d in the slave-trade. The friends of
colonization in both countries were greatly alarmed by the rumor, and
sought information in official quarters,--of men on the ground. The
following testimony will show that the charge was malicious:--

"Capt. Arabian, R.N., in one of his despatches says,
'Nothing had been done more to suppress the slave-trade in
this quarter than the constant intercourse of the natives
with these industrious colonists;' and again, 'Their
character is exceedingly correct and moral, their minds
strongly impressed with religious feeling, and their
domestic habits remarkably neat and comfortable.' 'wherever
the influence of Liberia extends, the slave trade has been
abandoned by the natives.'

"Lieut. Stott, R.N., in a letter to Dr. Hodgkin, dated July,
1840, says, it (Liberia) promises to be the only successful
institution on the coast of Africa, keeping in mind its
objects; viz., 'that of raising the African slave into a
free man, the extinction of the slave-trade, and the
religious and moral improvement of Africa;' and adds, 'The
surrounding Africans are aware of the nature of the colony,
taking refuge when persecuted by the few neighboring
slave-traders. The remnant of a tribe has lately fled to and
settled in the colony on land granted them. Between my two
visits, a lapse of only a few days, four or five slaves
sought refuge from their master, who was about to sell, or
had sold, them to the only slave-factory on the coast. The
native chiefs in the neighborhood have that respect for the
colonists that they have made treaties for the abolition of
the slave trade.'

"Capt. Irving, R.N., in a letter to Dr. Hodgkin, Aug 3,
1840, observes, 'You ask me if they aid in the slave-trade?
I assure you, no! and I am sure the colonists would feel
themselves much hurt should they know such a question could
possibly arise in England. In my opinion it is the best and
safest plan for the extinction of the slave-trade, and the
civilization of Africa, for it is a well-known fact, that
wherever their flag flies it is an eye-sore to the
slave-dealers.'

"Capt. Herbert, R.N.: 'With regard to the present state of
slave-taking in the colony of Liberia, I have never known
one instance of a slave being owned or disposed of by a
colo