Trial and Sentence of Boombo.
Monrovia, April 6th, 1853.
We have seldom witnessed the trial of a case producing so much interest as that of Boombo’s. The readers of the “Herald,” need not be told, that Boombo is a chieftain of Little Cape Mount, that he had voluntarily entered into an arrangement with the Government of Liberia, and subscribed to demean himself according to the laws and constitution; also, that he and his people lived on lands purchased by the Government of Liberia from the native owners. Boombo, though bound by his solemn engagements to refrain from wars, and not to disturb the peace and quietness of the country, has repeatedly, since he placed himself under the laws of Liberia, broken his engagements by carrying on predatory wars, destroying towns and murdering and carrying into captivity hundreds of inoffensive men, women and children. To all the remonstrances of Government, Boombo gave no heed, and his bloody career did not end until he was brought to this city a prisoner. George Cain, of Grand Cape Mount, is also amenable to the laws of Liberia; and it is now well ascertained that he was the principal actor in all the disturbances created in the Little Cape Mount country. Boombo, it appears, acted under his direction.
At the last Court of “Quarter Sessions,” Boombo was indicted for “High Misdemeanor”—the indictment set forth a general allegation and three special counts. The first count charged the prisoner with violating his obligations and allegiance to the Government, and that he did procure and make war upon and against one Dwarloo Bey and certain other Golah chiefs, occupying a portion of the territories of Grand and Little Cape Mount—that he murdered the inhabitants—carried into captivity large numbers of the defenseless; sacked, burned and pillaged towns and villages, and laid waste the country. The second count charged, that Boombo violated, etc., as before, that he did procure and make war upon and against one Weaver, a Dey chieftain—crossing the Little Cape Mount river, and entering the Dey country for that purpose; that he murdered inhabitants, carried others into captivity, and sacked, burned, and pillaged towns and villages, and laid waste the country. The third count, charged that Boombo did violate, etc., as before, and that he committed felony, by seizing and carrying off merchandise from factories belonging to citizens of Monrovia. The Attorney-General, Wm. Draper, Esq., was assisted in this case by David A. Madison, Esq., of Buchanan, Grand Bassa. D. T. Harris, and J. B. Phillips, Esquires, appeared for the prisoner, and we are pleased to say that these gentlemen did all that honest and patriotic men could do for a man under such circumstances. They ably and eloquently defended the prisoner upon every point that formality and technicality would admit of, but as they could not argue the lock off the door, and as the evidence, especially that given by prisoner’s witnesses, was point blank against Boombo, the verdict was, guilty of each count.
The sentence was—restitution, restoration, and reparation of goods stolen, people captured, and damages committed; to pay a fine of $500, and be imprisoned for two years. When the sentence was pronounced the convict shed tears, regarding the ingredient of imprisonment, in his sentence, to be almost intolerable. It is hoped that this will prove a salutary example to all other chieftains under the jurisdiction of this Government, that they may, henceforward, be convinced of the determination and power of the Government to administer justice in the premises. It is the belief of many, that Boombo’s punishment, as per sentence, is too great, but we believe to the contrary. Until rigorous measures are used to deter chieftains from carrying on their predatory wars, there can not be any guarantee, but that some part of our coast will always be in a state of savage warfare.
ADDRESS
OF
THE OHIO COLONIZATION COMMITTEE,
TO
The Clergymen of Ohio.
Christian Brethren:
In our annual appeals to the churches, in behalf of the American Colonization Society, frequent reference has been made to the purchase of territory, in Africa, for an Ohio colony. The offer of funds for this object, by Charles McMicken, Esq., was made in 1848, and the purchase completed in 1850.
In anticipation of this result, memorials were forwarded to Columbus, in December, 1849, asking an appropriation, by the Legislature, to aid in the establishment of an “Ohio in Africa.” Among these petitions was one signed by the ministers of the Ohio Methodist Conference, the Ohio Baptist Annual Convention, the New School Presbyterian Synod of Cincinnati, the Old School Presbyterian Synod of Cincinnati, and the Old School Presbyterian Synod of Ohio.
In responding to these expressions of public sentiment, a resolution was passed, by both branches of the Legislature, asking the General Government to acknowledge the independence of Liberia; the Senate passed another resolution, asking Congress to withdraw its squadron from the coast of Africa, and to appropriate the $150,000 per annum, expended in its support, to the cause of African Colonization, as a more efficient means of suppressing the slave trade; and the House passed a bill, by a large majority, making a liberal appropriation to aid the proposed colony. The two last named measures were introduced so late in the session, that they were not acted upon, except by the branches named, and were postponed among the unfinished business.