The Daily Dispatch: August 27, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Interesting News from Liberia.

‘ The Liberian Government had just paid the people the sums due--eight dollars per month — for supporting the Congo negroes rescued from slavers and shipped there by the United States Government and the Colonization Society. The living freight taken out by the United States frigate Niagara had all become useful laborers to the colonists. The Congos were industrious to a degree, spoke the English language fluently, avoided communication with the native tribes, and all had become Christians. The same is said, to a great extent of the cargoes of the Bonita, Era, Storm King, Cora and Nightingale.--The negroes taken from the last named vessel were not treated so well by the Liberian officers as the others, and one hundred and fifty of them died, chiefly from neglect. Indeed, it is alleged that many of them were buried alive.

It is said that President Benson would not apprentice them, but left them in the receiving house to the last, in order to have a heavier charge on the Government in Washington for their support. The native chief of the Gallenos had induced a Spanish slaver to go into the port of his territory in the way of trade, and then informed the Liberian Government of his arrival, the naval officers of which made his vessel a prize, the free negroes cutting down the Spanish ensign and hoisting the single star banner of the republic. In this service Captain Mongo, Liberian navy, was drowned; but when they had the prize secured a British cruiser ran in and took her from them, denying President Benson's jurisdiction in the Gallenos. Not being able to get her over the bar again, the Englishman burned her. Quite a number of ‘ "distinguished"’ colored gentlemen and ladies from New York — including Mr. P. Downing, of the (oyster) Downing family — had arrived in Monrovia, and all the ladies of that city were busily engaged in learning to play on the piano under the tuition of Mr. Luca, an American artist.

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