During these times Lott Cary continued to increase his popularity by
performing the pastoral duties of the Providence Baptist Church as
vigorously as he could.[109] He preached several times each week, and,
in addition, gave religious instruction to many of the native
children. A day school of twenty-one pupils was begun April 18,
1825.[110] By June, the number had increased to thirty-two, nineteen
of whom came from Grand Cape Mount, some miles distant.[111] Cary was
handicapped in this work by the lack of funds, by the demoralizing gin
traffic of the Europeans, by Mohammedanism, by the deadly climate and
by degraded fetichism,[112] yet, in the course of seven weeks, he
taught several children to read the Bible intelligently, although he
could not devote more than three hours a day to this work.[113]
In the meantime, in keeping with the report of the Board of Managers
of the General Missionary Convention in 1823, Governor Ashmun wrote to
the American Colonization Society, March 20, 1825, that "the natives
have universally a most affecting persuasion of the superiority of
white men.... I cannot hesitate to say that the missionary, or
principal of the proposed establishment (_i.e._, a religious mission
for Africa), ought by preference to be a white man."[114] The little
colony of near 400 souls was suffering for an adequate educational
program. Excepting Governor Ashmun, there was not an individual there
who had ever received a plain English education.[115] Allowing that
and granting that there were few intelligent Negroes in the United
States,[116] Ashmun would have appeared more hopeful of Negro
leadership had he made his request to the board more general.
Whether because of this appeal or not, it is singular to note that the
Rev. Calvin Holton, a graduate of Waterville College (now Colby
College), offered his service to the board the same year and, with 34
emigrants,[117] sailed from Boston in the brig _Vine_, January 4,
1826. He was employed to establish and direct a Lancastrian system of
education for (1) the children of the colonists, (2) for the native
children living in the settlement, (3) for the recaptured Africans who
numbered about 120, and (4) for the young men and women who were
teaching or preparing themselves for this profession.[118] His work
was not of long duration for on the 2d of July, 1826, he died[119] and
was succeeded early in 1827 by the Rev. G. M'Gill, "an intelligent and
experienced coloured Teacher from Baltimore."[120]
About this time the number of native boys who received instruction was
only 50. These were trained either to be interpreters to American and
European missionaries or religious teachers. Lott Cary had 45 scholars
enrolled in his school at Monrovia.[121] He was assisted by a lad of
fourteen years and by the Rev. John N. Lewis, another missionary sent
out by the Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society, but who, from
lack of adequate support, turned to other business.[122]
Lott Cary had a large task to perform with this school. As a matter of
fact, "the hopes of the African tribes," said Ashmun,[123] "from
Gallinas to Trade Town, are at present suspended upon it. Most of the
boys who attend it are sons of the principal individuals of the
country, and more than half can read the New Testament intelligently,
and understand the English language nearly as well as the settlers of
the same age." The expense of a native boy was estimated at $25 and of
a girl at $20.[124]
Gurley believed that the schools were numerous enough and amply able
to afford instruction to every child in the colony. Although this
instruction was compulsory, it is not altogether evident, however,
that at any place save Monrovia a real educational program was begun.
Ashmun related that about six out of every ten emigrants were
illiterate and that just one pious individual assisted by two or three
utterly illiterate exhorters was the only instructor around the
settlement. "Not one in five of these people habitually attend, even
on Sundays, such religious instruction as they possess." Consequently,
he adds that the moral power exerted was not sufficient to offset "the
demoralizing influence of corrupt examples."[125]
The Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society and Lott Cary,
however, were expending their funds liberally on the schools. The
surplus funds in the colonial treasury plus the subscription of $1,400
from the colonists (including $300 subscribed by Ashmun) were spent
for education.[126] Yet from all sources enough money could not be
raised to continue all the schools begun. Cary, in 1827, removed the
day school from Monrovia to Grand Cape Mount. He made appeal after
appeal to send the light to Africa. To prove that the natives would
sooner steal the light than miss it he gives the following incident
that occurred in removing the school establishment to Grand Cape
Mount:
"I had upwards of forty natives," he said,[127] "to carry our baggage,
and they carried something like 250 bars ($187.50); a part of them
went on four days beforehand, and had every opportunity to commit
depredations, but of all the goods that were sent and carried there,
nothing was lost except fifteen spelling books; five of them were
recovered again."
Mr. Cary's letter to Mr. Crane will explain somewhat the circumstances
of the school at Grand Cape Mount.
_June 11, 1827._
On yesterday week, being our monthly meeting, I baptized one
young man, and after preaching in the afternoon, we had the
happiness to break bread together in the house of the Lord. I
don't like to be too sanguine, but I think he will be a blessing
to the church; his name is John Reavy (Revey)--came out in the
first expedition, and has been engaged in teaching a native
school on the Sherbro, with Nathaniel Brander, until the last two
years, which he has spent at Sierra Leone.
For I fear I may not have another opportunity to write you again
soon, I must again call your attention to the immediate
establishment of a school at Cape Mount. Since writing the fore
part of this letter, I have received an order for books from Cape
Mount, which I have sent. I requested, at the same time, the
native Brother, John,[128] to come down immediately, and I would
try and arrange business so as to send up a teacher with him; and
on proposing the subject to Brother John Reavy, he is quite
willing to go up to commence the school as soon as the Brother
comes down. I expect to allow him $10.00 per month and find him.
My means at present will not justify these engagements, but I
know you will do what you can when there is an opportunity; if
you cannot send out tobacco or other articles, send out the
money. United States bank notes pass as well here as they do with
you. I shall try to keep the wheels going until you can send out
supplies. I want some writing paper and ink powder or ink, and
wish the Society (Richmond) would send me a bbl. of single nails.
You will please make my respects to all the brethren and friends,
and accept the same for yourself and the Board.