Office of the Historian

No. 445.
Mr. Smyth to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Monrovia, February 12, 1880. (Received April 14.)
No. 70.]

Sir: On or about March. 15, 1878, certain French troops landed at the island of Matacong, an island about twelve miles off the mouth of the Mellicourie River, and took possession of it for purposes of revenue.

The governor of Sierra Leone protested against their occupation, on the ground that a treaty ceding this island to the British Government was negotiated between Kenneth Macauly, acting governor and commander-in-chief of Sierra Leone, and the native authorities in 1826. But this treaty was never ratified by the British Government, and remained in abeyance until last year, when the governor of Sierra Leone attempted to enforce the terms of it by exacting custom dues for vessels trading there. These dues have been paid under protest, and are-likely to restrict if not destroy the trade.

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American ships have always been accustomed to go to Matacong to trade or take in wood and water free of charge. But a short time ago the American bark Fury, Captain Burgess, was forbidden from going to Matacong without taking on board a revenue officer from Sierra Leone. To this the captain or his agents objected, and she cleared for Boston.

The native, authorities, alarmed at the threatened disaster to trade of the country, have united to protest against the possible occupation of their country by either English or French, and they have addressed a communication to the English and French Governments protesting against the occupation of their country, and expressing an earnest desire to be left to themselves to govern their own country and to admit foreigners as they have already done under the treaty regulations.

Inclosed please find a copy of their communication in the Arabic language, with a translation of same, setting forth the sentiments of the people, which may not be found without interest to the department.

The document is a true copy from the original.

I have, &c.,

JNO. H. SMYTH.
[Inclosure in No. 70.]

Translation of the Arabic letter inclosed, addressed by the chiefs of the Moriah country to the British and French Governments.

In the name of God the most merciful. O, God, bless Mohammed, and the people of Mohammed, and grant them peace.

This to his excellency the minister of foreign affairs.

We desire most respectfully and earnestly to lay before you the following true statement of facts:

For many years we, the people of the Moriah country, have been in treaty with the English Government, binding ourselves to respect and protect the lives and property of British traders residing in our territory, and have lately made a similar treaty with the French Government. And these treaties have been faithfully observed, with one exception.

We have noticed lately a desire on the part of the English and French Governments to take possession of our country—to have it under their protection, as they say—but we think that the meaning of that is that one or the other of these governments wishes to own the country.

Now, we send this letter to inform you that we do not desire nor accept any union with either of the governments, either the English or the French, and to ask the English and the French people to let our country alone and let us govern it in our own way, and to be satisfied with the treaties which we have entered into with them to trade in our country while they obey the laws of the country.

We ask further to be allowed to add that we are not willing, and we refuse, as we have always done, to sell or to give our country to any one; but we are willing that they should trade in all parts of our country, both the French and the English.

We know that we are not able to engage in war with you, and if you take our country from us you will do it by force and against our consent.

We ask for no help, only to be let alone.

In testimony we put our hands.