Having, Gentlemen, in as few words as possible, given you a statement of the political matters which have employed my attention while absent, I am also happy to be able to inform the Legislature that their wishes, as expressed in their resolutions of January last, respecting military and other public buttons, and a lighthouse and lamp for Cape Montserrado, have been carried into execution.

As soon, after my arrival in England, as circumstances would permit, I contracted for the manufacture of the above-named articles, but found that it required more time to complete the order than I had expected, so I had not the satisfaction of bringing them with me. They will be forwarded, certainly, by the packet of the 24th instant. I have also to inform the Legislature that, being impressed with a conviction of the necessity of a new paper currency, I assumed the responsibility of having engraved plates for striking bills of the denomination of 50 cents, 1 dollar, 3 dollars, and 5 dollars, and ordered to be printed a sum equal to 6,000 dollars. I am sorry to say that I was disappointed also in not having these ready in time for me, but they, too, will be at hand by the forthcoming packet; in the mean time, I procured a rough impression which will give you an idea of the description of the bills; and beg to submit to your judgment the approval or otherwise of the responsibility assumed. Besides this, I have assumed one other responsibility, for which, Gentlemen, I have to ask the approval of the Legislature. During my sojourn in London, I had frequent conversations with S. Gurney, Esq., on the subject of a metallic currency which he thought we ought to have, as well for the conveniences of trade as to mark the existence and the nationality of the Republic. I agreed with him, of course, as to the propriety and importance of such a medium; but, at the same time, hinted the inability of the Government, in consequence of its limited pecuniary resources, to remove, at present, this embarrassment. A few days before my departure from London, while speaking on this subject, Mr. Gurney proposed to supply 1007. in aid of procuring such a currency, on condition that the Government of Liberia would supply another 1007. He further proposed, to advance the whole amount, say 2007., and to have the dies cut, and the coin struck immediately, in one and two cent pieces, to be forwarded by the steamer of the 24th January next, on the receipt of which, the 1007. from the Government might be remitted. I scarcely need say, that I accepted his proposition, and that the work was put immediately into the hands of the coiner. Besides the great facilities such a means of exchange will afford to the commercial transactions of the country, and the stamp of nationality a coinage always impresses upon the public mind, whether at home or abroad, and estimating the proposed coin at the standard value of the copper currency of The United States, it

will realize to the Government at least 30 per cent., and which, including the 100l. presented by Mr. Gurney, will add to the money resources of the Government some 700 or 800 dollars-no mean token of the generosity, or of the interest Mr. Gurney feels in the welfare of Liberia. And, as an additional proof of his interest and benevolence, I may be permitted to add here that, at our parting, he authorized me to draw on him for 501., to be applied to educational purposes in Liberia.

I beg to inform the Legislature that I have procured, upon the requisition of the Secretary of the Treasury, sundry articles which were needed for the use of the Government schooner Lark, such as copper, canvas, cordage, paints, oil, &c.; also, I have obtained a good supply of stationery for the various departments of the Government, including suitable books for records, of the Registry, and respective courts of the several counties, all lettered appropriately according to the uses for which they are intended.

And I am happy to add, Gentlemen, that the bills for all the articles enumerated above, except for the copper coin, which, if approved, I have to request you will provide for refunding, are closed and settled.

From Sir Horace St. Paul, a stanch friend of Liberia, and decided advocate for the spread of Christian knowledge throughout Africa, I obtained a donation of 30l. worth of Bibles, Testaments, &c., for distribution among the Sabbath and other schools of the Republic.

I beg to request, Gentlemen, that the Legislature will order the discharge of the small amount, say 15 or 20 dollars, incurred for freight, &c.

In conclusion, Gentlemen, I have only to add, that when I left you, it was with the hope of enjoying a little relaxation from the incessant toils of public duty, which the state of my health seemed then to require. But disappointment awaited me; for no sooner had I arrived in England, than I found that the interests of Liberia demanded my attention. And who, worthy of the name Liberian, would not willingly make any sacrifices for his country's interests, forgetting his health or any other private interest, undertake any toils, however arduous, in the cause of Liberia. I, therefore, hesitated not to devote my best energies to her service, and during the six weeks that I spent in Europe there was scarcely a day, nay, scarcely an hour, that I could appropriate either to rest or pleasure; and my only regrets are that I have not been as completely successful in all my efforts as my fondest wish suggested. If, however, in any degree, I have promoted the interests of Liberia, I feel gratified, and have no complaint to utter. I have only done my duty, and

beg to assure you, Gentlemen, that I have performed that duty to the very best of my ability.

All of which is most respectfully submitted to the kind consideration of the Legislature.

Government House, December 20, 1854.

To the Hon. the Senate and House of
Representatives.

J. J. ROBERTS.

MESSAGE of the President of Liberia, on the Opening of the Legislature.-Monrovia, December 25, 1855.

GENTLEMEN,

THE occasion of your annual meeting is always one of deep concern to your fellow-citizens generally. As legislators, every interest of the State and people are entrusted to your patriotism and good judgment. To you are delegated powers, bounded only by the fundamental law of the land. In your legislative capacity it is your province to pass in review all the statutes of the Republic, and to adopt such alterations or amendments of the existing laws, and to originate such new ones, as in your wisdom may be deemed essential to the sound principles of our Government, and in like manner conduce to the best interests of your constituents. These duties, Gentlemen, are important, and call for the exercise of integrity, independence, patience, a sound judgment, and a careful discriminating mind. Therefore you are selected from the body of your fellow-citizens for your intelligence and good reputation; and on the faith of these is believed that the duties of your office will be effectually performed. That these duties are highly responsible, is readily perceived. On your action depend essentially the destiny, the happiness, and the future prosperity of those you represent. That you are not insensible of the importance of the trust confided you, I have every reason to believe.

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I therefore deem it unnecessary to remind you, Gentlemen, that whatever acts you may adopt during your present session-within the scope of our chartered rights-must be binding alike on you and your fellow-citizens, for good or for evil, during another legislative year. But that you will discharge faithfully, and to the best of your ability, the responsible duties committed to your hands, I doubt not your fellow-citizens generally have every confidence; and on their part they will sustain you in the legitimate functions of your duty; for they are not ignorant that on the maintenance of law the public good and security depends.

Upon this occasion of addressing the Legislature, though we have not been wholly exempted from public embarrassments, I am sensibly impressed with a feeling of congratulation, inasmuch as the duty occurs under circumstances of a most encouraging nature. As a people we are advancing in all that ennobles and dignifics man, and facilitates the improvement of human society with gratifying rapidity; and whatever may be our individual differences with respect to politics, or the mode or means by which our national prosperity is to be advanced, there is, unquestionably, a spirit animating all classes of our fellow-citizens, which will not suffer them to withhold their support from the Government, or to disregard the bounties of Providence so liberally bestowed upon them; but the first they are ready to offer on every occasion of emergency, and the latter they will receive with grateful hearts, and apply them with zealous promptitude to the advancement of the general good. Herein, Gentlemen, lies the secret of our national success.

And I am gratified in being able to inform the Legislature that our country continues to be highly favoured in all the elements which contribute to individual comfort and national prosperity.

In taking a survey of the present condition of our country, in reference to subjects interesting to the public weal, we cannot fail to be impressed with sentiments of grateful acknowledgment to the Disposer of all good for having vouchsafed to us, during the past year, such signal blessings of His providence. Though the past rainy season was one of unusual protraction, and to human calculatior. apparently unfavourable to health, still in an eminent degree this inestimable blessing has prevailed generally within our borders; and while war has been making its ravages, and is still producing painful calamities among some of the most enlightened and Christian nations of Europe, and while certain civilized communities on this coast have been involved in deadly strife with their savage neighbours, we, until within the last three or four weeks, have enjoyed uninterrupted peace. Under these favourable auspices the Government and people of Liberia have been enabled to advance every important interest connected with their welfare. And that every branch of industry and enterprise has received attention and encouragement, the progress of general improvement and national advancement, everywhere observ able, especially in the counties Monsterrado and Grand Bassa fully attest. Excepting in Sinoe County-where, from causes not satisfactorily accounted for, the crops have fallen short-the labours of the husbandmen have been abundantly rewarded, and notwithstanding the interruption of trade which occurred with certain portions of the interior, in consequence of disturbances among native Chiefs, the commerce of Liberia has suffered no diminution, and is now in a healthful condition; the enterprise of our merchants, too, is now [1855-56.]

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opening up new channels of trade which give the promise of encou raging remuneration for their efforts.

Indeed the spirit of improvement and enterprise is abroad in the land. It stimulates the hearts, not only of our Americo-Liberian population, but also of the aborigines incorporated with us, and is producing most gratifying results.

With a single exception from every point of view it is manifest that the condition of Liberia is pleasing, and that her people are progressive.

There are but few objects which, as a people, we can desire, which we do not possess, or which are not within our reach.

To preserve, to improve, and to perpetuate the sources, and so direct in their most effectual channels the streams which contribute to the public weal, and to individual comfort and happiness, is the purpose for which civil societies are formed. And we, Gentlemen, are blessed with a form of government which protects its citizens in the full enjoyment of their civil, political, and religious rights; and the free exercise of all their faculties to pursue the impulse of their nature, and the obligation of their duty in the improvement of their own condition-a government which guarantees to the humblest citizen the means of justice and the enjoyment of all the immunities contemplated by the organization of civil government.

How far the public institutions of Liberia have been sustained by the patriotism of her citizens, and how far they have succeeded in establishing their capacity for self-government, are quesions to be answered only by pointing to her present favourable condition, the order which has marked her progress, and the pertinacity with which she has maintained public faith during the period of her nationality; and it cannot be denied that, in these respects, she will compare favourably with any other nation of the same age.

In assuming her station among the civilized nations of the earth, Liberia entered upon a career which filled the minds of the best friends of our race with anxious solicitude as to the result of the enterprise. They feared that the time had not yet arrived when the people of Liberia should assume responsibilities so difficult and perplexing, arguing that by a failure here the race would be doomed to perpetual inferiority and degradation. There were those also who doubted the capacity of the African race for self-government, under most favourable circumstances. And it is within the recollection of us all, with what fear and trembling some of our own citizens entered upon the important step; not, however, that they believed the dogma of natural African inferiority, and consequent incapacity for self-government. This they know to be a vulgar prejudice, founded on the pride and ignorance of those who, by oppres sion, have kept the black man at such a distance as to be unable to