From Henry B. Steuart

Mr. Steuart is from the South -- born a slave -- was freed, and went to Liberia about four years ago.

Greenville, Liberia, February, 1853.

DEAR SIR, -- You wish that I would give some statement of things in general, and in particular of the growth of cotton, rice, &c. Our answer is this: this is emphatically a tropical region, as all geographers will tell you. You have only to put your seed into the ground, and with half the labor you have to perform in the states you here may make a comfortable living. Cotton and rice grow here as well as in your Southern States. It is true, a fair trial was never made for the culture of that valuable staple (cotton), enough to prove that it can be raised in great quantity. Rice is indigenous to this country: it will grow almost any where you may plant it, on high or low land. We have coffee, potatoes, ginger, arrow-root and pepper. There has not been much pains taken with the planting of corn; enough has been done, however, to satisfy one that it can be made, for I have eaten as much as I wanted in proof of it.

As respects coffee and other products, for a recent comer and a young man, I need only refer to Mr. Joseph Bacon, one among many others who bid fair to become independent farmers, to say nothing of those who are living at ease on their farms. Come and see for yourselves. Born and raised for the first part of my life among the very best farmers of Liberty County, Georgia, I know that these things can be raised in great quantities.

You wish to know what is my occupation. I answer, a little of any and every thing, from a house carpenter to a boat-maker. I have not yet seen the day that I have regretted my coming to this country. All my objects have been realized, while I have contributed my humble aid in laying the foundation of a civil and religious government.

Manuscript Source: Hale, Sarah J. Mrs., Liberia; or, Mr. Peyton's Experiments, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1853, pp. 276-277

Map Source: The World Fact Book

History of Liberia: A Time Line presented by the Library of Congress offers a detailed history of the American Colonization Society and Liberia. There are many excellent historic maps, and interesting research links included on the site.

Submitted by Bob Franks