s as the other three--Montserado, Sinou, and
Bassa. State pride and the views of the Society had hitherto kept them
from such a union; but now, in the reaction from their recent terror, a
vote of the people called for by Act of the Legislature was unanimous in
favor of "County Annexation;" and a committee was appointed to arrange
matters at once with Roberts. When he declined to assume any such
responsibility, they actually proceeded to dissolve the Government, and
cede all public property forthwith to the Republic of Liberia. The
interesting document entitled the "Act or Petition of Annexation," shows
the number of colonists to have been at this time 900 and the
aboriginal population about 60,000. The tax on imports produced $1,800 a
year. The State's liabilities were $3,000, with assets estimated at
$10,000.

The Liberian Legislature by an Act of April, 1857, formally received the
colony into the Republic as "Maryland County." The advantages gained by
this change undoubtedly more than counterbalanced any loss of
independence. Though the total dissolution of the government and
surrender of all rights and property before any negotiation with
Liberian authorities had taken place, seems inconceivably rash
statescraft, the wisdom of the colonists in desiring the union is
unquestionable.

At the time of annexation the Maryland Colonization Society had on hand
some $6,000, which was invested, and the interest devoted to a school at
Cape Palmas; in connection with this trust its existence is prolonged.
Up to the end of its period of activity it had received and expended
nearly half a million dollars; the balance sheet of December 31, 1857,
may be of interest:

State Appropriations, ........... $ 930.00
State Colonization Tax, ......... 12,851.00
Colonial Agency, ................ 1,091.85
Columbia Expedition, ............ 248.88
Stock of C. & L. Trading Co., ... 1,250.00
Mdse., .......................... 104.62
State Fund, ..................... 241,922.16
Contributions, .................. 45,385.74
Profit and Loss, ................ 139,972.31-1/2
J.T.G., Colonial Agent, ......... 126.70
--------------
443,883.26-1/2

V.

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.

The History of Liberia from this point on assumes a peculiar interest.
The capacity and capabilities of the Negro are subjected to a crucial
test. He is left fully freed from th