Ashmun--Necessity of Defence--Fortifications--Assaults--Arrival of Major Laing--Condition of the Colonies--Sloops-of-War “Cyane” and “John Adams”--King Boatswain as a Slaver--Misconduct of the Emigrants--Disinterestedness of Ashmun--U. S. Schooner “Porpoise”--Captain Skinner--Rev. R. R. Gurley--Purchase of Territory on the St. Paul’s River--Attack on Tradetown--Piracies--U. S. Schooner “Shark”--Sloop-of-War “Ontario”--Death of Ashmun--His Character by Rev. Dr. Bacon. 123 CHAPTER XIII. Lot Carey--Dr. Randall--Establishment of the Liberia Herald--Wars with the Deys--Sloop-of-War “John Adams”--Difficulties of the Government--Condition of the Settlers. 141 CHAPTER XIV. The Commonwealth of Liberia--Thomas H. Buchanan--Views of different Parties--Detached Condition of the Colony--Necessity of Union--Establishment of a Commonwealth--Use of the American Flag in the Slave-Trade--“Euphrates”--Sloop “Campbell”--Slavers at Bassa--Expedition against them--Conflict--Gallinas. 148 CHAPTER XV. Buchanan’s Administration continued--Death of King Boatswain--War with Gaytumba--Attack on Heddington--Expedition of Buchanan against Gaytumba--Death of Buchanan--His Character. 159 CHAPTER XVI. Roberts governor--Difficulties with English Traders--Position of Liberia in respect to England--Case of the “John Seyes”--Official Correspondence of Everett and Upshur--Trouble on the Coast--Reflections. 166 CHAPTER XVII. Roberts’ Administration--Efforts in Reference to English Traders--Internal Condition of Liberia--Insubordination--Treaties with the native Kings--Expedition to the Interior--Causes leading to a Declaration of Independence. 173 CHAPTER XVIII. Independence of Liberia proclaimed and acknowledged by Great Britain, France, Belgium, Prussia, and Brazil--Treaties with England and France--Expedition against New Cesters--U. S. Sloop-of-War “Yorktown”--English and French Cruisers--Disturbances among the native Chiefs--Financial Troubles--Recurring Difficulty with English Traders--Boombo, Will Buckle, Grando, King Boyer. 180 CHAPTER XIX. Condition of Liberia as a Nation--Aspect of Liberia to a Visitor--Character of Monrovia--Soil, Productions and Labor--Harbor--Condition of the People compared with that of their Race in the United States--Schools. 192 CHAPTER XX. Maryland in Liberia--Cape Palmas--Hall and Russwurm--Chastisement of the Natives at Berebee by the U. S. Squadron--Line of Packets--Proposal of Independence--Illustrations of the Colonization Scheme--Christian Missions. 200 CHAPTER XXI.