EXTENSION OF THE LIBERIAN COLONY
It is known, that for some time past British armed vessels have been cruising along the
African coast north of Liberia, for the puipose of breaking up the slave markets which have
abounded in that region. The Gallinas river is about one hundred miles from Monrovia, in a
north-west direction. At its mouth several large slave factories were established, the business
being done by merchants located there, among whom was one named Pedro Blanco, a Spaniard.
Dr. Hall, of Baltimore, who was for several years on the coast, thus refers to this man:
“This man’s influence was unbounded among the native tribes on that section of the
coast, and we fear, at one time, extended to members of the colony of considerable
respectability. He was a man of education, having the bearing and address of a Spanish Grandee
or Don, which was his usual appellation. He lived in a semi-barbarous manner, at once, as a
private gentleman and an African prince. He had at one time a sister residing with him. He
maintained several establishments; one on an island near the river’s mouth, which was his place
of business or of trade with foreign vessels, that came to Gallinas to dispose of merchandise; on
another island, more remote, was his dwelling house, where he kept his private office, his books,
dined, took his siesta, slept, &c.,-here, we believe, his sister also resided; on a third, was his
seraglio of native wives, each in their several dwellings, after the manner of native chiefs.
Independent of all these were his barricoons of slaves, of greater or less extent, as circumstances
required. It may readily be supposed, that with the wealth accruing from a long and successful
prosecution of the slave trade, his power among the natives was equal to that of any despot.”
About 10,000 slaves, principally children and youth, were annually exported from the
Gallinas markets. The trade in that region has now been broken up, and arrangements will soon
be made by the Liberian government to purchase the whole territory, giving them an unbroken
line of sea coast of more than six hundred miles. What a field is here opened for missionary
enterprise! When shall it be occupied? The Baptists of the South may here find ample range for
their utmost benevolence.
The Commission
January 1850
P-2
