beyond all example. It now extends along the Guinea Coast for a distance of four hundred and twenty miles, with an average breadth of forty miles inland. It consists of Liberia proper, and Maryland in Liberia, the latter being that part south of Cape Palmas. The country has been all purchased from time to time by the American Colonization Society, and its climate greatly improved, although it is deadly to whites, by a systematic drainage and clearance of the woods. Until the year 1848, Liberia remained a dependency upon the United States. In that year, it was formed into an independent republic, and as such was recognized by Great Britain and France. Its government is upon the same model as that of the United States, consisting of a president, a vice president, and two houses of congress.

The natural resources of Liberia are immense. Cotton is natural to the soil of which it produces two crops a year. Coffee thrives well, and the sugar-cane grows luxuriantly. Its annual exports, principally of tropical productions, amount to over half a million of dollars. The population of the Republic of Liberia, in 1850, was two hundred and fifty thousand, of whom fifty thousand speak the English language. A thirst for education has been awakened among the surrounding native tribes, for four hundred and five hundred miles; many of them send their children to be educated in the republic. The Liberians have built for themselves about thirty churches, possess numerous schools and printing presses. More than twenty thousand natives have requested to be taken under the protection of the state, while not less than one hundred thousand live on its territory and three hundred and fifty thousand are bound to it by treaties to abolish the slave-trade. At different times ten buildings, erected by slave-traders for the storage of slaves have been burned down by the Liberians, and hundreds of their fellow creatures therein confined liberated; and they at all times afford a refuge for the weak and the oppressed. The adjoining English colony of Sierra Leone is far inferior to Liberia having but about one quarter of its population, and as yet remaining a dependency upon the English crown.

Monrovia is the capital of Liberia. It has a population of about twelve thousand; beside this there are twenty other towns and villages in the terri tory. It is said to be a beautiful thriving American-like town, with handsome churches, elegant private residences, imposing business stores of brick on almost every street; all indicating, the most complete development of the amplest resources of mind and body on the part of its citizens.

The men of color who have migrated to Liberia have felt the influences of enterprise and freedom, and are improved alike in their condition and character. Those who were slaves become masters; those who were once dependent have become independent; once the objects of charity, they are now benefactors, and the very individuals who, a few years ago, felt their spirits oppressed and incapable of high efforts and great achievements, now stand forth conscious of their dignity and power, sharing in all the privileges and honors of a respected, a free and a Christian people.

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