University of Virginia Library

February 7, 1834 from Sampson Ceasar to David S. Haselden

I embrace this opportunity to
inform you that I am well at this time hoping
that these few lines may find you enjoying the
Same blessing after fifty sixt days on the ocean we
all landed Safe in monrovia I was very Sick
on board of the vessle but I thank god that he
has taken Cear of me untill the present time I
hav Seen Agreate manys things Since I left home
that I never would of Seen in Buchannon it
urengs to mind the words of Solomon that the
eye is not satisfide with Seeing nor the eare with
hearing I must say that I am as well pleasd
as I expeced to be in Liberia we hav most all
had the fever and hav lost four of our number
one woman about Seventy five two Children under
twelve allSo the Rev Mr Rigt [1] one of our misenarys
lost his wife and we may Say She is aloss to africa

but we hav evry reson to belive that she is
at rest the balance is all on the mend this
is my twenty fourth day Since I first was
takin and I thank god that I hav not kept
my bed one hole day at atime the people
do die through imprudence we hav the best
docter that ever was in this place I can not
tell you much about africa I hav not been from
Monrovia Since I landed I must Say that
the people are doing better than I expected them
two agreat many of them got rich Since
they came to Liberia their is Some that are
doing bad like in all other places I think
from what I hav Seen and heard that any body
Can liv in this place if they will be industrous
the natives are numerous in this place and
they do the most of the work for the people in
this place they will Steal every Chance They
they hav they are most all Croomen[2]
in respect to my Self I think that I Could
make an independent living if I was to put
my Self about it but as my intention was to
Spend and be Spent for god I feal like standing
to my post I hav not been employd by the
methodist yet the Presbytterians offer to take
me in to their famely and Support me
and give me the best education that they
Can their is four in famely two white men
one white woman and one Coloured man
they hav treated me with greate kindness and
all So the methodist the methodist preachers
are plenty in this place and their is not
as larg A field in monrovia as would I wish to find and
be spent for god our methodist bishup told
me that as soon as he got over the fever he would
find me A Station I Can not tell you at
this time what parte of africa I will be placd
in I will write when I can tell you more A
bout it you must excuse bad writing and
all So bad Spelling I must come to A close