.

two years it has been allowed, with the full knowledge of all nations,
to enlarge its borders from time to time, as its safety or its necessities
required. . . . It is not perceived that any nation can have just
reason to complain that this settlement does not confine itself to the
limits of its original territory.
This government does not.
of course, undertake to settle and adjust differences which have
arisen between British subjects and the authorities of Liberia. Those
authorities are responsible for their own acts; and they certainly
would not expect the support or countenance of this government in
any act of injustice towards individuals or nations. But, as they are
themselves nearly powerless, they must rely, for the protection of
their own rights, on the justice and sympathy of other powers. Al-
though no apprehension is entertained that the British government
meditates any wrong to this interesting settlement, yet the occasion
is deemed a fit one for making known, beyond a simple answer to your
inquiries, in what light it is regarded by the government and people
of the United States. It is due to Her Majesty's government that
I should inform you that this government regards it as occupying
a peculiar position, and as possessing peculiar claims to the friendly
consideration of all Christian powers; that this government will be.
at all times, prepared to interpose its good offices to prevent any
encroachment by the colony upon any just right of any nation; and
that it would be very unwilling to see it despoiled of its territory
rightfully acquired, or improperly restrained in the exercise of its
necessary rights and powers as an independent settlement."

Mr. Webster, Sec. of State, to Mr. Everett, min. to England, Jan. 5 and
March 24, 1843; Mr. Fox, British min., to Mr. Upshur, Sec. of State,
Aug. 9, 1843; Mr. Upshur to Mr. Fox, Sept. 25, 1843: H. Ex. Doc.
162, 28 Cong. 1 sess. 2, 7, 8.

Mr. Upshur's note to Mr. Fox of September 25, 1843, is recorded in MS.
Notes to British Leg. VI. 302.

The Republic of Liberia was formed under a constitution of July 26,
1847, which was recognized in the following year by certain Euro-
pean powers which concluded treaties with it. It was not recog
nized by the United States, however, till 1862. See supra, § 42.
For the constitution of July 26, 1847, see 35 Brit. & For. State Papers, 1301.
For a history of the origin and promotion of the settlement at Liberia,
see report of Mr. Kennedy, from the Committee on Commerce, Feb.
28. 1843, H. Report 283, 27 Cong. 3 sess.

A letter of Mr. J. Y. Mason, Sec. of Navy, to Mr. Jones, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, April 30, 1844, enclosing copies of commu-
nications from Commodore Perry, concerning the condition of colonial
settlements on the western coast of Africa, may be found in H. Ex.
Doc. 244, 28 Cong. 1 sess.

February 3, 1845, the Senate adopted a resolution requesting the Presi dent to communicate to that body information relative to the operations of the American squadron on the West coast of Africa; the growth, condition, and influence of the American colonies there; and

the nature, extent, and progress of the commerce of the United States with them. February 26, 1845, President Tyler transmitted, in compliance with this resolution, a report of Mr. Mason, Secretary of the Navy, of February 10, 1845, enclosing several communications on the subject from Commodore Perry. The report and accompanying papers occupy 414 printed pages, including an index, and a map of Liberia compiled from data on file at the office of the American Colonization Society. (S. Ex. Doc. 150, 28 Cong. 2 sess.)

A communication of Mr. Webster, Sec. of State, to the United States Senate, Sept. 14, 1850, with a report of the Rev. R. R. Gurley, who had lately been sent out by the government of the United States to obtain information in respect to Liberia, is printed in S. Ex. Doc. 75, 31 Cong. 1 sess.

For a copy of a contract entered into by the Department of the Interior with the American Colonization Society, May 13, 1860, for the transportation to Liberia of certain Africans recaptured by vessels of the United States Navy, and a contract with the same society of July 20, 1860, for their support for one year from the date of their landing in Liberia, see Mr. Smith, Sec. of Interior, to Mr. Grow, Speaker of the House, Dec. 17, 1861, H. Ex. Doc. 12, 37 Cong. 2 sess.

October 21, 1862, a treaty between the United States and Liberia was concluded at London. March 11, 1863, John J. Henry, of Delaware, was appointed commissioner and consul-general to the Republic. He resigned the mission on May 19, 1863, only eleven days after he received his instructions. In these instructions it was stated that, while the Republic of Liberia owed its origin to the American people, it had been "reserved for the present moment" to give definite and solemn proof of their sympathy by accrediting a political agent “as a distinct and responsible recognition of the national independence and sovereign of that Republic." Abraham Hanson, of Wisconsin, was appointed commissioner and consul-general in place of Mr. Henry June 8, 1863. He died at his post July 20, 1866.

Mr. Seward, Sec. of State, to Mr. Henry, No. 2, May 8, 1863, MS. Inst.
Liberia, I. 3.

See, as to the recognition of Liberia, supra, § 42.

By an act of April 17, 1866, Congress authorized the transfer to Liberia of a gunboat. The Navy Department offered to the Liberian minister in the United States the choice of one of several ships, but none of them was found to be suitable for the purpose. An American vessel of war was, however, directed to visit the coast. (Dip. Cor. 1867, II. 325, 328, 330, 331, 332.)

The inhabitants of the republic had frequent collisions with the surrounding native tribes. In 1869 the War Department of the United States sold to the Liberian government arms and military stores valued at $45,647.29. (Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Turner, min. to Liberia, No. 39, Feb. 10, 1873, MS. Inst. Liberia, I. 117; Mr. Davis, Act. Sec. of State, to Mr. Turner, No. 47, July 24, 1873, id. 123; resolution of the legislature of Liberia, For. Rel. 1880, 706.)

For the adhesion by Liberia to the Brussels convention of June 8, 1899, governing the importation of spirituous liquors into certain regions of Africa, see For. Rel. 1900, 35, 778.

"Your despatch No. 68 is received. In it you inform the Department that a dispute had grown up between Great Britain and the Republic of Liberia relative to the boundary of the republic, and that the government of Liberia had requested the interposition of the United States, and if necessary its protection.

"You will inform the minister of foreign affairs, in reply to his request, that the President regards the progress of the Republic of Liberia, which has been so much identified with the United States, with deep solicitude, and would see with deep regret any collision between it and any foreign power. And if the good offices of the United States can do anything towards the just settlement of the existing controversy, you are at liberty to tender them. But to go beyond that, and to offer protection, would be a violation of all the traditions and policies of the United States since they first entered the family of nations.

"Should you think it necessary to tender the good offices of this government, you will before doing so report to this Department what is the precise point at issue upon which our mediation is desired, in order that further instructions may be given before you communicate officially with the government of Liberia."

Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Seys, min. to Liberia, No. 34, June 16, 1869,
MS. Inst. Liberia, I. 65.

As to a complaint of the Dutch government on account of the opposition
of the local authorities at certain places to the fulfillment of the
stipulations of the treaty of amity and commerce between Liberia
and the Netherlands of Dec. 20, 1862, see Mr. Fish, Sec of State, to
Mr. Turner, No. 140, Jan. 12, 1877, MS. Inst. Liberia, II. 25; Mr.
F. W. Seward, Act. See. of State, to Mr. Turner, No. 141, April 9.
1877, id. 26; Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, to Mr. Turner, No. 165, May
15, 1878, id. 47.

In 1879 it was reported that the French consul-general at Monrovia had offered to place the Liberian government under the protec tion of France. Mr. Noyes, the American minister at Paris, was instructed by Mr. Hunter, Acting Secretary of State, "to make such judicious and confidential inquiries as shall, without communicating undue importance to the matter, put you in possession of the facts." It was at the same time observed that the United States "must feel a peculiar interest in any apparent movement to divert the inde pendent political life of Liberia for the aggrandizement of a great continental power." Mr. Noyes reported that the French government had no diplomatic or consular representative in Liberia, and that it had, instead of proposing a protectorate, declined to entertain a suggestion to that effect which, it was understood, had originated with the Liberian consul-general at Bordeaux and perhaps been

seconded by the Liberian consul at Paris, both of whom were French

men.

Mr. Smyth, min. to Liberia, to Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, No. 30, May 30,
1879, For. Rel. 1879, 718; Mr. Hunter, Act. Sec. of State, to Mr.
Noyes, min. to France, No. 163, July 17, 1879, id. 341; Mr. Noyes
to Mr. Evarts, No. 256, Aug. 20, 1879, id. 341; same to same, No. 322,
March 26, 1880, For. Rel. 1880, 358; same to same, No. 350, May 13,
1880, id. 362.

See Mr. Smyth, min. to Liberia, to Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, No. 52, Nov.
18, 1879, and No. 69, Feb. 12, 1880, For. Rel. 1880, 692, 701.
The volume of Foreign Relations for 1879 "devoted to the affairs of Libe-
ria a much larger space than would seem to be warranted by the rela-
tive importance of that country. The reason for this is plain, and
grows out of the peculiar relations which this country holds towards
Liberia; and which are likely to become of increased importance. It
is therefore quite suitable that the great powers should know that the
United States publicly recognizes those relations, and is prepared to
take every proper step to maintain them. In this view the publica-
tion of this correspondence seems not inopportune." (Mr. Evarts,
Sec. of State, to Mr. Noyes, min. to France, No. 222, April 7, 1880, MS.
Inst. France, XX. 130.)

"Liberia is regarded by us with peculiar interest. Already the home of many of those who were once of our nation, she is the predestined home of many who now enjoy citizenship in this republic. This going out to a greater or less extent of our citizens of African descent is but a question of time, and if Liberia be in proper condition to receive and care for such emigrants from the United States, her territory will be chosen by them in preference to that of any other country. A large and valuable commerce between Liberia and the United States may be developed if the two countries can be brought to see their true relations toward each other."

Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, to Mr. Smyth, No. 43, Feb. 2, 1880, MS. Inst.
Liberia, II. 94.

For other correspondence in relation to Liberia, see For. Rel. 1880,
691-707.

"The peculiar relations which this country holds to Liberia, and upon which the well-being of its republican government in a great measure rests, are likely in the not distant future to be of increased politico-economic importance. Hence the attitude of the European powers which have established themselves in the vicinity of Liberia becomes of interest to the United States whenever it may assume a tendency to disparage the asserted rights of the native self-control.. The United States are not averse to having the great powers know that they publicly recognize the peculiar relations between them and Liberia, and that they are prepared to take every proper step to maintain them." To this end the ministers of the

United States at London and Paris were instructed that it was not inexpedient that they "should evince a lively interest in the movements of both Great Britain and France in the neighborhood of Liberia, without, however, showing any undue anxiety or offensive curiosity in the matter."

Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, to Mr. Hoppin, chargé, No. 446, April 21, 1880, MS. Inst. Great Britain, XXV. 627, enclosing a copy of a despatch from Mr. Smyth, min. to Liberia, No. 70, Feb. 12, 1880.

The minister of the United States to Liberia should not interfere with the government thereof by obtruding political advice.

Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, to Mr. Smyth, min. to Liberia, No. 41, Jan. 7, 1880, MS. Inst. Liberia, II. 91.

See, however, Mr. Blaine, Sec. of State, to Mr. Smyth, No. 67, June 27, 1881, id. 116.

For a report, March 5, 1878, adverse to providing means for making
surveys for a railroad in Liberia, see H. Report 349, 45 Cong. 2 sess.
See, on the same subject, a memorial of Feb. 12, 1879, S. Mis. Doc.
67, 45 Cong. 3 sess.

As to the general condition of Liberia in 1887, see Mr. Bayard, Sec. of
State, to Mr. Taylor, No. 8, dip. series, July 29, 1887, MS. Inst.
Liberia, II. 216, acknowledging the receipt of Mr. Taylor's despatches
Nos. 4 to 16, inclusive.

"Our position in reference to the citizens of Liberia is such that we could not be justified in regarding with indifference any attempt to oppress them or deprive them of their independence."

Mr. Hay, Sec. of State, to Mr. Porter, amb. to France, No. 640, June 28,
1899, MS. Inst. France, XXIV. 199, referring to the apprehension of
the Liberian government of some action by France in the direction of
an effective occupation of the Liberian hinterland.
"The United States could not view without grave concern any procedure
from any quarter which would threaten its [Liberia's] liberty of
action or the extinction of its independent existence." (Mr. Hay,
Sec. of State, to Mr. Jackson, chargé, No. 641, Nov. 18, 1898, MS.
Inst. Germany, XX. 572.)

As to a plan, favorably considered, for the administration and collection of
the customs revenues of Liberia by a company organized with British
and American capital, the inspectors to be appointed by the British
and American governments, and an assurance to be given by Liberia
of the nonalienation of the territory of the Republic,, see Mr. Hay,
Sec. of State, to Mr. Towner, British chargé, May 4, 1899, MS. Notes
to Brit. Leg. XXIV. 517.

As to a protest by the American minister at Monrovia against the granting
to an English syndicate of the exclusive privilege of mining within
Liberian territory for 50 years, see Mr. Hay, Sec. of State, to Mr.
Choate, ambass. to England, No. 417, July 13, 1900, MS. Inst. Gr. Br.
XXXIII. 440.