Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

LC Subject Headings:

• African Americans -- History.
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• Blacks -- History.
• Afro-American soldiers.
• United States -- Armed Forces -- African Americans -- History.
• United States -- History -- Civil War 1861-1865 -- African Americans.
• Slavery -- History.
• Slavery -- United States -- History -- 18th century.
• Slavery -- Southern States -- History -- 19th century.

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A NARRATIVE OF
THE NEGRO

BY

MRS. LEILA AMOS PENDLETON
Formerly a Teacher in the Public Schools of Washington, D. C.; founder
(in 1898) of the Alpha Charity Club of Anacostia, and for thirteen years
its president; founder and president of the Social Purity Club of
Washington; Vice-President for the District of Columbia of the
Northeastern Federation of Women's Clubs; Secretary of
the National Association of Assemblies of the Order of
the Golden Circle, Auxiliary to the Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry, S. J., U. S. A.

WASHINGTON, D. C.:
PRESS OF R. L. PENDLETON, 609 F STREET, N. W.
1912

Copyrighted
By MRS. LEILA AMOS PENDLETON
1912

PREFACE.

        This little volume contains, in story form, a brief outline of the history of the Negro. In collating the facts herein set forth it was my privilege to consult the Congressional Library at Washington, the libraries of Harvard and Yale universities and the Boston Public Library. I am fully aware that such opportunities should have insured a better book, but I earnestly hope that the motive which prompts me may cause the shortcomings and imperfections of the work to be forgiven.

        I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to the following authors: Hereen (Historical Researches), Edmund D. Morel, Robert P. Skinner, Edward Howell, T. J. Alldridge, J. V. Delacroix, J. J. Crooks, Frederick Douglass, Thomas Ashe, records of the American Colonization Society, W. J. Gardner, John Atkins, John Bigelow, Hasting Charles Dent, Frank Wiborg, J. W. Birch, Joseph A. Tillinghast, Rev. Robert Walsh, Increase N. Tarbox, Lydia Maria Child, Sir Harry Johnston, Sir Henry M. Stanley, Dr. W. E. B. Dubois, Prof. Kelly Miller, Dr. Booker T. Washington, Charles W. Williams, Joseph T. Wilson, William Still, W. H. Grimshaw, James M. Trotter, W. H. Crogman, J. T. Headley, B. J. Lossing, J. W. Gibson, Zachary Macaulay, Edward W. Blyden, J. J. Pippin, Mrs. R. M. O'Connor, Mrs. F. B. Williams, Andrew Carnrgie, G. W. Forbes.

        For assistance in other directions, I wish, also, to thank Hon. Robert Spurgeon, Brooklyn; Mr. Reginald Peters, St. Kitts; and Miss Beatrice Le Strange, of Boston. Because of his unfailing interest, encouragement and advice in this attempt I owe most of all to my husband.

        In presenting this narrative, as a sort of "family story" to the colored children of America, it is my fervent hope that they may hereby acquire such an earnest desire for greater information as shall compellingly lead them, in maturer years, to the many comprehensive and erudite volumes which have been written upon this subject.

LEILA AMOS PENDLETON.

LEILA AMOS PENDLETON

A NARRATIVE OF THE NEGRO.

CHAPTER I.

A TALK WITH THE CHILDREN.

         MOST girls and boys, who are from twelve to fourteen years old can tell, if one should ask them, many interesting things about America, the country in which we live and most children whose foreparents came from Europe or Asia have been taught to love those countries just because their kinfolk once lived there. Many little colored children can draw a map of Africa, tell some of its products and describe some of its people; I wonder how many have been taught to think of Africa with interest and affection, because our great, great grandparents came from that continent? Perhaps if we talk awhile about our Motherland and some of the notable things which have happened there, we shall all learn to love that wonderful country and be proud of it.

         In these talks, though sometimes the adjective "colored" will be used just as the word "white" is frequently made use of, we shall, as a rule speak of ourselves as "Negroes" and always begin the noun with a capital letter. It is true that the word Negro is considered by some a term of contempt and for that reason, many of us wince at it; but history tells us that when England had been conquered by the Normans, centuries ago, and the Norman barons were beating, starving and killing the natives, the name "Englishman" was considered an abusive term, and the greatest insult one Norman could offer another was to call him an "Englishman." You know that now all who claim England as home are justly proud of it, and no Englishman is ashamed of that name.

         If history repeats itself, as we are often told it does, the time will come when our whole race will feel it an honor to be called "Negroes." Let us each keep that hope before us and hasten

the time by living so that those who know us best will respect us most; surely then those who follow will be proud of our memory and of our race-name.

        There are some of us who feel that, pitifully small though it be, we have given the very best and done the very most it is possible for us to give and to do for the race, and we are looking to you, dear children, to perform the things which we, in our youth had hoped and planned. We beg that you will not fail us. In order to realize our hopes for you, there is one thing which you must do: While you are still too young to be earning money, while you are yet at the beginning of your education, you, each, may be building up a strong and beautiful character, an honest, truthful, brave and upright character; it is THE ESSENTIAL thing and without it either money or education or both will be worse than wasted.

        After leaving Africa we shall take a glance at the past and the present of the Negro in other lands, especially in our own country of America.

MAP OF AFRICA

CHAPTER II.

GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA.

        LET us look at a map of the Eastern Hemisphere. In the northern part we see Europe and Asia, and southwest of these lies Africa, almost entirely in the Torrid Zone. As vast as is the United States, the continent of Africa contains more than three times as many square miles. In the northeastern part of Africa we see Egypt, moving westward we come to what are called the Barbary States--Tripoli, Fezzan, Tunis and Morocco. Remember these countries, for on their soil many of the most important events of the ancient world took place. Some hundreds of years before our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, hundreds of years before men had even heard the names "England," "France," "Germany," "America," the people of northern Africa were engaged in building cities, sailing the waters and rearing statues and monuments, some of which latter are standing until this day.

        Let us now start from Alexandria in Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea and sail down the east coast of Africa. We may touch the coasts of Nubia, Eritrea, French Somali coast, British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, British East Africa, German East Africa, Portuguese East Africa, Transvaal, Natal, and at the southernmost part of the continent we find Cape Colony, while jutting out from the very tip of Cape Colony is the famous Cape of Good Hope. And now we start up the west coast passing German Southwest Africa, Angola, French Congo, Kamerun, Nigeria, Dahomey, Ashanti, French West Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, French and Portuguese Guinea, British Gambia, Rio de Ora, and so back to the Barbary States and Egypt.

        In our travels we sailed through the Suez Canal, which cuts Africa off from Asia and makes of it an island continent; down the Red Sea where Pharaoh and his army were drowned; through the Gulf of Aden; down the Indian Ocean; through

the Mozambique Channel, which separates Africa and the island of Madagascar; around Cape Good Hope, where the winds and the waves have made it very dangerous for us; up the South Atlantic Ocean; through the Gulf of Guinea; into the Atlantic again, and through the Strait of Gibraltar. On the north coast of Gibraltar stands the great rock considered by the ancients the western boundary of the world and prized by the English who now own it as one of their most important possessions. Leaving Gibraltar we find ourselves again in the Mediterranean and back to Egypt. While sailing up the South Atlantic and passing southern Angola, we should have taken a long look directly out to sea, for in that direction but more than one thousand miles away lies the little island of St. Helena where Napoleon Bonapart was held prisoner and where he died.

        But with all this travelling we have seen nothing of the great heart of Africa, which in ancient times was sometimes called Libya, sometimes Ethiopia, where dwell millions of people, thousands of wild animals, fruits and vegetables in greatest profusion and where many of the articles highly prized by civilized man are to be found in abundance--diamonds, gold, ivory, india rubber, ebony, ostrich feathers and many other valuable articles. Among the native animals of Africa are elephants, lions, monkeys, snakes of many kinds, leopards, camels, giraffs, gorillas, wolves, jackals, hyenas, zebras, rhinosceros, buffalos, and many species of birds of beautiful plumage. How would our "zoos" and our circuses manage if it were not for Africa? In some parts of Africa sugar cane, cotton and the coffee plant grow wild and beside these apples, peaches, plums, grapes, pomegranates, dates, spices, cereals, melons, gourds, cocoanuts and many other fruits and vegetables are to be found.

        Looking again at the map we see just below the northern countries and stretching from east to west almost the entire width of the continent, the Sahara and Libyan deserts--the greatest in the world. Below these lies the Soudan, farther

south and crossed by the Equator is the Congo Free State, which is anything but free; while still farther south we find Matabele and the Transvaal. I hope you will remember the location of the different countries of Africa, for we shall speak of many of them again.

        There are many deserts in Africa but the Sahara is the greatest of them all. As you know, a desert is a large tract of land where the ground is sandy, patched and dry and where rain seldom or never falls. In Sahara, which is 1,000 miles wide and 2,000 miles long, the sand is almost always moving and when the fierce windstorms arise, as they frequently do, the sand is blown about in huge billows like the waves of the ocean, and the camel, which has been called "the ship of the desert" is the only beast of burden which can cross the dreadful wastes. The few underground springs scattered here and there, sustain grass and bushes as far around them as their moisture reaches. These green and fertile spots are called oases and they are the only places in the desert where men and beasts can obtain rest and refreshment. Anyone who attempts to cross Sahara may expect many hardships--thousands have lost their lives in the attempt. So here we have one reason why not many of the ancient civilized Africans went southward for any purpose.

        Indeed the whole of Africa was and is little suited for comfortable traveling. The rivers contain many rapids, waterfalls, etc., which cause them to be in some places almost entirely unnavigable. All kinds of vegetation flourish in this tropical country; swamps and jungles abound, especially in central Africa, and its mountains are covered with dense forests. The climate which is very hot and enervating makes travelling quite unpleasant aside from the other drawbacks, and so, for hundreds of years very few serious attempts were made to find out just what kind of country Africa really was.

        In modern times much has been done toward making a journey in Africa more agreeable. Many miles of railroad have been laid in different parts of the continent; there is one

road running for some hundreds of miles across the Libyan desert, and another from the coast of British East Africa to Victoria Nyanza, while a road from the Cape to Cairo has long been planned.

        The Congo, the Niger, and the Nile are the three great rivers of Africa; the Nile, wonderful and mysterious, comes up out of the central part of the continent through Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Though long it is at ordinary times but a narrow river, yet every year it overflows its banks flooding the surrounding country; but it is a kindly flood for it fertilizes the soil and the prosperity of each successive season depends upon "Father Nile." The Niger flows through the northwestern part of Africa and the Congo through the southwestern part.

        In its Nile and its Sahara, in its climate, in its jungles and its mountains, in its wild animals, its vegetable products and articles of value in commerce Africa stands alone and unrivaled.

CHAPTER III.

ANCIENT CIVILIZATION.

        THOUSANDS of years ago, far up the river Nile and near the modern Senaar, flourished the Ethiopian kingdom of Meroe. Many statues and monuments have been unearthed in this region from time to time, and it is from the

ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

writings, pictures and carvings upon these that most of our knowledge of this ancient country comes.

        These statues were erected to the idols or gods whom the people worshipped because they did not know the true God; the monuments were built with passages and chambers and were used as temples for the worship of their gods; so while no trace is now found of the dwellings of the people their

temples covered with pictures show plainly their manner of living and of worship as well as many other things of interest.

        The city called Meroe was the seat of government, or as we say in these days the capital, and the rulers were chosen from among the priests. Some very interesting things are told of the manner of choosing a king and the rules by which he was governed. As in most ancient countries, the men who were by nature the cleverest made themselves priests and whenever a new king was selected, they pretended their gods had selected him. As soon as the choice was made known the people fell down before the king and gave him all honor. He was beautifully clothed and given great power but he could not go beyond what the laws of the country allowed, so that Meroe was what is called a limited or constitutional monarchy.

        When the priests felt that the king had reigned long enough, they sent to him a messenger with the emblem of death; as soon as the poor king saw this emblem he was compelled to retire at once and kill himself. So you see that even in those days to be a king was not always to be either safe or happy.

        The city of Meroe was a lively, bustling place, for its streets were crowded with caravans bringing in from the surrounding regions, gold, silver, copper, salt, iron, frankincense, etc. These articles were sent down to Egypt and along with them went ideas which were even more valuable than the articles of commerce. The Egyptians enlarged upon and continued the civilization which was begun in Ethiopia, especially in the kingdom of Meroe and even the pyramids of Egypt are merely larger and elaborated copies of those whose remains are dug up around the site of Meroe.

        Remember that in this old, old kingdom king and court, priests and worshipers, merchants and householders were Negroes.

        On both sides of the Nile have been found the ruins of ancient cities, at least twenty on either side, and learned men have taken great pleasure in bringing to light the buried evidences of what was once the busiest and most prosperous part

of the world; these ruins stretch from beyond Meroe down to Egypt. We shall be able to take, here, but a glance at Egypt for you may find many books on that country. Many persons have devoted their lives to the study of ancient Egypt, and it has been made so important a branch of human knowledge as to have a name of its own--Egyptology.

        Some historians tell us very plainly that the Egyptians were not Africans at all and so Negroes need not be proud of what they did, but it is not reasonable to suppose that the natives had obligingly left that most fertile region uninhabited to await the coming of strangers and as there is so much uncertainty as to whom the Egyptians were and whence they came and as to which were Negroes and which were Egyptians proper in those dim and distant days, it is just as well to believe that we were and are all related though we cannot tell exactly the degree of our cousinship.

        Alexandria in Egypt contained the largest and most remarkable library of the ancient world, for that city was the seat of learning and culture. This library, gathered through hundreds of years before the advent of Christ, by the rulers of Egypt was burnt when the fleet of Julius Cæsar caught fire in the harbor. If any books escaped, or were subsequently replaced they must have perished when the whole quarter of the city was burnt by Aurelian.

        While the destruction of the library was a tremendous loss to the whole human family, the Negro was by far the heaviest loser; for there can be no doubt that many now disputed points of race origin, relationship, and achievement might have been settled by the facts recorded upon the parchments and scrolls with which the shelves of the Alexandrian Library were filled.

        It is very certain that the Egyptians and other peoples of northern Africa were, as has been said, far ahead of the rest of the continent, but nevertheless it is also certain that the neighboring countries of Europe obtained their first instruction in the arts and sciences and received their first ideas of a written language from what has been in modern times called

the Dark Continent, but which was in olden days a light which lighted the world. Civilization moved northward into Europe rather than southward into the heart of Africa for the reason that travel in the interior, on account of the jungles, deserts, mountains, swamps and ravines, was unsafe and uncomfortable.

        The most ancient rulers of Egypt were called Pharaohs and they governed the country for hundreds of years. A Pharaoh was ruling when Joseph was sold by his brothers into Egypt and another Pharaoh reigned when the Jews, who had been held in bondage many years, were led by Moses out of the country over the Red Sea into the Promised Land in Asia. The Persians conquered the country about 520 B. C.; after them it was ruled by Alexander the Great; next by a line of kings called Ptolmies; then by Rome; next by the Mohammedans and today it is largely under the government of England. Egypt played a wonderful and important part in the world's history for thousands of years. It was to this country that the child Jesus was carried to be saved from wicked King Herod who would have killed him. There is near the site of ancient Heliopolis, the City of the Sun, a sycamore tree about which the legend runs that it once sheltered the Holy Family; here, also, at Heliopolis, it is said that Moses taught and Jeremiah wrote.

        It was when Alexandria was the fountain of the learning of the ancient world that the Christian religion took root in northern Africa, There were men from Africa present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, when hundreds testified to the wonderful works of God, each in his own tongue. These men and others first took the Gospel to Africa, and it flourished there unhindered for nearly three centuries, but while Diocletian was Emperor of Rome, Christians suffered great persecution.

        In the Church in Africa, as elsewhere, many died--young girls and women among them--rather than betray their faith. "Among those who thus perished was Leonidas, the father of Origon, Potimicæna, who was put to death by being slowly dipped into burning pitch; Felicitas, a beautiful slave girl, who

was torn to pieces by wild beasts; Perpetua, a young woman of high birth, and many others."

        When Constantine became Emperor, these persecutions ceased, but, as you see, African Christians had their share in the glory of martyrdom.

        You have all heard of the great pyramids of Egypt built in a time so far distant that no one knows just how old they are. Other structures of interest are the Sphynx, the catacombs and the labyrinth. The labyrinth is built or hewn out of marble, is partly underground and is said to have comprised twelve palaces and 3,000 chambers.

        Abyssinia is another African country of great antiquity. It is a very mountainous country and its climate is peculiar, for though so near the equator the earth never becomes warm, but is always damp and chilly while the nights fall suddenly and are very cold. This is because the country is so high above the level of the sea.

        The Abyssinians claim that their country is the Sheba whose queen journeyed to the court of King Solomon to behold its glory and to learn of the wisdom of the great king. It is said that she was converted to the Jewish faith and that her people believed in the true God long befor Christ came, and it is known that Christianity was established in Abyssinia before 350 A. D.

        Carthage, which flourished near modern Tunis, was one of the richest and most important states of the ancient world. It was founded by Phoenicians and at first these paid a yearly tax to the native Africans who owned the soil, but just as soon as the colonists grew strong enough they waged war against the Africans and finally conquered them. The natives were driven back into the interior where they were cruelly treated, heavily burdened by taxation and forced to till the soil for their conquerers.

        Meanwhile the settlers were marrying the native woman and there arose a race known as Afro-Phoenicians or Liby-Phoenicians. They became very numerous and were an important

factor in the country, many of them becoming colonists, in their turn, and settling in other countries. Some settled in Spain and at one time 30,000 of the Afro-Phoenicians emigrated from Carthage and settled on the west coast of Africa south of the Straits of Gibraltar.

        The Carthagenians were a seafaring people and their trading vessels went to northern Europe, western Africa, and, it is supposed, as far as the Azores. They planted colonies in many countries and are said to have worked the tin mines of Cornwall in Wales. The Carthegenian navy was for long the most powerful in the ancient world, and "the waters of every sea were white with her sails."

        Finally, a great rivalry arose between Carthage and Rome and after a time these two countries went to war. For the space of nearly one hundred and twenty-five years these countries were enemies. There was first war, then peace between them, but in 146 B. C. Rome conquered and many thousands of the Carthagenians were killed by the sword or buried under the burning ruins of their homes; the remainder were sold into slavery, the Romans razed what was left of the city to the ground, plowed up the, earth and sowed salt in the furrows as a sign of utter desolation. Hannibal, the great general, was a Carthagenian who did his part in his country's service. He won many great victories and finally killed himself rather than fall into the hands of the enemy.

        All the pomp and pride of these ancient countries, their wealth and power, the things for which they killed themselves or killed each other have melted into nothingness, have become "as a tale that is told." Yet we learn from their story how important a part Africa played in ancient times.

CHAPTER IV.

EXPLORATIONS IN AFRICA.

        The interior of Africa has always abounded in those things which civilized men prize and the earliest explorers were seeking for articles of value to commerce. Beside these, the Egyptians sent out many hunters for the elephants so useful in their wars and the Romans paid good prices for lions and other wild beasts for their arenas and circuses. These

RIONGA, A NATIVE CHIEF, RECEIVES BAKER

ancient explorers and more modern ones also brought wonderful tales of the creatures they claimed to have seen, creatures which never existed anywhere, such as dragons, griffins, headless men and so forth. Such tales did not serve to make men anxious to enter Africa.

        Then Arabs, however, as missionaries or as traders, have, for centuries, been familiar with the interior of this great continent. Arabian missionaries converted many tribes to the

Mohammedan faith, and even before the rise of Mohammedanism, "Negroes shared in the learning and politics of Arabia." Travelers in the interior of Africa have often been astonished at the number of natives who could read and write the Arabic language; hundreds of them know many passages of the Koran (the Mohammedan Bible) and can repeat them from memory as well as extracts from other Arabic writings.

        The Arab traders early penetrated far into the country seeking for the articles in themselvs so valueless to Africa but worth so much money in other countries. They also hunted the natives whom they kidnapped and sold into slavery. Selfishness, cruelty and treachery were the lessons they taught and the early white traders and later ones, too, did very little better. One writer says of the latter that "a white man to the natives of Africa stood for wrong and cruelty alone. The very word meant separation of wives and husbands, parents and children to be carried to a fate as mysterious as it proved to be horrible. Hence the white man's greed and cruelty was a bar to his curiosity and energy; his love of knowledge and science was defeated by his love of sin and wrong, and the civilized world, instead of wondering at the ignorance and barbarity that kept back for so long a time, all efforts to know and to help should wonder that anyone from the outside world should have been allowed to live for a day where these wronged, outraged savages ruled."

        But with all that Africa has suffered, and, in some places, is still suffering at the hands of so-called civilized men, there have been brave, noble men and women who have devoted the best years of their lives to Africa and some have finally died a martyr's death at the hands of those whom they were trying to help.

        One of the first of these was Mungo Park, a native of Scotland. In 1795, when he was only twenty-four years old, he went to West Africa to try to find the source, or beginning of the River Niger. One of the drawbacks to the west coast is its deadly climate, and shortly after arriving at Kano young

Park fell ill of fever and remained an invalid for five months. While recovering, he learned the language of the Mandingoes, a native tribe, and this was a great help to him.

        He finally started with only six natives on his journey. Had he been older and wiser he would have taken a larger company. At one time they were captured by Moors and a wild boar was turnd loose upon them, but instead of attacking Park the beast turned upon his owners, and this aroused their superstitious fears. The king then ordered him to be put in a hut where the boar was tied while he and his chief officers discussed whether Park should lose his right hand, his eyes or his life. But he escaped from them, and after nearly two years of wandering in search of the Niger's source, during which time he suffered many hardships and made many narrow escapes he returned to Kano, the place where he had been ill.

        At one time during his journey Mr. Park arrived in the neighborhood of Sego and as a white man had never been seen in that region before, the natives looked upon him with fear and astonishment. He asked to see the king, but no one would take him across the river, and the king sent word that he would by no means receive the strange traveler until he knew what the latter wanted. Park was tired, hungry and discouraged and was preparing to spend the night in the branches of a tree when a native woman pitied him. She invited him into her hut, and with the hospitality for which the natives are noted, shared with him her food. By signs she made him understand that he might occupy the sleeping mat and as she and her daughters sat spinning they sang their native songs, among them the following which was impromptu and composed in honor of the stranger:

                         The wind roared and the rain fell.
                         The poor white man, faint and weary, came and sat under our tree.
                         He has no mother to bring him milk; no wife to grind his corn.

                         Chorus.

                         Let us pity the white man;
                         No mother has he to bring him milk;
                         No wife to grind his corn.

        Speaking of this incident Park says: "Trifling as this recital may appear to the reader, to a person in my situation the circumstance was affecting in the highest degree. I was oppressed by such unexpected kindness and sleep fled from my eyes. Another writer says: "The name of the woman and the alabaster box of precious ointment, the nameless widow, who, giving only two mites, had given more than all the rich, and this nameless woman of Sego, form a trio of feminine beauty and grandeur of which the sex in all ages may be proud."

        Mungo Park went from Kano back to England and as every one had thought him dead long ago his return caused great rejoicing throughout the country. Eight years afterward he went again to Africa on the same errand and with quite a company, but one by one his companions sickened and died and finally, though having traveled many miles and endured much suffering, Park himself was drowned while trying to escape from the natives and without coming in sight of the Niger's source.

        David Livingstone was also of Scotland and was born about eight years after Park died. His parents were poor, and as he was compelled to work in the day, he received his early education at a night school. He was of a serious turn and while quite young decided to give his life to the cause of missions. In 1840, at the age of twenty-seven he went to South Africa where for nine years he preached and taught at various stations in the vicinity of, Cape Town; he also sent to England during this time much information of value to geographers and scientists.

        At length he started into the interior on a journey of discovery, realizing, as we all finally do, that by a true, sincere and unselfish life he might point the way to God no matter where he was nor what his occupation. And so, for years, he devoted himself to the double cause of religion and discovery.

        Sometimes for months and again for years there would be no word from him and upon two or three occasions searching

parties were sent out to find him. He traveled thousands of miles and made many discoveries and though he sometimes met hostile tribes who would engage him and his followers in battle, because they did not know how good and kind he was, wherever they had the chance to really know him they became his true friends. His native servants were devoted to him and among other things he taught them English. Chumah and Susi were the names of two who rendered him valuable assistance.

        During his travels he went one time from Cape Colony up to the northwestern part of what is now Matebele; another time he went much farther north and discovered Lake Nyassa; with Stanley he sailed up to the northern end of Lake Tanganyika and his last trip was made to Lake Bangeola, where he had been once before. Here he fell sick and died.

        His wife had died in Africa about ten years before and he had hoped after exploring the region around Bangeola to return to England and spend his last days with his children; but, alas, this was not to be. Those who were with him when he died embalmed his body as best they could and at last succeeded in carrying it to Zanzibar. Here it was received by a government vessel and carried to England, and Livingstone was buried with the honor he deserved in Westminster Abby.

        Samuel White Baker, an English explorer of note, had traveled much in Asia and Africa and in 1864 had discovered Albert Nyanza or Lake Victoria Nyanza had previously been discovered by two explorers--Speke and Grant. In 1869, Baker with his wife and a large company which included soldiers sailors, a physician, engineers, carpenters and other trained men, started from Egypt, with the consent of the Khedive or king for the purpose of establishing honest trade with the natives instead of the cheating system and also to break up the slave trade as far south as possible. His plan was to reach the interior by means of the Nile and its branches and he took along several vessels, some of these were in pieces to be put together when needed.

        You must remember that these explorers had nothing to

guide them and that they were making a map not only for themselves but for the rest of the world. They never knew one day through what sort of country they would be traveling next nor whether the natives would be friends or enemies.

        On this trip, after sailing for over a month through waters sometimes so covered with vegetation that the men were compelled to swim ahead and cut a canal for the boats with their swords, through waters filled with crocodiles which kept the men in constant fear, through waters in which were many hippotami which sometimes upset the small boats and broke holes in the large ones, Baker and his party were compelled to return to the Nile proper because the water became too shallow to float the boats. But he and his companions would not give up and after resting a while, set out once more.

        On the way to Fatiko, the home of Abou Saood and the hotbed of slavery, they met hostile tribes of natives, and the Arabs who made their living by selling slaves, set many traps for them. After much hardship, suffering hunger and thirst, lack of clothing, the burning of their camp and many other losses, they succeeded in conquering their enemies and Baker and his party had the happiness of knowing that their trials had not been in vain. The slave station of Abou Saood was completely broken up and that cruel, wicked man left for Cairo saying that he had been wrongfully treated and would enter a complaint against Baker at the court of the Khedive. However, for the time being, at least, the slave trade throughout the entire region through which Baker had passed and down to the equator no longer existed; the natives returned to their homes and began once more to till the soil.

        Henry M. Stanley has been called the most successful explorer of modern times. He made three separate trips into the heart of Africa, each of which was entirely successful, though at the cost of many lives.

        His first trip, made in 1870, was for the purpose of finding Livingstone, his second was for the purpose of carrying forward the work which Livingstone had not been able to finish;

at this time Stanley explored Lake Victoria and proved it to be one of the sources of the Nile. His last trip was for the relief of Emin Pasha, who after being appointed governor of a province in the interior had been surrounded by hostile natives.

        He published to the world many interesting and wonderful facts about the country and inhabitants of Africa. Money, at that time was of no use in the heart of Africa and food and other necessaries were exchanged for beads, bells, wire, cloth and such other things as the natives could not make. More than once life hung on a string of beads or a yard of cloth.

        If you have imagined that all of the native Africans resemble the pictures of such usually placed in school books you are greatly mistaken, for, according to Stanley there is as much difference in color, features and character between the tribes of Africa as between the various nations of Europe. Some African tribes are of lighter or darker brown, some are black, some resemble what are called mulatoes, and there is a tribe living on Mt. Gambaragara, near Victoria Nyanza members of which were seen by both Livingstone and Stanley and who are as fair as Europeans with brown hair. "The Wahumba, is a fine well-formed race, the mouth exceedingly well cut, delicately small; the nose that of the Greeks, limbs long, shapely and clean as those of the antelope. Their robes of calf and goat skins hang from the shoulders and fall to the knees." "The Wadoe is a warlike intelligent people living in a picturesque country. On account of their superior physique and intelligence they are eagerly sought for as slaves by the cruel Arabs." "The Wagogo, a sturdy native with his rich complexion, his lion front, menacing aspect, bullying nature, haughty, proud and quarrelsome, is a mere child with a man who will study his nature and not offend his vanity. He believes in God or the Sky Spirit and his prayers are generally directed to Him when parents die." In the course of his journeyings Stanley saw many beautiful native women and many dignified and handsome men.

        King Ruoma was, perhaps one of the most positive native characters with whom this explorer came in contact. Hearing that Stanley was about to cross his territory the king sent the following message: "Ruoma sends salaams to the white man. He does not want the white man's cloth, beads or wire, but the white man must not pass through his country. Ruoma does not want to see him or any other man with long red hair down to his shoulders, white face and big red eyes. Ruoma is not afraid of him, but if the white man will come near his country, Rouma and Mirambo will fight him." Stanley did not lead his company across Rouma's territory.

        Ruling over Uganda, the country next to Rouma, was the powerful King Mtesa, one of the finest native characters mentioned by explorers. Mtesa is described as a "tall and slender man, but with broad powerful shoulders. His eyes were large, his face intelligent and amiable while his mouth and nose were like those of a Persian Arab. As soon as he began to speak, Stanley was captivated by his courteous , amiable manner. He was infinitely superior to the Sultan of Zanzibar, and impressed one as a colored gentleman who had learned his manners by contact with cilivized, cultured men, instead of being, as he was, a native of Central Africa who had never seen but three white men before in his life. Stanley was astonished at his native polish."

        Mtesa had been converted to Mohammedanism by an Arab but soon agreed to observe the Christian as well as the Moslem Sabbath. He also caused the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Golden Rule to be written on a board that he might read them daily. Under his government, Uganda was a happy, prosperous country.

        In addition to the foregoing several other explorers have done good work in Africa; but these are mentioned that you may form a general idea as to what has been accomplished along this line.

        It is said that more than seven hundred explorers have traveled in Africa and of that number fully five hundred have found there their last resting place. Of the missionaries, both men and women who have died in Africa, there is a long roll.

A NATIVE YOUTH OF MODERN AFRICA

CHAPTER V.

MODERN AFRICA.

        IN MODERN times Africa has been little more than a big, rich grabbag for the great powers of the world. By might not by right have they divided her territory among them, and small indeed is the portion to which the natives may lay claim. Thoughtful people agree that there are two reasons for this state of affairs. First, the lack of unity, or oneness among native Africans, which is the most important reason, and second, inferior knowledge of modern warfare and lack of modern arms. Says one English writer, "No single separate African race or tribe has yet felt anything like unity with the black race in general; otherwise Europe and Asia could not continue to govern Africa." As it is, England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Turkey claim large portions of African soil.

        Friends of Africa have often been discouraged by some of the barriers to progress which have been unnecessarily placed in the way. A white American missionary has recently written: "I wonder that the Africans do not shoot with poisoned arrows, every white man that lands on their coast, for he has brought them rum, and is still bringing it; and in a few decades more, if the rum traffic continues, there will be few left in Africa to be saved. The vile rum, in that tropical climate, is depopulating the country more rapidly than famine, pestilence and war. Africa, with the simple gospel of Jesus is saved, but Africa with rum is eternally lost."

        In modern times there have been a few of the native kingdoms which have attracted the attention of the world by their tribal unity and their ability to resist the stealthy advance of civilized nations. The Ashantis first came under European notice in the early part of the eighteenth century. King Osai Tutu, who founded the nation, brought into union several neighboring tribes, by means of warfare or by tactful management. He was slain in 1731. The Ashantis kept up a constant

war with the neighboring Fantis, and when the latter sought British protection, the Ashantis fought against them both, with varying fortunes, for many years.

        In the war of 1896, the English won and King Prempeh surrendered and was exiled. "Though outwardly submissive, the chiefs of Kumasi, the principal tribe, were far from reconciled to British rule, and in 1900 a serious rebellion broke out in the Kumasi, Adansi, and Kokofu tribes. Rebellion was crushed and Ashanti formally joined to the British dominions and given a separate administration under control of the governor of the Gold Coast. It was reported, in 1905, that the Ashantis were becoming reconciled to the English and that the maintenance of the tribal system, and the support given to the lawful chiefs, did much to win the confidence and respect of a people naturally suspicions, and mindful of their exiled king."

        Yorubaland is a large tract in the hinterland of Lagos, West Africa. The Yorubas are said to vary in color from jet black to quite light, and in features, from the heavy, thick cast of countenance to the more delicate and refined. There is among them a tradition that their forefathers were of Oriental origin, and a large number of American Negroes are said to be of Yoruba stock. The nation comprises many tribes and they are both city-dwelling and farming people. It is said that the houses of the chiefs often contain as many as fifty rooms, decorated with carvings representing symbolic devices, fabulous animals, and hunting or warlike scenes. They have an excellent system of government, the power being in the hands of a Council of Elders, presided over by a chief. The chief must always be taken from members of one or two families and owes his position to a combination of the principles of heredity and election. Yoruba is now divided into semi-independent states, placed under British protection by the treaty of 1893. The country extends from Benin on the east to Dahomey on the west, and contains several large cities, some with a population of 40,000.

        In 1821, Adjai, a boy of about eleven years, was captured in Yorubaland and sold into slavery. The next year, he was rescued by a British ship and landed at Sierra Leone. The missionaries cared for and educated him and in December, 1825, he was baptised and given the name, Samuel Adjai Crowther. He became a teacher at Furah Bay and afterwards an energetic missionary in the Niger country. In 1842, he went to England and entered the Missionary College, and in June, 1843, was ordained by Bishop Blomfield. Returning to Africa, he went first to Yorubaland and afterwards to Abookuta where he labored earnestly. At the latter place, he translated the Bible and the Prayer Book into Yoruba and other dialects and also prepared school books for the people. He showed the natives how to improve their way of farming and how to trade their cotton for other things. He went on several expeditions up the Niger and afterwards went to England, where on St. Peter's Day, 1864, he was consecrated first Bishop of the Niger. Bishop Crowther, upon reaching Africa again, established several missions and turned many to Christianity. He died of paralysis on December 31, 1891, having for many years displayed as a missionary, untiring industry, great practical wisdom, and deep piety.

        Benin was another powerful native kingdom. It was first visited by the English in 1553 and for many years carried on a trade in ivory, palm oil, pepper, etc. The Beni are said to be a pure Negro tribe, speaking a distinct language and having a well-organized government. In the seventeenth century, it was known to Europeans as Great Benin. The King of Benin was a puppet in the hands of the priests, who were the real rulers. The people are skilled in weaving cloth, ivory carving and working in brass, and much of the work of the native artists is to be seen.

        In 1897 the English consul general sent to ask for an audience with the king. The latter requested the English to remain away until after the annual "customs," but in spite of this request, the consul, with eight others started for Benin and

were massacred on the way, only two escaping. A large English force was sent against Benin and after a long, hard fight the city was conquered and partly burned. The king and chiefs were tried, the king deported to Calabar and the chiefs executed. The whole country is now governed by a Council of Chiefs, under supervision of a British resident.

        The kingdom of Dahomey, like those of Benin and Ashanti was a purely Negro and pagan state. King Gezo, its most famous ruler, reigned forty years and under him the country was exceedingly prosperous. He reorganized the women warriors, or Amazons, for which Dahomey is famous. The strongest and best looking women were drafted into the Amazon regiments and they were the pride of Dahomy. Each of these regiments had its own peculiar uniform and badges and the Amazons took the post of honor and danger in all battles.

        "Sir R. F. Burton, who saw the army marching out of Kano on an expedition in 1862, computed the whole force of female troops at twenty-five hundred, of whom one-third were unarmed or only half armed. Weapons were blunderbusses, flint muskets and bows and arrows and the system of warfare was to surprise the enemy." "The Amazons were carefully trained and the king was in the habit of holding "autumn maneuvers" for the benefit of foreigners. Many Europeans have witnessed a mimic assault, and agree in ascribing a marvelous power of endurance to the women. Lines of thorny acacia were piled up one behind the other to represent defences, and at a given signal the Amazons, barefooted and without any special protection, charged and disappeared from sight. Presently, they emerged within the lines, torn and bleeding but apparently insensible to pain, and the parade closed with a march past, each warrior leading a pretended captive."

        The independent existence of Dahomey ended with the surrender of Bohanzi, the last native king and the kingdom is now a French colony.

        The Basutos of South Africa were able for a great while to

maintain their independence against the English and the Boers through the patriotism and intelligence of Mosesh, their great leader and king. When he was forced to make a choice of allies, he had the insight and intelligence to choose the English and in the protectorate of Basutoland the natives are sturdy and prosperous. Moshesh died in 1869, but his people still enjoy the fruits of his tact and skill. "As a result of the great work of Moshesh, Basutoland is today almost entirely self-governing, with nearly 300,000 inhabitants, with annual exports of grain, cattle and wool amounting to $700,000 a year." It is exceedingly encouraging to feel that when "the time" comes, as come it will, that the descendants of all these brave peoples shall again have opportunity for self-government they will be able to add to their natural capacity that which they have learned from contact with modern civilization.

        The Barbary States, on whose soil Carthage once stood, play, in these days, an unimportant part in the world and the several states are under the government of different nations. The native ruler of Egypt is called the Khedive, but at present the government is practically in the hands of Great Britain. Travel in Eastern lands has become so rapid and comfortable that a trip to Egypt is now taken by many people as a sort of summer outing, and every year thousands of tourists gaze in wonder and awe at the Pyramids, the Sphynx, the Catacombs and the River Nile.

        The Kingdom of Abyssinia was, for many years wisely governed by King Menelik, who called himself, among other things, "the King of Kings and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah." Because the King had been in ill health for some time, Prince Lidj Jeassu was, in May, 1909, at the age of thirteen, proclaimed heir to the Abyssinian throne, and Ras Hessama was appointed to act as guardian of the little heir and to govern in his stead. In May, 1911, Prince Lidj Jeassu was proclaimed Emperor.

        The inhabitants are justly proud of their centuries-old history and prefer to be known by their ancient name of Ethiopians.

As a whole they are an extremely intelligent people, grave of countenance, elaborately courteous and it is said that with training and experience they will be fully "capable of meeting the competition of the Western world." Their dress is the toga such as was worn by the Greeks and Romans. Menelik is described as "tall and straight, with a face full of intelligence and the manners of a gentleman as well as a king." As a part of their literature, handed down for centuries, the Abyssians prize extracts from the Old Testament, in the Gheze language, the Sabbatical laws, commandments given to Moses by God and a translation of Josephus.

        It is said that on the plains and lower lands the soil of Abyssinia is very fertile and produces sometimes three crops per year; nearly every grain that will grow anywhere, can be grown in Abyssinia. The inhabitants also engage in raising sheep and goats and a certain amount of commerce is carried on. "By methods as old as Moses, gold to the average amount of five hundred thousand dollars is annually produced."

        Recently a commission was appointed by the President of the United States to visit Abyssinia and to endeavor to establish friendly relations between the two countries. The commissioners were received with great pomp and assured of the interest and friendship of Menelik. Modern Abyssinia is said to be one of the few remaining lands of romance and adventure.

        You have already heard of the Congo Free or Independent State. It was so called because in 1885, representatives from fourteen countries, the United States included, met and agreed that in that part of Africa, at least, trade should be free to all, the navigation of the Congo river should be free and the natives should not be oppressed, but encouraged to make the most of themselves. King Leopold of Belgium was one of those who consented to this and he succeded in having himself appointed a kind of guardian to see that the agreement was carried out; but he was a wicked, cruel king, sly and crafty and by degrees he obtained absolute power over every soul in the Congo. He claimed that the Congoland and everything in its was his and

that the natives were simply his tenants and, strange to say, the thirteen other countries allowed him to do so.

        The Congo is a vast region and has been described as being as large as the whole of Europe, omitting Spain and Russia. Leopold placed over every village in the Congo, men as heartless and cruel as himself, and if the natives of a village failed to bring out of the forest as much ivory and rubber as the overseers thought they should, these wicked men would send after them cannibal soldiers who would burn the huts and kill and eat the natives. The terrible things that were reported from the Congo, horrified the civilized world, and more than once Leopold pretended to stop them, but recently accounts of awful conditions have been published. It is said that in seven years, driven by their cruel taskmasters, the natives gathered fifty-five millions of dollars' worth of rubber for which they received barely enough to keep them alive.

        Dr. W. H. Sheppard, himself a colored man and a citizen of the United States, took up missionary work in Africa in 1893. In 1911 he returned to America from the Congo region and tells many interesting things of the tribes with which he came into contact. Among them there was a tribe which he was the first civilized man to visit. The king of this tribe had heard of foreigners and their cruelties to the natives, and as he thought they were all alike, he issued an edict that no foreigner should enter his kingdom. But Dr. Sheppard had won the love of the tribes around Stanley Pool, and accompanied by some of them, he finally made his way into the forbidden land. He found the natives weaving their own cloth, making their own farming and domestic implements, and living very contentedly. He also came into contact with a tribe of cannibals, whose lives were, as a matter of course, on a much lower plane. He preached to them the Gospel, and after many years has the happiness to know that he and his helpers have been the means of bringing many to Christianity and civilization.

        There are still in Central Africa, regions which are unknown to the civilized world, but in some places of which until recently

little has been heard, the natives have reached a high state of development. As you know, the Arabs who believe in the Mohammedan religion have for centuries been traveling through Africa, and in many places have erected villages for permanent homes and intermarried with the natives. This is true of Nigeria where the natives show their contact with the Arabs in many ways. The two most important tribes of this region are the Fallani and the Hausas, both of which are highly intelligent and progressive. Kano, the chief city of this locality, has been called the Chicago of West Africa and is a busy city with markets crowdeded with buyers and merchants selling vegetables, fruits, fowl, sheep, goats and many other things, while its shops are filled with native and foreign products. The people engage in tilling the soil, tending herds, weaving, dyeing, and manufacturing pottery, native cloth, farming tools and simple arms such as daggers, spears, etc.

        Uganda, where good King Mtesa reigned in Stanley's time, is now a British protectorate; but there is still a native king. It is said that one hundred thousand of the natives are Christians and twice as many of them can read and write. Beside the king there is a court and a parliament, nobles, ministers and a code of laws. The people are industrious, cultured and peaceable. "The white man cannot live here long at a time, for in his flesh every cut or scratch festers, small wounds become running sores and malaria turns to the fatal black-water fever."

        South Africa is rich in gold and diamonds and for many years was governed by people called Boers, who are of Dutch descent. Recently the Boers and England went to war and England conquered the country and added it to her other possessions. It was to this country that Livingstone, the explorer, went, taught and preached to the people and converted many to Christianity. But the Boers were not kind to the natives and oppressed them in many ways.

        Spreading all over South Africa is a great tribe of natives called Kaffirs and of these the Zulus are said to be the best type.

They are noted for their hospitality and though partly nomadic, they are lovers of home and children. Those Kaffirs who have not been tainted by the vices of the Boers are described as the "most intellectual of all savage races, with lofty, thoughtful foreheads." In complexion they are dark with a tinge of red, the skin is thin and fine grained and the hair crisp and curly. They are very proud of their appearance and if asked what complexion they prefer will say, "black like mine, with a little red." The blacker a person is the more beautiful the Kaffirs consider him and though Albinos are sometimes found among them they are pitied rather than admired. In recent years several Negro missionaries have gone to South Africa as well as to other sections and the natives are joining the churches, educating their children and learning many of the arts of civilization.

        Of the West Coast of Africa a writer has recently said that "to partition finally among the powers this strip of death and disease, of unaccountable wealth, of unnamed horrors and cruelties, has taken many hundreds of years, has brought to the black man every misery that can be inflicted upon a human being and to thousands of white men, death and degradation or great wealth." It was from this part of Africa that the majority of slaves were brought to America.

        Sierra Leone was founded on the West Coast by English philanthropists as a home for freedmen, and later American friends of humanity established a colony adjoining Sierra Leone for the same purpose, and this colony was finally called the Republic of Liberia.

        The native tribes which live in Sierra Leone and Liberia and in that part of the adjoining country which reaches toward central Africa and which is called the hinterland, are a very interesting people. The most progressive of them are the Mandingoes (whose language Mungo Park learned) and the Vai. Of these the men are, as a rule, stalwart and handsome and many of the women are beautiful. Other tribes are the Gora, the Sunu, and the Kru, to which belong the Grebe, the De, the Basa

and the Gibi. The Krumen are the workingmen of the West Coast. They are heavily built and muscular and neither the women nor the men are especially attractive in appearance; but they are very industrious and much of coast traffic depends on their labor.

        The natives of this section manufacture a kind of pottery which is very artistic and not unlike that made by the Indians in this country. They also weave a cloth which is called "country cloth," and rude musical instruments, swords, wooden plates, drums and similar articles are made.

        Throughout Africa there exist secret societies known by different names in different places. The societies for men and women are separate and distinct and they are not allowed to hold sessions at the same time. In the vicinity of Sierra Leone the women's society is called the Bandu and the men's, the Poro. When the older women of the tribe decide to hold a meeting, a space is cleared in the forest or bush and thus the session has been named the Bandu Bush. The chief officers are called "dibbles," "boogies," or "devils," and they dress in a very fantastic manner. Over the head and face is worn a hideous mask from which hangs a covering of palm fiber so adjusted as to completely hide the figure and disguise the individual. They pretend to be supernatural and only the highest officials know who they really are.

        Into the Bush the girls from about twelve to sixteen are taken to be initiated. The girls who do not go are looked upon with contempt and are called "silly" and "idiots." The initiates remain in the Bush for months and the women teach them many useful things; among others, to be obedient and respectful to their elders and to be good wives and mothers. After they have been sufficiently instructed, they are "medicine washed" and a public feast takes place in their honor, something like a debut party in civilized countries. When the boys go into the Poro bush they are told the laws and legends of their tribe and commanded to respect them, they are taught to

hunt and fish and are also made to understand their duties and responsibilities as future husbands and fathers.

        Of the natives of western Africa a missionary has said: "Whatever other estimate we may form of the African, we may not doubt his love for his mother. Her name, whether she be dead or alive, is always on his lips and in his heart. She is the first thing he thinks of when awakening from his slumbers and the last thing he remembers when he closes his eyes in sleep; to her he confides secrets which he would reveal to no other human being on the face of the earth. He cares for no one else in time of sickness, she alone must prepare his food, administer his medicine, perform his ablutions and spread his mat for him. He flies to her in the hour of his distress, for he well knows if all the rest of the world turn against him, she will be steadfast in her love, whether he be right or wrong." How wonderful must be the women who can inspire and keep such deep and constant love and devotion in the hearts of their children!

        All lovers of humanity earnestly desire the civilization and redemption of the entire continent of Africa, and many plans to that end have been suggested. Speaking of these, Didwho Twe, a native African, and a man of great culture and discernment, has said: "A new form of Christianity for the African race will develop from the present commercialism. The initiative of this great change will come from men of pure African blood--Africans in appearance, Africans in body, Africans in spirit, Africans in pride, Africans in thought."

CHAPTER VI.

SIERRA LEONE.

        THE first historical mention of Sierra Leone was by Hanno of Carthage, who is said to have entered its harbor and to have hurriedly left, because of "the fires in the forests, the beating of drums and the strange cries that issued other of the approach of possible enemies, are used in some

NATIVE KING AND COUNCIL, HINTERLAND, SIERRA LEONE.

from the bushes." These signs by which the tribes warn each parts today and have often struck terror to modern travelers.

        The Portuguese claim to have traded with the natives around Sierra Leone as early as the middle of the fifteenth century and English trade began a century later. Trading posts or "factories" were established by these nations on ground leased from the natives, but at first they were used for a fair exchange of the valuable products of the country. It was not until the colonization of America began that the kidnapping

of the natives themselves was thought of. For about two hundred years the great nations of the world engaged in one form or another of the slave trade, but toward the end of the eighteenth century the horror of the traffic began to force itself upon the attention of friends of humanity everywhere.

        In 1765, Jonathan Strong, a slave who had been brought to England, fell sick and was deserted by his master. He managed to recover and when his master found this out he planned to have him kidnapped and sent back to the West Indies. But the great Granville Sharpe took all interest in the case, interceded for Strong and finally succeeded in sending him out. of his master's reach. Seven years afterward, Sharpe took up the case of James Somerset and plead for him before the High Court at Westminster.

        The case aroused wide-spread interest and the judges finally decided that Somerset could not be held, and that from that time forward every slave who set foot on English soil was free. There were a number of slaves in London at the time and these either left their masters or were driven away. The condition of these people, without money, food or shelter, became very pitiable. And meanwhile American Negroes, who had found shelter with the British army, and other Negroes from the West Indies joined their brethren in London, which added to the distress of the situation. Granville Sharpe, William Wilberforce, Dr. Smeathman, Henry Thornton, Joseph Hardcastle, Thomas Clarkson and other good men joined together to assist these freedmen. After a long discussion, it was thought best to send them to Africa where they might not only become independent, but might help to Christianize the natives and break up the slave trade.

        The English government was persuaded to purchase from Naimbanna, King of Sierra Leone, about twenty square miles of land and the first colony reached Africa on the 9th of May, 1787. Several of the colonists had died on the voyage, and of the 480 persons who embarked only 64 were living in 1791. But the English friends of the colony were not discouraged;

they formed a company which was first called St. George's Bay, and afterward, the Sierra Leone Company. A large sum of money was subscribed and the company sent out more colonists, among them a number of English soldiers who had been granted land as a reward for services. Several hundred Maroons living in Nova Scotia sent a delegate to England to ask that they might be allowed to join the new colony and their request was granted. Some hundreds of Maroons from the West Indies also joined the colony, but the deadly climate caused many to die of fever and destroyed the energy of the survivors. The people became entirely discouraged, and "the whole community smouldered down into chronic mutiny." At this crisis, Zachary Macauley, father of the famous English historian, was sent as general manager of the colony. He acted as governor, secretary, paymaster, envoy to the natives and clergyman, and it is said that he was peculiarly adapted to the work. Things were moving smoothly, under Mr. Macauley's management, when, in 1794, eight French ships filled with sansculottes came into the harbor. The lawless French men entered the town and conducted themselves in such an outrageous manner that the governor asked to be given an audience with the commander of the vessel. Macauley says "As I passed along the wharf the scene was curious enough. The Frenchmen who had came ashore in filth and rags, were now many of them dressed out with women's gowns and petticoats. Others had quantities of cloth wrapped about their bodies or perhaps six or seven suits of clothes upon them at a time. The scene which presented itself on my getting on board the flag-ship was still more singular. The quarter-deck was crowded by a set of ragamuffins whose appearance beggared every previous description, and among whom I sought in vain for some one who looked like a gentleman."

        About the middle of October the French left Freetown, having remained about a month. "They never revisited the place; indeed, they had left it in such a condition that it was not worth their while to return. Ten houses had been carefully

burned to the ground and the livestock killed. Except the clothes on their backs and a little flour, the Europeans had lost everything they had in the world. * * *" "In the office, every desk and every shelf and every drawer, together with the printing and copying presses, had been completely demolished in the search for money. The floors were strewn with types, and papers and leaves of books, and I had the mortification to see a great part of my own labor and of the labor of others for several years, totally destroyed. At the other end of the house I found telescopes, hydrometers, barometers, thermometers and other articles lying about in fragments. In the town library the volumes were tossed about and defaced with the utmost wantonness, and if they happened to bear the least resemblance to Bibles they were torn in pieces and trampled on. In the collection of natural curiosities, plants, seeds, dried birds, insects and drawings were scattered about in great confusion. The destruction of livestock was immense. In my own yard alone, they killed fourteen dozen fowls, and there were not less than twelve hundred hogs shot in the town. It was unsafe to walk in the streets of Freetown during the forty-eight hours that followed its capture because the French crews were firing at the pigs of the poor freedmen over whom they had gained such a questionable victory." But as has been said, the French finally left Sierra Leone, and left a very disheartened set of colonists behind them. However, Mr. Macauley rallied them as best he could and when he left the colony in 1799, because his health had been broken by the fever, things were moving on fairly well; but the year 1800 found the Company with very little money left and the colony in a very discouraging condition.

        The natives, who had for years been able to obtain as much rum and gunpowder as they wanted at the nearest baccaroon, did not appreciate the colony and gave great annoyance. King Naimbanna, however, recognized the superior progress of the Europeans and believed it to be due to their religion, but he was very much puzzled when he found that there was more

than one European religion. After much thought he decided that in order to secure the greatest benefit to his tribe it would be a good plan to send one son to Turkey with orders to become a Mohammedan; another to England to be a Protestant and a third to Portugal to become a Roman Catholic. This he did, but he shortly afterward died and, except that the son who went to England died on the homeward voyage, the result of the King's experiment is not recorded.

        In 1807, twenty years after the landing of the colonists, the Company turned Sierra Leone over to the British government. In the same year the slave trade was declared piracy and an English squadron was stationed along the coast to put down the trade and to recapture slaves. Many hundreds were added to the population in this way.

        Sierra Leone has passed through many trials before reaching its present state, and there are also a number of very interesting things in the history of this colony. The very first person who actually conducted Negro emigrants from America to Africa was Capt. Paul Cuffee, a wealthy Negro of New Bedford, Mass. Among the colored residents who have risen to prominence may be mentioned Mr. John Carr, Queens Advocate in 1840 and Chief Justice in 1841; Samuel Crowther, a native and the first African admitted to the Church of England (1841) and first Bishop of Niger (1864); Staff Surgeon W. Ferguson, of the Army Medical Department (1813) and Acting Governor (1841.); Mr. Robert Dougan, Queens Advocate (1832), Acting Governor (1858-59); Dr. James W. Blyden, scholar, author and diplomat. Dr. Blyden, who died February, 1912, was, on more than one occasion entrusted with missions to the natives in the interior which required great tact and skill and which were always successful.

        On his mission to the King or Alami of Timbo, in 1873, Dr. Blyden was invited to accompany His Majesty to a town fifty miles away where was gathered an army of fifteen or twenty thousands Foulahs. "The town was crowded and preparations for war were being made, but prayers were not neglected.

Five times a day immense crowds gathered at the Mosque and soldiers with a musket in one hand and their beads in the other might be seen going through their devotions."

        The chief official in Sierra Leone is a governor appointed by the English Crown, a colonial secretary, and an executive and a legislative council. Freetown, the greatest seaport on the West Coast, is the seat of government; it has an excellent harbor, fortified with several batteries of heavy guns.

        There is a government school for the sons of chiefs; there are public, technical and church mission schools, besides Fourah Bay College, established in 1845, and connected with the University of Durham. There is at present a railway of about three hundred miles and others planned.

        In size Sierra Leone is about equal to the State of Maine; much of the land has been cleared, and is regularly tilled; the natives come into the cities for employment between the sowing and reaping of their crops; sanitary arrangements and a better understanding of the fever have improved health conditions; many of the citizens are skilled artisans, several are merchants, and Sierra Leone is now a flourishing colony.

CHAPTER VII.

LIBERIA.

        ONE of the first persons in America to publicly denounce the slave trade and to act upon his convictions was the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, R. I. He had owned and sold a slave, but afterward became convinced of the sinfulness of his conduct and devoted himself to arousing the consciences

LIBERIAN SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS.

of his neighbors. He formed a plan to educate freedmen and send them as missionaries to their native land, and he appropriated to that purpose the money received from the sale of his slave; he borrowed money to free a slave whom he thought especially intelligent and brought about the emancipation of three others. In August, 1773, he published an address to the public in which he outlined his plans and begged for assistance; he mentioned two devout African members of the Congregational Church in Newport, by name John Quamine and Bristol Yamma, who were willing and anxious to carry as best they

could, civilization and Christianity to their brethren in Africa.

        Quamine, who was the son of a wealthy native of Annamboe, had been sent by his father to England to be educated, but the person to whom he had been entrusted, had treacherously sold him into slavery. Besides the two named, Salmur Nubia, another young African, was desirous of furthering Dr. Hopkins' plan. But little money was donated and when the Revolutionary War broke out, it put an end to the project. Many years after, two of Dr. Hopkins' proteges joined the Liberian colony--one of them was Salmur Nubia, the other Deacon Newport Gardner.

        In 1787, Dr. Thornton, of Washington, D. C., published "an address to the free people of color in Rhode Island and Massachusetts," inviting them to accompany him to the west coast of Africa, there to plant a colony, but the plan fell through for lack of funds.

        "The first public meeting ever held in this country to consider the subject of African Colonization was called by Dr. Robert Finley, and was held in the Presbyterian Church in Princeton, N. J. After maturing his plans, Dr. Finley went to Washington in December, 1816, during the session of Congress and succeeded in having many of the prominent men present in the city attend a meeting to consider his project. Hon. Henry Clay was present and was called to the chair. After the society was organized many other prominent Americans became actively interested in its work. Among them were Judge Bushrod Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Marshall, John Randolph, J. H. B. Latrobe, and Francis Scott Key.

        About thirty-five years after the first colony of freedmen went from England to Sierra Leone, the American Colonization Society sent a company of freedmen from this country to Africa. About the same time, Congress authorized the President to provide a place in Africa for the slaves who might be recaptured at sea. The government chartered a vessel to carry its agents and agreed to take also the agent of the Colonization

Society and such free Negroes as that organization should recommend. Eighty-nine persons were finally selected and the vessel sailed from New York February 6, 1821, arriving in Sierra Leone March 9.

        The government agents in charge were Rev. Samuel Bacon and John P. Bankson, while Dr. Samuel Crozer was the agent of the colonization society. The emigrants made a temporary settlement at Sherbo, but before land could be purchased for a permanent home the agents and many of the colonists died. Just before his death Dr. Crozer solemnly entrusted the colony and all its posessions to the care of the Rev. Daniel Coker, a colored Methodist preacher. Though new to such responsibility, the latter managed affairs with great ability and received the praise of Dr. Ayres, the next agent.

        After looking over the situation Dr. Ayres decided to buy land on Mesurado Bay, and in December, 1821, made an agreement with the six native kings or headmen who owned the ground, receiving a deed to the same and giving in exchange muskets, beads, gunpowder, rum, knives, forks, spoons, hats coats, looking-glasses, handkerchiefs, canes, umbrellas, soap, etc. The contracting parties pledged themselves to live in peace forever. The first colony arrived at Mesurado on January 7, 1882, and found much work awaiting them; land was to be cleared, shelter made for the provisions, houses built for themselves and many other things to be done which life in a new country required.

        Though the natives had promised friendship it was not long before they began to show signs of hostility. Slave traders in the neighborhood aroused ill feeling by telling the tribes that if the colony was allowed to flourish, it would break up the selling of slaves and would mean the loss of the rum and tobacco which the natives had been taught to prize. Several raids were made upon the colonists and they who were already fighting disease and great bodily discomfort were called upon to take arms and fight for life itself. The situation called forth the best that was in them and among the freedmen who distinguished

themselves in the early days, along more than one line were Lot Cary and wife, Elijah Johnston, Collin Teague and wife, Joseph Blake, Richard Sampson and Joseph Langford and wife. Later came Joseph Shepherd, a school teacher, and J. B. Russwurm, who founded and edited the Liberia Herald and afterward became Governor of New Maryland. Colored lieutenant governors were Lot Cary, Rev. C. M. Waring, Anthony D. Williams, J. J. Roberts. Other notable characters of colonial Liberia were George M. Erskine, a Presbyterian minister; Jacob W. Prout, of Baltimore; Mr. and Mrs. Tittler, missionaries; Archie Moore and Closter Simpson, of Mississippi; Dr. Robert McDowell, of Edinburgh, Scotland, colonial physician; and Charles H. Webb, his assistant.

        In 1836 Mr. James Brown was elected President of the Town Council of Monrovia, an office equal to that of mayor. Mr. Brown took the greatest interest in agriculture and made a number of very interesting and successful experiments. He published several circulars looking to the promotion of good farming in the colony and he also instituted an agricultural conversation club, a fair and a museum. He lent every assistance to the White Plains Manual Labor School, established during his presidency by Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The school was located at Millsburg, a beautiful and fertile spot, and was under the care of Rev. B. R. Wilson.

        No one can read the early history of Liberia without deeply appreciating the spirit of Christian love and devotion which moved the white agents and missionaries most of whom gave their lives to the cause; among them were Bacon, Andrus Sessions, Helton, Ashmun, Randall, Levi Scott and others.

        The spirit which animated Bacon seems to have been in all the rest. Said he, "As regards myself, I counted the cost of engaging in the service before I left America. I came to these shores to die and anything better than death is better than I expect."

        After the colony had been established, many slave owners

in the United States freed their slaves and sent them to Liberia. Hundreds were recaptured from slave vessels, and several companies of free Negroes joined the colony. The colonization society had branches in many states and was untiring in its effort to support the colony. The Colonization Society of Maryland was independent of the National Colonization Society because it was found that thereby it would receive more support from the state legislature. The colony at Cape Palmas was founded and controlled by the Maryland Colonization Society, but finally became part of the Liberian Republic.

        The natives showed themselves willing to be taught. Writing of them in 1827 Lot Cary said: "The heathen in our vicinity are very anxious for the means of light. They will buy it, beg it, and sooner than miss it, they will steal it. In renewing our school establishment up to Cape Mount, I had upwards of forty natives carry out baggage, and though they had every opportunity to commit depredations nothing was lost except fifteen spelling books."

        When it was plainly to be seen that Liberia as a colony could not defend itself steps were taken to form it into an independent government, and on July 26, 1847, the colony became the Free and Independent Republic of Liberia. Article I, Section 1 of the constitution reads as follows: All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

        The republic was first recognized by Great Britain, next by France and then by the other powers. The chief officials are the President, Vice President, a Senate and House of Representatives, a Cabinet and a Supreme Court. The President must be thirty-five years of age and own real estate; electors must be of Negro blood and be owners of land; natives may vote but usually do not except in larger towns.

        Governor Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first President

of the Liberian Republic and served from 1848 to 1856. Succeeding Presidents were Hon. Stephen A. Benson, 1856-64; Daniel Warner, 1864-68; James S. Payne, 1848-70; Edward J. Roye, 1870-72; James Jenkins Roberts, 1872-76; James Spriggs Payne, 1876-78; Anthony W. Gardner, 1878-84; Hiliary R. W. Johnson, 1884-1891; Joseph J. Cheeseman, 1892-98; William D. Coleman, 1898-1900; Garretson W. Gibson, 1900-04; Arthur Barclay, 1904-12.

        On January 1, 1912, Hon. Daniel Edward Howard was inaugurated President of the republic. "It was the first inauguration ever attended by native chiefs."

        Liberia is about the size of the State of New York, and the total population is between fifteen and twenty-one hundred thousand, about twelve thousand of whom are Americo-Liberians. The principal tribes represented are the Mandingo, the Kisi, the Gola, the Kru and allies. The coast region is divided into three counties--Basa, Sino, and Maryland.

        There is a government college, Methodist college and a Protestant Episcopal high school; Dr. Blyden was at one time president of Liberia College. Dr. Alexander Crummell once had charge of the Episcopal mission in that country.

        Francis Burns was the first colored missionary bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church to West Africa, serving from 1858 to 1863. In 1834 he went to Liberia and did splendid work as evangelist and teacher. Upon his election to the bishopric, he came to this country to be ordained and returned to Africa. In a few years his health failed and in 1863 he died. John Wright Roberts was ordained a few years afterward and succeeded Bishop Burns. "Roberts vigorously carried forward the work so wisely begun by his predecessor, and it is said that at the time of his death, in 1875, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Africa numbered more than two hundred thousand souls." "The Right Reverend S. D. Ferguson, the present Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Liberia, is a native of South Carolina. Bishop Ferguson has spent almost his entire life in Africa. Although now advanced in age, he is

extremely active and has a firm grip on his work. He has trained up a fine body of native clergymen."

        In Liberia there is an organized militia, a volunteer force and a police force. Every male citizen from sixteen years old to fifty, capable of bearing arms, is liable to serve. The national flag bears a single star and stripes.

        The hinterland is undeveloped so that the resources of the country are not exactly known, but gold, diamonds, copper, lead, zinc have been found. There are no railways and oxcarts are the vehicles commonly used; a motor road has recently been constructed, about twenty miles in length. Seven lines of steamers regularly visit Monrovia--British, German, French, Spanish.

        The following colored Americans have served as United States Ministers to Liberia: Hon. J. Milton Turner, John H. Smith, Henry Highland Garnet, O. W. L. Smith, Ernest Lyon, W. D. Crum. Hon. James Robert Spurgeon, a graduate of Yale, was at one time secretary of legation. He was commended for excellent service. In 1902, Hon. George W. Ellis, of Kansas University, succeeded Mr. Spurgeon. Mr. Ellis served eight and one half years, and as he is an authority upon questions of economics and sociology, he was able to render important service to the Liberian government.

        Of Liberia, Mr. Ellis says: "Liberia offers to the United States an opening to the most extensive, the most desirable and the best paying commerce of all the world. Agricultural possibilities of the republic are tremendous, on account of the fertility of the soil. Liberia also affords access to a hundred million Sudanese natives, the highest type of the Negro race, and cultured in many arts." "The Sudanese of northern Africa have a civilization dating back for centuries, and similar in its origin to that which made Morocco the metropolis of Negro culture years ago."

        Besides the multitude of valuable articles to be found in Liberia proper and the Hinterland, "not least are the hides of many animals--of the leopard, the beautiful spotted bushcat,

of many varieties of deer, of the monkey, the alligator and the boa-constrictor. All these beasts inhabit the interior. The elephant is to be found within two or three days' walk of Cape Mount. Domestic cattle are also numerous on the Mandingan plains and among some of the coast tribes. These cattle are descended from ancient stock, introduced into Africa centuries ago from Egypt and the Mediterranean."

        The government of Liberia has not had a smooth path, for, envious of the great natural wealth which the country contains, some of the European powers have artfully tried to undermine the republic. In 1910 a commission, appointed by President of U. S., visited Liberia to look into the condition of the country, as the Liberians had urgently requested America to come to their aid. The commission consisted of Messrs. Roland P. Folkner, George Sale and Emmett J. Scott: the latter has been for many years, secretary to Dr. Booker T. Washington. The commission reported favorably and the United States has established a sort of financial protectorate over the country and has placed American officials in charge of Liberian customs.

        Writing of Liberia in 1832 a visitor says: "All my expectations in regard to the health, harmony, order, contentment, industry and general prosperity of the settlers were more than realized. I saw no intemperance nor did I hear a profane word. I know of no place where the Sabbath appears to be more respected than in Monrovia; no man, not even a native, could be hired "for love or money" to work on the Sabbath day. Most of the settlers appear to be rapidly acquiring property and I have no doubt that they are doing better for themserves and their children than they could do in any other part of the world."

        "Previous to the settlement of Liberia the mouths of the rivers St. Paul, Mesurado and St. John were the greatest marts for slaves on the windward coast. Thousands came down those streams each year and were sold away. Now those rivers are used by the husbandmen to bring their produce to Monrovia, Grand Bassa and Etina, and the native paddles

his canoe in safety under the protection of the colonies founded by the Colonization Society."

        A visitor to Liberia in 1910 writes: "The people of Monrovia look, act and dress very like the better class of Negroes of Atlanta or Louisville. All the Americo-Liberians (and many civilized natives) are neatly but not flashily clothed, and most of the aborigines put on an extra cloth when they come to town. I doubt if there be anywhere in the United States a Negro community of the size of Monrovia where there is so little boisterousness or profanity. Swearing is a lost art and I saw but one case of drunkenness during my first month in Monrovia."

        "The Liberian Sabbath suggests the quiet of a New England city--a quiet that is broken only by the sound of church organs and congregational singing. The churches are well attended and the services are conducted with due regard to dignity and reverence." So you see that for at least eighty years the Liberians have conducted themselves with the same dignity and have had no need to be ashamed of their country.

        A writer describes the inaugural ceremonies of President Howard, held January 1, 1912, as very imposing. "It was the first inauguration ever attended by native chiefs, headmen and retainers, and their presence was significant. They talked nothing but peace and prosperity, and promised to do all in their power to make the new administration a highly successful one. Nearly two thousand natives from the interior listened to President Howard advocate that they be given equal rights, and when on the second day President Howard and Vice President Harmon donned attire similar to that worn by the native chiefs, the incident occasioned much good feeling."

        Following is the official family of the new administration: President, Daniel Edward Howard; Vice President, Samuel George Harmon; Secretary of State, C. D. B. King; Secretary of Treasury, Thomas W. Haynes; Secretary of War and Navy, Wilmot E. Dennis; Postmaster General, Col. Isaac Moort; Secretary of Interior, J. J. Morris; Attorney General, Samuel

A. Ross; Secretary of Education, B. W. Payne; Executive Secretary to the President, Walter F. Walker.

        Still another writer sums up a recent article on Liberia as follows: The Republic needs men, not so much missionaries in the ordinary sense of the word. Like the Negroes of the United States, she appears to have no lack of preachers. She needs men who will support themselves by their toil, and who, as citizens, will strive for the national good. Especially does she need men of mechanical ability to grapple with her industrial tasks. I think if I were a Negro, Liberia would appeal to me strongly upon this ground. I think I would count it a privilege to cast in my lot with the Negro Republic, to toil with her for high national ideals, for the assimilation and civilization of my brothers of the jungle, and to prove to the world what the black man can do.

CHAPTER VIII.

HAITI AND SANTO DOMINGO.

        HAITI lies in the Atlantic Ocean a short distance, about 600 miles, to the southeast of Florida. This little island which Christopher Columbus named Hispanola or little Spain and which was afterward called Santo Domingo, has

THE PRESIDENT'S PALACE, PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI.

been the scene of many stirring events which we can here but briefly mention. On this island Europeans built the first city and erected the first Christian church in the New World; here Negro slaves struck their first blow for freedom and here was founded the first Negro Republic.

        In formation the country is diversified by mountains and valleys, by majestic plains and swiftly flowing rivers; the landscape is attractive and the climate delightful. When Columbus and his fellow-voyagers came upon the island in December, 1492, the beauty of the country and the kindness of

the natives so impressed him that in reporting his discovery to the King and Queen of Spain, he said: "These people love their neighbors as themselves; their discourse is ever sweet and gentle and accompanied with a smile. I swear to your Majesties there is not a better nation or a better land." You will regret to learn that the example of these natives (who though ignorant of the Christ, yet practiced his precepts) was utterly lost upon the Spaniards, so-called followers of Jesus. The Spaniards had not long been settled upon the island before they had turned the friendly natives into bitter foes and the bitterest foe of all was Caonbo.

        He had his stronghold in one of the mountain fastnesses and after the Spaniards began to cruelly treat the natives Caonbo and his followers would descend from the mountains and wreak vengeance upon the whites. For a long time he was a terror to the settlers, but he was finally captured by treachery and placed on board a vessel bound for Spain, though he did not live to reach there.

        It is said that when the Spaniards discovered the island, the natives numbered about one million and in fifteen years, through overwork and cruel treatment, only about one-twentieth of them were living and by the year 1600 the last native had died. The childish, trusting natives were taught from the beginning that the Spaniards came from heaven and as the cruelties increased and life became unbearable, they began to ask their oppressors when they would return to heaven and to beg them to hasten their departure.

        When it became evident that the natives would finally die out entirely, the wicked plan was formed to capture natives of Africa and bring them over the sea to do the work and suffer the treatment which had killed so many thousands of the native Indians of Hispanola; this, in the early sixteenth century was the beginning of Negro slavery in the Western Hemisphere.

        The English and the French had long envied the Spanish their West Indian possessions, and in 1630 French people established

a colony at St. Christopher on the island of Santo Domingo, but the Spanish drove them away. The French then took refuge on the tiny island of Tortuga near by and lived quietly there for awhile; but the Spanish went there one day while the men were at sea and killed all the women and children. The Frenchmen, their hearts filled with grief and rage, became pirates; others joined them and for over fifty years war was waged between them and the Spanish. In 1697, the French obtained from Spain a regular cession of the western part of the island of Santo Domingo and began to colonize it, naming their part Haiti.

        After that, the two nations lived peacefully on the island; the fertile soil was thoroughly cultivated and prosperity reigned. Meanwhile, there had sprung up three distinct divisions of the population: the whites, of European descent; the blacks, of African descent, and the mulattoes, who were an admixture of the other two races. From time to time the blacks had risen in insurrection because of cruel treatment, many had escaped to the mountains and had there made for themselves homes; but the large majority were slaves. The mulattoes, though free in name, were far from free in reality; they were taken advantage of, imposed upon and the worst indignities heaped upon them; they were allowed to hold no public office, to take no part in public affairs and to practice no profession, it mattered not how well qualified they might have been. So they busied themselves with the buying of land and other property and with the acquirement of education and culture; they were compelled to serve a length of time in the army and became skilled in the tactics of war. Numbers of them grew very wealthy, traveled abroad, educated their children in France and were persons of refined and cultivated tastes.

        At the outbreak of the revolution in France, the population of Haiti was about 500,000, of which about 40,000 were whites, 30,000 mulattoes and the remainder, a tremendous majority as you see, were black slaves; the mulattoes at this time owned

about one-third of the soil and one-fourth of the slaves. While residing in France, the mulattoes had made friends among the most advanced thinkers of that country and, putting before these friends the state of affairs in Haiti, had received great sympathy.

        The whites of Haiti largely sided with the revolutionary party in France (though some were Royalists) and at once responded to the call of the National Convention in Paris by sending delegates and by adopting the motto: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." The mulattoes also demanded representation which was denied them, so they sent a delegation of their own, headed by J. Vincent Ogé, who had been educated in France. This delegation was well received by Lafayette, Abbe Gregoire, Robespierre and other influential Frenchmen, who belonged to a society called the Friends of the Blacks, and who were really trying to put into practice their noble motto; said Robespierre, "Perish the colonies rather than sacrifice one atom of our principles."

        When Ogé and his fellow delegates returned to Haiti they were arrested "for their presumption" and put to death in a horrible manner. This news aroused great indignation in Paris and the Friends of the of the Blacks brought such influence to bear upon the National Assembly that a decree was passed declaring that "all persons of color, born of free parents, were entitled to all the privileges of French citizens."

        During these happenings neither whites nor mulattoes had given a thought to the slaves, but the pulse of Freedom throbbing throughout the world and the blacks were thinking for themselves. They had long been secretly planning a stroke of some kind and on August 23rd, 1791, they arose and swept from plantation to plantation, killing and burning as they went. It is said that fully one thousand plantations were destroyed and twelve hundred families reduced to want and misery. As mulattoes and whites were both slave-holders, this blow drew them together for the time against the blacks; the Spanish of Santo Domingo attacked the Haitians, Royalists

fought Revolutionists and the war which resulted was "neither a civil war nor a foreign war, nor a war of races, but a composite of all three."

        At this moment appeared the mighty leader of the Blacks, Pierre Dominique Toussaint Breda, who, because he could always find a way or make one, was once called by a French General, Toussaint the Opener, Toussaint L'Ouverture and this is the name by which he is known to history. As a child Toussaint possessed unusual intelligence and was taught to read and write by a fellow slave. As he grew he was constantly improving his mind; he gained quite a knowledge of Latin and medicine and was often employed as a horse doctor. He was finally promoted to be coachman by his master and allowed the use of the library in his spare time. This advantage he fully appreciated as you may judge.

        When the slave insurrection broke out on an adjoining plantation, Toussaint refused to join the blacks because he thought their plans cruel and useless. He secretly conveyed his master and family to an American vessel which was about to sail sending with them as much produce as he could gather. Then, seeing the aimlessness of the insurrection and the need of leaders, he joined the blacks and immediately was placed in a responsible position. He disciplined and trained his men, who were devoted to him, until they were worthy the name "soldiers."

        Meantime France and England had gone to war and in May, 1794, an English squadron appeared before Port-Au-Prince; the French gave up the city and the English took quiet possession. The blacks and mulattoes had now joined forces and occupied the mountainous part of the island under the command of Toussaint and Regaud, a mulatto. In March, 1797, the French government appointed Toussaint commander-in-chief of all the armies in Haiti. He began a campaign against the English "who found him a powerful opponent, and dreaded exceedingly to fall into his hands." He also aided in conquering the Spanish who occupied the eastern part of

the island and they, by treaty, gave, over the whole island to France. Toussaint next concluded a treaty with General Maitland, head of the English forces, who "in behalf of his government acknowledged Haiti to be an independent, neutral power and agreed to withdraw his forces from the island."

        In connection with the withdrawal of the English a story is told which shows what manner of man Toussaint was. To make final arrangements, General Maitland had agreed to visit General Toussaint at his headquarters, and to do so he was obliged to cross territory filled with hostile Negro soldiers. General Roume, a Frenchman, who had a command some distance away, knowing that Maitland was practically defenceless, sent word to General Toussaint to capture the Englishman. When the latter arrived at headquarters he was compelled to wait quite a while before Toussaint appeared, and, realizing his position began to grow uneasy. When Toussaint finally made his appearance, he gave Maitland two letters to read; the first was the treacherous advice of Ronnie and the other his reply, which read as follows: "What! Have I not passed my word to the English general? How then, can you suppose that I will cover myself with dishonor by breaking it? His reliance on my good faith leads him to put himself into my power; and I should be forever infamous, if I were to act as you advise. I am faithfully devoted to the Republic; but will not serve it at the expense of my conscience and my honor." It is needless to say that General Maitland was ever after a firm friend of Toussaint L'Ouverture.

        When peace was restored, Toussaint who had been appointed governor for life, showed himself as able to lead in the affairs of state as in affairs of war. He caused the adoption of a constitution which acknowledged the authority of France, but allowed no distinction between citizens because of race or color; the whites were protected and their estates restored to them and prosperity returned to Haiti. When Napoleon Bonapart made himself First Consul of France, Toussaint, admiring his genius, sent him a communication addressed

"From the First of the Blacks to the First of the Whites." Napoleon, incapable of valuing such qualities of mind and heart as Toussaint possessed, deeply resented what he considered the presumption of the ex-slave; he could not bear the thought of Haiti, independent and free, and resolved to establish slavery again.

        To this end he fitted out an expedition under command of his brother-in-law, Le Clerc, which suddenly appeared off Cape Francois. Le Clerc seized Sanjos, the harbormaster, and threatened to hang him if he refused to lead the squadron into the harbor or to reward him with 2,000 pounds sterling if he consented. Sanjos heroically refused to betray his country, but Le Clerc succeeded in making a landing near by. General Henri Christophe, commander of the forces in the vicinity, upon hearing of the arrival of the French, burned the town to ashes and marched his men to Toussaint's residence about forty miles away.

        Le Clerc had brought over with him Toussaint's sons who had been studying in France. He sent them, under guard, to their father to beg him to yield quietly, claiming (the boys really believed it) that Napoleon had only the good of Haiti at heart. Toussaint's wife joined her prayers to those of her children and the great general began to feel that they might be right. But soon his insight taught him that the French meant nothing but evil and once more he took up arms.

        When Le Clerc found that he could not subdue the Haitians he made a treaty of peace with them which he had no intention of keeping. Shortly after this the home of Toussaint was surrounded at midnight and he and his family were placed on a vessel and hurried to France. It is said that the noble general did not lose hope, but felt that Napoleon would give him justice. Being himself the soul of honor, capable of justice to his humblest enemy, he judged the First Consul by himself, but he was to find out his sad mistake. Upon arriving at France he was separated from his family; he never saw Napoleon, but was taken from one prison to another and finally

unused to the climate and tortured by cold and hunger, on April 27th, 1803, in the gloomy dungeon of Joux, great Toussaint died.

        The Haitians, furious at the treacherous and inhuman treatment of their leader, took up arms under General Jean Jacques Dessalines. The French army was reduced to a handful, as much by yellow fever as by war and was compelled to capitulate. On January 1st, 1807, Haiti proclaimed her independence and Dessalines was appointed governor for life, shortly after taking upon himself the title of Emperor Jean Jacques I. Unfortunately, he had not experienced and witnessed the inhumanities of the French and Spanish in vain, and after a reign of about two years, marked by the greatest cruelties to the whites, he was assassinated.

        The Spanish now took back the eastern part of the island and the western was governed in the north by Henri Christophe and in the south by Petion; Christophe took the title of King Henri I and had his family proclaimed as royal, but Petion remained satisfied with the title of president. Upon the death of these two, Haiti was united under the rule of Boyer. He succeeded in bringing the Spanish part under his government, and the whole island became one republic and was recognized by France in 1825. In 1842, the citizens revolted against Boyer and compelled him to flee, and in 1844 those of the Spanish section formed themselves into an independent republic, taking their old name, Santo Domingo.

        The capitol of the Republic of Santo Domingo is the city of the same name which was founded in 1496 by Bartolemeo Colombo, brother of Christopher Columbus. It was destroyed by hurricane in 1547, and rebuilt on right bank of the Ozama. The government is in the hands of a president, a senate, and a chamber of deputies; there is a supreme court and a regular army. The inhabitants are largely of mixed European and African blood and there are many Turks and Syrians; the language is Spanish and the religion Roman Catholic. The

people engage in cattle raising, etc., and sugar growing is a flourishing industry.

        The Republic of Haiti is governed by a president, a senate and a chamber of commerce. The inhabitants number about 960,000, about nine-tenths of whom are rated Negroes, the remainder mulattoes. There are four hundred national schools, for which one million dollars are annually appropriated; the religion is Roman Catholic, the language French; the people chiefly engage in agricultural pursuits and excellent coffee, cotton and cocoa are grown. There is a light railway and a tramway of about five miles in Port-au-Prince, the capital.

        Besides the men already named, the following have ruled over Haiti: Jean Pierre Boyer, from 1818 to 1843; Herard-Riviere, four months; General Pierrot; General Soulouque, who called himself "Faustin I, Emperor of Haiti," and ruled from 1847 until 1859, organized a terrible massacre of mulattoes. He was succeeded by a mulatto, Fabre Geffrard, 1859-67; then came Sylvain Salnave,1867-9; Nissage-Saget, 1869-74; Michel Domingue, 1874-6; General Boisrond-Canal, 1876-9; General Salomon, 1879-88; Gen. F. D. Legitime, 1888-9; General Hyppolite, 1889-96; Gen. T. A. S. Sam, 1896-1902; Gen. Nord Alexis, 1902-08; Gen. H. E. A. Simon, 1908-1911.

        Hon. R. D. Bassett, of Pennsylvania, was the first United States Minister to Haiti, and served from 1869 to 1877. He was succeeded by John M. Langston. Other ministers were Frederick Douglass, John S. Durham, W. F. Powell.

        The Rev. Theodore Holly, minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, made a visit to Haiti in 1855 to consult with the authorities there as to the proposed settling in that country of American Negroes. In 1861, a number of colored people left this country to make their homes in Haiti, and some of their descendants are there at the present time. In 1874, Mr. Holly was consecrated Bishop in Grace Church, New York, and was given charge of the work in Haiti. Bishop Holly gained

the affection of the people and did a notable work in the island. He died March 22, 1911.

        The history of Haiti is not a peaceful one, for the Haitians are, as we have seen, both by inheritance and training, a warlike people and there have been many uprisings and revolutions. It has been said, however, that the mass of the people have long since tired of war; and, indeed, how could it be otherwise since they are always the ones who suffer most?

        There has been and is, however, a set of men who, instead of devoting their time and talents to the arts of peace, are always ready to bring about an upheavel hoping thereby to gain for themselves wealth or position; there are also men of other nations who, hoping for financial gain, are constantly, though secretly, urging the Haitian malcontents to revolution.

        How sad that the example of great Toussaint should so often be forgotten; Toussaint to whom Haiti was always first and self last; Toussaint, true patriot, statesman and soldier of whom it has been said: "It is to affirm the scantiest truth that to the names of Cincinnatus and Washington, history has added that of Toussaint L'Ouverture."

CHAPTER IX.

BRAZIL, JAMAICA, AND BERMUDA.