Boston Recorder (December 16, 1829)

Boston Recorder (December 16, 1829) -- Long article on the Mission to Africa, "..proceeded to present a brief outline of the facts respecting the Colony in Liberia. Its original design under the patronage of the American Colonization Society was to locate a settlement of free blacks from the United States, who should be assisted in establishing a civil government of their own choice, and whose influence should be extended to counteract and destroy the odious traffic in slaves. It was commenced about ten years since, and although a considerable loss of life has been sustained by those who have emigrated from our shores, it has been far less than the mortality in our other new colonies, and much less than took place in the settlements in our own country, at James Town in Virginia, and at Plymouth in Massachusetts. It was in reference to the Colony in Africa that the lamented young man, Samuel J. Mills, lost his life about eleven years since; and to him, as having originated this mission, is the Christian world much indebted. Amongth (sic) those who fell a sacrifice in this enterprise was the amiable and judicious Ashmun, who in giving life and form & system to the polity of Liberia, has left an imperishable name. His successor, after a short career, has also deceased. It is, however, hoped, said Mr. Evarts, that by avoiding the same customs, and exposure to the climate, which the  lessons of experience had taught to be hazardous, the lives of future emigrants may be prolonged..."
--  Background on Jehudi Ashmun was an American agent who headed the Liberian colony from 1822-1828. Jehudi was a native of Champlain, New York. His wife died shortly after their arrival in Monrovia in 1822; and he died on August 25, 1828, at the age of 35, and was buried in New Haven, Connecticut. It was the African "fever", malaria or yellow fever that killed Ashmun and his wife.