Items

• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David thanks Lowrie for the package (hand delivered by Reverend John Gray) that contained cloth for his coat, a flute, and one missionary chronicle. Board is somewhat cheaper now. "It is now $1.87 and a half cents per week, whereas it was $2.00 before." Price for washing is thirty seven and a half cents per dozen. David and Washington have a woman who washes and mends their clothes for nearly the same price which they charge at the institution for just washing. Walter Lowrie is not happy about prices of board and washing. David has the same teacher as last summer, Mr. James Snodgrass. "But Sir I do not think that it adds much to the progress of my studies to be driven about from pillar to post." Mr. Snodgrass will leave him in August. David reminds Mr. Lowrie, "Do not forget the Septuagint you promised me when you were here." Mr. David Beaver (a student who is about to graduate) died last Wednesday, June 9th, and was buried the 11th in the Presbyterian church yard. He complained for nearly a month but not one thought he was ill until three days before he died. He was a member of the Franklin L. Society. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  "Dr. Junkin departed this morning...[He] was followed by a great multitude of people of all ranks and sizes, and of all sexes. And when he got into the boat, and he, and his family and those that were to accompany him, were rightly fixed in the boat, he arose, and addressed them (for at the Banks of the Lehigh were crowded) and standing in the boat, he delivered his farewell address to the multitude on the shores...[it] was a most affecting and interesting one, as also were his two farewell sermons." "We came to Easton strangers, and are left strangers. We are not only left by Dr. Junkin and his family, but all the students whom we found here when we came are all gone from this college..." Lafayette does not yet have a new president, but Professor McCartney told David and Washington that they will still be treated well. "...I am now really homesick. But as I have only three years and half longer to study in this college, I think if I am shown fair play that I can get a long very well...there is prejudice in the college, and prejudice in the town, nay there is even prejudice in the churches...as my father and Mr. Lowrie often remarked to us that we would have to put up with many unpleasant thing for the sake of an education..." David asks for a "cheap copy of Shakespeare" and also to send some of the colonization papers so that he may see how they are "proceeding with the colony in western Africa." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David & Washington to Walter Lowrie

  Washington has been unwell for the last two weeks due to a fall, but he is quite well again. David was taken with violent pains through his body that lasted all night, but he feels better today. David and Washington are reading the History of England, along with their other studies (Geography, Arithmetic, and Grammar). David is having a hard time with English and Grammar, "but I am resolve to make perseverance my motto." Since the arrival of Mr. John and Robert Lowrie, David and Washington consider themselves "quite at home." Both men wish Mr. Lowrie a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David & Washington to John McDonogh

  David and Washington have been introduced to Walter Lowrie's sons, Mr. Robert and Mr. John Lowrie. "We are very glad indeed that they are come to live with us." David confesses that he is "afraid that I will never learn to write a good hand." He observes that he can't write as well at Lafayette as he could when he was home. He says, "it can't be because I don't try." David and Washington acknowledge receipt of a Johnson & Walker's dictionary from Mr. Lowrie. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  David apologizes for not writing every month like he had promised to do. He explains that it is very busy, there is no time, and there is nothing to write. On Saturday, August 11th, David hit his foot badly against a stone. It is nearly well. "We are improving in our studies...compound multipications...Geography...but we do not improve very fast with our Grammars and Writing." David asks for a dictionary because he and Washington only have one small dictionary that doesn't contain half the words which their studies require. David wishes to know when Wells hears from John McDonogh. He has written him twice but has not received an answer. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David informs Daniel Wells that he and Washington begin classes on the 24th of May. They will be studying arithmetic, geography, and catechism. David and Washington are still boarding with AO Hoff, but have also been given the option to board at the college. David and Washington wish to know if Wells has any objection to them attending Sunday School. They currently go to Church twice every Sabbath day. David asks to know if Wells has heard from John McDonogh, and if he bought the book and umbrella that David requested. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• Walter Lowrie to Daniel Wells

  In the presence of Daniel Wells and Peter Dougherty, Walter Lowrie does "hereby emancipate and set free from the bonds of slavery, David McDonogh and Washington McDonogh, two colored youth late belonging to John McDonogh Esq of New Orleans, and heretofore remaining with him in a state of slavery; but who have now been sent to my care by their late master, at his expense, for the purpose of receiving such an education as may fit them for usefulness in the missionary service in Africa." John McDonogh's letter of permission (sent May 2nd, 1838) is preserved among the papers of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John gives authority to Lowrie to Emancipate the slaves according to New York laws when he "sees fit and proper." He is sending them by the Ship Orleans, captained by Cpt. Sears. David is about twenty years of age and Washington is eighteen. John appoints Lowrie as guardian of David and Washington: "And until such time as you may see fit to Emancipate, and Free them from the Bonds of Slavery, and that they attain the age of majority, I appoint you the Guardian of said two, Black Youths, David and Washington." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  This letter is presented to Walter Lowrie by David and Washington upon their arrival in New York. David and Washington agreed to be called by the name, 'McDonogh'. John sees this act "is one of fair promise." John describes David as "a boy of bright parts- and of a high, proud, brave, and aspiring disposition (tempered at the same time with much piety), can be kept down, tempered, and made to walk humbly in the footsteps of his Lord and master, will become great among his people. He is capable of acquiring every science-- in short, he may become a Madison, and will be I trust, a Saint Paul among his people." John states that "Washington, not so bright and imaginative, has greater solidity of character: is of mild disposition, meek, humble, full of piety, can be molded to any form, and may be called the Monroe of his people-- though he does not seize a subject with the same rapidity of David, once he grasps it however, it remains his forever." Of the two, John writes they are "deserving of the kindness, which you, and your Society, are keeping upon them." He also notes that David and Washington speak French fluently. Enclosed is a note of the Bank of the United States, for the sum of one hundred dollars. This amount is intended to meet the expenses of clothing for the next twelve months. Also enclosed is a letter from John, appointing Lowrie as the "Guardianship of said youths, and empowering you to Emancipate and Free them, at such time as you may think proper." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "Among my Black family, I have two youths, of great promise, of the age of nineteen years, who are remarkable at that early period of life, for their intelligence, knowledge, and solidity of judgement, their pious, and tractable dispositions, whom I offer to your society, to be given a Religious Education, preparatory to their becoming missionaries of the Gospel in the Land of their forefathers." John McDonogh agrees to pay the expenses of their passage and clothing, as well as the sum of $100.00 a year. McDonogh acknowledges that laws do not permit owners to emancipate slaves before they have turned 30 years old, and even then, only in particular cases. He asks Lowrie whether there will be any difficulty sending David and Washington into Pennsylvania as slaves. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David to Walter Lowrie

  David is surprised that Walter Lowrie and John McDonogh have decided that he "shall go a full college course; at which I was very much surprised, because I never solicited any such think, and consequently never expected it." "But Sir, it is entirely against my disposition to think or to say anything contrary to what you and our father think proper to confer upon me: because I was not sent here to do my own will, but to do the will of you and him, who sent me here." "And be you assured Sir, that I will endeavor (with good behavior) to do all that is in power (if it so pleasures the Almighty God to give me health and strength) to make myself deserving of all the benefits; which you and our father are daily bestowing upon me." David informs Lowrie that his health is still on the decline, but not so much as it was before. He asks for permission to travel during vacation so he might get well and be better prepared for studying the next session. If David can find anyone to teach him during vacation, he would rather remain in college. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• McDonogh Tree
• LibMapscreenshot
• LibtoLafLogo
• Construction of a road connecting Millsburg and Bopolu

  An ACS agent hires a crew of natives to help build a road connecting Bopolu and Millsburg; by 1830 it was heavily traveled.
• The Gola people attack Millsburg

  Getambe, Chief of the inland Gola people, attacks Millsburg seizing six people as prisoners.
• Washington W. McDonogh joins the Liberian Legislature body

  Washington Watts McDonogh becomes a member of the Lower House of the Liberian Legislature.
• The True Whig Party is founded

  The True Whig Party went on to becoming the dominant polictical party in Liberia until the late 20th century
• 42 more former McDonogh slaves leave for Liberia

  In 1859, 9 years after John McDonogh's death, 42 more McDonogh slaves were freed and sent to Liberia.
• Maryland in Liberia is at war with the Grebo and Kru People

  Maryland in Liberia requests military aid from Liberia in a war with the Grebo and Kru peoples who were resisting the Maryland settlers' efforts to control their trade.
• The colony of Maryland in Liberia declares independence from the Maryland Colonization Society

  Maryland in Liberia declares indenpendence from the Maryland Colonization Society but does not join the Commonwealth.
• 3000 Tribes people apply and recieve citizenship

  3000 tribes people applied for and recieved citizenship status
• Liberia College is founded

  Liberia College is founded
• The Ladies Dorcay Society founded

  The Ladies Dorcay Society is founded in 1843 by the Methodist Episcopal Church of Monrovia
• Mississippi in Liberia joins the Commonwealth

  The Mississippi settlement at the mouth of the Sinoe River joins the commonwealth