The book is written in the hope of arousing some interest in Liberia and its people and of kindling sympathy with them in the effort they are making to solve their problems. For Liberia is the hope of the Dark Continent. Through her, perhaps, African Redemption is to come. CONTENTS DESCRIPTION. Physiography 1 Political Geography 21 Society 25 Government 36 Economics 43 HISTORY. 1821-1828 52 1828-1838 71 1838-1847 80 1847-1913 88 PROBLEMS. Boundary Questions 100 The Frontier Force 118 Development of Trade and Transportation 131 The Native 144 Education 160 Immigration 185 Public Debt and Foreign Loans 199 Politics 210 The Appeal to the United States 221 REPRINT ARTICLES. The Liberian Crisis (_Unity_, March 25, 1909) 229 The Needs of Liberia (_The Open Court_, March, 1913) 231 A Sojourner in Liberia (_The Spirit of Missions_, April, 1913) 231 Liberia, the Hope of the Dark Continent (_Unity_, March 20, 1913) 235 What Liberia Needs (_The Independent_, April 3, 1913) 235 Should the African Mission be Abandoned (_The Spirit of Missions_, August, 1913) 241 The People of Liberia (_The Independent_, August 14, 1913) 244 APPENDICES. Leading Events in Liberian History 251 Declaration of Independence in Convention 257 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia 261 Suggestions to the United States 273 Presidents and Vice-Presidents; Secretaries of State 276 The National Hymn 277 Map of Liberia LIBERIA