reminding the colonists of all of their struggles together and generally pointing out to them how such a breach of discipline struck at the very heart of the settlement.  The colonists rallied to his support and the twelve men returned to duty.  The trouble, however, was not yet over.  On March 19, 1824, Ashmun found it necessary to order a cut in provisions.  He had previously declared to the Board that in his opinion the evil was “incurable by any of the remedies which fall within the existing provisions”; and counter remonstrances had been sent by the colonists, who charged him with oppression, neglect of duty, and the seizure of public property.  He now, seeing that his latest order was especially unpopular, prepared new despatches, on March 22 reviewed the whole course of his conduct in a strong and lengthy address, and by the last of the month had left the colony.

Meanwhile the Society, having learned that things were not going well with the colony, had appointed its secretary, Rev. R.R.  Gurley, to investigate conditions.  Gurley met Ashmun at the Cape Verde Islands and urgently requested that he return to Monrovia.[1] This Ashmun was not unwilling to do, as he desired the fullest possible investigation into his conduct.  Gurley was in Liberia from August 13 to August 22, 1824, only; but from the time of his visit conditions improved.  Ashmun was fully vindicated and remained for four years more until his strength was all but spent.  There was adopted what was known as the Gurley Constitution.  According to this the agent in charge was to have supreme charge and preside at all public meetings.  He was to be assisted, however, by eleven officers annually chosen, the most important of whom he was to appoint on nomination by the colonists.  Among these were a vice-agent, two councilors, two justices of the peace, and two constables.  There was to be a guard of twelve privates, two corporals, and one sergeant.

[Footnote 1:  This name, in honor of President Monroe, had recently been adopted by the Society at the suggestion of Robert Goodloe Harper, of Maryland, who also suggested the name Liberia for the country.  Harper himself was afterwards honored by having the chief town in Maryland in Africa named after him.]

For a long time it was the custom of the American Colonization Society to send out two main shipments of settlers a year, one in the spring and one in the fall.  On February 13, 1824, arrived a little more than a hundred emigrants, mainly from Petersburg, Va.  These people were unusually intelligent and industrious and received a hearty welcome.  Within a month practically all of them were sick with the fever.  On this occasion, as on many others, Lott Cary served as physician, and so successful was he that only three of the sufferers died.  Another company of unusual interest was that which arrived early in 1826.  It brought along a printer, a press with the necessary supplies, and books sent by friends in Boston.  Unfortunately the printer was soon disabled by the fever.