was despatched in June on the U.S. schooner Porpoise.  The result of course revealed the probity, integrity and good judgment of Mr. Ashman; and Gurley became thenceforth his warmest admirer.  As a preventive of future discontent a Constitution was adopted at Mr. Gurley’s suggestion, giving for the first time a definite share in the control of affairs to the colonists themselves.  Gurley brought with him the name of the colony—­Liberia, and of its settlement on the Cape—­Monrovia, which had been adopted by the Society on the suggestion of Mr. Robert Goodloe Harper of Maryland.  He returned from his successful mission in August leaving the most cordial relations established throughout the colony.

Gurley’s visit seemed to mark the turning of the tide, and a period of great prosperity now began.  Relay after relay of industrious emigrants arrived; new land was taken up; successful agriculture removed all danger of future failure of food supply; and a flourishing trade was built up at Monrovia.  Friendly relations were formed with the natives, and their children taken for instruction into colonial families and schools.  New settlements were formed; churches and schools appeared; an efficient militia was organized; printing presses set up and hospitals erected.  On every side rapid progress was made.  After years of illustrious service Ashmun retired to his home in New Haven, where he died a few days later, on August 25, 1828.  Under Dr. Richard Randall and Dr. Mechlin, who successively filled his post, the prosperity of the colony continued undiminished.

The decade after 1832 is marked by the independent action of different State colonization societies.  At first generally organized as tributary to the main body, the State societies now began to form distinct settlements at other points on the coast.  The Maryland Society first started an important settlement at Cape Palmas, of which we shall make a special study.  Bassa Cove was settled by the joint action of the New York and Pennsylvania Societies; Greenville, on the Sinou river, by emigrants from Mississippi; and the Louisiana Society engaged in a similar enterprise.  The separate interests of the different settlements at length began in many cases to engender animosity and bad feeling; the need of general laws and supervision was everywhere apparent; and a movement toward a federal union of the colonies was set on foot.  A plan was at length agreed upon by all except Maryland, by which the colonies were united into the “Commonwealth of Liberia,” whose government was controlled by a Board of Directors composed of Delegates from the State societies.  This board at its first meeting drew up a plan of government, and Thomas Buchanan was appointed first Governor of the Commonwealth, 1837.  The advantages of the union were soon apparent.  The more aggressive native tribes with whom not a little trouble had been experienced, were made to feel the strength of the union; and many of the smaller