Liberia: Description, History, ProblemsStarr, Frederick
History
Liberia: Description, History, Problems
Starr, Frederick
Liberia
In 1870 Edward James Roye, a merchant and ship-owner, became President
of the Republic; he was a full negro; he represented the “True Whig”
party. His administration is notable for the turbulent character of its
events. It was under him that the famous loan of 1871 was made. Before
he became President, an effort had been made to amend the Constitution
in such a way as to make the presidential term four years instead of
two; the amendment was not carried; when, however, his term of office
neared its end, he proclaimed an extension of his period for two years.
Public dissatisfaction with the loan and a feeling of outrage at this
high-handed action aroused the people so that they rose against him; in
the strife several lives were lost; the President’s house was sacked;
search was made for him and one of his sons was caught and imprisoned;
in the effort to escape to a British steamer standing in the harbor, it
is said that he was drowned. Roye’s deposition took place October 26,
1871. A committee of three was appointed to govern the nation until a
new election could be held; these gentlemen were Charles B. Dunbar, R.
A. Sherman, and Amos Herring.
In this moment of public excitement and disorder the people looked to
their old leader, and Joseph Jenkin Roberts was again elected to the
presidency; this was his fifth term. His time was largely devoted to
bringing about calm and order; Benjamin Anderson, in 1874, made a second
expedition to Musahdu; in 1875 there was a war with the Gedebo (Grebo)
of some consequence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account